Articles Posted in Fatal Motorcycle Accidents

As if getting in a car accident was not stressful enough, having the at-fault party leave the scene only adds to the frustration and challenges that come with the aftermath of a major collision. If you are involved in a hit-and-run accident, you may still be able to get recourse in the event that local authorities are able to locate the at-fault party. If the at-fault party is located, you will also have several options to consider as you plan your next steps legally.

According to a recent news report, a man was charged after fleeing the scene of a deadly motorcycle accident. Based on initial reports, a Honda was traveling north when it crossed into southbound lanes and crashed into the motorcycle. The motorcyclist was thrown from their bike and pronounced dead on the scene. Following the accident, the driver of the Honda fled from the scene on foot and was located by local authorities shortly after. The police report noted that the driver of the Honda made no attempt to render aid to the motorcyclist. The initial investigation also showed that the Honda driver had an open 12 ounce can of beer in his vehicle’s center console and an empty box of beer in the backseat. The Honda driver has since been charged with vehicular homicide, driver intoxication, and leaving the scene of a fatal accident. The accident remains under investigation.

What Are Maryland’s Hit-And-Run Laws?

Hit-and-run accidents occur when a driver crashes into another vehicle, pedestrian, or stationary object, and then flees the scene. Among the various laws that govern this type of car accident, Maryland law requires that the at-fault party stop and stay on the scene of any accident resulting in injuries, deaths, or damaged property or vehicles that cannot be immediately moved. In addition, the state transportation code states that for at-fault parties, leaving the scene resulting in serious bodily injury constitutes a felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000. If the accident results in a death, then a hit-and-run has a maximum penalty of ten years in prison and a $10,000 fine. Even for hit-and-run accident victims, you are not permitted to leave the scene under Maryland law unless you require immediate medical assistance. Under Maryland law, you are required to stay on the scene and call 911, provide your identification and contact information to others involved, and to help anyone who needs assistance following the accident.

Motorcycle accidents are very common, and often result in a rider suffering serious, life-changing injuries. Fatal accidents are also much more common than most people realize. Some hazards that may cause minor inconveniences to the drivers of automobiles can be extremely dangerous to motorcyclists. Road damage, debris, and wildlife can cause accidents that may be deadly to motorcyclists. A recently published local news report discusses a motorcyclist who was recently killed in a crash when he lost control of his vehicle after a goose flew into him while he was on the road.

According to the local news report, the tragic crash occurred on a Friday morning in early April of this year when a motorcyclist traveling on State Road in Croyden, PA was struck by a flying goose and lost control of his vehicle. After the initial collision with the goose, the biker swerved into oncoming traffic, sideswiping one vehicle and ultimately crashing into an SUV head-on. Authorities quoted in the article stated that the motorcyclist was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash. The article did not release any further information about the identity of the motorcyclist, or whether they were wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.

Financial liability for D.C., Maryland, and Virginia area accidents caused in part by wildlife or other non-human sources can sometimes be tricky. If the only at-fault party in a car accident is a dead animal, then someone’s insurance company is going to need to step up and pay for the damages. Generally, the bodily injury/liability coverage of an auto insurance policy will cover injuries to a rider or occupant on a motorcycle who was injured in a crash caused by the motorcycle. It is ultimately the responsibility of the vehicle operator to avoid a collision with wildlife, and bodily injury/ liability coverage should apply.

Motorcycles are fundamentally less crashworthy than other types of vehicles. By nature, they are less visible to other drivers and less stable than larger closed vehicles. As such, Maryland motorcycle riders tend to sustain more significant injuries in accidents. Studies by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) indicate that over 5,000 people died in a motorcycle crash in the most recent reporting year.

Many factors increase the likelihood of a Maryland motorcycle accident. Like other car accidents, road geography, time of day, environmental factors, and driver error all play a role in these crashes. While warmer weather generally brings more travelers, summer draws more motorcyclists, unlike other peak travel times. Although many motorcycle riders exhibit appropriate road safety, those who have had several months of hiatus may not appropriately assess risk or their level of expertise.

Further, greater traffic, increased impaired driving, and road construction contribute to an accident’s likelihood. Generally, motorcycles have a much higher risk of being hit on the road than other vehicles. For example, Maryland State Police confirmed the death of a motorcycle rider following a three-vehicle crash. An initial investigation reveals that a Harley Davidson motorcycle rider traveled west when a Honda Pilot driver moved over into the westbound lane. A Hyundai driver traveling behind the motorcycle slammed into both vehicles. The motorcyclist was ejected from his bike and fell on the Hyundai. The three vehicles caught on fire, and the biker died at the accident scene. Emergency responders transported the Honda Pilot driver to a hospital for his injuries.

Although motorcycles are a fast, trendy, and convenient way to get around, they often pose unique safety concerns to those who ride them and the drivers they share the road with.

For riders, they are more at risk compared to passenger vehicle drivers because they do not have the benefit of a car to protect them in the event of an accident. For drivers, motorcyclists can be hard to see, especially when weather conditions are poor or visibility is low. Understanding the dangers associated with these accidents is beneficial for anyone who is on the road—and for remaining as safe and proactive as possible.

