Even if motorcycle riders obey every rule of the road, they cannot completely eliminate the risk that someone else may act irresponsibly and collide with them. Tragically, these sorts of collisions have fatal repercussions for motorcyclists all too often. If you recently lost a loved one in this way, you know all too well how devastating this situation can be.
Seeking civil compensation after a fatal motorcycle accident in Prince George’s County may feel like an insufficient remedy for the immense loss your family has sustained. With help from a compassionate motorcycle accident attorney, though, you can enforce your rights to minimize the financial and personal impacts of the accident as much as possible.
What Damages Are Recoverable After a Fatal Motorcycle Crash?
Unlike a traditional motorcycle accident claim, where the plaintiff filing suit is seeking restitution for physical injuries they suffered in a crash, a claim built around a fatal motorcycle accident in Prince George’s County is meant to seek recovery for indirect consequences of that accident. More specifically, it is meant to allow surviving family members of the deceased person to recover for specific losses they will experience because of their loved one’s premature death, such as:
- Emotional anguish
- Lost future financial support
- Lost companionship and comfort
- Lost guidance, advice, and counsel
- Lost assistance with household services and care for dependents
Importantly, though, state law caps recovery for non-economic consequences of wrongful death at:
- $935,000 in total for cases with just one beneficiary
- 150 percent of the single-beneficiary cap—equal to $1,402,500 currently—for cases with multiple beneficiaries
These caps apply to cases arising between October 1, 2024, and September 30, 2025. The single-beneficiary cap is $950,000, and the cap for cases involving two or more beneficiaries is 150% of that amount, or $1,425,000.
Other Unique Rules for Motorcycle Wrongful Death Cases
Under Maryland law, the only people who initially have standing to file suit over a wrongful death caused by a motorcycle crash in Prince George’s County are the deceased person’s:
- Surviving spouse
- Child(ren)
- Parent(s)
If none of those people survive the deceased person, the right to file suit passes to anyone who can prove they are a blood relative of the deceased person or were substantially financially dependent on them prior to their death.
Additionally, there is a statute of limitations for wrongful death litigation, which allows eligible beneficiaries just three years after their family member’s date of death to file suit. Failing to start the litigation process before this deadline passes will virtually always lead to a court throwing the case out for being time-barred.
A Prince George’s County Attorney Can Help Following a Fatal Motorcycle Accident
No one deserves to lose someone they love before their time, and certainly not because someone driving near their motorcycle acted in a careless or illegal way. As you have unfortunately learned, though, incidents of this nature happen far too often. Financial restitution is the best thing civil law can offer to make up for the incalculable harm your family has experienced.
Working closely with a compassionate lawyer can streamline the legal process and minimize the additional stress and heartache it may place on you and your loved ones. Call Price Benowitz today to discuss your options after a fatal motorcycle accident in Prince George’s County.
