Articles Posted in Fatal Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycles can be a fast and convenient way of travel that entices both motorcyclists and their passengers. Motorcycles may entice riders because they allow for quick maneuvers and in some ways, can feel freeing. In some instances, however, motorcycles can put not only the driver in danger but also the passenger as well. In these instances, as a passenger of a motorcycle, you may be wondering what to do if you are involved in a severe motorcycle accident. In some cases, a motorcycle accident may be a single accident only involving one motorcycle and obstructing objects, and in other cases, it may involve other vehicles or pedestrians.

Motorcyclists share the road with various other vehicles, pedestrians, and sometimes even animals who may find themselves in the middle of the road at inopportune times. According to a recent news report, one person passed away in Ohio after a motorcycle crash accident involving a dog. Two people were riding on a motorcycle when it struck a dog that ran out into the roadway. A 22-year-old passenger was thrown from the motorcycle before it veered off the road and hit a guardrail. The passenger was unfortunately pronounced dead at the scene. The motorcycle driver was taken to a nearby medical center with serious injuries. Neither individuals were wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.

Can a Passenger Injured in a Motorcycle Accident Sue the Driver?

Yes, If you or someone you love has been injured in a motorcycle accident as a passenger, there may be hundreds of questions that roam through your head as you try to figure out what next steps to take post-accident. Passengers who are victims of motorcycle accidents may be interested in filing a personal injury claim in order to recover monetary damages. After a motorcycle accident, injured passengers should seek medical attention as soon as possible, and keep documentation of any medical bills and reports. If there are no immediate emergency needs, the passenger can ensure that all parties are safely away from traffic or danger, and take photos or videos of the accident scene. Notifying the police can also be a way to receive a police report of the accident. If there are any witnesses, documenting their names and contact information can also be important. These are just a few steps that you may want to take after an accident. Connect with an experienced personal injury attorney who can help you navigate your claims.

When motorcycle accidents occur, they can be scary and devasting for a multitude of reasons. When motorcycle accidents occur and involve large vehicles, such as trucks or vehicles transporting groups, it can lead to serious harm. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that in 2020, 5,579 motorcyclists died in motor vehicle accidents, most of which were preventable.

According to a recent news report, a 28-year-old motorcyclist in Florida is dead and two children were injured after a crash involving a school bus. The motorcyclist was traveling west, while a school bus was stopped facing south on the highway. The school bus entered the intersection and into the path of the motorcycle, and the motorcycle collided with the left of the school bus. At the time, there were five children on the bus.

What Is the Best Way for Motorcyslits to Stay Safe?

In addition to being properly licensed and using Department of Transportation-compliant motorcycle helmets, there are additional factors that can help keep motorcyclists safe. This includes checking your motorcycle to ensure that the motorcycle will be safe to drive, including checking the tire pressure, hand and foot brakes, headlights and signals, and fluid levels. Checking for signs of oil or gas leaks can also be equally as important. While not all accidents can be prevented, these are some of the few steps that motorcyclists can take to help keep them safe. For other motorists, they must remain aware and mindful of the fact that they are sharing the road with motorcyclists. This includes checking blind spots properly, keep a good distance between your vehicle and the motorcyclist, and remaining generally aware of where motorcyclists are in relation to your vehicle.

Driving motorcycles is significantly more dangerous than driving cars. The smaller profile of motorcycles leaves them vulnerable to car blind spots, and the open nature of motorcycles can throw drivers from the vehicle upon impact during a crash. Because motorcycle riders are not protected by their vehicle like the occupants of a car, approximately 72 percent of motorcyclists are injured when they crash. Unfortunately, Maryland drivers are all too familiar with the dangers of motorcycle driving. Maryland averages 73 motorcycle rider and passenger deaths per year, and on average, an additional 1,046 riders or drivers are injured each year. Additionally, this issue is not getting better in Maryland, with the state seeing an increase in motorcycle crashes from 2019 to 2020. A recent news article discussed a fatal motorcycle crash.

According to the news article about a recent fatal motorcycle crash, the accident occurred in the evening around 5:30 p.m. on Monday, December 14, when a motorcycle going at the intersection of Six Forks Road and Mt. Vernon Church Road was struck by a Nissan minivan. The driver of the minivan tried to make a left turn and hit the motorcycle. Unfortunately, the motorcyclists died at the scene. The motorcycle driver was wearing a helmet and reflective clothing. The driver of the minivan was taken into custody by law enforcement and charged with misdemeanor death by motor vehicle and failure to yield the right of way.

How Do Courts Determine Liability in Left Turn Accident Cases?

