Hiring a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Maryland
The Maryland helmet and lane-splitting rules, the deadline to sue, how lawyers usually charge (contingency fees), how to check a lawyer's license, and free help. We do not recommend or rank lawyers.
What a lawyer costs in Maryland: fee rules
| If a lawyer takes your money | The Client Protection Fund of the Bar of Maryland, created in 1965 and supported by practicing attorneys, reimburses clients who lose money through misappropriation by Maryland lawyers (or out-of-state lawyers authorized to practice in Maryland) acting as attorneys or fiduciaries, except to the extent the loss is bonded; malpractice is not covered. Reimbursement for one claim, or all claims against the same attorney, cannot exceed 5% of the Fund's net balance. Claims must be filed within six months after the claimant discovers the theft (the Trustees may accept late claims). Filing is free, and a lawyer who helps may not charge a fee. Fund home: https://www.mdcourts.gov/cpf ; governing rules: Md. Rules 19-601 to 19-610 |
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Maryland rules to know first
| Helmet law | Every motorcycle operator and rider must wear approved protective headgear (except in an enclosed cab), and the operator must wear approved eye protection unless the motorcycle has a windscreen. By statute, not wearing a helmet may not be considered evidence of negligence or contributory negligence, may not limit a party's or insurer's liability, and may not reduce damages recovered; helmets generally may not even be mentioned at trial unless the case concerns the helmet itself. Source: Md. Code, Transp. §21-1306 |
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| Lane splitting | Lane splitting is banned in Maryland. A person may not ride a motorcycle between lanes of traffic or between adjacent lines or rows of vehicles, and a motorcyclist may not pass in the same lane as the vehicle being passed (police officers on duty are exempt). Every motorcycle is entitled to the full use of a lane, and motorcycles may not ride more than two abreast in one lane. Source: Md. Code, Transp. §21-1303 |
| Fault rule | Contributory negligence. Maryland is one of the few states that keeps the common-law rule: an injured person whose own negligence contributed to the injury generally cannot recover. Maryland's highest court declined to replace this rule with comparative negligence in 1983 and again in 2013, saying any change is for the General Assembly. |
| Deadline to sue | Three years from the date the claim accrues. This is Maryland's general deadline for civil actions unless another law sets a different period. |
Find and check a lawyer
| Lawyer referral service | The Maryland State Bar Association does not make referrals itself; it says "Your county's bar association can help you find a lawyer in your area" and lists county bar numbers, including Anne Arundel (410) 222-6859, Baltimore City (410) 539-3112, Baltimore County, Carroll and Frederick (410) 337-9100, Harford (410) 836-0123, Howard (410) 313-3853, Montgomery (301) 279-9100, and Prince George's and Charles (301) 952-1440. Fees are set by each county service. |
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| Check that the lawyer is licensed | The Maryland Judiciary's attorney listing, drawn from its Attorney Information System, lets you search by last name (partial names allowed) and first name, with a similar-names option. An attorney listed as active is in good standing and authorized to practice; other listings may show inactive or retired attorneys, judges, or attorneys with disciplinary or administrative actions affecting eligibility. Questions: Supreme Court of Maryland Clerk's Office, 410-260-1500. |
| Check discipline history or file a complaint | Complaints about Maryland lawyers go to the Attorney Grievance Commission's Office of Bar Counsel, which investigates and prosecutes violations of the Rules of Professional Conduct. Read the instructions, complete and print the Attorney Complaint Form (English or Spanish), and mail it to the Office of Bar Counsel, 200 Harry S. Truman Parkway, Suite 300, Annapolis, MD 21401. Questions: (410) 514-7051 (staff cannot discuss complaint details by phone). Public sanctions and actions affecting licensure are posted on the Commission's website. Sanctions: https://www.mdcourts.gov/attygrievance/sanctions |
Free legal help
| Free legal aid | The Maryland Court Help Center, run by the Maryland Judiciary, offers "Free legal help with your civil matter" by phone at 410-260-1392, Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Maryland Legal Aid, the state's LSC-funded legal aid organization, provides free civil legal help to eligible low-income Marylanders. LSC grantee list: https://www.lsc.gov/about-lsc/our-grantees |
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General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.