While not always a valid excuse, the fact is that when a driver fails to recognize a nearby rider in traffic, the potential resulting accident can turn out to be very serious to the point of being life-threatening. After a bike crash, the needed medical treatment and potential rehab, which may also be required, can add up to extensive hospital bills. A rider who incurs such costs following an accident caused by another negligent driver should consult a qualified personal injury lawyer to better understand his or her options vis-à-vis recouping those medical costs from the responsible party or parties.
As Maryland personal injury attorneys, we have the skills and training to handle motorcycle-related accident cases, which we have already established can often be due to the negligence of another driver in a car- or truck-related accident. Furthermore, it’s a fair assumption that the majority of motorcycle riders are safety conscious despite the negative stereotypes typically portrayed on television and in the movies.
]]> In the final analysis, statistics will show that riders are involved in both minor and serious accidents; some of those crashes are fatal, life-threatening or could eventually result in long-term or permanent paralysis -- this last kind of condition being the result of closed-head trauma or possibly spinal cord injury. In any case, riders must always balance their enjoyment of riding a bike ride with the ever-present risks of operating a smaller, faster vehicle in heavy traffic.If one needs any more of a reminder, studies have shown that more than 150,000 individuals across the country are sent to the hospital every year as a result of motorcycle accidents. Take the average number of fatalities each year -- nearly 5,000, based on past years -- and consider that motorcyclists are about four times more like to die in a roadway crash than that of automobile drivers and passengers.
Those figures are based on 2004 statistics, which were generally worse than earlier in the ‘90s when nearly five percent of nationwide traffic deaths involved motorcycle riders (2004 saw nearly a doubling of that figure to about nine percent).
One of the more scary things is that Maryland law treats motorcycle accidents differently from car and truck wrecks. This is due to differences in insurance policy coverage between autos and bikes; for example, under Maryland law (Section 19-505(c)(2) of the Maryland Insurance Code) the Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage provided to motorists by most insurance companies in cases of a car or truck accident does not apply when a person is injured on a motorcycle.
Ironically, though if one is not covered by PIP under most policies when hurt while riding a bike, if someone causes one’s bike to fall over on them while it is parked (essentially while one is a pedestrian) PIP coverage will usually apply. Oddly, motorcyclists -- as consumers -- might expect their insurance policies to provide good protection, here in Maryland the law tends to protect the insurance companies from loses due to motorcyclists who are injured when on the road.
Similarly, if a biker is injured by an uninsured driver, the situation is complicated when injuries are concerned. If you take a ride on another person’s bike and get into an accident with an uninsured/underinsured motorist, the uninsured motorist benefits provided under your own insurance policy may apply. However, if you own a motorcycle and a car on the same policy (or, even on different policies), the policy limit as provided for your bike will apply to that accident even though you may have a higher uninsured benefit on your car or truck.
The lesson, here in Maryland, would be to maintain high coverage limits -- including uninsured motorist coverage -- on any and all vehicles that you drive. Also, it would be advisable to contact a motorcycle accident attorney following an injury accident. Information is power, and any amount of advice is better in the long run than no advice at all.
]]>Add to their slim profile, most bikes are fairly fast and even quick to stop, putting less-than-inattentive drivers of four-wheeled passenger cars and 18-wheel commercial trucks in danger of running into them both coming and going. Insurance companies understand the dangers of motorcycles, to the point of making their policies less than attractive, or even placing certain motorcycle models on a list of “uninsurable” vehicles.
For anyone who hasn’t had a close call with a motorcyclist, as Maryland personal injury attorneys who represent bikers injured in traffic collisions, we can say that even the best drivers can be caught unaware by the “sudden” appearance of a bike in the roadway ahead of them. But it is conceivable that even police officers who have been trained in all manner of traffic safety, defensive driving and emergency situations, could from time to time be surprised by a motorcyclist.
Late last year, a news article described an accident between a biker and a marked police cruiser in the North Laurel, MD, area. According to news reports, a 43-year-old rider was sent to the hospital after a collision with a police car on Rte 216 near the Leishear Rd. intersection.
]]> Police reports indicate that Frederick Adkins was riding his Harley-Davidson Sportster westbound in the left-hand lane of Maryland Rte 216 a little before 10am. At the same time, according to reports, a Dodge Charger police car belonging to the Howard County Police Department (HCPD) was going south along Leishear Rd. -- the patrol car reportedly had its lights and audible siren in use at the time of the incident.Apparently the traffic signal was red for the officer just prior to the accident and, based on police reports, the cruiser slowly eased into the intersection. As it did, the motorcyclist reportedly struck the front portion of the police car; apparently the force of the traffic collision caused the rider to be thrown from his mount. The victim, a resident of Columbia, MD, was transported to University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center where he was reportedly listed in stable condition at the time of the news article. The Howard County patrolman, Pfc. Bryan Mason, was uninjured, according to news reports.
Based on news articles, the Traffic Enforcement division of the HCPD was in the process of investigating the collision, however an initial statement from police authorities indicate that one contributing factor in the wreck was the biker’s failure to stop and yield to the approaching police car.
This could be a difficult situation for the motorcyclist involved in this traffic accident, since police officers are supposedly trained for situations such as this. In order to determine the extent of responsibility on the part of the patrolman or the police department would require a deep investigation by an experienced personal injury lawyer well-versed in accidents involving motorcycles. Regardless, such a case should at the very least be discussed with a Maryland motorcycle accident attorney to better understand one’s options.