Under Maryland Transportation Code §21-601, drivers who make left turns must approach the intersection in the extreme left lane to traffic moving in the same direction. When the driver leaves the intersection, he or she must follow the flow of traffic. The driver must abide by traffic lights at an intersection. If the driver turns left on red and hits another driver, he or she is clearly liable for the crash. Left turns at a red light are only legal in certain situations, such as when the driver is turning left from a one-way street to another. Drivers who turn left at an intersection must also yield the right-of-way to any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction as laid out by Maryland Transportation Code §21-402. Cases like this can be tricky, and an attorney with experience navigating automobile accidents can be a great help when addressing such a claim.

Most motorcycles can both accelerate and brake faster than other vehicles on the road. This responsiveness to user control is what attracts many bikers to motorcycles as a means of transportation and recreation. Although most bikes are mechanically capable of impressive stopping distances, the attention, and ability of the motorcycle driver limit the mechanical advantages of a motorcycle. A motorcyclist and his passenger were both killed late last month after the motorcyclist was unable to stop in time and rear-ended another driver.

According to a local news report discussing the tragic crash, a Florida motorcyclist was approaching another vehicle from behind and lost control of the bike while attempting to brake. The motorcycle flipped on its side and crashed into the leading vehicle. Both the driver and passenger of the motorcycle were killed in the crash. The article does not mention whether the rider and passenger were wearing helmets at the time of the crash.

Can Injured Motorcycle Passengers Sue a Negligent Motorcyclist?

Motorcyclists in Maryland owe a duty of care to others on the road, as well as to any passengers that are riding on the motorcycle. In the event of a Maryland motorcycle crash that injures or kills a passenger on the bike, the passenger or their representatives may be entitled to financial compensation from several parties. If the motorcycle driver was found to have negligently operated their vehicle before a crash, an injured passenger might be able to seek damages from the driver or their insurance company by pursuing a Maryland personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. If another vehicle or dangerous condition is found to have caused the crash, an injured passenger may seek damages from the other responsible parties.

Motorcycle accidents that involve cars or trucks can be devastating for the parties involved, especially to motorcyclists who have less protection than other motorists. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that 42 percent of fatal motorcycle crashes that involved another motor vehicle involved a vehicle turning left while the motorcycle was going straight, passing, or overtaking a vehicle. NHSTA also reports that 41 percent of all motorcycle crashes are due to drivers failing to see motorcycles. This can be due to the smaller size of the vehicles and a driver’s blind spots.

According to a recent news report from Maryland, a Chevrolet was traveling northbound attempting to make a left turn, and at the same time, a 1997 Harley-Davidson motorcycle was traveling southbound entering the intersection in Seaford. The Chevrolet turned left directly in front of the motorcycle, and as a result, the front left of the Chevrolet struck the left front of the motorcycle. This resulted in the ejection of the motorcyclist from his bike. The 59-year-old male motorcyclist was transported to a local hospital and pronounced deceased. The driver of the Chevrolet was not injured. The intersection was closed for approximately 3 hours after the crash, and the accident is still under investigation.

What Should Drivers Do to Keep Motorcyclists Safe?

Drivers must be mindful of the wide range of vehicles that they share the road with, including motorcycles. Because of the high number of fatal motorcycle crashes that occur at intersections, it is important for drivers to be mindful of the dangers at intersections and for drivers to take extra precaution and time to check rear and side view mirrors. Checking one’s blind spots helps ensure that smaller vehicles like motorcycles do not get overlooked. Additionally, depending on weather conditions, it can make it harder for vehicles to see one another, including in foggy conditions that can limit visibility, and conditions such as rain or snow may decrease traction and cause skidding. Being mindful of the weather before proceeding can be an important factor in deciding whether to get on the road, and can also be important in deciding the speed at which one drives. While these are just a few tips to stay mindful of when driving a motor vehicle, there are additional tips and resources for drivers of cars or motorcycles that can be found online. If you find yourself injured in a motorcycle accident, it can be especially important to connect with an experienced personal injury attorney to help you navigate your claims.

At a “T” intersection without a stoplight, drivers run the risk of a left turn accident. This type of car or motorcycle accident often occurs when one driver either stops or travels straight ahead at an intersection and is then struck by another driver attempting to turn left. When turning onto a local road from a highway, a driver may collide with another vehicle if they fail to stop or notice oncoming traffic. If drivers making a turn at an intersection do not yield to oncoming traffic, they may find themselves in a left turn accident, which could result in serious injury or death.

Recently, a motorcycle rider in Missouri died after suffering a left turn accident. According to a news report, he was riding east when a driver turned onto his street, and the two collided. The motorcycle rider hit the side of the driver’s van. He was taken to the hospital, where he later died from his injuries.

How Does Maryland Law Treat the Right of Way at Intersections?

