Maryland Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Blog

Despite Mother Nature’s on again, off again moods, winter is probably here to stay (at least for the next several months). That said, we know that there is always a small but dedicated group of motorcycle riders who cannot let a sunny day and dry pavement slip by without firing up their Harleys, Hondas and Kawasakis, regardless of what the thermometer says. For dyed-in-the-wool bikers, it would appear that any excuse to ride is a good excuse.

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.

Continue reading "Baltimore Injury Accident Update: Dry (and Cold) Roads can be Tempting to Diehard Maryland Bikers" »

Don't sell your safety or health short by choosing sub-standard protective gear for riding your bike. This is the message that many safety experts have tried to pass on to motorcyclists and bicycle riders over the years. Most importantly, both of these groups should pay particular attention in their choice of helmet for riding. It is true, not all brain buckets are created equal.

As Baltimore injury attorneys, we have represented Maryland motorcyclists who have become involved in car crashes and we also know the post-crash effect of riding with no or poorly designed safety equipment. As supposedly uncomfortable and isolating that motorcycle helmets are, the alternative can be many times more uncomfortable and potentially life-altering. Although many states have no mandatory helmet law, Maryland is not one of them.

Whether you ride on the state’s rural roads or ply the densely trafficked city streets of Annapolis, Washington, D.C., or Rockville, the country roads, one thing is certain: no biker cannot go back in time, prior to a serious traffic accident, and don a helmet to protect himself. When it comes to the future, the proactive approach is usually the most prudent course of action.

As every good rider knows, the key element of a motorcyclist’s protective wardrobe is his or her helmet. Of course, gloves, boots, a decent pair of chaps or overalls, and a good leather jacket are all recommended for the best possible protection, but an industry- and government-approved helmet is paramount. Going without this important item is just inviting disaster.

Yet, many bikers apparently don’t believe in the safety benefits of high-quality headgear, and as such many decide to buy and wear an illegal helmet. The reason why is up for debate; however, cost could be one or fashion another. What the experts seem to agree on, however, is that relying on a novelty helmet or a cheap knock-off to protect you in the event of a motorcycle wreck is a false economy that one could live to regret. And if not the rider, then his or her family if the crash is fatal.

According to news reports, many bikers who wear sub-standard novelty or beanie-type helmets don’t realize that they are violating the Department of Transportation law -- namely the one that requires a helmet to meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 218.

Continue reading "Baltimore Motorcycle Safety Update: Improper Helmet Choices have Deadly Consequences during Bike Accidents" »

For many people out there it may come as somewhat of a surprise that there are individuals who drive a car, motorcycle or commercial vehicle without being properly licensed. For some, the cost of obtaining a valid passenger car or commercial driver’s license is apparently too much to spend. As Maryland personal injury attorneys, we come across this situation from time to time and it is disconcerting.

When it comes to bikers, it would not be a stretch to say that there are people operating motorcycles on public roads who do not possess the proper endorsement from the state. In fact, here in Baltimore, we have had problems with individuals breaking the law by riding unlicensed and possibly uninsured trail bikes and other off-road vehicles on city streets and causing occasional traffic accidents.

It is possible that there are some very competent motorcycle riders out there who, for whatever reason, choose to operate a bike illegally by not becoming properly licensed. Is it a matter of cost, of time, or a lack of concern? There is no easy answer. Many of these individuals do not get caught until they get pulled over for a traffic violation or end up getting into a traffic accident with another vehicle.

Whatever the reason for not being properly licensed, it's a fair assumption that many would choose to be if the opportunity arose. For those riders who have the skills and are looking for a relatively quick way to obtain a legal motorcycle license, the state has instituted a pilot program for training and licensing of previously unlicensed bikers.

According to a news item, the state’s Motor Vehicle Administration recently approved an Intermediate Riding Clinic (IRC). The single-day class is meant specifically for experienced riders who don’t currently have a valid motorcycle endorsement on their driver’s license. This group includes a range of individuals, from dirt bike riders and those just operating on a permit, to those riding without a proper endorsement. This latter category has been a major problem for law enforcement departments across the nation.