North Laurel Police Car Crash Sends Motorcyclist to Hospital, Patch.com, November 13, 2011
As Maryland personal injury attorneys, I and my staff have in-depth knowledge of the state laws and statutes covering traffic accidents, cost recovery following various types of personal injury, as well as the legal rules and guidelines that govern the insurance industry’s coverage of drivers, riders and passengers of various motor vehicles. As we mentioned above, the insurance laws governing individuals hurt while riding a Harley-Davidson, Honda, Ducati or any other kind of motor bike are somewhat different than those that apply to persons injured while riding in a car or truck.
Because of our experience in handling motorcycle-related personal injury cases, we know that most non-riders (that is, drivers of four-wheelers) are usually surprised to learn that the majority of car-bike and truck-bike collisions are caused by negligence on the part of the automobile or truck driver, not the motorcyclist as many tend to believe. Perhaps it’s the rough and tumble, so-called bad-boy image of the biker typically portrayed in movies and on TV; but the fact remains, most riders are conscientious and safety-oriented individuals.
]]> That said, this doesn’t mean that every biker avoids becoming caught in some rather horrendous traffic accidents; they do, and the results can be serious if not down right deadly. This is unfortunately what makes riding a motorcycle both highly exhilarating, as well as very dangerous at the same time. When it comes to the typical car-bike crash, studies have shown that more than 80 percent of multi-vehicle accidents involving motorcyclists are the result of negligence on the part of the car or truck driver.One of the reasons for this is likely the fact that motorcycles can come to a stop much quicker than a typical passenger car, and therefore those riding bikes are far more likely to be rear-ended by a car than the other way around. This is especially true when the person operating the car or truck is tailgating or following much too close to allow for the shorter stopping distance of a typical motorcycle.
Another cause of car-bike crashes is the result of an automobile or commercial truck not yielding the right-of-way to a biker. This may be due to the typical and all-too-common statement that the driver of the four-wheeler never saw the cycle and rider until it was much too late to avoid the collision.
While it may be said that automobile and truck drivers are more than likely the negligent party in a traffic accident with a motorcyclist, the more painful truth is that -- regardless of who is at fault -- a biker is reportedly more than 20 times as likely to be killed in a roadway collision than any occupant in a passenger car. Based on this sad, but widely understood statistic, it is understandable that more than 150,000 riders are sent to the emergency room every year in this country; and thousands of motorcyclists die annually in the U.S. as a result of car-bike collisions.
Following a motorcycle accident, and the medical treatment and rehabilitation that may be required as a result, one must consider recovering those costs from the responsible party or parties. We’ll cover that here in the future in one of our next installments. Meanwhile, ride safe and keep the shiny side up.
]]>As Baltimore motorcycle accident attorneys and Maryland personal injury lawyers, I and my staff have the skills to represent victims of car and truck accidents. Because cyclists, like pedestrians, have next to no protection in the event of a traffic collision, the extent and severity or injury sustained by a rider can be many times that of a passenger car occupant.
Closed-head injuries are one of the more significant threats to biking accident victims. The moniker given to motorcycles by some in the healthcare industry -- namely, “donor-cycle -- is certainly well earned. However, the right to own, ride and enjoy a motorcycle makes this fact moot, as most people who take up the hobby live long and productive lives.
Like any traffic accident, motorcycle wrecks can range from minor to fatal. When one does occur, the police and insurance companies investigate to determine fault, if any. Many times, the cause of the serious crash may be found to be negligence on the part of another motorist, which doesn’t change the fact that the victim’s injuries may linger for months or years to come. From time to time, a motorcycle rider may lose control of his or her machine and crash alone.
]]> Not long ago, a biker from Cecil County was killed when he apparently lost control of his ride while traveling along a stretch of Carrs Mill Road in Harford County. According to news reports, the 29-year-old man from Rising Sun, MD, was heading north on Carrs Mill just before 11am when for some reason he lost control of his bike while in the middle of a downhill curve in the roadway.The Harford County Sheriff's Office reported that Adam Wyatt’s ‘05 Kawasaki went out of control and threw the man into the southbound lane of the roadway. Immediately following the bike wreck, the victim’s body was struck by a passing vehicle heading south on Carrs Mill.
Arriving at the scene of the crash, emergency rescue crews from the Fallston Volunteer Fire Company found that Wyatt was apparently dead at the scene having suffered from what paramedics referred to as "multi-system trauma." The sheriff’s department stated that there did not appear to be any signs of alcohol use, and that the rider was wearing his helmet at the time of the accident.
At the time of the news report, this wreck was the sixth fatal bike crash in Harford County for 2011 and the 21st traffic death, based on county police records. A statement issued by the Harford County officials explained that this particular portion of Carrs Mill has been witness to a number of recent traffic collisions and that, while the county was still in the process of effecting safety improvements, drivers should be aware of possibly poor road conditions and drive with care through the area.
Motorcyclist killed in crash on Carrs Mill Road in Fallston, BaltimoreSun.com, November 29, 2011
As Maryland personal injury lawyers representing victims of car, motorcycle and trucking-related accidents, I and my colleagues have met enough motorcyclists to know that these people can be some of the more safety conscious individuals on the road. And why not? Unlike a typical passenger car driver or commercial trucker, a biker is totally exposed to nearly every danger that Maryland traffic can dish out, with no real protection save some leather and a DOT-approved helmet.
