Baltimore Bicycle Accident Lawyer
More people in Baltimore and throughout Maryland are starting to get around on a bicycle rather than by a motor vehicle, particularly in the spring and summer months. Bicycles are friendlier to the environment, are less costly because they require less maintenance, and they are a great form of exercise. Unfortunately, bicycles are also quite dangerous for those that ride them. This is because motorists often do not watch for bicycles and end up crashing into innocent cyclists. When this is the case, injured cyclists can file a claim for compensation, and a Baltimore bicycle accident lawyer can help them do it.
Bicycle Laws in Maryland
Maryland has many bicycle safety laws. These include:
- All cyclists under the age of 16 must wear a helmet at all times.
- Motorists are prohibited from passing a cyclist when they cannot leave three feet of space between them and the bicycle.
- Bicyclists must ride in a bike lane whenever it is possible.
- Bicyclists must travel in the same direction as traffic and must remain at the right side of the road.
- Cyclists are prohibited from wearing headphones or earplugs in both ears while operating their bike.
- All bicycles are required to have a front lamp and a red reflector on the rear.
These laws can impact any personal injury claim. For example, when a motorist causes a crash because they do not leave enough room around a cyclist, they can be found negligent per se, which means accident victims do not have to prove negligence because the driver violated traffic laws.
Determining the Value of a Bicycle Accident Claim
No one can determine with certainty how much a bicycle accident claim is worth without first analyzing the facts of the case. However, there are some factors accident victims can use to determine the value of their claim.
- The nature and severity of the injuries claimed
- The amount of time the accident victim missed from work
- If the cyclist followed Maryland’s bicycle laws
- If the motorist followed Maryland’s rules of the road
It is important to also understand the concept of contributory negligence in Maryland. Unlike other states, Maryland follows a pure model of contributory negligence. This means that when accident victims are even one percent at fault for the accident, they are typically barred from receiving any compensation at all.
Due to the fact that Maryland is a fault state, meaning that accident victims must file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company, the insurer will likely try to argue that the accident victim was partly at fault to avoid paying compensation on a claim. It is for this reason it is crucial to work with an attorney that can refute these claims.
Our Baltimore Bicycle Accident Lawyers can Help with Your Claim
After you have been injured in a bicycle accident, there is a lot at stake. You may be entitled to compensation, but one mistake could ruin your claim. At Iamele & Iamele, LLP, our Baltimore bicycle accident lawyers can ensure these mistakes are not made, so you receive the full settlement you deserve. Call us today at (410) 779-6160 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation with one of our attorneys and to learn more about how we can help with your claim.
