Maryland Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Blog

Court Determines Causation Issue Not Properly Decided in Summary Judgment Proceeding

August 5, 2015 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Earlier last month, the Supreme Court of Oklahoma decided a case brought by the passenger of a motorcycle against another driver she claims was responsible for causing a head-on collision, resulting in her sustaining serious injuries. In the case, Fargo v. Hays-Kuehn, the issue the court had to decide was whether it was appropriate for the lower court to dismiss the case against the defendant prior to submitting the case to trial.

The Accident

Evidently, the accident involved several vehicles, all of which were heading in the same direction. Vehicle 1 was stopped on a two-lane highway, waiting to make a left turn. Vehicle 2, operated by Hays-Kuehn, quickly approached Vehicle 1 from the rear and swerved around the left of that vehicle. The testimony was that Hays-Kuehn was extremely close to Vehicle 1 as he passed it. Vehicle 3, which was traveling in the same direction directly behind Vehicle 2, was unable to see in front of Hays-Kuehn’s vehicle.

Once Hays-Kuehn passed Vehicle 1 and started to get back into the proper lane of travel, Vehicle 3 saw for the first time that there was a stopped vehicle immediately in front of them. Hoping to avoid a collision with Vehicle 1, Vehicle 3 swerved into the lane of oncoming traffic, right behind Hays-Kuehn. However, the driver of Vehicle 3 did not see that the plaintiffs were quickly approaching on a motorcycle.

Maryland Motorcyclist Killed in Gaithersburg U-Turn Accident

July 24, 2015 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Earlier this month in Gaithersburg, one man was killed when he was struck by a car and knocked off his motorcycle in what ended up being a fatal U-turn accident. According to one local news source, the accident occurred at the intersection of Frederick Road and Christopher Avenue, just before eight o’clock in the evening.

Evidently, the motorcyclist was heading southbound on Frederick Road when the accident occurred. As the motorcyclist approached the intersection of Christopher Avenue, a black Acura began to make a U-turn in front of the motorcyclist, cutting him off. The 35-year-old motorcyclist was taken to a nearby hospital for the treatment of his injuries. However, he tragically passed away a short time after admission. The driver of the Acura and his two passengers were not injured.

The accident remains under investigation by police. Charges against the driver of the Acura may be filed upon the completion of the investigation.

Alexandria Motorcycle Crash Injures Rider and Five Children

July 17, 2015 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Earlier this month in Alexandria, Virginia, a motorcyclist was injured when he was struck by a car that was in the process of making a left turn. According to one local news source, the accident occurred at around 4:30 in the afternoon at the Church of Saint Clement on N. Quaker Lane.

Evidently, the motorcyclist was heading north when a car made a left turn and struck the motorcyclist. As the rider flew off the bike, the bike crashed through the window of a nearby daycare. There were 10 children and their teacher in the daycare at the time, and five of them suffered minor injuries that required they be taken to the hospital. The motorcyclist was also taken to the hospital and admitted in serious condition.

Police told reporters that they have been keeping an eye on that intersection for some time, since it is known as a dangerous area. In fact, they mentioned that drivers come down the hill and make the left turn at high speeds too often, putting other motorists at risk. The cause of this accident still remains under investigation. Police expect to have a result in the near future.

Motorcyclist Killed in Bishopville Crash

July 10, 2015 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Earlier this month in Bishopville, Maryland, one man was killed in a motorcycle accident involving three other vehicles. According to one local news source, the accident occurred on Friday, July 3, at around 11:30 in the morning near the intersection of Route 113 and Bishopville Road.

Evidently, the man was riding on his Suzuki motorcycle and heading northbound on Route 113 when he struck a Lexus that had made an abrupt turn in front of him. The motorcyclist fell off of his bike. After colliding with the motorcycle, the Lexus continued to strike two other cars before ultimately coming to a stop in the roadway.

The rider of the motorcycle was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency responders. The other drivers involved all sustained minor injuries and are expected to make full recoveries. Police are currently conducting an investigation into the fatal motorcycle accident, hoping to learn more about its causes. No citations have been issued yet, but that may change as the investigation concludes.

Chain-Reaction Crash in Prince Frederick Injures Several, Including Motorcyclist

July 3, 2015 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Earlier last month in Prince Frederick, a multi-vehicle accident injured several people, including one man on a Kawasaki motorcycle. According to one local news source, the accident took place on Route 231, near Skipjack Road.

Evidently, a Ford Focus was stopped on the single-lane road waiting to make a left-hand turn. As an SUV was approaching the Ford from the rear, the SUV entered onto the median to pass the Ford. The SUV passed successfully, but a van immediately behind the SUV didn’t see that the Ford was in the middle of the road until it was too late. The van collided with the Ford and pushed it into oncoming traffic, where it struck a Honda Civic.

