Articles Posted in Fatal Motorcycle Accidents

It is commonly known that motorcycle riders are at greater risk of injury and or death than car riders, but the actual disparity in risk is higher than one might think. In fact, some sources claim that for every mile traveled, motorcyclists are 35 times more likely than car riders to have a fatal accident. Given the tremendous risk of motorcycle accidents and the potentially fatal results of such crashes, both motorcyclists and drivers of cars should take extreme precautions when it comes to navigating traffic situations involving motorcycles and sharing the road.

Tragic and horrifying accidents are unfortunately all too common in Maryland and show the need for car drivers and motorcyclists to engage in exceedingly careful when driving at high speeds near or around motorcycles.

There are significant risks in driving motorcycles. The smaller profile of motorcycles leaves them vulnerable to car blind spots and the open nature of motorcycles can throw drivers from the vehicle upon impact during a crash. Because of this, on average, driving or riding on a motorcycle is more dangerous than driving cars. Motorcycle riders are not protected by their vehicle in the way that the occupants of a car are. As a result, approximately 72 percent of motorcyclists are injured when they crash.

According to the news article, the accident happened on the morning of Saturday, June 3, around 11:20 am. The fatal crash occurred when a Toyota Corolla crossed the center line of a highway and hit five motorcycles according to the State Highway Patrol. Law enforcement officials stated that the five motorcycles were traveling north on Missouri 39 in Lawrence County, three miles north of Autora, and the Toyota Corolla was traveling south when the car veered out of its lane Saturday and crashed into the group of motorcycles, throwing the drivers and passengers from the bikes. Following the crash, the Toyota Corolla traveled off the west side of the road and landed in a ditch.

As the warmer months and summer approach, it is not uncommon for the number of people we are sharing the road with to increase as people get on the move to enjoy the sun. This includes an increase in pedestrians walking, and the number of motorcycles, motorbikes, and e-scooters to increase. Here are some statistics: According to a study done by ValuePenguin, 49 percent of deadly motorcycle accidents in the 2016 to 2020 period occurred from June to September, with the highest percentage in July. 49 percent of deadly motorcycle accidents in the 2016 to 2020 period occurred over the weekend, versus 51 percent on weekdays.

According to a news report in early April, a motorcyclist was killed in a Maryland crash involving a tractor-trailer. The crash occurred in Prince George’s County, Maryland on Route 301. The motorcyclist was heading northbound on Route 301, and the tractor-trailer attempted to make a U-turn from the southbound lanes into the northbound lanes on Route 301 when the motorcyclist crashed into the side of the semi-truck. The motorcyclist was pronounced dead on the scene. The Maryland State Police encouraged motorists to be mindful of the increased number of motorcycles on the road with warmer weather and as summer approaches.

A recent news report revealed the aftermath of a fatal motorcycle accident in Charles County, Maryland. The motorcyclist was found dead on the scene. A truck was traveling eastbound while the motorcyclist was traveling westbound. For reasons unknown, the truck crossed the double yellow center line and struck the motorcycle. When personnel arrived on the scene, they found the motorcyclist pinned under the vehicle and unresponsive. Firefighters extricated the trapped motorcyclist, EMS requested a MEDEVAC due to serious injuries sustained by the motorcyclist, but then began CPR on the patient. The patient was unfortunately reported dead on the scene. The cause of the accident is still being investigated.

Statistics also show trends in age ranges and time of day for crashes. Motorcyclists between the ages of 21-34 were the most represented in motor-cycle involved crashes in Maryland, and the study found that weekends and mid-days were the most dangerous times for motorcyclists, according to the MDOTMVA. These statistics can be insightful in helping motorists understand what factors may contribute more to motorcycle-involved crashes and for thinking of ways to protect themselves.

Motorcycles can be a fast and convenient way of travel that entices both motorcyclists and their passengers. Motorcycles may entice riders because they allow for quick maneuvers and in some ways, can feel freeing. In some instances, however, motorcycles can put not only the driver in danger but also the passenger as well. In these instances, as a passenger of a motorcycle, you may be wondering what to do if you are involved in a severe motorcycle accident. In some cases, a motorcycle accident may be a single accident only involving one motorcycle and obstructing objects, and in other cases, it may involve other vehicles or pedestrians.

