Maryland Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Blog
As Maryland personal injury attorneys and motorcycle accident lawyers, we understand the attraction that the open road holds for most every motorcycle rider out there. The feeling of freedom and independence that a bike offers cannot be duplicated in a closed passenger car. But just as a sedan blocks many of the sensations of the outside world from the driver and passengers, it also provides greater protection in the event of a bad traffic collision.
Motorcycles offer few if any of the safety features that make survival in serious auto accidents more certain. Even with protective outer wear, boots, gloves and a motorcycle helmet, riders can be critically injured in traffic crashes that a passenger car driver would likely walk away from. Broken arms and legs, internal bleeding and traumatic head injuries are all possible outcomes.
In the worst of cases, motorcyclists can receive such extensive injuries that they may actually die at the scene of an accident before they can be rushed to the hospital for treatment. Even a biker who survives a wreck might end up a paraplegic or quadriplegic due to irreparable damage to the individual’s spinal cord. Years of physical therapy combined with full-time care can sap a family’s budget and result in deep financial troubles.
In some cases, another driver is found to be to blame for an accident which kills or injures a motorcyclist. One such example occurred not long ago when police arrested a 22-year-old driver indicted for allegedly hitting a biker head-on along a stretch of highway. According to reports, Jessica Faircloth tested positive for narcotics immediately following the accident, which occurred last July. Faircloth was named in a five-count indictment that included operating a motor vehicle while under the influence and causing the death of another individual.
Based on police reports, David Edward Kessel, a long-time employee of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency, was riding his motorcycle just west of Mills Gap near Gerrardstown. According to police investigators, Faircloth’s 1992 Honda crossed over the center line for some reason and collided with Mr. Kessel’s bike.
The resulting collision caused Kessel to be thrown onto the Honda, then over the vehicle’s roof and down a steep incline adjacent to the road. Emergency responders arriving at the crash site more than likely attempted to render aid to Kessel, however their efforts were unsuccessful and the man was pronounced dead at the scene. Police and medical reports indicate that death was caused by blunt force injuries.
According to the news article, Faircloth was taken to a local hospital for treatment of her injuries. Investigators later interviewed the woman, who stated to police that she had not been drinking, and agreed to sign a medical waiver to that fact. However, several blood tests taken a the hospital apparently showed that the woman had some amount of the sedative Benxodiazepine in her bloodstream.
Area woman indicted for fatal accident, Journal-News.net, February 18, 2011