Here in Maryland, the program is known as the “Total Control IRC” and is planned to be offered only at Howard Community College’s Rider School. According to news sources, the one-day class will include six hours of classroom instruction as well as driving range exercises. Following the day-long course, students must pass a state-approved riding skills test in order to obtain their motorcycle endorsement.

For more information on this new approach to licensing riders, you can visit one or all of the following websites: totalcontroltraining.net, howardcc.edu or motorcycletraining.com. We can only hope that this effort will help to train previously unlicensed riders on those necessary riding skills, riding etiquette and all-important traffic laws to make them better and more responsible motorists.

Total Control: Motorcycle Licensing Class, UltimateMotorcycling.com, March 18, 2011

As Baltimore injury accident lawyers, we are well aware of the laws and statutes created to protect motorists, including motorcycle riders, here in Maryland. These laws, while seeming to some as interfering with personal freedom were nonetheless written with good intentions in mind, especially where they provide safer and less dangerous traffic conditions for riders and passenger car drivers alike.

When it comes to traffic laws specifically written with bikers in mind -- helmet regulations and lane-sharing laws immediately come to mind -- these likely vary from one state to another. All the same, it is critical that every motorist who shares our public roadways clearly understands and follows these rules.

By all bikers being aware of and abiding by Maryland’s helmet and other mototcycle-related traffic laws, this can go a long way toward helping to reduce the instance of motorcycle crashes in cities like Frederick, Rockville, Hagerstown and Bowie.

Anybody who has ever seen a friend or relative in a hospital ward following a serious motorcycle crash can understand how extensive a rider’s injuries can truly be. Compared a person injured in a passenger car or commercial truck accident, under similar circumstances, the motorcyclist is usually worse off following the wreck.

The laws of physics being what they are, fate does not lend a biker much margin of safety when tangling with an SUV, pickup truck or 18-wheeler. In cases where a rider is hit by a car or box truck on a city street or highway, size is a big factor in who ends up in the emergency room. Sadly, in such accidents the motorcyclist typically loses that encounter hands down.

Whether a person is riding a motorcycle, scooter, bicycle and other two-wheeled vehicle, a traffic accident can land the rider in the hospital with cuts, bruises and road rash, if they are lucky. Worse accidents can result in neck and spinal damage, or traumatic brain injury. Here’s a short list of some Maryland state laws that may help save your life.

Continue reading "Baltimore Motorcycle Accident and Injury Update: Maryland’s Motorcycle Law Specifics Aim at Rider Safety" »

Having worked for years as a Baltimore personal injury attorney and auto accident lawyer, I have seen the result of numerous motorcycle accidents. In fact, just a look at the local news during the year and one will likely find a string of bike accident articles. Whether you live in Annapolis, the District, Frederick or Gaithersburg, MD, motorcycle collisions involving passenger cars, light trucks and commercial deliver vehicles are not uncommon during the riding season.

No biker, regardless whether he or she is a Harley, Honda, Triumph or Vespa fan, will deny that motorcycles, scooters and mopeds offer virtually no protection to their operators in the case of a traffic accident. Nevertheless, this fact has hardly discouraged the tens of thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts to hit the road every year as temps warm up and the snow and ice melt away.

As a motorcycle accident attorney, I truly understand the lure of the open road for many individuals. But that doesn’t change the fact that a motorcycle wreck, whether caused by poor weather conditions, another driver’s error or equipment failure, can be much more severe than the average car accident under similar circumstances. Much of this is due to the relatively poor protection that a bike provides to its rider.

Now that we can perhaps see an end to the winter season, riders all around the state will be starting up their bikes in anticipation of the first beautiful spring day. With that in mind, it is perhaps wise to remember that there can be increased opportunity for serious or fatal injury as motorcycles slowly begin to be more common on our roadways.

Over the past few snowy and icy winter months, passenger car drivers have likely become used to not seeing bikes on the roads, especially when compared to the peak summer riding season. As a motorcycle owner, its good to be extra cautious when riding this spring not only in high traffic areas, but also on lesser traveled roads. Automobile drivers and trucker need some time to get used to motorcycle traffic once the warmer weather sets in.

