Maryland Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Blog

Determining Fault in Maryland Motorcycle Accidents

June 27, 2017 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Anyone familiar with riding a motorcycle knows that there are certain unavoidable dangers that confront riders every time they get on a bike. Whether it is an intoxicated or distracted driver or a motorist who misjudges the speed at which a motorcyclist is traveling, many of the risks facing motorcyclists are beyond their control. However, of all of the dangers out there, one of the biggest dangers to motorcyclists is aggressive or distracted drivers.

Distracted driving is a broad term used to describe any time a motorist’s attention is diverted anywhere other than the road ahead of them. The reasons for distracted driving vary, but commonly distracted driving involves the use of a cell phone to talk or text. In some cases, a driver can be distracted by other passengers, by eating or drinking, or by adjusting the volume on the radio or the coordinates on the GPS system. In any event, distracted driving is dangerous, and the law discourages the behavior by allowing anyone injured by a distracted driver to hold the distracted driver accountable through a personal injury lawsuit.

Of course, proving that a driver was distracted is not always easy, and it is best left to an experienced personal injury attorney. With an attorney’s help, accident victims may be able to obtain cell-phone records, traffic-camera footage, or witness testimony to establish that another driver was not paying attention.

Maryland Man Killed in Upper Marlboro Motorcycle Accident

June 20, 2017 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Earlier this month, one Maryland man was killed when he was struck by another vehicle while riding on a motorcycle in Upper Marlboro. According to a local news report covering the fatal accident, the collision occurred in the evening hours on Maryland Route 202 near the intersection with Robert Lewis Drive.

Evidently, the motorcyclist was heading southbound on MD 202 when a westbound vehicle traveling on Robert Lewis Drive attempted to make a left-hand turn onto northbound MD 202. As the vehicle executed the turn, it traveled directly into the path of the motorcycle, leaving the operator no time to avoid the collision. The motorcyclist crashed into the side of the vehicle, sending the motorcyclist off the bike and onto the pavement. He later died from the injuries he sustained in the accident. As it turns out, the motorcycle had previously been reported stolen.

Police sent an accident reconstruction team to the scene, and the cause of the accident is still under investigation.

Hidden Driveways Are Especially Dangerous to Maryland Motorcyclists

June 13, 2017 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

The chances are that most motorists have had the experience of driving along a winding road when a vehicle pulls out of a hidden driveway, requiring evasive maneuvers and a quick application of the brakes. These hidden driveways are a major hazard on Maryland roads and are fairly commonplace across the state. While hidden driveways are a hazard to all motorists, motorcyclists in particular are at an increased risk due to motorcycles’ increased stopping distance.

Residents who live in a home with a hidden driveway are most likely accustomed to the dangers that are presented when they pull out onto the road. Indeed, many residents strategically install mirrors so that they can see if another vehicle is approaching. However, not every home or business owner with a hidden driveway takes this precaution, and the fact remains that many – if not most – hidden driveways require motorists exiting the driveway to essentially guess when it is safe to pull out.

Motorcycle accidents caused by a vehicle exiting a hidden driveway can be either party’s fault. In cases in which an exiting motorist fails to take notice of an approaching motorcycle, that motorist may be at fault. However, exiting motorists cannot be expected to anticipate a motorcycle speeding around a curve. Thus, these cases are highly fact-dependent and often require the close eye of an experienced personal injury attorney.

Motorcycle Accidents Involving Government Employees

June 6, 2017 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

In most cases, after a motorcycle accident, the injured motorcyclist can pursue monetary compensation through a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault motorist. However, when the at-fault party is a government employee, the injured motorcyclist may discover that government immunity is a barrier to their recovery.

Government Immunity in Maryland

As a general rule, state, local, and federal governments are immune from tort liability. However, in Maryland, the state legislature has passed the Maryland Tort Claims Act (MTCA), waiving immunity in many situations. For example, under the MTCA, when a government employee is acting within the scope of his or her employment and causes an accident, government immunity will not attach, and the government entity can be held liable up to $200,000 per person, per incident.

While Maryland law allows for recovery in many cases involving government defendants, there may be significant litigation over whether the government employee’s actions are within the scope of employment. If a government employee is determined not to have been acting within the scope of their employment, an injured motorcyclist may be able to bring a lawsuit against the motorist in their individual capacity, but they will be prevented from naming the government entity as a defendant.

Motorcycle Hit-and-Run Accidents on Maryland Roads

May 25, 2017 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

While all motorcycle accidents have the potential to result in serious injuries or death, hit-and-run accidents are especially dangerous. Primarily, this is because depending on the surrounding circumstances, the injured motorcyclist may be left on the side of the road with no way to contact authorities.

As a general rule, a motorist who is involved in an accident of any kind must stop after the accident and exchange information with the other motorists involved in the accident. Additionally, motorists may have a duty to ensure that anyone who was injured in the accident receives timely medical attention. Most often, this includes calling 911 to make sure that the authorities are aware of the accident and can send the appropriate medical personnel.