Motorcyclists share the road with various other vehicles, pedestrians, and sometimes even animals who may find themselves in the middle of the road at inopportune times. According to a recent news report, one person passed away in Ohio after a motorcycle crash accident involving a dog. Two people were riding on a motorcycle when it struck a dog that ran out into the roadway. A 22-year-old passenger was thrown from the motorcycle before it veered off the road and hit a guardrail. The passenger was unfortunately pronounced dead at the scene. The motorcycle driver was taken to a nearby medical center with serious injuries. Neither individuals were wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.

When motorcycle accidents occur, they can be scary and devasting for a multitude of reasons. When motorcycle accidents occur and involve large vehicles, such as trucks or vehicles transporting groups, it can lead to serious harm. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that in 2020, 5,579 motorcyclists died in motor vehicle accidents, most of which were preventable.

According to a recent news report, a 28-year-old motorcyclist in Florida is dead and two children were injured after a crash involving a school bus. The motorcyclist was traveling west, while a school bus was stopped facing south on the highway. The school bus entered the intersection and into the path of the motorcycle, and the motorcycle collided with the left of the school bus. At the time, there were five children on the bus.

Driving motorcycles is significantly more dangerous than driving cars. The smaller profile of motorcycles leaves them vulnerable to car blind spots, and the open nature of motorcycles can throw drivers from the vehicle upon impact during a crash. Because motorcycle riders are not protected by their vehicle like the occupants of a car, approximately 72 percent of motorcyclists are injured when they crash. Unfortunately, Maryland drivers are all too familiar with the dangers of motorcycle driving. Maryland averages 73 motorcycle rider and passenger deaths per year, and on average, an additional 1,046 riders or drivers are injured each year. Additionally, this issue is not getting better in Maryland, with the state seeing an increase in motorcycle crashes from 2019 to 2020. A recent news article discussed a fatal motorcycle crash.

According to the news article about a recent fatal motorcycle crash, the accident occurred in the evening around 5:30 p.m. on Monday, December 14, when a motorcycle going at the intersection of Six Forks Road and Mt. Vernon Church Road was struck by a Nissan minivan. The driver of the minivan tried to make a left turn and hit the motorcycle. Unfortunately, the motorcyclists died at the scene. The motorcycle driver was wearing a helmet and reflective clothing. The driver of the minivan was taken into custody by law enforcement and charged with misdemeanor death by motor vehicle and failure to yield the right of way.

Most motorcycles can both accelerate and brake faster than other vehicles on the road. This responsiveness to user control is what attracts many bikers to motorcycles as a means of transportation and recreation. Although most bikes are mechanically capable of impressive stopping distances, the attention, and ability of the motorcycle driver limit the mechanical advantages of a motorcycle. A motorcyclist and his passenger were both killed late last month after the motorcyclist was unable to stop in time and rear-ended another driver.

According to a local news report discussing the tragic crash, a Florida motorcyclist was approaching another vehicle from behind and lost control of the bike while attempting to brake. The motorcycle flipped on its side and crashed into the leading vehicle. Both the driver and passenger of the motorcycle were killed in the crash. The article does not mention whether the rider and passenger were wearing helmets at the time of the crash.

Motorcycle accidents that involve cars or trucks can be devastating for the parties involved, especially to motorcyclists who have less protection than other motorists. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that 42 percent of fatal motorcycle crashes that involved another motor vehicle involved a vehicle turning left while the motorcycle was going straight, passing, or overtaking a vehicle. NHSTA also reports that 41 percent of all motorcycle crashes are due to drivers failing to see motorcycles. This can be due to the smaller size of the vehicles and a driver’s blind spots.

According to a recent news report from Maryland, a Chevrolet was traveling northbound attempting to make a left turn, and at the same time, a 1997 Harley-Davidson motorcycle was traveling southbound entering the intersection in Seaford. The Chevrolet turned left directly in front of the motorcycle, and as a result, the front left of the Chevrolet struck the left front of the motorcycle. This resulted in the ejection of the motorcyclist from his bike. The 59-year-old male motorcyclist was transported to a local hospital and pronounced deceased. The driver of the Chevrolet was not injured. The intersection was closed for approximately 3 hours after the crash, and the accident is still under investigation.