Maryland Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Blog
It’s a tragedy when anyone dies, but fatal traffic accidents can usually be avoided. In the case of car-bicycle collisions, the bicycle rider is always the loser. As a Baltimore motorcycle and bicycle accident attorney, I have represented numerous victims of senseless auto, bike and motorcycle accidents over the years. The human toll is always severe in these cases. Sadly, a recent news article details yet another fatal Maryland bicycle-car accident.
According to a news article, Maryland State Police identified the body of a bicycle rider as that of 47-year-old Curtis Andrew Leymeister who was killed on the morning of October 5 while commuting on his bike. The accident occurred on Clarks Landing Road not far from the victim’s home.
The Hollywood resident was struck from behind by a Honda Accord driven by another local resident, 20-year-old Kathy May Lee. According to police, Leymeister was riding his bike west in the westbound lane of the roadway, near the intersection of Scotch Neck Road. Investigators said that the rider was in the travel portion of the roadway, centered in the westbound lane. And although he was going the right way, police reminded that he should have been on the paved shoulder.
The impact was such that Leymeister was thrown from his bicycle and died at the scene sometime after 8am, despite efforts by emergency medical personnel to save him. On factor in his death could have been the fact that he was not wearing a helmet, but police said that it is not known if protective head gear would have lessened his injuries. According to the accident report, the car had visible damage to its roof and windshield.
Police said the preliminary investigation indicates the car’s driver was traveling within the posted 40-mph speed limit on her way to a college campus. However, it is a driver’s responsibility to be aware of all traffic and pedestrians in his or her immediate area, and this may not have been the case in this instance.
Bicyclist killed; struck by car in Hollywood, SoMdNews.com, October 7, 2009