Articles Posted in Motorcycle Injury Accidents

There are many different risks when it comes to driving motorcycles. Those risks include the fact that the smaller profile of motorcycles leaves them vulnerable to car blind spots and the open nature of motorcycles, which can throw drivers from the vehicle upon impact during a crash. Because of these risk factors, on average, driving or riding on a motorcycle is more dangerous than driving a car. Motorcycle riders are not protected by their vehicle in the way that the occupants of a car are. Subsequently, approximately 72 percent of motorcyclists are injured when they crash.

How Frequently Do Maryland Motorcycle Accidents Happen?

Unfortunately, Maryland drivers are all too familiar with the dangers of motorcycle driving. Maryland on average has 73 motorcycle rider and passenger deaths per year and averages an additional 1,046 riders or drivers injured each year. This issue has continued to get worse in Maryland, with the state seeing an increase in motorcycle crashes from 2019 to 2020. A recent news article discussed an extremely serious motorcycle crash.

According to the news article, the accident happened on the evening of Sunday, September 3, around 5:30 pm. The crash occurred when a sedan was heading east on Allegheny approaching the B Street intersection, while the driver of a motorcycle, a 35-year-old man, and a passenger, a 39-year-old woman, were heading west. The motorcycle driver, attempting to turn left on B Street, drove around an unknown vehicle, and was then hit by the sedan. Both the motorcycle driver and passenger were taken to a local hospital by medics. The driver of the sedan was unharmed and remained on the scene until law enforcement officers arrived on the scene.

Motorcycles allow for great maneuverability and can offer enjoyable rides for those who choose to utilize them as a mode of transportation. At the same time, it is important to be aware of the risks that can come with driving a motorcycle while sharing a road with other automobiles. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 80 percent of all reported motorcycle crashes result in injury or death to the motorcyclist. Furthermore, NHTSA emphasizes that the “motorcycle itself provides no head injury protection to the rider or passenger.” Thus, motorcyclists may face injury from ejection from the motorcycle, which may result in the motorcyclist striking objects nearby in addition to the ground. Motorcycle helmets are thus extremely important in helping protect the skull. In addition to being easier to see, an automobile, in contrast, has a roof, more weight and bulk, airbags, and seatbelts. However, motorcycles have the ability to swerve quickly in case of sudden need, which is one of the big differences between motorcycles and automobiles.

In recent news, a motorcycle accident left a 19-year-old dead and left many questioning the cause of the devastating accident. According to the report, a 67-year-old driver was heading north and tried to turn on a road across southbound lanes. At the same time, the 19-year-old motorcyclist crashed into the right side of the sedan. The 67-year-old driver survived and suffered minor injuries. The question of who was the at-fault driver still remains to be further investigated.

How Can Motorcyclists Reduce the Chances of a Left-Turn Accident?

Motorcyclists must be extremely alert when other drivers are making left turns because other drivers may not be able to see them. Thus, this requires motorcyclists to be prepared to drive defensively. In addition, it may be helpful for motorcyclists to wear bright-colored clothing and to have reflective gear so that they can be more easily seen by other drivers with whom they are sharing the road. According to the CDC, unhelmeted motorcycle riders are twice as likely to suffer traumatic brain injuries from crashes. Motorcyclists should be sure to follow traffic laws and abstain from speeding, drinking, and texting as well. For other automobile drivers, it is important to pay attention to your surroundings and to always be alert for motorcyclists who share the road with you. Drivers, in general, should avoid distractions, always check their blind spots, use their signals, and remain alert.

Although motorcycles offer a convenient, fast, and mobile alternative to a traditional commute plan, they also come with a number of risks. After all, motorcyclists are often difficult for other drivers to see and if involved in an accident they can often suffer from significant injuries or even death. Because motorcycles also lack the metal exterior and protection a passenger vehicle would typically provide a driver, the risk of injury and death is often even higher.

According to a recent news report, a motorcycle accident left one individual injured. Based on a preliminary investigation, a motorcyclist was traveling east with a passenger vehicle traveling behind them. The passenger vehicle then attempted to change lanes to pass the motorcycle, but its front bumper crashed into the rear end of the motorcycle. The motorcyclist lost control and was thrown from their bike but remained alert. They were transported to a local hospital with significant injuries and were listed as in critical condition. The accident remains under investigation.

