Maryland Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Blog
Earlier this week in a tragic accident in Glen Burnie, one teen lost his life when he was involved in a fatal motorcycle accident. According to a report by WUSA 9, the accident occurred around 11:30 in the evening on Crain Highway North and Jackson Avenue Northwest.
Evidently, there were two teens on the dirt bike that was heading south on Crain Highway. As the teens approached the intersection of Crain Highway and Jackson Avenue, the driver of a northbound Lexus made a left-hand turn in front of the dirt bike. Not having enough time to avoid the accident, the driver of the dirt bike crashed into the side of the Lexus, sending both on board the bike flying. Neither the driver nor the passenger was wearing a helmet.
The driver of the dirt bike was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. He died a few days after the accident from the injuries he sustained. The passenger on the bike was also admitted to the hospital, although with non-life-threatening injuries. He is expected to fully recover.
Police have told reporters that the motorcycle accident was due to error on the part of the motorcyclist. Evidently, the motorcycle was not registered and did not have any lights on at the time of the accident. The driver of the Lexus told police that he could not see the motorcycle at the time he attempted to make the left turn.
Determining Fault in Maryland Motorcycle Accidents
The police in the accident described above have already made their determination that the motorcycle rider was at fault. While this means that the driver of the Lexus will not be held criminally liable for the accident, that finding is not binding on a civil court regarding the driver’s responsibility to the motorcyclist’s family.
In any fatal motorcycle accident, the family of the victim may want answers from the person or people they believe are responsible for their loved one’s death. A wrongful death suit is the proper method of seeking these answers. A wrongful death suit in Maryland claims that someone’s death was caused by the wrongful conduct of another, whether it be intentional, reckless, or negligent.
To be sure, a determination by the police that the other driver was not at fault will be relevant to the determination in a civil court. However, it will not be dispositive, so the court will be able to consider other evidence before making any determination.
Have You Lost a Loved One in a Maryland Motorcycle Accident?
If you have a loved one who has recently been involved in a fatal motorcycle accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your loss. However, due to Maryland’s unique laws, you may be prevented from recovering if your loved one is found to be even the slightest bit at fault for the accident. The experienced and skilled attorneys at the Maryland personal injury law firm of Lebowitz & Mzhen Personal Injury Lawyers have years of combined experience bringing all varieties of Maryland personal injury cases, including motorcycle accident cases. To schedule a free initial consultation with a dedicated attorney, call 410-654-3600 today. There is no charge to you unless we are able to recover in your case.
More Blog Posts:
Another Maryland Motorcyclist Dead After Fatal Left-Turn Accident, Maryland Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Blog, published August 21, 2014.
Fourth-Year GW Medical Student Killed in Motorcycle Accident, Maryland Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Blog, published September 4, 2014.