As we stated earlier, being aware and ready for trouble is no guarantee of actually avoiding it on the road. Rockville, Washington, D.C., Gaithersburg and Annapolis expressways and surface streets have been the scene of many serious and fatal motorcycle wrecks over the years. For most any motorcyclist, even the most minor accident can result in painful personal injuries such as road rash, deep lacerations, broken bones and even spinal cord damage.
As we age, our bodies can become less tolerant of injury, which is why it may be important for older bikers to keep in mind that what experts have been saying; that older motorcycle riders who are involved in serious traffic accidents tend to have a lower rate of survivability than younger riders, given the same circumstances.
]]> In other words, with a greater chance of death following a car-bike or truck-bike collision, older riders should consider the odds before taking to the street in what many might term less than optimal road or weather conditions. Naturally, we can’t eliminate every accident, but limiting the opportunity for a bike wreck might help some riders live to ride another day.Quite often, injuries sustained as a result of a motorcycle crash can be fatal. Certainly, in some of the more serious cases, a victim may survive yet end up in a permanently disabled state. With more than 100,000 motorcycle crashes occurring across the U.S. every year, a good five percent of those result in a rider’s death. All things being equal, we have seen statistics that show a typical biker is 35 times more likely to be killed in a traffic accident than someone traveling in a car or truck.
A while back we learned that older bikers do in fact have a statistically higher risk of injury or death following a traffic-related accident. According researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center, aging bikers were found to be at greater risk of being hurt or dying as a result of a roadway collision than if they were much younger. The study that came from this research pretty much turned the common wisdom that young and relatively healthier riders are the ones more often killed in bike crashes.
Included in those findings were some key stats, not the least of which was that the average age of motorcyclists involved in crashes during the period 1996 through 2005 ranged from 34 to 39; that during this period, the percentage of over-40 motorcyclists who were injured as a result of a crash over increased from about 28 percent to almost 50 percent; Finally, age range that experienced the greatest increase in injuries and deaths from motorcycle wrecks was that of the 50- to 59-year-old group.
The study also found that the number of cyclists aged 60- to 70-years-old who were hurt in traffic accidents was up during the same ten year period. Apparently, motorcyclists older than age 40 experienced a greater fatality rate than bikers under 40; and those who did die following a motorcycle accident were more likely to succumb to less serious injuries, when compared to their younger counterparts.
Of course, preexisting conditions and the body’s naturally reduced ability to endure injuries as one ages were major contributors to fatalities, as well as to extended hospital stays and longer-term health complications among older riders.
Taking all this into consideration, we hope that riders of all ages will remember that they are not indestructible and that a modicum of safety and commonsense can go a long way to preserving one’s life.
Aging Motorcyclists Hit the Road, But at Greater Risk of Injury, Death, PR Newswire, April 5, 2010
National Trauma Data Bank, American College of Surgeons
]]>Common misperceptions aside, motorcycle riders -- as well as motor-scooter users -- are usually rather safety conscious; perhaps even more so than the typical car, SUV or truck driver, because their lives are on the line, not just the sheetmetal of their vehicle. Talk to most any motorcyclist and you may begin to understand the combination of passion and risk management that keeps these people riding year after year.
But as we all know, whether here in the Baltimore area, Frederick, Hagerstown or Washington, D.C., traffic collisions between motorcycles and cars, as well as accidents involving commercial trucks, happen more often than anyone would like. For a biker, even a minor crash can result in some serious and painful bodily injuries. Road rash, cuts and bruises and dislocated joints are usually the least of one’s problems following a motorcycle crash.
]]> Instances where a bike is hit by a car or truck traveling at highway speeds, the results can be catastrophic for the rider, not to mention his passenger. While every rider in Maryland is required by law to wear a helmet, this is not a guarantee that one will not be serious or critically injured in a traffic wreck. Police agencies and safety experts alike believe that helmets give a biker that extra margin of survivability in a crash, but head, neck and spinal injuries are still common.It has often been said that as a motorist gets older, what is lost in reflexes and reaction time is more than offset by experience and driving know-how. But it is important to remember that older motorcycle riders have what some authorities say is a greater chance of death following a collision, than a younger rider. For this reason alone, it may be wise to consider the risks as one moves up in age, at least as far as the more riskier times to ride -- in poor weather conditions, riding at night, or operating in densely-packed urban traffic.
Based on information from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in past years, some bikers traveling throughout the District and other nearby municipalities have been caught in more than a few fatal crashes. While winter is upon us, the few opportunists out there may consider going out on a dry day with dangerous consequences. Also, with the economy still sputtering along, many motorcycle riders continue to use their bikes for needed transportation whenever possible in order to save on higher auto insurance costs and rising gasoline prices.
Accidents are bound to happen, more so when passenger car and truck drivers are least expecting to encounter a bike on our highways or surface streets. Some of the more common causes of bike accidents include rider inexperience, lack of visibility, other drivers’ inattention or distracted driving, alcohol use, misjudging a traffic situation, poor road surface conditions, and even defective vehicle components.