The cars were spread across the road as a result of the collision, and oncoming vehicles were unable to stop in time. Eventually, another two vehicles were involved in the accident. Finally, the van that caused the initial collision was pushed into a passing motorcycle, ejecting the rider.

Drunk Driver Allegedly Strikes and Kills Bicyclist

June 26, 2015 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Earlier this month in Vermont, a doctor was struck by an allegedly drunk driver as he was enjoying an afternoon bike ride before dinner. According to one local Vermont news report, the man and his wife were preparing to have guests over for dinner, and, while his wife was preparing dinner, the man left to go on a bike ride on his regular route. Sadly, he never returned home.

Evidently, the man was riding his bike south on Greenbush Road in Ferrisburgh when a 2013 Chevy Cruze struck him from behind. The woman stopped and remained on the scene until police showed up.

After police arrived and began their investigation, it was discovered that the woman driving the Chevy Cruze was allegedly intoxicated. Specifically, the officers administered a blood-alcohol test and found that her blood-alcohol content (BAC) was .123. The legal limit for BAC in both Vermont and Maryland is .08. She was arrested on suspicion of DUI and released a short time later.

Maryland Man Dies in Bicycle Accident

June 19, 2015 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Earlier this month in York County, Pennsylvania, a Maryland man passed away from injuries he sustained as a result of a fatal bicycle accident. According to one local York County news source, the accident occurred just after three in the afternoon on June 9.

Evidently, the accident occurred on a Sunday afternoon in Littlestown, Pennsylvania, just a few miles from the Maryland-Pennsylvania border. According to the news report, the accident involved the bicyclist and a truck that was pulling a utility trailer. Police have not finished conducting their investigation into the accident, but they have told reporters that the bicyclist was not wearing a helmet.

Immediately after the accident, the bicyclist was taken to York Hospital, where he died a few hours later from multiple blunt-force wounds to the head.

SUV Fails to Yield to Motorcycle, Causing Serious Accident

June 12, 2015 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Earlier this week in Abilene, Texas, an accident between a Jeep SUV and a motorcycle sent two people to the hospital with serious injuries. According to one local news source, the accident took place around six p.m. on a Sunday evening.

Evidently, the Jeep was at a stop sign waiting to continue eastbound when it failed to yield to oncoming traffic and entered the intersection without checking for approaching vehicles. As the Jeep entered the intersection, a motorcycle with two people on board crashed into the rear-passenger side of the Jeep, sending both riders flying off the bike.

Both people on the motorcycle were wearing approved helmets. However, they did sustain major injuries, including heavy bleeding, and were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. It is expected that they will make a full recovery. The driver of the Jeep did not sustain any injuries in the accident and was cited by police for failing to yield to the motorcycle.

Hyattsville Motorcycle Accident Kills Seven-Year-Old Pedestrian

June 5, 2015 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Earlier this week in Hyattsville, Maryland, an accident between a motorcycle and a car resulted in the death of a seven-year-old pedestrian who was standing near the scene of the accident. According to one local news report, the accident occurred in the afternoon hours on the East-West highway, between Belcrest and Toledo Roads.

Evidently, the motorcyclist was heading west when an eastbound car attempted to make a turn in front of him. The motorcycle crashed into the side of the turning vehicle, and the rider was sent flying over the car. The motorcycle ricocheted off the car and was sent into a crowd, where it collided with four people.

All four of the people struck by the errant motorcycle were taken to the hospital with varying injuries. Three of the four pedestrians taken to the hospital are expected to recover from their injuries. However, one seven-year-old boy tragically passed away from the injuries he sustained in the accident. The driver of the motorcycle did not sustain life-threatening injuries.

Virginia Man Killed in Motorcycle Accident Involving Two Motorcycles and One Truck in Fairfax County

May 27, 2015 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Earlier this month in nearby Fairfax County, Virginia, a 25-year-old man was killed when he was involved in a two-motorcycle accident. According to one local news source, the accident occurred in the afternoon hours on southbound Route 123, near the intersection with Clifton Road.

Evidently, two motorcycles were approaching the intersection at a high rate of speed, one in each of the road’s two southbound lanes. As they both approached the intersection, a northbound truck was attempting to make a left-hand turn in front of the bikers. The motorcycle in the right lane was able to swerve around the front of the truck and avoid a collision. This motorcyclist continued on and has not been identified.

The other motorcyclist in the left lane was not so lucky. As he attempted to pass the truck, he struck the rear end of the vehicle and was thrown from his bike. He suffered life-threatening injures at the time of the accident and was taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead a short time later.