Having represented victims of auto-cycle collisions, we would like to remind riders that motorcycle accidents can occur almost anytime, night or day. Sadly, this is due to the fact that four-wheel motorists and commercial truckers do not always spot the smaller profile of a bike and its rider until it’s too late. As many a rider has learned, it’s better to drive as if nobody can see you. Betting your life that a distracted parent driving a minivan full of screaming children will see you coming just as he decides to turn left into the mall is not a strategy we would advise.

Good luck, be safe and enjoy the coming riding season.

Following a car-scooter crash that injured Maryland football player Pete DeSouza on the University of Maryland campus, some people are asking whether the increase in scooter use on college campuses could lead to an increase in injury accidents among university students. As Baltimore motorcycle accident lawyers, we would also ask if the savings in time getting from one side of school to other is worth the added risk to life and limb.

According to news reports, DeSouza suffered severe injuries as a result of a traffic accident last fall caused when a passenger car turned directly in front of the 310-pound offensive lineman's scooter. Based on reports, DeSouza was headed back from study hall on the evening of October when the crash occurred, resulting in the man receiving two broken legs, which required numerous surgeries that will likely lay him up for six months or more.

It appears that DeSouza could have suffered other, more severe injuries to his head or brain had the backpack he was wearing not protected his head from direct impact with the pavement after he was thrown from the scooter that evening. Following the accident, the University Senate began debate on whether or not scooter riders be required to wear helmets when traveling on campus -- right now, helmets are not required for those who rider scooters on public roads.

Crashes like DeSouza’s can result in tragic results. Serious spinal damage as well as traumatic brain injury are relatively common in scooter, bicycle and motorcycle traffic accidents. Because most other motor vehicle are larger and heavier than a tiny scooter, it is not uncommon to see a rider killed during a severe car crash.

The argument for using scooters would seem to have many supporters, at least on the University of Maryland campus, which occupies more than 1,200 acres. For a student like DeSousa, a cross-campus walk takes about 15 or 20 minutes; taking a scooter cuts that transit time down to about six minutes. As many have said, for those students who already have tight schedules and extra 15 minutes here or there would be welcome for any number of tasks, like study, eating or catching up on notes with other classmates.

Efficiency and economy are big draws, but the “cool” factor is another significant appeal of these small-displacement motor scooters. With some scooters selling at around $600 for a base model, college administrators around the country claim that these cheap modes of transport are now popping up like weeds on campuses all over.

Maryland football player Pete DeSouza's scooter accident raises safety concerns on college campuses, WashingtonPost.com, November 5, 2010

Looking forward, and at this point we’d say rather far forward, to spring and the new riding season, motorcyclists will at some point be getting back on the road. When that time comes, there will likely be some more intrepid riders heading out early. Whether you ride a Yamaha, Harley, Honda or Suzuki, when the next clear and warm riding day arrives bikes will start to make their appearance all across the state.

As a Maryland personal injury lawyer and motorcycle accident attorney, I know that as the snows melt and the roads dry out, motorists will start to encounter bikes on the street again. There is a danger during those early weeks, however, for riders and their passengers. It’s a good guess that passenger car and commercial truck drivers will need to acclimate to motorcycles being out on the roadways.

Especially for those die-hard bikers who venture out early in the season, it’s good to be aware that four-wheelers aren’t expecting these smaller and faster bikes being in traffic again. Use caution during those early weeks, when riders are fewer in number. The question we need to ask ourselves is whether or not motorcycle-car accidents may increase as riders begin to hit the road, due in part because car, minivan, SUV and semi drivers have become less conscious of motorcycles during a long and nasty winter season.

Automobile-motorcycle and truck-bike crashes can be some of the most deadly traffic collisions that police and emergency responders see on a weekly basis here in Maryland. As such, every rider should be careful not to assume that motor vehicle operators see them or are even aware that they are in the area. As they say, better to ride as if you are invisible rathter than assume a driver sees you and your bike.

When the season starts up in Baltimore, Annapolice, the District or Rockville, it will be safe to say that there will be fewer motorcycle riders out and about than in the summer and early fall months. That doesn’t mean that your chances of a bike accident are low, since Maryland drivers may not be looking for those early season riders. On a percentage basis, our guess is that the rate is higher early on, so please keep this in mind as you clear out those cobwebs and get that iron horse, crotch rocket or cruiser back on the road.