There’s always more to discuss about this subject, but suffice it for now to say, be careful and ride defensively. There is no deadline, no errand, no get-together more important than one’s own life. Take your time, use your commonsense, and arrive alive.
]]>Fortunately, most of those individuals who dare to brave the winter elements on a two-wheeler also have the experience to avoid the many of the dangers lurking out on our public roads. Traffic accidents are an everyday event in Maryland; winter only adds a new twist on events. Early sunsets, patches of black ice hidden in the shadows, and those always dangerous drunk drivers plying the roadways in search of the next holiday party; these are just a few of the dangers facing motorcyclists this time of year.
As Maryland personal injury attorneys representing individuals who have been hurt in car and commercial trucking accidents, we understand that riding a bike is a wonderful and freeing experience. But we also know that risk is a big part of the sport. Because of this, it’s no secret that traffic accidents between bikes and other, larger motor vehicles can result in serious injuries such as broken bones, compound fractures, cut and lacerations, not to mention closed-head injuries.
]]> Traumatic brain injuries are one of the more deadly and debilitating injuries resulting from a bike collision. While helmets do provide riders with a decent amount of protection, there are no guarantees when going up against a large SUV, delivery truck or semi tractor-trailer. Defensive riding is one of the best ways to avoid a crash, but even then, the odds may be stacked against bikers.Regardless, we understand the lure of the road, and therefore offer a cautious suggestion to ride aware and alert during the off-season. One major reason is that there are only a small fraction of bikers who ride in the off season. As such, these diehards need to maintain a healthy amount of caution when riding on those better weather days.
With fewer bikes on the roadways, it’s a fair bet that passenger car drivers and truckers are less accustomed to seeing a bike, much less being on the road nest to one. Because of this, it isn’t just the effects of the colder weather that a rider should be ready for, it is the relative lack of attention that four-wheelers may be giving to your smaller and less obvious machine.
So be aware that while there might be fewer bikes out on the streets in Cumberland, Bowie, Hagerstown and the District, that does not necessarily mean that one is any safer than during the warmer spring and summer months. Take every opportunity to make yourself known to the cars and trucks close to you. Ride safe and use your common sense. Springtime will eventually come around, and we’d like to believe that everyone reading this today will be in good shape to face the new riding season in 2012.
]]>Even the least significant bike crash can cause injuries such as cuts, bruises and dislocated joints. More severe motorcycle accidents -- those involving collisions with commercial delivery trucks or passenger cars -- can result in the biker sustaining broken bones, neck and spinal cord damage, and even traumatic brain injury. As personal injury lawyers serving the residents of Maryland and Washington, D.C., I and my colleagues are familiar with the range of bodily injury that can result from a bad traffic accident.
For most drivers of passenger cars, it is hard to imagine that motorcycle riders enjoy putting themselves in what is perceived by most of the motoring public as a constant state of peril. But understanding the drive and enthusiasm of the average motorcyclist, we can appreciate the draw that the open road has for this group of motorists.
]]> While fatal traffic accidents are not an uncommon risk for motorcycle riders, the fact remains that motor scooters, cruisers, crotch-rockets and trail bikes all have their dedicated followers each prepared to brave the daily dangers and potential of personal injury in the quest of their passion. Sadly, injuries and occasionally untimely death catch up with more than one cyclists every year.On regrettable example of this aspect of riding a bike occurred a short time ago when a local man was killed while riding his Harley along a stretch of Blue Ball Rd. near Elkton, MD. The crash happened on a Monday evening around 6:30pm when 40-year-old Clifford Harrington was reportedly attempting to make a left-hand turn at the intersection of Blue Ball and Leeds Manor Rd.
Based on police reports, Harrington was riding a ‘95 Harley-Davidson along the southbound lane of Blue Ball Road when he came to a stop in order to make a left turn. According to news articles, before Harrington could complete his turn, his cycle was struck from behind by a Ford Explorer driven by 56-year-old Larry Sparks, also from the Elkton area.
Maryland State Police troopers arriving on the scene interviewed the SUV driver, who reportedly said that he didn’t see the biker stopped in front of him. Spark’s, who reportedly received only minor injuries, also had a couple of passengers riding with him; two teenage girls, 14 and 16 years of age. The teens were apparently not injured in the crash as they did not need any medical attention, according to news reports.
Apparently, Harrington initially survived the impact with the sport utility vehicle. Emergency responders arriving on the scene likely transported him to Union Hospital, where he passed away less than an hour later from fatal injuries sustained in the bike-car crash. Sparks was also taken to Union Hospital for treatment and was subsequently discharged, according to police.
At the time of the news article, an accident reconstruction team from the MSP was still in the process of conducting an investigation of the fatal traffic accident. Based on the results of that investigation, the case could be sent to the state attorney for Cecil County to determine if Sparks will face any criminal charges.
(Updated) Motorcyclist struck and killed by SUV, CecilWhig.com, November 16, 2011
As Maryland personal injury lawyers, I and my colleagues have the knowledge and skills to represent bikers injured in collisions with passenger cars and commercial delivery vehicles. Aside from pedestrians and bicycle riders, motorcyclists are one of the more at-risk groups on our public roads. And whereas bicyclists also operate their bikes on the road, motorcycles are fast enough to travel on highways and expressways where the higher speeds only serve to exacerbate the potential for injury should a traffic wreck occur.
