A Maryland chain-reaction car accident is one in which an initial collision between two or more vehicles starts a series of events in motion that ultimately causes subsequent accidents. Motorcyclists are especially at risk for getting involved in a chain-reaction accident because they are often unable to stop in time or steer clear of an upcoming collision.
Chain reaction accidents can be very dangerous, especially for motorcyclists who lack the protection provided by a car’s steel frame. Even an accident involving relatively slow speeds can throw a motorcyclist off their bike and onto the pavement, where they are at risk for being hit by another vehicle. In this situation, even wearing a helmet will not fully protect a rider from serious injury or death.
Everyone shares the responsibility to make the road a safe place. Motorists must maintain constant awareness of their surroundings, and should be sure to leave other vehicles with enough room to stop or take evasive actions, when necessary. However, in reality, motorists who travel on busy Maryland roads every day often adopt aggressive driving habits that put motorcycles at risk. When a motorist’s dangerous driving causes or contributes to a Maryland motorcycle accident, that motorist may be liable for the motorcyclist’s injuries.