I and my colleagues are all concerned for the safety of all cycle jockeys. But if something does happen and a rider finds him or herself injured as a result of another person’s negligence, be sure to consult with an experienced motorcycle accident attorney to understand the options and next steps. And, by all means, keep the rubber on the road and shiny side up.

It would not be a stretch to say that anyone driving a motor vehicle on public roads should be required to follow the law as it applies to traffic safety. As licensed drivers and citizens we all have a responsibility to operate our vehicles in a civilized and safety conscious manner, yet there is a small group of motorcycle and ATV riders that have made a name for themselves as they flout the law in cities such as Baltimore.

As a Maryland personal injury attorney and motorcycle accident lawyer, I have the skills and training to represent riders who have been injured in motor vehicle and other traffic-related car and commercial truck crashes.

While I support citizens’ rights to exercise their freedom when choosing a mode of transportation, I also know that riding even a licensed motorcycle or ATV on public streets can be a risky pastime. Being maimed or fatally injured on a motorcycle could not be considered the objective of most clear-thinking individuals.

Collisions involving motorcycles and trucks or passenger cars can have dire consequences for the relatively unprotected bike rider. Although helmets and other types of protective outer wear can improve a rider’s chances of surviving a crash, the laws of physics don’t always allow for a good outcome for motorcyclists hit by a commercial truck, SUV or even a smaller economy car.

Head trauma, neck injuries and spinal damage can easily occur to even the most well-padded and helmeted rider. The change for traumatic brain injury jumps appreciably for those who don’t wear a helmet or ride in a fashion that increases the odds of a serious or fatal traffic accident.

The recent news articles surrounding the growing trend of dirt bike riding on city streets has raised a number of questions about the safety of not only the riders, but the rest of the motoring public and pedestrians as well. According to reports, packs of dirt-bike riders have been taking to Baltimore’s residential streets and apparently ignoring stoplights, traffic control signs and legal speed limits.

Continue reading "Baltimore Motorcycle Safety News: Increasing Incidents of Dirt Bike Riding in Town Raises Safety Concern" »

As the motorcycle season winds down here in Maryland, now is not the time to take your mind off the road and all those cars, minivans and large commercial trucks out there. As any rider who wants to avoid a traffic accident knows, bikes are nearly invisible to many motorists mainly because of their small profile and their even fewer numbers when compared to the thousands of four-wheeled motor vehicles on the roadways.

As a Baltimore motorcycle accident lawyer and Washington, D.C., injury attorney, I understand how easily a carefree ride can turn bad, usually with a collision between a bike and a much larger and more imposing passenger vehicle. Make no mistake, many bike riders involved in an automobile or commercial truck accident suffer life altering injuries, if they are even lucky enough to survive in the first place.

And it is a sad fact that a certain percentage of motorcycle riders are killed in traffic accidents. It is with this reminder that we say, please ride defensively and live to see another day. On that note, there was a story of a seasoned biker who was killed earlier in the year as a result of not being easily seen.

According to a news article, Carroll County, MD, saw its third motorcycle fatality when a 41-year-old rider was hit by another motorist along Maryland Route 30. The accident happened around 6:30pm on a Thursday evening when a vehicle turned left in front of his bike in Manchester.

Based on police reports, Irving Wheeler was headed southbound toward Ebbvale Road. A Chevy Cavalier, driven by Lawrence Taylor of Manchester, was reportedly going northbound. Just as Wheeler approached the Chevy, the car attempted a left turn onto Ebbvale Road apparently right into the path of the oncoming cycle.

Both Taylor and Wheeler were transported to the Carroll Hospital Center. According to reports, Wheeler hit the car directly with his head, likely causing massive trauma. Doctors told a family member that the rider should have been pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the car was treated for minor injuries.

At the time of the article, Wheeler was the third fatal bike crash in Carroll County for 2010. According to police, Wheeler’s accident and another of the three were deemed not the rider’s fault. The third was apparently rider error when the motorcycle collided with a mailbox and a fence on Alesia-Lineboro Road in Manchester.