Not surprisingly, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has collected nationwide motorcycle accident statistics for many years. Much of what the NHTSA has learned is also confirmed by experts in the field of motorcycle safety. Whether one riders in Annapolis, Gaithersburg, Rockville or the District, it’s important to keep in mind that there are several constants when it comes to injury-related and fatal bike accidents.
Some of the more common causes of biker accidents include rider inexperience or inattention; alcohol use prior to mounting a bike; rider error or miscalculation; damage or imperfections in the roadway surface, including weather-related problems; and defective or poorly-maintained vehicle components, such as brakes, throttle system and wheel/suspension hardware.
]]> Every year across the U.S., close to 100,000 bike crashes are reported. Of that number, keep in mind that a rider is 35 times more likely to be killed in a traffic accident than the occupant of a passenger car or truck in similar circumstances. Those who survive a bike wreck can many times expect weeks or months of recuperation, in not a lifetime of pain and discomfort from such an accident.A little while back, a news article described the ordeal of one motorcycle rider who was involved in a serious crash in May of this year. According to the article, that rider received multiple injuries during a crash near Baltimore on May 28. As a result, the man had multiple fractures of both knees, his ankle and his pelvic bone. After being flown by medivac helicopter to Baltimore’s shock trauma center, the biker spend three whole months recovering at Baltimore’s University Specialty Hospital.
While in the hospital, the crash victim received continuing medical treatment and then subsequent physical therapy. Once back at home, the man reportedly had several more months of PT to help him get back to normal. According to the news item, it took doctors, nurses and an assortment of friends, family and others to help this fellow get back on the road to recovery.
As we know all too well, the cost for such a long hospital stay and subsequent physical therapy regimen can add up in no time. For this reason alone, anyone who is injured in a car, motorcycle or commercial trucking accident should seriously consider consulting with a qualified legal professional to better assess his or her options going forward -- if not for themselves, for their family and those who rely on the victim for financial and emotional support.
Motorcyclist injured in collision appreciates assistance, support; Times-News.com, October 24, 2011
As Maryland personal injury lawyers, my firm hears about dozens of deadly bicycle and motorcycle accidents happening every year where the victim was hit by another motorist who said they never saw the cyclist or biker until it was too late. In many of these roadway collisions, that claim is likely valid, but of course, police department and insurance company investigators many times have the final say.
The point we would like to make, as auto accident attorneys, is that cyclists -- both pedal-powered as well as motorized -- need to exercise caution one the days begin to get shorter and colder. Similarly, passenger car and commercial truck drivers should also take a page from the safety guides and remember to be on the lookout for cycles and pedestrians traveling on the roadside.
While it is incumbent on operators of motor vehicles to make every effort to avoid a dangerous and sometimes deadly traffic wreck, not everyone is sufficiently vigilant in that regard. Every year we read of multiple victims of car-bike and truck-motorcycle accidents along Maryland’s interstates and surface streets. These crashes usually result in some kind of injury to the bicycle or motorcycle rider. Serious, critical and sometimes fatal injuries include broken bones, deep lacerations and bruising of internal organs, as well as closed-head trauma and spinal cord damage.
A little while back we read of a man who was struck and killed by a passing motorist on a Friday evening in the area of Severna Park, MD. According to news articles, Matthew Young, 40, was on his mountain bike heading northbound along a stretch of Veterans Highway when he was hit from behind by a car driven by a 64-year-old Dunkirk man. It’s difficult to say if the accident could have been avoided, however police reports indicated that Mr. Young hit in an area of the highway with little lighting.
Based on reports, the cyclist was in the right travel lane, however the driver of the car that fatally injured him said that he did not see Young prior to the accident. The force of the crash, which apparently occurred sometime around 7:30pm, was sufficient to throw the victim from his bike and onto the windshield of the vehicle. Young was subsequently transported to the shock trauma unit of the University of Maryland Hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries, news reports stated.
According to police investigators, the victim was wearing dark, non-reflective clothes. Investigators said that the bicycle was rigged with a makeshift headlamp, as well as a flashing light attached to the rear of the bicycle. However, according to police, that rear lamp was not activated at the time of the accident.
From their findings, police reportedly did not believe that speed or alcohol were factors in the deadly crash. Investigators cited "bicyclist visibility" as the likely cause of the collision, and made note of the fact that the incident occurred along a particularly dark section of Veterans Highway, which not coincidentally has no shoulder.
Police Investigate Fatal Md. Bike Accident, NBCWashington.com, October 13, 2011
Matthew Jeffrey Young, bicyclist struck, killed in Severna Park, WJLA.com, October 8, 2011
]]>As Baltimore motorcycle accident attorneys and Maryland personal injury lawyers, I and my staff know how quickly a fun ride can turn into tragedy. As counsel for road accident victims, as well as their families, we understand the pain and suffering that one person can be exposed to as a result of another person’s negligent actions. Sadly, the very nature of motorcycling means that injuries are commonplace and fatal crashes hardly unusual.
If one is lucky enough to survive a traffic collision between, for instance, a commercial vehicle such as an 18-wheeler or delivery box truck, some kind of bodily injury is the norm. Aside from the usual road rash, broken bones and compound fractures can occur, as do lacerations and internal injuries. Helmets can make a big difference in survivability of a crash, but even so a biker can sustain life-threatening injuries (such as closed-head trauma and spinal cord damage) very easily and without much
As motorcycle injury lawyers, we are familiar with the many and various ways in which a biker can be hurt in a traffic wreck. Whether a crash involves just the bike, or another vehicle, the effect on the rider can be many times more severe than that experienced by a passenger car or commercial truck driver. This is due in large part to the relative lack of protection afforded by the cycle versus other, larger motor vehicles.
