Yes — if a driver hit you while you were riding your bike in Baltimore, you can sue them for your injuries, medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Maryland law gives injured cyclists the right to hold careless drivers fully accountable when their negligence causes harm. And at The Law Office of Marc J. Atas, we fight relentlessly to make sure you get every dollar you deserve.
🚴♂️ Your Rights After a Bicycle Accident in Baltimore
If you were hit by a car while biking, you have powerful legal rights — even if the driver says it was “just an accident.”
The truth is simple: if that driver was distracted, speeding, drunk, or careless in any way, you can file a personal injury claim or lawsuit to recover compensation.
You may be entitled to recover money for:
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Medical expenses (hospital bills, surgery, rehab, medication)
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Future medical care and therapy
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Lost income and future earning potential
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Pain, suffering, and emotional distress
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Property damage (bike, helmet, gear)
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Loss of enjoyment of life
Don’t let an insurance company tell you otherwise. You are not powerless. You have legal rights — and we’re here to help you use them.
⚖️ What To Do Immediately After a Bicycle Accident in Baltimore
When a driver hits a cyclist, every decision you make afterward can impact your claim. Here’s what you should do:
1. Call 911 Immediately
Always report the crash. Police will document the scene, identify witnesses, and create an accident report — a critical piece of evidence for your case.
2. Get Medical Attention
Even if you think you’re fine, many injuries — like concussions or internal bleeding — don’t show symptoms right away. Always get checked out and follow up with a doctor.
3. Gather Evidence
If you can, take photos and videos of:
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The vehicle and your bike
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Road conditions and traffic signals
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Your injuries
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The driver’s license plate
Get witness names and contact information. These details help prove what happened.
4. Do NOT Speak to the Insurance Company Alone
Insurance adjusters will try to trick you into admitting fault or accepting a low offer. Politely refuse to give a statement until you’ve spoken with your lawyer.
5. Call The Law Office of Marc J. Atas
We’ll protect your rights, deal directly with the insurance companies, and fight to get you maximum compensation. Call us before you talk to anyone else.
🧠 Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Baltimore
Every bike crash is different, but most result from driver negligence. Common causes include:
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Distracted driving (texting, eating, adjusting GPS)
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Failure to yield at intersections or when turning
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Speeding or aggressive driving
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Opening car doors without looking (“dooring”)
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Drunk or impaired driving
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Running red lights or stop signs
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Unsafe passing or tailgating
Many of these crashes happen because drivers simply don’t respect cyclists’ right to share the road. Maryland law is clear: bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as motorists.
If a driver violates those rules and injures you, they can and should be held liable.
🚨 Maryland’s Bicycle Laws That Protect You
Knowing your legal rights as a cyclist is critical. Here are key Maryland laws that protect you:
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§21-1202: Bicyclists have the same rights and duties as drivers.
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§21-1209: Drivers must give at least 3 feet of space when passing a bicycle.
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§21-1203: Cyclists must ride as far to the right as practical, except when turning left or avoiding hazards.
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§21-1306: It’s illegal to open a car door into moving traffic unless it’s safe to do so.
When drivers ignore these laws and cause injury, that’s negligence — and it gives you grounds to file a claim.
💥 Common Bicycle Accident Injuries in Baltimore
Cyclists are completely exposed. Even at low speeds, collisions with cars often cause severe injuries such as:
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Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
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Concussions
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Broken bones and fractures
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Neck and back injuries
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Spinal cord damage or paralysis
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Road rash and deep lacerations
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Internal organ injuries
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Emotional trauma and PTSD
These injuries can change your life. You may face months of medical treatment, physical therapy, and lost work — all while bills pile up. That’s why it’s critical to get a tough, experienced bicycle accident lawyer who knows how to make the insurance company pay.
🏛️ How to File a Bicycle Accident Lawsuit in Baltimore
Here’s how the process typically works:
Step 1: Free Consultation
At The Law Office of Marc J. Atas, we start by listening to your story. We’ll evaluate your case, explain your rights, and tell you exactly what your claim is worth — for free.
Step 2: Investigation
We collect every piece of evidence: police reports, photos, surveillance video, medical records, witness statements, and accident-reconstruction data.
Step 3: Demand Letter
We send a powerful demand letter to the insurance company that details your injuries, losses, and total damages. This starts the negotiation process.
Step 4: Negotiation
Most cases settle out of court — but we prepare every case like it’s going to trial. If the insurance company refuses to pay fairly, we take them to court.
Step 5: Lawsuit and Trial (if necessary)
If negotiations fail, we file a lawsuit in Maryland court and aggressively fight for a verdict that reflects your full damages.
You don’t pay us anything unless we win.
⚠️ Understanding Maryland’s Contributory Negligence Law
Maryland follows one of the strictest legal rules in the country: contributory negligence.
That means if you’re found even 1% at fault for your accident, you could lose your right to compensation.
Insurance companies love to use this rule to deny claims — blaming cyclists for “not wearing bright clothing,” “riding too close to traffic,” or “not signaling.” Don’t fall for it. We know their tactics and how to beat them.
At The Law Office of Marc J. Atas, we build airtight cases that prove the driver — not you — was responsible. We use expert witnesses, crash reconstruction, and evidence from the scene to shut down false blame.
💰 How Much Is a Baltimore Bicycle Accident Case Worth?