Md. 30 crash is Carroll's third motorcycle fatality this year, CarrollCountyTimes.com, June 16, 2010

I’ve spoken here before of the danger that is posed to bike riders every day in our city streets and rural country roads. Maryland provides cycling enthusiasts with a wonderful venue for sport and recreation, but when it comes to cycling on public roads, riders everywhere must be vigilant. As a Baltimore personal injury attorney, I have read the stories of bicyclists who have been hurt, permanently injured or who have died senselessly at the hands of thoughtless or inattentive motorists.

But another danger exists, one which many riders may already know, but which nobody ever expects until it happens to them. I’m speaking of the real threat posed by those who steal manhole covers in Baltimore, such as Annapolis, Frederick and the District. Though it may be portrayed comically in old movies, there is nothing funny about having your bike’s front wheel fall into a two-foot wide hole at 20mph or more.

According to the news, scrap metal thieves have targeted these heavy cast-iron discs even though the value on a per piece basis only about 10 dollars. Although manhole covers weigh in excess of 100 pounds, people strapped for cash are still willing to try and lift them. But the void left behind could be extremely dangerous for bicycle riders and motorcyclists alike.

Injuries such as traumatic head injury, spinal injury, cuts, bruises and broken bones are just the tip of the iceberg. Riding into an open manhole can be deadly, especially at higher speeds. Where a passenger car or commercial truck may only suffer extensive mechanical damage the occupants of these larger motor vehicles will likely escape with only minor injuries, if any, cyclists and bikers are a different story.

Based on reports earlier this summer, the city of Baltimore found 17 of them missing on one particular Tuesday in July. That discovery was the city’s largest manhole-cover theft in the past four years, according to the Baltimore Department of Public Works.

While some were stolen from grassy areas, others came from locations on public roadways. While the cost to the city is relatively small, according to the article, the level of danger from an open manhole is quite high.

Not only can such a situation kill or maim a motorcyclist or bicycle rider, the cost to a family who might lose a bread winner in the process can be devastating. Negligence like this, the kind that can result in the death of an innocent person, is unacceptable and reprehensible. We can only hope that in the future, acts like these will lessen as the economy begins to improve and people find other means to make a living. Meanwhile, be aware of the potential hazards on the road and stay safe.

City replaces 17 stolen manhole covers stolen for scrap, ABC2News.com, July 22, 2010

Bulky manhole covers yield thieves little payoff, BaltimoreSun.com, July 22, 2010

If there is but one constant it’s that motorcycle riding can be a risky pastime. Whether you ride a Honda or Harley, Ducati or Yamaha, if you get into a crash situation with a four-wheeler or semi tractor-trailer you’ll need a lot of luck to avoid an injury. And, the faster you are going at the time will also determine your odds of receiving serious injuries such as broken bones, road rash or a skull fracture.

As a Baltimore motorcycle accident lawyer, I represent riders who have been injured as a result of another person’s negligence. I know from experience that bikers involved in bad highway collisions can have a long road to recovery -- not just physically, but financially. Unfortunately, many riders are killed outright when hit by a larger passenger car or sport utility vehicle.

Well, there may be hope for better protection for riders in the future. According to a recent article, there is a new product that might reduce motorcycle crash injuries and even fatalities. The makers call it the Armored Air Jacket and it is supposed to improve bikers’ chances of surviving a bad crash.

The system works by incorporating a system of airbags into specially-designed jacket. According to the manufacturer, Armored Air Jackets are equipped with a small compressed carbon dioxide cartridge attached via a so-called “ripcord” the other end of which is attached to the bike, much the same way in that the throttle-kill ripcord is attached to a jet ski or snowmobile.

When the ripcord is pulled it activates the cartridge which in turn inflates the airbag system within the jacket, which occurs in about a half-second. The manufacturer says that the inflated airbag provides “an armor-like layer of extra protection to the most vulnerable areas of the body.”

If it functions as advertised, this system could be a great piece of safety wear. In the event of a crash, where the rider is thrown from the bike, the system is claimed to help protect the rider’s neck, chest, back, ribs and spine against impacts from another object or the roadway.

