Earlier this month in Alexandria, Virginia, a motorcyclist was injured when he was struck by a car that was in the process of making a left turn. According to one local news source, the accident occurred at around 4:30 in the afternoon at the Church of Saint Clement on N. Quaker Lane.
Evidently, the motorcyclist was heading north when a car made a left turn and struck the motorcyclist. As the rider flew off the bike, the bike crashed through the window of a nearby daycare. There were 10 children and their teacher in the daycare at the time, and five of them suffered minor injuries that required they be taken to the hospital. The motorcyclist was also taken to the hospital and admitted in serious condition.
Police told reporters that they have been keeping an eye on that intersection for some time, since it is known as a dangerous area. In fact, they mentioned that drivers come down the hill and make the left turn at high speeds too often, putting other motorists at risk. The cause of this accident still remains under investigation. Police expect to have a result in the near future.
Left- Hand Turn Motorcycle Accidents on Maryland Roadways
Left-hand turns are the cause of many motorcycle accidents in Maryland. The most common reason for a left-hand turn accident is that the other motorist fails to properly judge the speed at which the motorcycle is traveling.
For the most part, motorists are accustomed to being able to look at an approaching car and estimate how long it will take that vehicle to enter an intersection. However, motorists routinely have trouble estimating the speed at which motorcyclists are moving, and they usually err in assuming the biker is traveling slower than he or she really is. This leads to a situation in which a motorist believes that they have time to complete their left turn, when in reality they don’t. If a car enters an intersection when they should have waited for the motorcycle to clear the intersection, the driver has committed a traffic violation and may be held liable for any injuries caused as a result of this error.
Who Can Seek Compensation?
Whether you are another motorist involved in the accident, an innocent bystander, or the family of a deceased accident victim, you may be entitled to monetary compensation. To learn more, you should speak with a dedicated Maryland personal injury attorney.
Have You Been Injured in a Maryland Motorcycle Accident?
If you or a loved one has recently been involved in any kind of Maryland motorcycle accident, you may be entitled to monetary damages based on the other driver’s negligence. Recovery in these kinds of cases often means compensation for past medical bills, future medical expenses, lost wages, and decreased earning capacity, as well as for any pain and suffering endured as a result of the accident. To learn more about motorcycle accident cases, and to speak with a dedicated attorney about your case, call 410-654-3600 today to set up a free consultation.
More Blog Posts:
Chain-Reaction Crash in Prince Frederick Injures Several, Including Motorcyclist, Maryland Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Blog, published July 3, 2015.
Maryland Man Dies in Bicycle Accident, Maryland Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Blog, published June 19, 2015.