Because of the higher risk of injury or death, motorcyclists typically exercise extreme caution when sharing the road with other vehicles, especially in high-speed traffic or when riding through densely-populated urban centers.
With the aforementioned in mind, we would like to provide a few safety tips for the conscientious rider. The most obvious warning is that bike accidents can happen nearly anytime of the night or day. Whether you ride to live or live to ride, there are many different kinds of motorcycle accidents, some of which happen more often than others.
Single-bike Accidents
Bikes lend their owners a unique feeling of freedom, something that most car and truck drivers will likely never experience in a closed vehicle. And although motorcycles are fast, highly maneuverable and a joy to ride, the inherent instability of having just two wheels one the road can make them more susceptible to skidding and sliding on poor or uneven road surfaces, which can result in a serious accident caused by laying the bike down or high-siding and throwing the rider off.
Vehicle-door Collisions
Back in town there are multiple threats, not the least of which is every parked car that a rider passes. This is particularly true in busy urban centers with on-street parking. Motorcyclists should always be on the alert when approaching parked cars and trucks. While the occupants of these vehicles will usually be looking for approaching cars and trucks, they will be less attuned to a motorcycle (or even a bicycle).
A driver or occupant of a parked vehicle may inadvertently open their door right into the path of an oncoming biker or bicyclist. While collisions of this type are difficult to avoid when they happen, the opportunity for a bad crash can be reduced by keeping to the posted speed limit and by allowing several feet of clearance between the bike’s path and the street-side of any parked cars or trucks. Aside from this, increased driver awareness of the dangers that opening doors can pose to bikers and cyclists may also help to cut down on the chances for these kinds of crashes.
Auto-bike Crashes
Car drivers may believe otherwise, but it’s not always aggressive riding that causes motorcycle accidents. Actually, because of the risks involved in motorcycling, the average bikers is probably more careful than the average four-wheel motorist. Unfortunately, the major cause of motorcycle accidents can usually be found in the fact that motorist or trucker simply did not notice the motorcyclist until it was too late to avoid a crash.
Many car- and truck-bike wrecks occur because the thinner profile a motorcycle presents makes it difficult to spot, especially for a motorist who is not expecting a bike. Sometimes a biker can be hidden behind a much larger vehicle at an intersection, just out of the driver view. Riding in bad weather or during the late evening can also result in a motorist not seeing a motorcycle, especially when the car or truck is turning or passing another vehicle.
Sudden-stop Wrecks
Running into the rear of another vehicle is much more serious on a bike than in a car, minivan or SUV. Car-to-car collisions are nothing when compared to car-to-motorcycle accidents, which can often result in fatalities. A sudden stop by a vehicle ahead can cause the bike and rider to flip end-over-end, throwing the rider onto the roadway and potentially into oncoming traffic. Accidents of this type can be avoided by observing safe following distances for both weather as well as road conditions.
The truth of the matter is that many of the serious and fatal traffic collisions involving cars, trucks and motorcycles occur because the other motorist -- be he or she a passenger car driver or commercial trucker -- quite simply fails to see or recognize the motorcycle and its rider until it is too late. Many roadway accidents happen because the rider-bike combination presents a much smaller and less familiar profile than what drivers of four-wheelers tend to expect. It’s a matter of conditioning; and most car, truck and SUV drivers have little impetus to watch out for bikers; that is until it’s too late.
Not seeing a biker can be as simple a situation as the rider and his machine being eclipsed by another larger vehicle -- basically out of sight from oncoming passenger car drivers. This can be a very dangerous situation, especially at intersections or busy shopping mall entrances. Weather can play a part as well; as do nighttime conditions. But these only increase the chances that a motorist, who may not be concentrating, might hit a biker. Drivers who don’t expect a motorcycle to be approaching, or who are impatient when attempting to make a left turn or pass another motor vehicle, are more likely to miss seeing a bike until it's too late.
As Maryland personal injury attorneys and auto accident lawyers, I and my staff know that many motorcycle injury accidents could possibly be prevented if only passenger car and commercial truck drivers would take that little bit of extra effort to double-check for a biker in the area before executing a maneuver. Just this simple attempt to confirm is a bike is coming up could transform a potentially deadly turning or merging operation into what it should be: a routine and ordinary event with no victim.
]]> Of course, as Baltimore motorcycle accident attorneys, my office handles numerous accident cases all around Maryland. We know from experience what every motorcycle rider lives with on a daily basis: the fact that serious bodily injury is an almost inevitable consequence of a car- or truck-bike crash. This is due to the relative lack of rider protection provided by bikes; certainly next to none when compared to that of cars or trucks.Considering the higher risk of serious injury or death, it comes as no surprise to read a news article about a scooter rider killed on Rockville Pike not long ago. While the death of this individual is sad, what is truly distressing is that the driver of the car that alleged hit the scooter left the scene, essentially tuning a tragic accident into a more serious fatal hit-and-run.