Apparently there have already been some real-world tests. Based on one account, the manufacturer says that the system likely helped lessen the injuries of one Maryland motorcycle rider who was cut off by a motorist in Baltimore and then thrown from his bike about 100 feet and hitting the ground at 70mph. The rider, who was wearing an Armored Air Jacket, reportedly received only an injured hand, soreness, scrapes and bruises.

Airbags For Motorcyclists: Armored Air Jackets Provide Wearable Protection, Newsblaze.com, June 29, 2010

Summer is fast upon us. Motorcycle riders have already been flooding the city streets and roadways across Maryland. But as any good rider knows, motorcycle-automobile accidents can be unforgiving on bikers and their passengers. Many motorcycle and car accidents become very tragic because a motorcyclist has little protection against the mass of a car, SUV or pickup truck.

Where a driver of a car or truck is relatively protected in the case of a crash, a motorcyclist and his or her passenger can receive the direct impact from another vehicle. Motorcycle occupants can also be thrown far from the scene of a bike wreck. As a result, motorcycle accidents have rather high injury rates that include broken bones and lacerations, neck and spine injuries, traumatic head injuries, and other permanent and non-permanent injuries.

Wearing a helmet is one of the best choices a motorcyclist can make to improve his chances of surviving a bad motorcycle crash. The proper helmets can reduce the incidence of fatal head injuries by a large percentage. The use of various protective outerwear and good footwear can also mean the difference between minor and serious injury, or even death.

Sadly, the Maryland legislature may adopt legislation that allows some riders to decide if they wish to wear a helmet or do without. According to the American Motorcycle Association (AMA), House Bill 1282 and Senate Bill 492 would provide exemptions to the motorcycle helmet law currently on the books in Maryland.

Authored respectively by Delegate Curt Anderson (D-Baltimore) and Senator John C. Astle (D-Annapolis), the new law would apply to operators or occupants of three-wheeled enclosed-cab motorcycles or operators of two-wheeled motorcycles who have been licensed for at least two years, or those who have completed a motorcycle rider safety course. An adult passenger riding on a two-wheeled motorcycle would also be able to choose whether or not he or she wishes to wear a helmet as long as the operator is exempted under the law.

Our experience as Baltimore motorcycle accident attorneys tells us that whenever helmets are not worn, injuries can be more serious. It’s a fact that no matter how well you prepare, there is always a chance that you could be involved in an accident on your bike. It makes no difference whether the cause is driver error, another driver’s negligence, excessive speed, or alcohol or substance use, an accident is an accident; outfitting oneself with a helmet is cheap insurance and better protection than none.

AMA News & Notes: May 2010, ama-cycle.org, April 9, 2010

As a Baltimore Injury Accident attorney, my office handles numerous motorcycle accident cases around Maryland and the Washington, D.C. area. Motorcycle injury accidents can be much more severe than automobile accidents given the same circumstances. This is due to the relatively little protection that bikes offer the operator, as opposed to occupants of cars or trucks.

Considering the increased chances of serious injury or even death, motorcycle riders should always use extreme caution when traveling in high traffic areas or when taking up riding following a long break, such as this past winter season. Because most riders tend to park their cycles during the cold winter months, automobile and truck drivers are likely less aware of bikers when the spring weather entices riders to dust off their bikes and hit the roads.

With this in mind, here are a few points to remember before you start out on your first ride of the year. Keep in mind that motorcycle accidents can occur almost anytime of the day or night. Whether you live or work in Baltimore, Gaithersburg, Hagerstown or the District, there are many different kinds of motorcycle accidents, though some types happen more often than others:

Motorcycle-automobile Crashes
While the public may think otherwise, it’s not necessarily true that motorcycle accidents are caused mainly by aggressive driving on the part of the motorcycle rider. The truth is that the major cause of motorcycle accidents can be traced back to the fact that motorists and truck drivers simply do not see bikers and their machines. Many of these wrecks happen because the smaller profile that a motorcycle presents in traffic makes it difficult to spot.

Whether hidden behind another vehicle or out of sight in a driver’s blind spot, it’s a dangerous situation when car and truck operators cannot detect the presence of a biker. Poor weather or nighttime conditions can also cause problems for motorists who may not be expecting a motorcycle when turning or passing another vehicle. Many injury accidents can be prevented if drivers of four-wheelers and trucks took that extra effort to double-check their blind spots or scan the roadway fully before turning or merging.

