Maryland Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Blog

Motorcyclist Remains Hospitalized Following Rising Sun Accident

July 26, 2013 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

A Cecil County Sheriff’s Office Spokesman said in a statement that a Havre de Grace man remains hospitalized almost a week after he was involved in a collision with another motorcyclist in Rising Sun earlier this month.

According to authorities, both men were riding Harley-Davidson motorcycles together on Connelly Road near Ragan Road, headed south toward Route 1, when the accident occurred. It has since been determined that the pair was attempting to pass another vehicle and then come back together. However, the critically injured man lost control of his motorcycle while attempting to return into the lane. This caused him to travel onto the shoulder, and then crash into the other motorcycle.

The 56 year old man was flown in critical condition to the Maryland Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore. The other motorcyclist was transported to a different hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. The other motorcyclist’s current condition was not readily available at the time of the update.

The section where the men were travelling is reportedly a no-passing zone.

Investigators are trying to determine if speed was a factor in the crash. Alcohol was not believed to be involved.

Tragic Md. 77 Motorcycle Accident Foils Marriage Proposal

July 23, 2013 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

A Frederick area man died in a motorcycle accident last week, as he was following his long-time girlfriend’s car while she was driving in front of him.

The crash occurred last weekend near the 5800 block of Md. 77 near Thurmont. According to reports from the Maryland State Police, the collision occurred when the 56-year-old motorcyclist lost control of his bike and skidded into oncoming traffic, where he became pinned between the motorcycle and another vehicle.

The man’s girlfriend had been driving in front of him, as the two were returning from an American Legion fundraiser he had been participating in. The woman later learned that the man had been planning to propose to her soon.

The man, who was wearing a helmet at the time of the accident, was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Police believe that wet pavement could have been a factor in the crash, as it had recently rained and the pavement was damp at the time.

Baltimore Ravens Cheerleader Killed in Motorcycle Crash

July 8, 2013 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

According to Maryland State Police, a Baltimore Ravens cheerleader was killed as a result of a motorcycle collision that occurred on Interstate 15 over the holiday weekend.

The 27 year old man was driving to Camp Woodward in Pennsylvania on Friday morning when he collided with a 2012 Volkswagen Jetta that was turning left. According to his former employer, where he was the coach of a local cheerleading squad, the man had recently tried out for the Baltimore Ravens’ co-ed cheerleading squad, and reportedly made the team and was set to begin his first season with the NFL this coming fall.

The driver of the Volkswagen was reportedly not seriously injured. The cause of the accident and the circumstances under which it occurred remains under investigation.

Drivers of other vehicles who are unaware of or otherwise not paying attention to motorcyclists on the road are often to blame for causing motorcycle accidents. Contrary to what people may believe about motorcycle drivers, motorcyclists are typically incredibly safe drivers and usually abide by all of the relevant traffic regulations.

When motorcycle accidents are caused by the negligence of other drivers, there will often be liability associated with the actions that lead to these collisions. However, liability is not taken at face value, and must be proved through the course of a lawsuit. Handling a motorcycle accident case requires the implementation of certain strategies due to the fact that motorcycle riders are often unfairly associated with negative stereotypes which can thus harm how they are perceived by potential jurors. Opposing attorneys will often seek to perpetuate these stereotypes in order to defend their clients.

Motorcyclist Killed in Frederick County Collision

July 5, 2013 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Maryland Police have reported that one individual has been confirmed as dead following a motorcycle accident earlier this month in Frederick County.

The accident occurred at just after nine in the morning on US-15, near Monocacy Blvd. According to police, a 2012 Volkswagon Jetta was making a left turn across the northbound lanes of Rt. 15, attempting to travel eastbound down Monocacy Blvd. The driver of the Jetta apparently did not see an approaching Suzuki GSXR motorcyclist in the northbound lanes as it began to turn.

As the Jetta was crossing the roadway, the motorcycle rider attempted to stop, but the suddenness of the braking resulted in the bike skidding out of control, causing it to crash into the side of the car.

The motorcyclist was subsequently pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the Jetta was taken to a local hospital as a precaution.

Maryland State Police say that an investigation into the accident remains ongoing.

Deer Causes Death of Motor Scooter Rider in Harford County

June 25, 2013 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Last week, an Aberdeen man died as a result of a tragic motor scooter accident, just north of Bel Air.

According to a Maryland State Police accident report, the 68 year old man was riding northbound on the Bel Air Bypass on his 2007 Vespa Piaggio scooter midday Friday, when a deer suddenly ran out in front of him. This caused him to lose control, overturning the scooter and causing him to collide with the median curb.

State police stated that due to serious injuries, the man was flown to the Maryland Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore, where he was later pronounced dead.