Reading of yet another fatal hit-and-run accident, this time involving a 30-year-old Gaithersburg resident who was apparently obeying all of the traffic laws, we find ourselves scratching our heads as to how another person could leave the scene of an accident that they likely caused.
Based on reports, the crash occurred around 1:30am as the victim was passing through the intersection at Md. 355 and Edmonston Rd. According to news reports, Roberto Nassar had been waiting at a red light just prior to the collision. When the light turned green, and as the man accelerated through the intersection, he was allegedly hit from behind by a Buick LeSabre driven by a 22-year-old man from College Park.
Police reports indicate that the Buick kept driving away from the scene, but was observed not far from the crash by officers who said they saw sparks flying out from underneath the vehicle as it drove down the road. According to the news article, the suspect’s vehicle still had the remains of the scooter embedded under the car’s front fender.
When Montgomery County police officers pulled the man over they reportedly detected signs of intoxication. The driver was arrested and charged with failure to stop at a fatal accident scene; failure to return immediately to the scene of a fatal crash; and failure, as a driver involved in a fatal accident, to report it to the local police.
Man charged in Rockville fatal scooter crash released on bond, WashingtonTimes.com, September 24, 2011
22-year-old accused of killing scooter driver in Rockville Pike accident gets bail, Gazette.net, September 23, 2011
]]>For those who have never been injured while riding in urban areas such as Annapolis, Frederick, Rockville or Bowie, count yourself lucky and take heed; there are a number of simple steps that can improve your odds when sharing the road with larger and potentially dangerous vehicular traffic. As Maryland personal injury lawyers, we have see the results of car-bike accidents and we applaud anyone who promotes automobile and bicycle safety in order to help reduce the carnage on our state’s roadways.
To be sure, any bicycle accident can be serious or even life-threatening depending on the speeds involved and the circumstances of the traffic accident. Cuts and bruises are the most likely injuries, which can include painful road rash and deep lacerations. Broken bones are always a potential injury when going up against a car or truck, while concussions and other closed-head trauma are likely in crashes involving large vehicles or higher speeds. (Hitting a stationary object, such as a tree or roadside guardrail can also result in potentially fatal injuries.)
For some hints on safer riding and better survivability in the case of a bike-truck or bike-auto collision, the following may be of some use. Much of what is stated here is common sense and certainly on the lists of most cycling safety advocates, but it never hurts to reiterate best practices.
Never ride without a helmet
Protecting one’s brain from traumatic injury is foremost in the war against cycling-related injuries and traffic-related deaths. Some voices in the cycling community suggest that, in fact, no bicyclist can claim that he or she is a safe rider if they do not wear a helmet 100 percent of the time. While there is no state law requiring helmet use when cycling, many people believe that there should be.
Maintain maximum visibility
Cyclists are small targets, pardon the expression, so it makes sense for bicycle riders to dress in a way that will make one as visible as possible to others on the road. Experts suggest cyclists wear light- or bright-colored clothing. Also, make certain that sure have a clear front reflector; a red rear reflector (visible between 100 and 600 feet); wheel-mounted side reflectors; reflectorized pedals; and a front headlight (visible for at least 500 feet) for nighttime riding.
Install an audible warning device
Although a horn or a bell will likely not protect a rider from inattentive drivers listening to their radios at full volume, choosing an audible warning device that can be heard in open air for at least 100 feet may help reduce collisions with pedestrians and perhaps other cyclists.
Ride to the right, stay with the flow
Riding one’s bike in the right-most lane or part of the road, as well as traveling with the flow of other motor vehicle traffic will go a long way to helping riders avoid car-bike collisions. As a corollary to this, it is suggested that cyclists not ride on public sidewalks and always allow sufficient room to maneuver one’s bike around potential road hazards.
Signal your intentions
The standard bicycle signaling rules we all learned in school still apply: A raised right arm/hand to signal a right turn; a fully extended left arm/hand to signal a left turn; and a left arm/hand held at a 45-degree angle (with palm facing rearward) to indicate a fast or immediate stop.
Watch for potentially deadly car doors
Every cyclist worth his or her salt knows the danger of passing parked cars. Always be prepared to react quickly for occupants getting out of car by the roadside. Experts suggest that riders avoid the right side of any car that is stopped by the roadside, when near a curb. Furthermore, never swerve in between cars that are parked; always try to ride with least three feet of room between you and parked cars.
Hold your calls; mute your iPod
You’ll get no argument from us here. There is nothing more important when riding in traffic than hearing what is going on around you. One doesn’t need to be blind to understand the value of acute hearing; by not listening to personal music devices or cell phones, a rider can add another dimension of awareness that mean the difference between a safe bicycle ride to the grocery store and an ambulance ride to the emergency room.
Avoid busy streets
Taking yourself out of the equation is one way to avoid a potential accident. Experts suggest that one of the biggest and most common mistakes that bicyclists make is to take the exact same routes they would use when driving their car. Fight that urge. Using bike paths whenever practical will help you stay away from larger, more dangerous vehicular traffic.
Rules of road for bicyclists proposed, BaltimoreSun.com, May 5, 2011
]]>Communities also suffer from the deadly results of a thoughtless driver’s negligent actions. While police officers and firefighters face the danger of personal injury and possible death every working day of their lives, it is a shame that numerous public servants are killed while off duty every year. Again, with most car, truck and motorcycle collisions being preventable, on the whole, these victims are stolen from their families and communities long before their time.
