Two Maryland residents were killed in separate motorcycle crashes in Charles County, Maryland over a recent weekend. According to one news source, the first crash occurred around 3:30 pm on a Friday afternoon in Waldorf, Maryland.
According to law enforcement, the motorcyclist crashed with a van that was pulling out a driveway. The 20-year-old motorcyclist died at the scene. The second crash occurred on a Saturday morning in Bryans Road, Maryland. Law enforcement reported that the motorcyclist was driving around a curve when she lost control of the motorcycle, crossed the center lines, and was hit by an oncoming vehicle. The 44-year-old motorcyclist also died at the scene of the crash.
What Are the Time Limits for Filing Maryland Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit?
Most civil lawsuits must be filed within a certain time period—failing to do so generally means that the case will be dismissed. In Maryland motorcycle accident cases involving an injury to a person, there is a three-year statute of limitations that applies in most cases. In Maryland motorcycle cases resulting in the death of a person, a three-year statute of limitations also applies. This means that the case must be filed with the court within three years of the date of the crash. The time limit for a claim, known as the statute of limitations, is meant to limit the liability of a defendant to a certain time period to provide predictability and fairness to potential defendants.
There are also exceptions that may apply in some cases which effectively extend the statute of limitations. This allows some victims to file a claim beyond the general limit of three years of the date of the accident. If the victim was incapacitated at the time of the accident due to an injury or disability, or by virtue of being a minor, the statute of limitations will not start to run until the incapacity is no longer present. In some cases, an injury may not be evident, and the statute of limitations may not start to run until the injury reasonably should have been discovered. In any case, an experienced Maryland injury attorney should evaluate the claim and advise clients on the time limit for filing the claim. Failing to act and file a claim within the applicable statute of limitations will normally result in the dismissal of the case and the case generally will not be able to be refiled.
Contact a Maryland Injury Attorney if You Have Been Injured
If you have been injured in a Maryland motorcycle accident or another type of automobile accident, contact a Maryland personal injury attorney as soon as possible. Victims may be able to recover financial compensation for their injuries through a Maryland civil lawsuit. The attorneys at Lebowitz & Mzhen, LLC represent victims throughout Maryland and the Washington, D.C. area. The legal team at Lebowitz & Mzhen, LLC can assist injured victims in recovering from their injuries by guiding them through the legal process. Call 1-800-654-1949 or fill out their online form to schedule a free consultation today.
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