Maryland Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Blog
As the summer season rolls in, more and more people will hop on their bicycles, leaving the cars in the garage. Bicycling can be an affordable and environmentally friendly way to get where you need to go, but riding a bicycle presents additional dangers that commuters should be aware of and should take precautions against.
Perhaps some of the biggest dangers to bicyclists are distracted drivers. Since in most cities bicycles are required to ride on the road with cars and trucks, a driver who is not paying as close attention as they should may inadvertently drift into a bike lane or fail to see a turning bicyclist. In cases in which another motorist causes a bicycle accident, that bicyclist may be entitled to recover compensation for any injuries they sustained. However, in Maryland, a very specific doctrine makes it difficult – if not impossible – for a bicyclist to recover for their injuries when the bicyclist shares fault with another party.
The Doctrine of Contributory Negligence
Maryland follows the doctrine of contributory negligence when it comes to determining who is able to recover for their injuries after an accident. Indeed, contributory negligence is a very strict doctrine that prevents an injured accident victim from seeking compensation for their injuries if they are even the slightest bit at fault in causing the accident that resulted in their injuries. This means that it is incredibly important for anyone injured in a Maryland bicycle accident to seek out the counsel of an experienced personal injury attorney.
Woman Killed in Bicycle Accident while Riding in Charity Event
Earlier this month, a woman was killed when she was struck by a pick-up truck while riding her bike in a charity event for pancreatic cancer. According to one local news source covering the tragic accident, the collision occurred at around 9:40 in the morning, not long after the “Pedaling for Pancreatic Cancer” fundraiser began.
Evidently, a truck struck the bicyclist, knocking her off the bike and resulting in the bicyclist sustaining fatal injuries. However, since there were no eyewitnesses to the fatal bicycle accident, police are not sure how the accident occurred and who was at fault. Police have asked anyone in the public to come forward if they have any information. Until then, the case remains open.
Have You Been Injured in a Maryland Bicycle Accident?
If you or a loved one has recently been injured in a Maryland bicycle accident, you may be entitled to monetary compensation. It is not always easy to determine fault in Maryland bicycle accidents, and a named defendant and their insurance company will attempt to exploit any uncertainty. Make sure that you are well represented in your case to prevent an unfair shifting of blame. Call 410-654-3600 to set up a free consultation with one of the dedicated Maryland bicycle accident attorneys at Lebowitz & Mzhen Personal Injury Lawyers. Calling is free and will not result in any obligation on your part unless we can help you recover for your injuries.
More Blog Posts:
Man Critically Injured in Motorcycle Accident; Reconstruction Team Trying to Discover Cause, Maryland Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Blog, published June 20, 2016.
Motorcycle Accident Victim’s Case against City Alleging Negligent Failure to Remedy Dangerous Road Conditions Permitted to Proceed, Maryland Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Blog, published June 6, 2016.