As Baltimore motorcycle accident lawyers and Washington, D.C., personal injury attorneys, I and my staff feel for the families of any person injured or killed in a traffic mishap. And even though many bikers understand the dangers inherent in their sport or chosen mode of transportation, when a crash does occur, it’s never a comfort to say they knew the risks.
But if one operates a cycle long enough, chances are you will become involved in an accident or have a brush with death or injury as a result of a close call. Whether one’s chosen ride is a sport bike, hog, cruiser or dirt bike, the lure of the open road and the freedom that a motorcycle represents is irresistible to many. Whether you live or ride to work in densely-packed metropolitan areas such as Annapolis, Rockville or Gaithersburg; or if you enjoy the relatively open rural roads, every biker understands the dangers posed by this sport.
In fact, it makes no real difference if one rides a Honda, Suzuki, Harley or Yamaha, motorcycling as a pastime is right up there with other rather risky hobbies. Any high-risk activity requires a modicum of caution, but to survive on a bike one needs to apply a balance of pleasure and the potential danger for physical harm.
Accidents do happen. And for motorcyclists the results can be serious, or even fatal. Just one severe injury accident can land a biker in the hospital for day, weeks, and even months or years. (Closed-head trauma is a typical injury most commonly associated with motorcycle accidents.) Even those individuals who choose to wear protective gear, including a helmet, can still suffer from paralysis, cognitive problems and even death.
]]> A while back we read of a car-bike accident that led to the death of a local Maryland firefighter. As Maryland injury attorneys, I and my colleagues have seen this kind of traffic collision scenario play out. Unfortunately, too many times the victim’s family is hit with a double blow -- the death of a loved one and the costs for that individual’s medical costs.According to news reports, a 25-year-old firefighter died while riding to his fire station in Towson, MD, on a Tuesday a little before noon on a Tuesday in August. The accident happened along a stretch of U.S. Rte 1 in Bel Air. Police reports indicate that Kurt Chenowith was operating a Kawasaki Ninja sport bike southbound on Baltimore Pike when a vehicle driven by 73-year-old William Kelly pulled out of the a local Chevy dealership and into the path of Chenowith’s cycle.
Maryland State Police stated that Chenowith’s motorcycle hit the driver’s side of Kelly's Olds Regency sedan as it was turning north onto Rte 1. The off-duty fireman was reportedly ejected from the bike and thrown a distance before he hit the ground.
Emergency responders helped to transport Chenowith to the Upper Chesapeake Medical Center; unfortunately, the young man was pronounced dead following his arrival at the hospital. A representative from the Baltimore County Professional Fire Fighters union said that the firefighter was scheduled to work later that evening at the Towson fire station.
No mention of whether either motor vehicle had a mechanical problem, such as defective brakes or other safety equipment, which could have contributed to the accident. Police reports show that it was raining heavily at the time of the car-bike collision.
Firefighter Dies in Route 1 Motorcycle Accident, Patch.com, August 9, 2011
Although being injured or killed in a multi-vehicle collision is not unusual, there are situations where a cyclist is at greater risk, sometimes without knowing it. Drunk driving is one of the many contributing factors to motorcycle injury accidents. As Maryland personal injury lawyers, we have seen the results of fatal highway wrecks that have ultimately led to a wrongful death lawsuit on the victim’s behalf.
Alcohol consumption and motor vehicle operation is a dangerous mix. As Maryland and Washington, D.C., auto injury attorneys, I and my staff have seen many people who have been hurt as a direct result of a drunk driver. These instances of serious or fatal car accidents caused by drunken driving continue to occur despite state laws designed to reduce and eliminate the problem.
Anyone who has ever lost a family member or loved one through the senseless act of drunk driving knows the heartache associated with these mostly preventable accidents. Victims’ families not only experience a huge emotional loss, but they can be affected financially as well, especially if the victim was a family breadwinner. While nothing can make a family whole again following a fatal car or motorcycle accident, recuperating medical costs and lost wages may help the surviving family members make it through one of the darkest periods of their lives.
Not long ago, a Parkton, MD, resident was killed while riding his bike along a stretch of York Rd. Sadly, this crash may have been avoided since news reports indicate that the driver of the vehicle which hit the rider may have been drunk at the time of the crash.
]]> Based on news reports, 26-year-old Zakry Foster was riding his Harley-Davidson south along York Road a little past midnight on a Thursday when he reportedly slowed to make a U-turn. Police reports show that Foster’s bike was hit by a truck near the intersection of York and Bentley in Baltimore County. Officers responding to the crash site said that the biker was declared dead at the scene at 12:39am.Before he could make his turn, Foster was apparently struck from behind by a Chevrolet 3500 truck reportedly driven by 26-year-old Charles Wood, also of Parkton. The police accident report showed that the truck hit Foster’s motorcycle on the left side, ejecting the rider and throwing him to the west-side shoulder of York Rd.
Following the impact, Wood's vehicle apparently struck a utility pole with a glancing blow, ran into an embankment and then flipped over. Wood was taken to York Regional Hospital for treatment of serious injuries, according to news reports. Although, both riders were allegedly at fault, police reportedly charged the Wood with driving under the influence of alcohol.
Police & FireParkton Motorcyclist Killed in York Road Accident, Patch.com, June 23, 2011