Maryland Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Blog

It’s a tragedy when anyone dies, but fatal traffic accidents can usually be avoided. In the case of car-bicycle collisions, the bicycle rider is always the loser. As a Baltimore motorcycle and bicycle accident attorney, I have represented numerous victims of senseless auto, bike and motorcycle accidents over the years. The human toll is always severe in these cases. Sadly, a recent news article details yet another fatal Maryland bicycle-car accident.

According to a news article, Maryland State Police identified the body of a bicycle rider as that of 47-year-old Curtis Andrew Leymeister who was killed on the morning of October 5 while commuting on his bike. The accident occurred on Clarks Landing Road not far from the victim’s home.

The Hollywood resident was struck from behind by a Honda Accord driven by another local resident, 20-year-old Kathy May Lee. According to police, Leymeister was riding his bike west in the westbound lane of the roadway, near the intersection of Scotch Neck Road. Investigators said that the rider was in the travel portion of the roadway, centered in the westbound lane. And although he was going the right way, police reminded that he should have been on the paved shoulder.

The impact was such that Leymeister was thrown from his bicycle and died at the scene sometime after 8am, despite efforts by emergency medical personnel to save him. On factor in his death could have been the fact that he was not wearing a helmet, but police said that it is not known if protective head gear would have lessened his injuries. According to the accident report, the car had visible damage to its roof and windshield.

Police said the preliminary investigation indicates the car's driver was traveling within the posted 40-mph speed limit on her way to a college campus. However, it is a driver’s responsibility to be aware of all traffic and pedestrians in his or her immediate area, and this may not have been the case in this instance.

Bicyclist killed; struck by car in Hollywood, SoMdNews.com, October 7, 2009

Even before people began riding their bicycles to save gas and money during this recent economic downturn, bicycling accidents were already a fact of life around Baltimor and other parts of the state. As personal injury lawyers, we at Lebowitz & Mzhen, LLC have first-hand experience with individuals who have been hurt in traffic accidents involving a bike. Numerous bicycle fatalities and lesser injuries occur each year as a result of another person’s negligence.

Sad to say, many bicycle accidents and the injuries received as a result are totally preventable. This goes back to my previous statement, which points the finger at motorists whose negligent actions cause the accident in the first place. Of course, that’s not the only cause. A percentage of cycling accidents are a direct result of a defective bicycle or equipment.

Bicycle crashes and other cycling-related accidents can cause severe injury, and sometimes death. Neck and head injuries are rather common -- in fact, many bicyclists suffer brain damage following a serious accident. Similarly, spinal cord injuries, nerve damage, broken limbs, and even permanent injuries are not uncommon as a result of these types of collisions. If an automobile is involved, a fatality is a frequent result.

If a cyclist is not killed in a car-bicycle accident, many times the financial costs -- medical and lost wages -- can be significant. Injuries can be so severe that reconstructive surgery or lengthy and expensive medical treatment is needed for a full recovery. It is important to remember that not all insurance companies are willing to pay for the costs incurred by an injured bicyclist, at least not without a struggle. Keep in mind, insurance companies employ their own lawyers in an effort to try and avoid paying claims due to bicycle accidents.

This is why it is extremely important for anyone who is injured in any kind of accident involving a bicycle to retain a qualified personal injury attorney who is well versed in handling these types of injury accidents. As skilled Maryland personal injury attorneys, my office can provide accident victims with valuable advice and representation. If someone else’s negligence has deprived you of your quality of life, your livelihood or your physical well-being, do not hesitate to seek compensation for your pain and suffering.

An Annapolis, Maryland, motorcyclist was killed in mid-September traffic accident when a Catonsville man driving a Saturn passenger car collided with a motorcycle on Riva Road in Anne Arundel County. As Maryland motorcycle accident attorneys working in the area of personal injury law, our staff has seen the results of crashes like this one, and sadly, the automobile no matter how small usually wins.

According to reports, the accident occurred around 5:30 on a Friday afternoon, near Aris T. Allen Blvd. Officers from the Anne Arundel County police department stated that a Saturn model being driven by 38-yeaar-old Michael Joseph McCann attempted to make a left turn out of the Bowen Farm Supply onto Riva Road.

Traffic was apparently stopped in the two southbound lanes as the Saturn driver began to turn into the southbound left-turn lane. Just then, Adam Douglas Ketels, 25, from Annapolis changed lanes into the left-turn lane and sped up, according to witnesses. Ketels’ Yamaha motorcycle slammed into the driver side door of the merging Saturn.

New reports state that an off-duty volunteer firefighter witnessed the wreck and attempted to provide aid to the severely injured biker. Once emergency medical services (EMS) crews arrived at the scene, Ketels was treated and transported to the Anne Arundel Medical Center. He was later airlifted to Maryland Shock Trauma Center for further treatment of his injuries, from which he later died.

As is usually the case in such car-motorcycle accidents, the driver of the Saturn was reportedly unhurt in the crash. Meanwhile, County police began a full investigation into the fatal crash.

Annapolis man killed when motorcycle, car collide, BaltimoreSun.com, September 22, 2009

Although the summer is officially over, there will still be some great weather here in Baltimore and the surrounding area as we head toward the winter months. Getting that last ride in prior to parking you bike for the season may cause some riders to ignore the potential dangers inherent to motorcycle operation. As Maryland personal injury and motorcycle accident attorneys, Lebowitz & Mzhen, LLC understands what drives motorcyclists, and also what can hurt them.

Motorcycle-automobile accidents are frequent in the summer months, but they also occur in the cooler months as well. In fact, as the bulk of bikes get stored after the summer, four-wheeled motorists become less aware of bikes later in the season. A car-motorcycle accident is especially tragic because a motorcyclist has little protection against the mass of a car, SUV or pickup truck.

Whereas the driver of an automobile is usually protected from an impact, a motorcyclist usually receives a direct blow from another vehicle; and a rider may also be thrown a fair distance from the crash site. As a result, many motorcycle accidents have an especially high rate of injuries, including broken bones, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and other permanent injuries. Sadly, fatalities are very common when it comes to motorcycle accidents.

Wearing a helmet is one of the best things a rider can do to improve his or her chances of surviving a motorcycle crash. Helmets can reduce the incident of fatal brain injuries by a huge percentage. Protective clothing and the proper footwear can also mean the difference between a minor injury accident and a disabling or permanently incapacitating one.

But no matter how well you prepare, there is always a chance that you could be involved in an accident on your bike. In such an instance, a qualified Motorcycle accident attorney is essential following a crash. A good attorney can communicate with accident investigators to determine whether driver error, fatigue, vehicle speed, alcohol or substance abuse, weather, road conditions, or mechanical defects or other factors were the cause of a motorcycle accident. In fact, retaining the right attorney can mean the difference between being found substantially responsible for an accident or avoiding liability altogether.

If you or someone you know has been involved in a motorcycle accident in Baltimore or surrounding communities, we highly recommend that you contact a legal professional with extensive experience in handling motorcycle accident cases.