Articles Posted in Fatal Motorcycle Accidents

Earlier last week in Tampa Bay, Florida, a 20-year-old motorcyclist was killed when he was cut off by a van making an improper left turn. According to a report by the Tampa Bay Times, the motorcyclist was heading west on a surface street shortly after 7 a.m. As he approached an intersection, the driver of a Mazda who was heading east on the same road and waiting to make a left turn. The driver waited for a van to pass and then continued into the intersection, making the left turn in front of the motorcyclist. The Mazda ended up cutting off the motorcyclist, who hit the side of the car and flew off his bike. Although the rider was wearing a helmet, he was pronounced dead at the scene by medical personnel.

Police are currently conducting an investigation to determine the cause of the accident and if drugs or alcohol was involved.

The Most Common Causes of Maryland Motorcycle Accidents

There is a common misconception that motorcycle accidents are caused by motorcyclists’ aggressive driving. However, the driving patterns of motorcycle riders have less to do with the high number of Maryland Motorcycle accidents than most think. In reality, the biggest cause of motorcycle accidents is failure to see a motorcyclist.

Continue reading ›

Earlier this week in Colorado Springs, Colorado, a man on a motorcycle was killed when another driver cut him off by driving through a yellow light without first yielding. According to a report by the local Fox affiliate, the motorcyclist was heading north and a van was heading south on the same road. As the two approached an intersection, the light turned yellow. The van attempted to turn left in front of the motorcyclist, cutting him off. Although the motorcyclist tried to stop in time, he was unable to do so and crashed into the rear of the van.

The motorcyclist was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the van was uninjured and was cited for Vehicles Turning Left and Careless Driving resulting in Death.

Failing to Yield the Right of Way

This accident was caused by the van failing to yield the right of way to the motorcyclist. In the situation above, the motorcyclist was traveling through the intersection and the van was making a left turn. As the vehicle making a left turn in front of a vehicle traveling straight ahead, the van needed to yield to the motorcyclist to see what he was going to do before acting himself.

Continue reading ›

In a tragic accident last week in Florida, a 64-year-old motorcyclist was killed when he was rear ended by a driver who didn’t notice that he was slowing down. According to a report by the Palm Beach Post, the accident occurred shortly after sunset in Martin County, Florida.

Apparently, a 23-year-old woman was driving behind the motorcyclist when he began to slow down in response to the traffic ahead of him. Not seeing the traffic ahead, the driver purportedly slammed into the rear of the motorcyclist, sending him off his bike and into the emergency lane where he was hit by another driver. Despite wearing a helmet, the driver was pronounced dead at the scene.

Negligent Driving Kills Motorcyclists

When motorists don’t pay attention on Maryland highways, accidents happen. These accidents have an increased potential to be fatal when the other driver is riding a motorcycle. However, due to the hustle-and-bustle nature of society today, drivers are constantly “multi-tasking” while driving. This can amount to negligent driving.

Continue reading ›

An accident occurred earlier this month in Elkridge, that led to the death of a motorcyclist that was thrown from his bike.

According to Howard County Police, the accident occurred at around 3:30 a.m. on Route 1. The police report states that the 42 year old rider was reportedly traveling south on Route 1 when he suddenly lost control as he attempted to take the exit for Route 100 east. The man was thrown from his bike, and was transported to a local hospital for treatment of his injuries, where he later died.

There was relatively little information available regarding the circumstances surrounding the collision. As such, investigators are continuing to collect information in order to determine the cause.

Continue reading ›

A tragic collision resulted after an SUV and two motorcycles collided in south-central Pennsylvania near the Maryland line, just a little under a week ago.

According to police, two motorcycles traveling in the same direction collided head-on with the SUV traveling the opposite way in Franklin County, killing four people on the motorcycles and one person travelling in the SUV.

According to another source, the SUV was heading northbound and crossed over the center line for unknown reasons, striking the Harley-Davidson head-on. Upon impact, the SUV spun counterclockwise and was struck broadside in the passenger door by the second motorcycle, a Suzuki. All vehicles were reportedly traveling under the speed limit of 55 MPH.

Continue reading ›

An Anne Arundel County woman is facing charges for the death of a motorcycle driver, which authorities believed was a direct result of the woman’s texting while driving. According to sources, this is the first official charging of manslaughter while texting in Anne Arundel County.

Last March, a 30 year old man was riding north on his motorcycle on Route 3 in Gambrills, when the 19 year old driver maneuvered her car into the motorcyclist’s path in an attempt to cross Route 3 to get to the Royal Farms, resulting in the death of the motorcyclist.

The prosecution in the case claims that, in addition to cell phone records (which are presumably time stamped), they have an eyewitness who saw the woman driving with one hand, and looking down while texting with the other. The driver faces several charges in relation to the incident, including negligent manslaughter. If convicted, she faces up to 10 years in prison and thousands of dollars in fines.

Continue reading ›

Over the weekend, the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office reported that they responded to a collision in Huntingtown involving a motorcycle.

Upon arrival, authorities found both of the vehicles within different parts of the same lane on Point Plum Lane. The appearance of the aftermath was apparently consistent with evidence of a head-on collision. The motorcycle driver and passenger were both reportedly ejected upon impact, and were found west of the motorcycle.

The initial investigation revealed the SUV was traveling eastbound on Point Plum Lane, as the motorcycle approached the intersection of Point Plum Road and Twin Oak Lane. In an attempt to enter a private drive, the SUV turned left in front of the motorcycle, causing a crash. The vehicles collided in the center of the westbound lane of Plum Point Road.

Continue reading ›

According to officials, last month, a Columbia man was charged with felony driving under the influence after his vehicle killed two motorcyclists.

A South Carolina Highway Patrol Senior Trooper reported that the man was traveling north on Highway 21 one Monday evening, when his 2008 Saturn crossed the center line. The Saturn then reportedly collided with two BMW motorcycles head-on. The two motorcyclists both died instantly due to blunt force trauma, according to the local county coroner. The 21 year old was transported to a local hospital for unreported injuries. His passenger was uninjured.

The driver of the Saturn was subsequently charged with two counts of felony DUI, and one count of second-offense driving under suspension.

Continue reading ›

Millsboro Police reported that a Maryland woman died earlier this month in a motorcycle crash on Route 113.

The Abingdon woman was riding a Yamaha sports bike, when she failed to stop at a traffic light, continuing into the intersection of Route 113 and Route 24. It was there that she then ran into a vehicle that was turning northbound onto Route 113. The motorcyclist was transported to a local hospital, but later died from her injuries.

Police did not release information regarding the other vehicle in the accident. They did reveal, however, that they believe speed was a contributing factor to the collision.

Continue reading ›

Montgomery County Police recently released updated information regarding an accident involving a motorcycle and an SUV in Rockville near Montrose Road and Tower Oaks Boulevard.

According to a statement from police, a 2006 Toyota Highlander was traveling east on Montrose Road and began to turn left onto northbound Tower Oaks when it struck a Ducati 848, which was traveling west on Montrose. The driver and passenger of the motorcycle were ejected from the vehicle. Police stated the bike then erupted into flames.

The driver of the motorcycle died at the hospital as a result of the injuries he suffered following the collision. The passenger reportedly suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries, police said. Police also said the driver of the Highlander suffered non-life threatening injuries.

Continue reading ›