When a motorist is involved in an accident and fails to stop and render assistance to the other parties involved, that driver may be held liable for any injuries resulting from the accident. This may even be the case if the motorist was not the one who was solely responsible for causing the accident.

Court Finds Drunk Driver Was Not Liable for Subsequent Accident Occurring 90 Minutes Later

May 18, 2017 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Earlier this month, an appellate court in South Dakota issued a written opinion in a motorcycle accident case that was brought by a man who was injured when he was unable to stop in time to avoid a line of traffic that had built up as a result of a previous accident. The case was brought against the drunk driver who had caused the original accident. However, due to numerous factors, the court held that the drunk driver’s negligent actions were not the proximate cause of the plaintiff’s injuries.

The Facts of the Case

At around 3:00 p.m. on August 5, 2012, an intoxicated motorcyclist failed to negotiate a curve in the highway and ended up driving off the road into a ditch. There was no indication that the motorcycle or any debris was remaining in the road following the accident. The Highway Patrol responded, and the motorcyclist was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Highway Patrol began an accident reconstruction project at around 4:00 p.m., and at this time, traffic was flowing in both directions. A highway patrol officer was stationed to the east of the accident to warn approaching motorists.

Scooter Accidents on Maryland Roads

May 11, 2017 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Motorized scooters have become a popular alternative to bicycles and motorcycles, especially for those living in urban areas. However, like those who use other two-wheeled vehicles, scooter drivers are at an increased risk for being seriously injured when they are involved in an accident. Therefore, those who drive motorized scooters should take every precaution to avoid serious accidents, including wearing a helmet.

That being said, no matter how careful a motorist is, some accidents are unavoidable. This is especially the case when other motorists are driving aggressively or driving while distracted or intoxicated. When another motorist causes a scooter accident, the accident victim is entitled to seek compensation through a Maryland personal injury lawsuit.

In order to be successful in a Maryland personal injury lawsuit, an accident victim must be able to prove that the named defendant acted negligently and that the defendant’s negligence caused their injuries. In situations in which the other motorist was issued a traffic citation or was criminally charged for their role in causing the accident, this evidence will most likely be admissible in a subsequent personal injury case and can help the plaintiff prove their case. While this process sounds simple in principle, many hurdles can arise throughout the course of a personal injury lawsuit, and it is best to consult with a dedicated injury attorney prior to filing a case.

Drunk Driving Accidents Involving Maryland Motorcyclists

May 4, 2017 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

While motorcyclists should take every precaution while on the road, it is not a motorcyclist’s duty to prevent accidents that may be caused by other negligent drivers. While there are a number of common causes of motorcycle accidents, drunk driving in particular presents an especially serious risk to motorcyclists, who have less protection than other motorists and often have less time to react to hazards.

Motorcyclists are already at an increased risk of being involved in a serious or fatal accident. Indeed, a recent study conducted by the Insurance Information Institute suggests that motorcyclists are 27 times more likely to be killed in a traffic accident than those who drive cars or trucks. It is estimated that approximately 21% of all at-fault motorists involved in traffic accidents have a blood alcohol content at or above the legal limit.

Drunk drivers who cause a serious or fatal motorcycle accident may be held liable through a Maryland personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. If successful, an injured motorcycle accident victim can recover compensation to reimburse them for their medical bills and lost wages. In addition, compensation packages may include amounts to cover future medical treatment, if necessary, as well as any pain and suffering caused by the accident.

Police Liability in High-Speed Chases

April 27, 2017 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

There can be little doubt that police officers have a difficult job. The nature of the job requires that they weigh the risks and benefits of a course of action and make a decision quickly. In some cases, police officers make the wrong decision, and someone is hurt as a result.

As a general rule, police officers are entitled to immunity from personal injury lawsuits, as long as they are acting within certain boundaries. Normally, a mere showing of negligence will not be enough to overcome police officer immunity. However, when a police officer causes a serious injury due to their reckless conduct, liability may be appropriate.

One common instance in which innocent bystanders may be injured by the actions of police is in a high-speed chase. High-speed chases, by their very nature, involve high speeds and likely also involve numerous violations of the motor vehicle code. This type of driving puts not only the police at risk but also the general public. In fact, in 2014, there were over 375 people killed in police high-speed chases.

Motorcyclist Beheaded in Freak Car Accident

April 20, 2017 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

In some cases, the parties responsible for a serious accident are clear. This can make determining against whom to file a personal injury case clear. In other cases, however, figuring out the proper defendant takes a substantial amount of investigation and research.

Determining Liability in Motorcycle Accidents and Whom to Name in Subsequent Claims

In general, most individuals are liable for their negligent acts. However, some individuals may not be liable because they lack the requisite capacity to form intent, and other individuals or entities may be protected through immunity or other laws. For example, children may be too young to be held liable — although their parents may be separately liable in some circumstances. In Maryland, generally, children under the age of seven are thought to be unable to form the requisite intent.

The state and local governments may also be held liable in some circumstances. For example, the State of Maryland can be sued in situations provided by statute. Generally, in claims against state and local governments, plaintiffs must also give notice to certain individuals within a specified time period.