Articles Posted in Dirt Bike Accidents

Off-road motorcycling and dirt biking are popular sports practiced by millions worldwide. The Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration (“MVA”) maintains specific licensing and registration provisions for dirt bikes and all-terrain vehicles (“ATV”); however, serious accidents continue to occur. ATVs are used both commercially, typically in farming, and recreationally. In either case, operating dirt bikes and ATVs requires coordination, experience, and appropriate training.

Despite the popularity of these activities, little research has been done on the dangers of this activity and the prevalence of injuries and death. However, some research suggests that ATVs use is more dangerous than motocross or dirt biking, as ATV accidents have a higher mortality rate, especially for children. Both activities continue to have a significant rate of head, spinal, and extremity injury.

For instance, recently, a Maryland news report described two deadly accidents. The first accident occurred when a man riding a three-wheel motorcycle drove off a ramp and landed on the ground. The next accident involved an incident where a driver slammed into a 31-year-old man driving a dirt bike. Reports indicate that officers believe a Ford Fusion struck the dirt biker. The collision knocked the dirt biker off his vehicle, causing him to hit his head. Emergency medical services transported him to a hospital for head injuries; however, he succumbed to his injuries tragically.

Off-road vehicles, including dirt bikes and all-terrain vehicles, can be a great activity for most of the year, making them a common hobby in Maryland. However, off-road vehicles also pose a serious danger to riders, passengers, and pedestrians alike.

As is the case with those who operate vehicles on the road, the operators of off-road vehicles must take certain precautions to avoid causing a Maryland ATV accident. This includes operating the vehicle in a responsible manner, following common etiquette when off-road, and remaining free from the effects of drugs and alcohol while operating the vehicle.

When an ATV accident does occur, there may be multiple parties who are liable to those injured in the accident. This may include the owner of the land where the injury occurred, another driver who caused the accident, or the manufacturer of a faulty or defective part.

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Earlier this month, an appellate court in California issued a written opinion in a motorcycle accident case requiring the court to determine if the plaintiff assumed the risk of injury involved in riding a dirt bike. Specifically, the court was tasked with determining whether the defendant’s reckless conduct exposed the plaintiff to risks above and beyond those normally encountered while riding a dirt bike. Ultimately, the court concluded that the plaintiff assumed the risk of injury by riding the dirt bike and that the defendant did not expose her to additional risks. This concept may be relevant to Maryland motorcycle accident victims as well.

The Facts of the Case

The plaintiff and the defendant were in a relationship. The plaintiff was new to riding dirt bikes when she met the defendant, but the two made the activity a joint hobby. One day, the couple decided to take about a two-hour ride to some dunes. The plaintiff was hesitant, and she explained to the defendant that she did not like riding in sand because it made her uncomfortable. Evidently, the defendant was present one time when the plaintiff fell while riding in sand.

The defendant “guaranteed” that there was a hard-packed dirt road the whole way and that the plaintiff would not have to ride in the sand. The plaintiff then reluctantly agreed to go.

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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.

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