It is common knowledge that motorcycle riders are at greater risk of injury and or death than car riders, but the actual disparity in risk is rather stunning. In fact, some sources claim that for every mile traveled, motorcyclists are 35 times more likely than car riders to have a fatal accident. Given the tremendous risk of motorcycle accidents and the potentially fatal results of such crashes, both motorcyclists and drivers of cars should take extreme precautions when it comes to navigating traffic situations involving motorcycles and sharing the road. A recent news article discussed a local fatal motorcycle crash.

According to the local news article about a motorcycle accident in Maryland, the accident occurred late in the evening on Wednesday, August 31, after the motorcyclist lost control and was thrown from the vehicle. The preliminary investigation by law enforcement revealed that the rider was driving a Harley-Davidson motorcycle on the outer loop approaching MD-214 when he lost control. The motorcycle rolled on its side before the rider was thrown from the motorcycle and hit by several vehicles that did not remain at the scene, the police said. The rider was pronounced dead at the scene.

This tragic and horrifying accident is unfortunately all too common in Maryland and shows the need for car drivers and motorcyclists to engage in exceedingly careful when driving at high speeds near or around motorcycles. The smaller profile of motorcycles creates a greater likelihood of motorcycles occupying blind spots of larger vehicles and the open nature of motorcycle riding creates unique harm for riders involved in any crashes. When operators of larger vehicles only look out for other large vehicles and cars and fail to pay special attention to motorcycles and smaller vehicles, it places the smaller vehicles at great risk. In the event that a driver fails to see another vehicle, resulting in a crash, they could face both civil and criminal legal liability.

High profile motorcycle accident cases can be a long and arduous process, compounded by delays related to the COVID-19 pandemic. In one instance, a 2019 case that killed seven motorcycle drivers only recently saw resolution—a resolution that likely brought little peace for the families and loved ones of those who died.

According to the prosecution in the case, a truck driver used heroin, fentanyl, and cocaine before beginning work. In addition to a history of drug use and a reckless driving record, the driver reportedly took his eyes off the road and reached for a drink, causing him to swerve into or past the center line of the road and strike the motorcyclists, killing seven members. The motorcyclists were part of a veteran motorcycle club out on a ride. Mixed reports state that the motorcyclists were driving under the influence of alcohol, and that the leader of the club was driving recklessly.

A recent article reports that jurors found the truck driver innocent when evidence contradicted whether or not he actually drove over the center line. In addition, conflicting evidence showed that the motorcycle club members called as witnesses were potentially lying about the sobriety level of the other members as part of an oath to protect and not disparage other members. The prosecution and defense presented very disparate theories of fault in this case, leading to the not guilty verdict.

When drivers of cars and large trucks collide with motorcycle drivers, the results can be devastating. Motorcycle drivers have less protection from collisions than other drivers, which can lead to severe injuries or even death. Motorcycle drivers in Maryland should be aware of the damages available to them in the event of injury or death resulting from a vehicle collision.

According to a recent report, one person died in a fiery collision between a dump truck and motorcycle driver in Capitol Heights, Maryland. EMS and fire department units were called to the scene, where the dump truck was leaking fuel and on fire. The victim has not been identified and little is known about the cause of the crash. If the dump truck driver is found to be negligent, the motorcycle driver’s family could be entitled to compensation.

Because motorcycle drivers have little protection from the elements or other external factors that arise in a collision, they may experience more severe injuries—especially when the other driver is driving a large truck. In the case of a collision that results in a fire, motorcycle drivers may be particularly vulnerable to severe burns or death. When the other driver failed to exhibit reasonable care in a way that resulted in a collision with a motorcycle driver that lead to that motorcyclist’s injury or death, the motorcyclist or their loved ones may be entitled to bring personal injury or wrongful death claims.

Motorcycle accidents can be devasting or even deadly for the motorcyclists involved. Some motorcyclists attempt to avoid a collision between their motorcycle and another vehicle by using what is known as the lay-down. This involves a motorcyclist laying down their bike in order to avoid a collision or to stop severe injuries from occurring, although this technique has not been proven to prevent injury.

In a recent news report, officers responded to an accident that killed one motorcyclist in Louisville, Kentucky. According to initial reports from witnesses, the motorcyclist laid his bike down to avoid another vehicle. The motorcyclist was sent to a local hospital where he later died.

Laying down a motorcycle can present various dangers, including injuries to the brain, head and legs, and severe road rash. In addition to the bike continuing to travel at a high speed, motorcyclists who attempt to lay down their bike may also find that they will be unable to control where they end up. Modern motorcycles have better technology, including anti-lock brakes and tires with better traction, all of which may help motorcyclists avoid collisions. Being an alert driver is also a very important part of sharing the roads with other drivers and pedestrians.

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