Maryland Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Blog
One of the most common causes of Maryland motorcycle accidents is a motorist’s failure to yield the right-of-way to a motorcyclist. Failure-to-yield accidents can occur in several ways. A few of the most common types of failure-to-yield accidents are:
- When a driver attempts to make a left turn in front of a motorcycle;
- When a driver suddenly pulls out in front of a motorcyclist;
- When a driver changes lanes without checking their blind spot; or
- When a driver leaves too little room for a motorcyclist, crowding them off the road.
In each of these cases, the motorist responsible for the collision may be liable for any injuries suffered by the motorcyclist through a personal injury lawsuit. While motorcycle accident lawsuits are brought under the legal framework of a negligence claim, there are several issues unique to motorcycle accident cases. For example, motorcyclists suffer from the social stigma that they are all aggressive and unpredictable drivers. This belief is both inaccurate and unfair, as the vast majority of motorcyclists are responsible drivers. Indeed, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration:
- A total of 41% of all motorcycle accidents involved situations where the motorcyclist was going straight, and another driver was making a left turn;
- The motorcyclist is not at fault for the majority of motorcycle accidents;
- Just 24% of motorcycle accidents involve a collision with a fixed object;
- The percentage of motorcyclists who were found to be intoxicated after an accident was similar to the rate for other vehicles.
Recently, a motorcyclist and his passenger were killed in a motorcycle accident after a driver failed to yield while making a left-hand turn. According to a local news report covering the tragic accident, the collision occurred while the motorcyclist was heading southbound. As the motorcyclist approached an intersection, a pickup truck approached from the west. The pickup attempted to make a left turn to head north, and cut off the motorcyclist.
The driver of the motorcycle was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead a short time later. The passenger, who was the driver’s wife, was initially hospitalized and remained in critical condition for several days. However, she later died from the injuries she sustained in the accident.
Police charged the driver of the pickup truck for failing to yield before entering an intersection. It remains to be seen if the families of the accident victims will pursue a wrongful death claim against the driver.
Have You Been Injured in a Maryland Motorcycle Accident?
If you or a loved one has recently been injured in a Maryland motorcycle accident, contact the dedicated personal injury advocates at Lebowitz & Mzhen, LLC. At Lebowitz & Mzhen, our team of experienced Maryland motorcycle accident attorneys skillfully handle cases across Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. on behalf of our injured clients. We understand the social stigmas our motorcycle accident clients face, and are prepared to rectify these inaccurate perceptions. To learn more about how we can help you pursue a claim for compensation based on your injuries, call 410-654-3600 to schedule a free consultation today.