Following a major accident, filing a lawsuit may be the furthest thing from your mind. After all, if you experienced any injuries following a motorcycle accident, your primary focus is likely on getting the treatment and medical support you need so that you can get back on your feet as quickly as possible. If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident, however, you should consider filing a personal injury claim as soon as possible. In a successful lawsuit, you could be compensated for any medical expenses, physical therapy, or treatments you receive as a result of the injuries you suffered from the accident.

It should be common knowledge that riding a motorcycle is more dangerous than driving the same distance in a car or other motor vehicle, however the amount that such danger increases can be surprising. Some sources claim that a motorcyclist is 26 times more likely to die in an accident than a driver or a passenger in an automobile. Because of this increase in danger, both motorcyclists and other drivers should be extra vigilant in situations where motorcycles and other vehicles share the road. A recently published local news report discusses a motorcycle crash last month that nearly killed a Harley rider.

According to the local news report, the accident occurred one afternoon last month after a pickup truck attempted to make a left turn into oncoming traffic. As the truck attempted to make the turn, a Harley Davidson motorcycle was being driven through the intersection by a 51-year-old man. The truck collided with the motorcycle in the intersection, ejecting the biker from his vehicle and resulting in critical injuries. The driver of the truck was not injured in the crash.

This horrifying and tragic crash demonstrates the fact that vehicles traveling on Maryland roads must be prepared to yield the right of way to smaller vehicles and pedestrians when sharing the road. If a motor vehicle operator is only looking out for other large vehicles, it places the operators of motorcycles, scooters, and bicycles, as well as pedestrians, at risk. If a driver fails to see a smaller vehicle and is involved in a crash, they could face civil and criminal liability for their actions, as well as administrative actions against their driver’s license.

After seeking medical assistance, the next step a Maryland accident victim should take is to consult with an attorney. While speaking to an insurance adjustor or other party may seem harmless, many seemingly innocuous statements can drastically impact a victim’s recovery. Under conditions of extreme duress, a party may make a statement expressing guilt or remorse for an accident; however, this does not necessarily amount to an admission of guilt.

Apologizing after an accident does not equate with admitting blame; the other driver’s insurance company or attorney may use those statements as an admission of fault. Although it might go against a person’s inherent character, it is generally advisable to avoid apologizing after a Maryland accident. It is best practice to limit conversations to ensure the safety of all parties and contact emergency responders and law enforcement.

Does Apologizing After a Maryland Motorcycle Accident Affect My Case?

Apologizing after a Maryland motorcycle accident does not legally implicate guilt or fault, but the opposing party may argue that it does. In another state, this may not make much of a difference; however, because of Maryland’s strict contributory negligence laws, the other party may try to use a victim’s innocent statement of concern to bar their financial recovery. On the other hand, a victim may be able to use an at-fault party’s statement in their personal injury case.

Sometimes, when accidents take place on another person’s land, certain liabilities arise for the landowner. These liabilities and responsibilities are known as a landowner’s “duty of care” in the realm of premises liability law. When individuals enter another person’s property under the assumption that it is safe, however, and are injured, it is crucial that they understand laws governing this area to best advocate for themselves in case of legal action.

In a recent appellate decision, the court had to consider a landowner’s potential liability in a motorcycle accident lawsuit. In the case in question, a car collided with a motorcycle, resulting in catastrophic injuries. After the accident, a deputy observed tall grass near the intersection where the accident took place that would have limited or prohibited a view of the motorcyclist while traveling. The grass was growing in a ditch on the defendant company’s property.

The motorcyclist’s wife sued the defendant company, citing negligence for “allowing grass to grow so high on their property that it blocked the view of the roadway.” The defendant moved for summary judgment, which the trial court granted. The court of appeals affirmed the trial court’s decision, with the majority holding that because the grass was wholly contained on the defendant’s property, there was no duty to the traveling public.

Even when an accident case seems straightforward, determining liability and apportioning fault after a Maryland car accident can be challenging. This is especially true because Maryland follows strict contributory negligence laws that bar recovery if the plaintiff is at all responsible for the accident. As such, parties will go to great lengths to dispute liability and challenge claims. Although police reports and eyewitnesses may provide insight into what occurred, these cases typically require an in-depth investigation.