The value of your case depends on several factors, including:
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The severity of your injuries
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Total medical costs (past and future)
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Lost wages and future earning capacity
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Pain and emotional suffering
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Whether the driver was drunk or reckless
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Permanent disability or scarring
In Baltimore and across Maryland, serious bicycle accident cases can result in settlements or verdicts worth hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars — depending on the facts.
We’ve helped Maryland clients recover life-changing results, and we’ll fight to do the same for you.
🧾 What Evidence Helps Prove Your Case
To win your case, we must prove that the driver was negligent. Useful evidence includes:
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Police reports and citations
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Witness statements
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Photos/videos of the scene
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Traffic-camera or security-camera footage
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GPS or black-box data from the vehicle
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Medical records and expert testimony
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Accident-reconstruction reports
We gather all of this — fast — before it disappears. The sooner you contact us, the stronger your case will be.
⏰ Deadlines to File a Bicycle Accident Lawsuit in Maryland
Maryland has strict time limits, called the statute of limitations.
For most bicycle accident injury claims, you have 3 years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit.
If you miss this deadline, you lose your right to recover compensation — forever.
There are shorter deadlines if a government vehicle (like a city bus or police car) hit you. In those cases, you must file a notice within one year.
Don’t risk it. Contact us immediately so we can preserve your rights.
💡 Can You Still Recover if the Driver Has No Insurance?
Yes — possibly. If the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured, you may still have options through:
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Your own auto policy’s uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage
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A family member’s policy
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A claim against other liable parties (e.g., employer, vehicle owner, or municipality if road hazards contributed)
We’ll investigate every possible source of recovery so you don’t get stuck with unpaid bills.
🚗 What If You Were Hit by a Hit-and-Run Driver?
If the driver fled the scene, don’t panic — you may still be able to recover compensation.
Maryland law allows cyclists to file uninsured motorist claims with their own insurance if the at-fault driver cannot be identified.
We’ll work with police and investigators to find video evidence, witness statements, and any leads to track the driver down.
Never assume you have no case. Call us — we can help.
🏥 Why You Should Never Settle Too Soon
Insurance companies often rush to offer a quick payout — but it’s almost always far less than what your case is worth.
They want you to sign away your rights before you know the full extent of your injuries.
Don’t fall for it. Once you accept a settlement, you can’t go back for more money later.
Before signing anything, talk to a Baltimore bicycle accident lawyer at our firm. We’ll tell you what your case is really worth — and fight to get it.
⚖️ Why Choose The Law Office of Marc J. Atas
For more than 40 years, Marc J. Atas has fought for injury victims across Baltimore and Maryland. We’ve taken on major insurance companies and won — time and time again.
Here’s what sets us apart:
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Decades of proven results in serious injury and accident cases
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Personalized attention — you’ll work directly with your attorney
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Aggressive negotiation backed by real courtroom experience
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No fees unless we win
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24/7 availability — we answer when you need us
We’re not just lawyers. We’re fighters, advocates, and your voice against powerful insurance companies that try to silence you.
When the stakes are high, we don’t back down — ever.
🧭 What To Expect When You Hire Us
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We handle everything. You focus on healing.
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We investigate immediately. Time is critical.
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We communicate directly. No endless voicemail chains.
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We prepare every case for trial. Insurance companies respect that.
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We fight until you get justice.
You’ll never feel alone. From your first call to your final settlement, we’re with you every step of the way.
🗣️ Real Examples: How We Help Bicycle Accident Victims
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A cyclist struck by a distracted driver near the Inner Harbor recovered over $250,000 for multiple fractures and lost wages.
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A hit-and-run bike crash victim in Towson received a six-figure settlement through uninsured-motorist coverage.
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A delivery cyclist injured by a car door downtown secured maximum policy limits after we proved negligence through surveillance video.
Every case is different — but the outcome depends on one thing: having the right lawyer on your side.
📍 Bicycle Accidents Are Rising Across Baltimore
Baltimore’s narrow roads, distracted drivers, and lack of protected bike lanes make cycling dangerous.
Recent data from the Maryland Department of Transportation shows hundreds of bicycle crashes every year, many resulting in serious injury or death.
Neighborhoods like Downtown, Fells Point, Canton, and Charles Village see some of the highest crash rates — especially where drivers speed or ignore red lights.
It’s time to hold negligent drivers accountable — and make Baltimore’s streets safer for everyone.
🧩 Frequently Asked Questions About Bicycle Accident Lawsuits
1. Do I need a lawyer if I was hit by a car on my bike?
Yes. Insurance companies will not treat you fairly without one. A lawyer ensures you get the full value of your claim.
2. What if I wasn’t wearing a helmet?
You can still file a claim. Maryland law doesn’t automatically bar recovery if you weren’t wearing a helmet — though insurers might try to argue it. We fight those arguments.
3. How long will my case take?
It depends. Some cases settle within a few months; others go to court and take longer. Our goal is always the maximum recovery in the shortest time possible.
4. What if the driver says I caused the crash?
Don’t panic. We’ll investigate and prove what really happened using evidence, witnesses, and expert reconstruction.
5. How much does it cost to hire your firm?
Nothing upfront. We only get paid when we win.
🧭 Bottom Line
Yes — you can absolutely sue a driver who hit you while riding your bike in Baltimore.
If you were injured because of a careless driver, you deserve justice — not excuses.
At The Law Office of Marc J. Atas, we’ve helped Maryland cyclists recover full compensation for their injuries, and we’re ready to fight for you next.
Don’t wait. Evidence disappears quickly, and deadlines are strict.
📞 Call us now at 410-752-4220 for a case evaluation.