Continue reading "Baltimore Motorcycle Accident Update: Common Causes of Maryland Biker Crashes" »

If you know anyone who has been hurt in a motorcycle crash, you can understand how serious a rider’s injuries can be especially when compared to a similar car or truck accident. The laws of physics apply equally to bikes and passenger cars, however when it comes to bodily injury size does matter -- in the motorcycle versus car arena, the motorcycle usually loses out, and so does the rider.

As Baltimore personal injury lawyers and motorcycle accident attorneys, our office is well-equipped to represent victims of traffic collisions involving motorcycles, scooters, bicycles and other two-wheeled vehicles. Motorcycle injury accidents can take a devastating toll on riders and their passengers. Hospital bills can cause problems for families just getting by, and any lost wages due to extended rehabilitation, temporary or permanent disability can make it particularly hard.

The state of Maryland has laws on the books that are designed to help protect riders and in doing so provide safer and less dangerous traffic conditions for riders and drivers alike.

Motorcycle-specific traffic laws, such as helmet regulations and lane-sharing laws, vary from state to state. Still, it is crucial that all drivers on public roads understand and abide by these rules. Knowing and following helmet and riding laws will help prevent motorcycle accidents across Maryland. The flowing is a listing of some of the key laws in place that can help save your life, or the life of someone you know.

1) Every rider is required to wear a helmet while operating a motorcycle on Maryland's city streets, county roads, highways, and interstates -- all public roads. Operators of off-road vehicles such as dirt bikes and trials bikes are not required to wear helmets – although helmet use has distinct safety benefits in this area as well.

2) Eye protection is required on all on-road bikes, unless that vehicle is equipped with a windscreen. Similarly, dirt bike riders and operators of other off-road vehicles are not required to wear eye protection.

3) Headlamp use is also an important safety point. And while Maryland law does not require motorcycle riders to operate their headlamp(s) during the daytime, it is highly advisable to always run with your headlamps on. In fact, it is more or less universally agreed that using your headlight during the day reduces your chances of being hit by another vehicle, such as a truck or passenger car.

Continue reading "Baltimore Motorcycle Accident and Injury Update: Maryland’s Motorcycle Law Specifics Aim at Rider Safety " »

This time of year any motorcycle rider worth his salt is experiencing more than a little cabin fever, waiting for the snow and ice to clear and the days to warm up. We’re still weeks away from any decent riding weather, but it never hurts to brush up on rider safety prior to that first warm, dry day. Whether you ride a cruiser, chopper, crotch-rocket or scooter, accidents can happen to anyone, any time.

As a Maryland motorcycle accident attorney and personal injury lawyer, I’ve met my share of riders in both good and bad circumstances. Unfortunately, injuries caused by motorcycle crashes can be much more severe than those of car accidents. Safety is always in the mind of a good rider, and should be foremost in the minds of all motorcycle riders as spring approaches.

Among things to remember as the weather warms up are riding in rain and at night. Spring brings warmer days, but it also brings rain showers and wet roadways. Although it’s more enjoyable to ride in the dry, every rider will get caught in rain at some time or another.

Riding in the rain has its own safety concerns and it takes more than throwing on a rain suit to prepare for wet pavement. Your gear is important, of course. Make sure your rain gloves and boots fit correctly -- badly fitting equipment can interfere with your ability to brake and shift properly. Poorly fitting gear has probably led to more than one fatal motorcycle wreck.

Every driver should know to use extra caution at the first sign of rain. This is when the water tends to sit on oily patches, especially at intersections. As that water finds the low spots in the roadway, it mixes with the oil residue making things extremely slippery. As a motorcycle rider, this should be your main concern when those first rain drops hit your windscreen.

Many a prudent rider will take the opportunity to stop for a cup of coffee when it starts to rain. This allows some of that oil-water mix to be washed away and also gives the rider time to put on some rain gear. If you’re lucky, it’s just a quick shower, but even so, keep in mind that even damp pavement offers less traction than dry.

In spring, the days are getting longer, but night riding is still a reality. Remember that dusk is actually the worst time for all drivers. This is when people’s eyes are getting adjusted to driving or riding by headlights, not daylight. It’s especially important to be extra cautious just after sunset.

