Maryland Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Blog
Motorcycle riders in Prince George’s County face serious risks every time they share the road with cars, trucks, and SUVs on the Capital Beltway, Route 301, and Route 4. When a collision occurs, the motorcyclist almost always suffers the worst injuries — broken bones, road rash, traumatic brain injuries, and spinal cord damage are common outcomes. Maryland law provides a path to compensation for injured riders, but the state’s contributory negligence rule creates an obstacle that other states do not impose. Lebowitz & Mzhen Personal Injury Lawyers has represented motorcycle accident victims across Prince George’s County and throughout Maryland for nearly 30 years, recovering over $90 million for injured clients.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Prince George’s County?
Most motorcycle accidents in Maryland are caused by the negligence of another driver rather than the rider. The most frequent causes of motorcycle crashes in Prince George’s County include left-turn collisions where a car turns into an oncoming motorcycle, rear-end collisions at intersections, lane-change accidents where a driver fails to check blind spots, dooring incidents in urban areas like Hyattsville and College Park, and road hazard crashes caused by potholes, debris, or uneven pavement.
High-traffic corridors through Prince George’s County — including I-495, MD-295, Route 301 through Bowie and Upper Marlboro, and Central Avenue (MD-214) — concentrate motorcycle accident risk during commuting hours and on weekends when recreational riders are active. Intersections near FedExField and the Largo Town Center area see particularly heavy traffic volumes that create dangerous conditions for motorcyclists.
How Does Maryland’s Helmet Law Affect Motorcycle Accident Claims?
Maryland requires all motorcycle riders and passengers to wear a helmet that meets Department of Transportation (DOT) safety standards, under Md. Code, Transp. § 21-1306. Maryland is a universal helmet law state — the requirement applies regardless of the rider’s age or experience level.
If you were not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, the defense will almost certainly argue that your head injuries would have been less severe or avoided entirely. Under Maryland’s contributory negligence doctrine, this argument can potentially bar your entire claim — not just reduce it. An attorney experienced in motorcycle accident defense tactics can counter helmet-based arguments by presenting medical evidence about the nature and cause of your specific injuries.
How Does Contributory Negligence Affect Motorcycle Accident Cases?
Contributory negligence is the legal rule that bars a plaintiff from recovering any damages if they contributed even minimally to the accident. Maryland, along with the District of Columbia and a small number of other jurisdictions, still follows this all-or-nothing rule. Insurance companies defending motorcycle accident claims routinely allege the rider was speeding, failed to signal, was lane splitting, or was riding without proper protective gear.
Lebowitz & Mzhen Personal Injury Lawyers builds motorcycle accident cases with the specific goal of defeating contributory negligence defenses in Prince George’s County Circuit Court and other Maryland courts. The firm’s attorneys work with accident reconstruction specialists to establish that the other driver — not the rider — caused the collision.
What Compensation Can Motorcycle Accident Victims Recover in Maryland?
Motorcycle accidents frequently produce injuries far more severe than car-on-car crashes. The absence of a protective metal frame means the rider absorbs the full force of impact. Maryland law allows injured motorcyclists to recover compensation for medical bills (emergency care, orthopedic surgery, rehabilitation, and long-term treatment), lost wages and diminished earning capacity, pain and suffering, scarring and disfigurement from road rash or burns, and property damage to the motorcycle and riding gear.
The statute of limitations for filing a motorcycle accident personal injury claim in Maryland is three years from the date of the crash under Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 5-101. Missing this deadline forfeits your right to pursue compensation through the courts.
Motorcycle accident injuries often require extensive surgery and months of rehabilitation. The financial pressure to accept a quick insurance settlement can be intense, but early offers rarely account for the full cost of recovery. Contact Lebowitz & Mzhen to have your case evaluated before accepting any settlement offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I file a motorcycle accident claim if I was lane splitting?
Lane splitting — riding between lanes of slow or stopped traffic — is not explicitly legal in Maryland. If the insurance company can prove you were lane splitting at the time of the accident, it may argue contributory negligence to bar your claim. However, the other driver’s negligence (such as an unsafe lane change) may still be the primary cause of the crash. An attorney can evaluate whether a viable claim exists based on the specific facts.
What if the driver who hit me was uninsured?
Maryland law requires motorcycle insurance policies to include uninsured motorist (UM) coverage unless the policyholder specifically rejects it in writing under Md. Code, Ins. § 19-509. If the at-fault driver carries no insurance, your own UM coverage may pay for your medical expenses and lost wages.
How much is a motorcycle accident case worth in Prince George’s County?
The value of a motorcycle accident case depends on the severity of injuries, total medical expenses, lost income, the degree of pain and suffering, and the strength of the liability evidence. Maryland caps non-economic damages, and the cap amount adjusts each year. There is no formula that produces an exact figure without reviewing the specific facts of the crash.
Speak with a Prince George’s County Motorcycle Accident Attorney
Motorcycle accident claims in Maryland demand an attorney who understands how insurance companies use contributory negligence and helmet law arguments against injured riders. The Prince George’s County personal injury attorneys at Lebowitz & Mzhen Personal Injury Lawyers have built a practice focused on getting results for accident victims across the state. Founding partner Jack Lebowitz has earned Maryland Super Lawyers recognition for more than 10 consecutive years and holds an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell — the highest peer-review rating available. Call (800) 654-1949 or contact the firm online for a free consultation. No fees unless you win.
Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Each case is evaluated on its own facts and applicable law.