Maryland Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Blog
When a motorist negligently causes an accident with a motorcyclist, resulting in injuries to the motorcyclist, the at-fault driver may be held liable for their negligent actions through a Maryland motorcycle accident lawsuit. However, when the at-fault party is a government employee, there are often additional complications, due to government immunity that attaches in some situations.
Government Immunity in Maryland Motorcycle Accidents
It used to be that governments and their employees were never liable for any accident that occurred while carrying out official government business. However, with the passage of the Maryland Tort Claims Act, this official government immunity is waived in certain circumstances.
Under the MTCA, small claims against the government are permitted as long as liability does not exceed $200,000 per claim. It is important to note that these claims will not be automatically approved, and most need to be litigated before compensation will be available. Claims under the MTCA have strict notice and timeliness requirements that must be followed, or cases will be dismissed. Anyone considering filing a Maryland personal injury claim against a government entity should consult with a dedicated Maryland personal injury attorney.
If an accident victim’s damages exceed $200,000, they may consider naming additional defendants in hopes of being fully compensated for their injuries. In many Maryland personal injury cases, more than one party is responsible for an accident, but these parties may not be known to the accident victim without a thorough investigation.
Police Car Collides with Motor-Scooter, Killing One
Earlier this month in North Carolina, one man was killed when he was struck by a police cruiser. According to a local news report, the officer was operating a marked patrol car in the late-morning hours when the accident occurred.
Evidently, the officer attempted to perform life-saving measures after the accident, but he was unsuccessful. The 61-year-old accident victim was later pronounced dead at the scene of the accident by emergency workers.
Authorities on the scene shortly after the accident told reporters that they believe the officer attempted to avoid the collision but was unable to do so. However, the cause of the collision was not immediately clear, and authorities have not yet made an official determination. A complete investigation is pending, and the officer has been placed on paid administrative leave until the investigation is complete.
Have You Been Injured in a Maryland Motorcycle Accident?
If you or a loved one has recently been injured in a Maryland motorcycle accident, you may be entitled to monetary compensation. Depending on the circumstances surrounding the accident, there may be multiple parties responsible for your injuries. For example, employers may be liable for the negligent acts of their employees. To learn more about the law as it pertains to Maryland motorcycle accidents, contact one of the dedicated attorneys at the law firm of Lebowitz & Mzhen Personal Injury Lawyers at 410-654-3600 to schedule a free consultation. Calling is free, and we will not bill you for our services unless we are able to help you obtain the compensation you deserve.
More Blog Posts:
Maryland Motorcycle Accidents Caused by Motorists Running Red Lights, Maryland Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Blog, published August 4, 2017.
Establishing Government Liability in Maryland Motorcycle Accidents, Maryland Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Blog, published July 13, 2017.