Maryland Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Blog

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