Motorcycle accidents are extremely traumatic, even more so than other vehicle accidents. In many cases, they cause significant physical injuries and property damage. Severe motorcycle crashes can change a victim’s life forever.
People involved in motorcycle accidents frequently experience:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Broken bones
- Loss of limbs
- Permanent scarring
- Paralysis
- And more
Most motorcycle crash victims require immediate and ongoing medical attention. Emergency medical care and rehabilitation are expensive and cause accident victims a great deal of stress. A Baltimore motorcycle accident lawyer helps people involved in accidents receive fair compensation for their injuries.
How do you know what you deserve after a motorcycle accident and how does an attorney help you get it?
Maryland law provides for two different types of compensation after a motorcycle accident. This includes compensatory and punitive damages.
What Are Compensatory Damages?
People injured in vehicle crashes receive compensatory damages to cover their economic and non-economic losses. Economic damages include the quantifiable losses one suffers as the result of their injuries. For example, economic damages include medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage.
Non-economic damages include losses that are difficult to measure. The most common type of non-economic compensation is pain and suffering.
The intention of both types of compensatory damages is to make the accident victim “whole.”
Compensatory damages compensate them for their losses.
What Are Punitive Damages?
The court levies punitive damages as a type of punishment. These damages attempt to deter the defendant and other people from acting in the manner that caused the accident.
It’s rare for Maryland courts to award punitive damages. To do so, the plaintiff must show “actual malice.” This means the defendant acted with ill will, spite, or hatred. This doesn’t mean there was premeditation or that the defendant intentionally caused the collision.
Punitive damages are more common when a defendant flees the accident scene and commits a hit-and-run crime. Maybe the collision was an accident. But it’s legally an act of malice if someone involved leaves and makes no effort to contact authorities.
Riding a motorcycle is a risky endeavor, but for many people, it’s worth the risk. Many people enjoy the freedom that comes with hitting Maryland roads on a bike. But even with the proper safety precautions, collisions and injuries are common. And all too often, the injuries you experience when involved in a crash while riding a motorcycle are significant. If this happens, you need the guidance and support of a Baltimore motorcycle accident lawyer.
If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident, the experienced personal injury attorneys as Shugarman & Mehring can help. To schedule a consultation or to discuss your case, contact them at 410.783.4200 or toll-free at 888.342.7200 to schedule a consultation.
Shugarman & Mehring
Phone: 