This was reportedly the third major accident involving a deer within Harford County over the past eight months. In November 2012, a man died after the body of a deer came through the windshield of a dump truck that he was driving. The deer had initially been hit by a vehicle traveling in the opposite direction. In March, a motorcyclist was seriously injured when he collided with a deer, as well.

In this case, authorities believe that the fact that the deer was crossing the road during the daytime may have caught the driver off guard. Authorities remind drivers to be extra vigilant when traveling in areas with marked deer-crossing signs, and reduce speed when necessary to ensure safety.

Failure to Yield Results Kills Fourth Individual in Six Days in Carroll County

June 18, 2013 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

According to a Maryland State Police news release, a 24 year old man died earlier this month, when his motorcycle collided with a car that allegedly failed to yield to his right of way along West Watersville Road in Mount Airy.

It was reportedly around 5 p.m. in the evening when the young man was riding his motorcycle along Watersville Road near Arrowwood Circle, and another driver was turning his car to the left, when he seemingly failed to observe the motorcycle rider’s right of way. As a result, the motorcycle crashed into the side of the car, and the rider was ejected from the bike. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the car and his passenger were not injured.

This was the fourth fatal accident to occur on Carroll County roads in six days. The Maryland State Police are conducting a continuing investigation into the incident.

Baltimore Radio Personality’s Motorcycle Accident Injuries Demonstrate Vulnerability of Riders

June 11, 2013 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Popular Baltimore area radio show host Ed Norris was able to return to work this week, nearly two months after he was injured in a motorcycle accident in northern Harford County.

On April 24, Norris was riding his Victory motorcycle north on Route 1 when, according to the Maryland State Police accident report, a GMC box truck made a left turn into Route 1 from Route 161 and straight into the path of Norris and his motorcycle.

According to the report, Norris laid his motorcycle down onto the pavement in order to avoid hitting the truck. Thus, while there was no collision of the two vehicles, Norris suffered abrasions and a severe injury to his arm and shoulder, which subsequently required extensive surgery. He continues to suffer severely limited mobility of his injured arm, and is undergoing continued therapies.

The driver of the box truck pleaded guilty of failing to yield to the right of way earlier this month. The court record indicated that he did not contribute to an accident, although it fined him $110.

Motorcyclist Killed in SUV Collision in Queen Anne’s County

June 4, 2013 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

According to investigator reports in Queen Anne’s county, a motorcyclist was killed over the weekend by a collision involving an SUV.

Authorities believe that the driver of a Honda motorcycle was attempting to pass the SUV to his left, as the SUV began turning left from McGinnis Road onto Burchard Sawmill Road, early Saturday evening.

The motorcycle hit the rear tire of the SUV, and the rider was subsequently thrown from the bike. Officials reported that he later died at the hospital. The SUV’s driver was reportedly not injured.

Police further reported that the motorcyclist was driving on a suspended license, and had not registered his motorcycle.

Car Driver’s Failure to Yield Sends Motorcyclist to Shock Trauma in Critical Condition

May 29, 2013 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

According to police, earlier this month, a car and motorcycle collision sent the driver of the motorcycle to Shock Trauma in critical condition.

The accident, which occurred on May 12 just after 2:30 in the afternoon, happened on Frederick Road, just east of St. John’s Lane in Ellicott City.

According to police, the driver of a vehicle was attempting to exit a parking lot when he pulled out into oncoming traffic, into the path of another man travelling on a Harley Davidson motorcycle. The motorcyclist then collided with the left front corner of the car, causing him serious injuries, which required transportation to Shock Trauma. The driver of the car and his passenger did not suffer any injuries.

While the investigation is ongoing, police revealed that a preliminary investigation found that the driver of the car’s failure to yield the right of way was the primary cause of the accident.

May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month

May 22, 2013 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) posted a page on its website regarding May being Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, and reminding drivers of all other vehicles to not only look out for, but also share the road with, motorcycle riders.

Continued awareness of motorcyclists is critical, because although the fatality rates for other automobiles have generally been on a decline, motorcycle deaths have been increasing for 13 out of the past 14 years.

For example, in 2011 alone:

2% more motorcyclists were killed in collisions than in 2010 (4,612 people)

14% of total highway deaths were motorcycle riders, even though they only comprise roughly 3% of all vehicles throughout the country.

Due to these and other statistics, based upon a per vehicle mile basis, motorcycle riders are more than 30 times more likely to be killed in a crash than individuals riding in cars or other automobiles. They are also 5 times more likely to suffer injuries.

The leading cause of death in motorcycle crashes is head injuries. As of 2011, 20 states, Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico required helmet use by all motorcycle riders. According to statistics, helmets apparently prevent 37% of potentially fatal injuries to motorcycle riders involved in accidents. NHTSA estimates that helmet use may have saved some 1,600 motorcycle riders in 2011 alone.