It never hurts to slow down somewhat when riding at night, especially on any winding road. Take advantage of the headlights of vehicles in front of you to see farther. Be especially careful to keep an eye on the road surface, since at night it is much more difficult to see sandy patches or other debris on the roadway.

Continue reading "Motorcycle Accident Update: Safety should be Priority One as Bike Riders Prepare for the Spring Thaw" »

It may be hard for most riders to swallow, but summer is over. The recent blizzard that hit the East Coast made that abundantly clear. Still, when the snow melts and roads dry out for a day or so, there is always at least one diehard motorcycle enthusiast who cannot let a a single sunny day pass without firing up his Harley, Honda or Ducati -- even with temperatures hovering just above freezing.

As a Maryland motorcycle accident lawyer, I have met some dyed-in-the-wool bikers and for them I suggest extreme caution when riding during what many consider the “off season” for motorcycles. But it isn’t just the weather that should concern motorcycle riders. I’ll pose the question here: Could fewer bikes on the road result in car, SUV and pickup truck drivers becoming less conscious of a motorcycle in their blind spot?

It is understood that automobile-motorcycle collisions can be one of the more deadly traffic accidents. Because of this, every rider should be watchful no matter what the season, but especially on those unusually pleasant winter days, not to mention when springtime comes to our state.

Right now there may be fewer motorcycle riders out on Maryland roads, but that doesn’t mean that there will be fewer accidents, at least on a percentage basis. My main concern here is for the safety of cyclists wherever they may be. As a rule, it is always important to share the road with all vehicles. If car and truck drivers took more responsibility and drove more attentively, motorcycle accidents could be reduced dramatically all year round.

If you or someone you know has been injured on a motorcycle as a result of the car or truck crash, it is vital that you act quickly to secure professional legal representation before agreeing to any insurance settlement.

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.

Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month is an annual occurance when state and local law enforcement agencies, along with highway safety officials throughout the Unitied States, and in cooperation with the federal government, make a concerted effort to remind motorcyclists and automobile drivers that they are obliged to share the roads safely with each another. May kicks off this annual campaign, which coincides with the season when Maryland motorcycle riders dust off their machines and get ready to take advantage of the warmer weather.

Other groups also getting behind this traffic safety effort to prevent Maryland motorcycle accidents are the Maryland Motor Truck Association and the Abate of Maryland. Together, they are reminding car, truck and bus drivers that due to a motorcycle’s smaller size, this type of vehicle can easily get lost in a larger motor vehicle’s blind spot or get covered behind trees, bushes and fences.

Of the 5,154 US motorcycle deaths that occurred in 2007, 88 of them were Maryland motorcycle deaths—a definite increase from the 58 Maryland motorcycle fatalities that happened in 2003. One reason for this is that motorcycle use has grown in popularity throughout the state.

According to a 2008 Examiner.com news article, more than 1,000,000 motorcycles have been sold in the last six years. The higher cost of gas over the past couple of years may be one of the reasons that more people have opted to ride motorcycles. A motorcycle averages 50mpg, which is twice the mpg of many cars.

AAA Offers the Following Safety Suggestions for Motorists Sharing the Roads with Motorcycles:

• Be on the look out for motorcycles, as well as cars and pedestrians.
• Allow motorcyclists the same driving privileges that you have, including letting them have a full lane to themselves.
• Always signal to indicate when you are turning.
• Give motorcycle riders plenty of space to maneuver.

AAA's Safety Awareness Suggestions for Motorcyclists Sharing the Roads with Other Drivers:

• Wear protective gear so that other drivers see you.
• Give yourself plenty of space to maneuver your bike in the event of an emergency.
• Try not to ride in a driver’s blind spot.
• Don’t share a lane with other vehicles.
• Signal and indicate.
• Make sure you are properly trained to ride your motorcycle and that you have enough experience to operate one safely before you get on a Maryland freeway.

Keep an eye out for motorcycles, Frederick News Post, May 10, 2009

Area motorcycle deaths disproportionate, Examiner.com, June 18, 2008

Related Web Resources:
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Congress Highlights Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month