According to a recent news report, a man was killed after a motorcycle and SUV collided. Local authorities reported that the SUV and motorcycle ran into each other head-on, and the motorcyclist was pronounced dead on the scene. The SUV driver stayed at the scene and cooperated with first responders. The accident remains under investigation.

It’s been a tough couple of years for many people. The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in immeasurable losses for many families. Whether it’s due to the loss of family members, layoffs, or the feeling of isolation, many people feel as though they are at the end of their rope. Not surprisingly, the rate of Maryland road rage incidents has increased significantly since the beginning of the pandemic.

What Is Road Rage?

Road rage is a type of aggressive driving that crosses the line from “negligent” to “illegal.” Road rage often includes actions that are intended to physically harm or intimidate another motorist. Road rage is illegal, and may form the basis of a personal injury lawsuit. Unfortunately, motorcyclists are often the target of road rage, which often ends in a motorcycle accident.

Some of the most common types of road rage include:

• Throwing objects from a moving vehicle;
• Using a car to block another person or vehicle;
• Intentionally hitting a person or vehicle;
• Yelling curse words or threats out the window;
• Intentionally cutting off another vehicle; and
• Running another driver off the road.

Given the dangers of this type of behavior, road rage accidents are not uncommon. For example, a recent survey revelated that 82 percent of drivers admit to committing an act of road rage within the past year. And over the past seven years, there have been at least 12,600 injuries caused by road rage and another 218 road-rage-related deaths. What’s worse, over the past ten years, there has been a 500 percent increase in the number of road rage accidents.

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When driving, it can often be hard for drivers to spot motorcyclists, especially if road or weather conditions are poor. Because motorcycle drivers do not have the protective casing and shell of a traditional car to protect them in the event of an accident, collisions involving a motorcycle and a car can often lead to significant injuries and even death. For drivers and motorcyclists alike, remaining vigilant on the road and exercising certain best practices can keep everyone safe.

According to a recent news report, a major motorcycle accident left one man dead. Local police responded to a four-vehicle crash at an intersection where investigators determined that a motorcycle that was traveling west collided with a Dodge that was turning left. The initial collision then caused both the Dodge and the motorcycle to crash into a Ford that was stopped at the traffic light. The motorcycle then also collided with a Toyota that was stopped at the light. After this series of collisions, the motorcycle driver was thrown from his bike and pronounced dead at the scene. According to local authorities, no one else involved in the accident was seriously injured or hurt. Although the accident remains under investigation, police believe that speed may have been a contributing factor in the accident.

Inexperience, driving under the influence, left-hand turns, speeding, and negligent or reckless driving are among the most common causes of motorcycle accidents. In addition, unsafe lane changes, car doors, lane splitting, and sudden stops also contribute to a number of motorcycle accidents each year. At intersections, motorcyclists are particularly susceptible to accidents. In fact, approximately 70 percent of motorcycle collisions take place at intersections.

Motorcyclists, including riders and their passengers, have the highest risk of fatalities among all motor vehicle operators. Although many people view motorcycling as an extreme mode of transportation, most riders operate their vehicles aware of their vulnerable position.

Like many Maryland accidents, motorcycle crashes are complex events that may have been influenced by various factors. These factors may include human error, vehicle defects, and environmental influences. However, while human error is the leading cause of motorcycle accidents, many of these errors are on the part of other road users and not the biker. However, given the biker’s vulnerable position, these accidents are more likely to lead to a fatality.

For instance, a recent news radio station reported that a motorcycle rider died in an accident involving a pickup truck. According to reports, the pickup truck driver was traveling southbound, approaching an intersection. The driver entered the highway in the path of a westbound motorcycle. The pickup slammed into the motorcycle, and the rider was ejected onto the roadway, where two eastbound drivers struck the vicitm. The motorcyclist was wearing a helmet, but he suffered fatal injuries and died at the accident scene.

Any experienced Maryland motorcycle accident attorney knows the effect that bias and profiling can have on an accident victim. The American Motorcycle Association (AMA) frequently educates the public on the impact of discriminatory enforcement actions targeting motorcyclists. While the state has a law to ban motorcycle profiling, the reality is that this bias is deeply embedded in society. The result of this bias often leaves motorcycle accident victims with overwhelming challenges. An attorney is a critical resource in overcoming these fundamentally unfair biases.

According to the Maryland Department of Transportation, annually, the state experiences nearly 1,800 motorcycle accidents. Further, motorcycle riders are ten times more likely to suffer serious injuries than other vehicles. Moreover, Maryland’s strict contributory negligence laws compounded with biker bias often result in hefty financial burdens on the accident victim.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Maryland Motorycle Accidents?

Motorcycle accidents can occur because of a variety of factors. Certain types of accidents, such as left-turn collisions and failure-to-yield, tend to result in litigation. However, accidents can stem from any form of driver negligence.