Many motorcycle enthusiasts enjoy riding in and around Greenbelt. Riding a motorcycle can be exhilarating, but there are risks associated with it as well, and many motorcyclists tragically become victims of collisions caused by negligent driving. Such accidents frequently happen on heavily traveled roads, like the Baltimore–Washington Parkway, the Capital Beltway, and MD 193 and 201, but they can occur on less busy streets as well. People involved in motorcycle accidents often suffer substantial losses, and they have the right to pursue claims against the parties responsible for their harm. If you suffered damages in a Greenbelt motorcycle accident, you should contact an attorney as soon as possible to assess your options for seeking compensation. The dedicated Maryland motorcycle accident lawyers of Foran & Foran, P.A. take pride in helping people harmed by careless behavior seeking redress for their losses, and if we represent you, we will work tirelessly to help you pursue a just outcome.
Getting a Police Report After a Greenbelt Motorcycle AccidentPeople who choose to pursue claims following Greenbelt motorcycle accidents will typically gather any evidence that supports their theory of liability, including accident reports issued by the police. Parties can obtain police reports for Greenbelt accidents online at www.crashdocs.org. They can also request them by mail or in person from the Records Unit of the Greenbelt Police, located at 550 Crescent Road, Greenbelt, MD 20770. Parties must provide government-issued identification to obtain a report, and reports will only be issued to qualifying individuals. If the request is mailed, it must include a copy of the requesting party’s driver’s license and a self-addressed envelope.
Pursuing Claims Following a Greenbelt Motorcycle AccidentPeople who suffer harm in Greenbelt motorcycle accidents often wish to hold the party that caused the accident accountable for their losses. In most instances, this means the injured party will set forth a negligence claim in a personal injury lawsuit against one of the drivers involved in the accident. Under Maryland law, negligence is made up of four components, and a plaintiff must establish each one to present a winning case. The first element is a duty owed to the plaintiff by the defendant. Often it is the obligation to act with reasonable care, but it may be a duty to comply with a traffic law or other statute or regulation. The second component is a breach of the duty. The third and fourth elements, damages and causation, are linked. In other words, the plaintiff must prove that the defendant’s behavior caused the accident in question and that the plaintiff sustained quantifiable losses as a result.
Damages Recoverable Following a Greenbelt Motorcycle AccidentIf the plaintiff proves each element of their negligence claim, the judge or jury will typically award them damages. For example, they may be able to recover the cost of any medical care they needed after the accident or that they are reasonably likely to require in the future, including hospitalization, surgery, physical therapy, and assistive devices. If they could not work because of the accident, they may be granted lost wages as well. Further, they may be able to recoup any out-of-pocket costs they expended due to the accident. In addition to compensation for the economic losses caused by the accident, they may be awarded damages for the non-economic harm sustained, such as pain, suffering, and emotional and mental trauma.
Confer with a Trusted Greenbelt Lawyer About Your CollisionMany people enjoy riding motorcycles in Greenbelt, but sadly some motorcycle rides are cut short due to avoidable collisions. If you sustained injuries in a motorcycle accident caused by another driver, you might be owed damages, and you should confer with an attorney. The trusted Maryland motorcycle accident lawyers of Foran & Foran, P.A. can assess the circumstances surrounding your accident and advise you regarding what claims you may be able to pursue against the party responsible for your harm. Our office is located in Greenbelt, and we regularly represent injured parties in motorcycle collision lawsuits in Greenbelt as well as in other cities in Prince George’s County and Montgomery County and throughout the State of Maryland. You can contact us through our online form or by calling us at (301) 441-2022 to set up a confidential and free meeting.