Baltimore, Maryland Bicycle Accident Lawyers

Bicycle Riders Deserve Outstanding Legal Representation

More people are choosing to travel by bicycle instead of automobiles in urban areas. In response, major cities are attempting to make their roadways more friendly to bicycle riders. Baltimore City is part of this growing trend that is racing against the clock to bring annual bicycle accidents down to zero.

If you were recently a victim of a bicycle accident, a Baltimore, Maryland bicycle accident lawyer can work with you to build a winning case to obtain financial compensation for your injuries. The attorneys at Portner & Shure, P.A. are ready and able to assist you.

Contact us by dialing (410) 995-1515 or online.

Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents

Automobile drivers have a duty to operate their vehicles safely and reasonably. Sadly, bicycle accidents are usually the result of an automobile driver’s negligence.

Common causes of severe bicycle accidents include:

• Distracted driving
• Driving while using a cellular phone
• Driver’s cutting off a bicycle rider
• Drunk driving
• Following a bicycle rider too closely

Maryland Laws Regarding Bicycle Riders

Maryland law, with some exceptions, generally imposes the same requirements on bicycle riders and automobile drivers. Maryland law prohibits bicycle riders from traveling on streets with a speed limit higher than 50 miles per hour. Additionally, bicycle riders are required to utilize bicycle lanes or travel on the right side of the road if a bicycle lane is no available.

Baltimore, Maryland Bicycle Accident Injuries

Bicycle riders are at risk of suffering severe injuries, such as:

• Brain injuries
• Nerve damage
• Soft tissue injuries
• Broken bones
• Facial injuries
• Spinal cord injuries

Due to the severity of these injuries, emergency medical treatment and surgery are often needed. While this type of treatment is effective at saving a victim’s life, extensive rehabilitation such as physical therapy and occupational therapy is required to ensure that a bicycle accident victim makes a full recovery.

Damages in a Bicycle Accident

Maryland law allows personal injury victims to claim economic and non-economic damages. Specifically, bicycle accident victims can seek compensation for their past and future medical bills, and past and future lost wages. Along with this, bicycle accident victims can also seek compensation for the pain and suffering they endured as a result of their injuries.

Litigation & Defenses in Bicycle Accident Claims

For a bicycle accident victim to win a personal injury case, they must prove their case by a preponderance of the evidence, i.e., 51%. In particular, a bicycle accident victim must prove that the other driver caused the collision that resulted in their injuries. Maryland law provides several legal defenses to personal injury claims, which insurance companies use to deny compensation.

Insurance companies often deny bicycle accident claims based on contributory negligence. This defense precludes a personal injury victim’s claim if evidence is produced showing that the victim acted negligently and that their negligence contributed to the accident. Insurance companies also deny bicycle accident claims based on the assumption of risk. This defense precludes a personal injury victim’s claim if evidence is produced showing that a victim had knowledge of a risk, appreciated the risk, and, despite knowing of the risk, undertook an action that caused the injury.

How A Baltimore, Maryland Bicycle Accident Lawyer Can Help You

Obtaining financial compensation for your injuries after suffering a bicycle accident can be a difficult and complex process. A Baltimore, Maryland bicycle accident attorney can simplify the process. The attorneys at Portner & Shure, P.A., have built a reputation of successfully fighting for their clients in the Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese), Vietnamese, Korean, and Hispanic communities and obtaining favorable results. Portner & Shure, P.A., receives no fee unless our client obtains a settlement or judgment in court.

To schedule a free consultation regarding your Baltimore bicycle accident case, contact us at (410) 995-1515 or contact us online.