A critical part of any accident investigation is recreating the scene to determine the facts leading up to the collision. The inherent nature of motorcycles and motorcycle accidents makes this first step exceedingly challenging. Motorcycles tend to end up in dramatically different positions than from where they started. When this occurs, authorities, insurance companies, and fact-finders may need to engage in lengthy investigations to determine fault. Moreover, because of the state’s laws, it is more likely that at-fault parties will refute claims and assert contributory negligence theories- with the understanding that the plaintiff will not be able to recover at all.

Motorcyclists traveling in a group often further complicate things, as the accidents tend to be more severe. For instance, a recent news report described a multi-motorcycle chain reaction accident. According to reports, the bikers were riding eastbound when they approached a traffic light. The motorcyclist leading the group slowed his bike; however, the biker behind him could not stop, and a chain-reaction collision ensued. That biker was not wearing a helmet and was life-flighted to a medical center to receive treatment for his serious injuries. Three of the other bikers involved in the accident also suffered injuries.

Motorcycles are a great way to get around, especially during this time of year. However, hopping on a bike also carries its fair share of risks. Motorcycles don’t offer rides the same protection as other vehicles and, not surprisingly, serious injuries are very common in Maryland motorcycle accidents.

Not only are motorcycle accidents more serious than accidents involving other vehicles, but they also happen more frequently. Due to the smaller profile of motorcycles, many drivers have a hard time noticing a rider, and, even if they do, they may have a more difficult time assessing their speed. This is one reason why left-turn motorcycle accidents are so common – drivers misjudge the speed of an oncoming motorcyclist and cut them off.

Recently, a motorcycle accident in Mechanicsville, MD, resulted in a rider suffering serious injuries. According to a local news report, the accident occurred at 6:35 p.m. on Memorial Day near the 27000 block of Three Notch Road, in the area of Old Village Road.

Sometimes, when a Maryland motorcycle accident occurs, it is unclear what exactly happened. These accidents can happen in the blink of an eye, and it is surprisingly easy for the people involved and those who witnessed it to actually have no idea what happened. But, in some cases, there is actually a video of the crash. Recently, a certain video of motorcyclists on the interstate made headlines when it showed that the motorcyclists were breaking the law, a huge hazard and potentially leading to major crashes.

According to a local news article, the video shows motorcyclists breaking the law doing slow tricks on the interstate. These slow tricks can be a huge frustration for other drivers on the interstate—they can interfere with the flow of traffic and cause accidents. In short, they put the whole public and drivers in danger. For instance, earlier this year, a group of motorcyclists doing these tricks was in the way of traffic, and a truck tried to pass them but ended up crashing into one. Both the truck driver and the motorcyclist were taken to the hospital, showing how reckless driving can cause serious crashes. And, it is helpful when these motorcycle tricks are caught on camera—if an accident is caused, then officials can refer back to the video to know exactly what happened. These videos can also be used in personal injury lawsuits to prove who caused the accident and who is liable for the ensuing damage.

However, videos like this can cause the general public to believe that all motorcyclists are reckless and constantly causing accidents. But this is an unfair characterization—most motorcyclists are cautious and responsible. If they get into an accident, it is very possible that they were not the cause—but because of videos like these, others involved may assume that it was the motorcyclists’ fault.

Although many residents are increasingly aware of the risks of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, Maryland drunk driving accidents still occur with startling frequency. When an individual drives under the influence, they are more likely to make reckless decisions and harmful errors while driving—swerving into the other lane, running red lights, etc. These acts can cause significant damage or even death when they lead to Maryland motorcycle accidents. While there is of course a risk of accidents with any vehicles, motorcyclists are especially at risk for serious, life-threatening injuries due to the relative unprotection they have around their bodies compared to drivers in cars or trucks.

For example, just recently a motorcycle accident sent two to the hospital. According to a local news report from the second week of February, an intoxicated driver was driving northbound on the road when she veered into the southbound lane and collided head-on with a motorcyclist. There were two occupants on the motorcycle—the passenger and the driver. Following this shocking accident, both were seriously injured, and both had to be transported to a nearby hospital; one via helicopter and the other by ambulance. Their conditions are currently unknown, and the incident is still under investigation.

This tragic accident highlights two things. First, it’s an apt and unfortunate illustration of the risk Maryland motorcyclists face when they or another driver decides to go on the road under the influence. While individuals may think they are only taking a small risk for themselves, the reality is that driving intoxicated puts everyone else on the road at risk and could cause life-threatening injuries or even death. Unfortunately, motorcyclists are especially likely to be harmed due to someone else’s reckless actions.

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