Maryland Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Blog
In April 2019, a woman was killed in a Maryland motorcycle accident when a dump truck backed into a motorcycle she was riding on as a passenger. According to a local news report covering the tragic accident, the collision occurred around 11:30 in the morning in St. Mary’s County, near the intersection of Mt. Wolf Rd. and Chappelear Drive.
Evidently, a group of county public works employees were working alongside the road. One of the crew members passed the work crew while driving a dump truck. The employee pulled the dump truck over to the side of the road, intending on backing the truck up next to the crew. However, as the driver began to back up, he ran into a motorcycle. The driver told police that he checked his mirrors before proceeding to back up, but that he did not see the motorcycle behind the truck.
The motorcycle passenger was taken to the hospital, but soon after died as a result of the injuries she sustained in the accident. The driver of the motorcycle was also hospitalized with serious injuries, but is expected to recover.
The dump truck was owned by St. Mary’s County Department of Public Works and Transportation. Authorities have begun an investigation into the fatal motorcycle accident, and have not yet determined why the motorcycle was stopped behind the dump truck. Law enforcement is awaiting the conclusion of the investigation to determine whether the dump truck driver will be charged for his role in the fatal Maryland motorcycle accident.
Recovering after a Maryland Motorcycle Accident
When a motorist negligently causes a Maryland motorcycle accident, anyone injured as a result of the driver’s negligence can pursue a claim for compensation against the at-fault driver. Maryland personal injury law requires that the plaintiff be able to establish that the defendant violated a duty of care that was owed to the plaintiff and that the defendant’s violation of that duty was the cause of the plaintiff’s injuries.
Under the Maryland Tort Claims Act, even government entities and employees can be held liable for their negligent actions in certain situations. However, in personal injury cases against government entities, there are often additional procedural requirements that plaintiffs must be aware of. A plaintiff’s failure to precisely follow these strict rules may result in the dismissal of their case. It is also important to keep in mind that there may be a cap on the total amount of damages that a plaintiff can recover from a government defendant.
Have You Been Injured in a Maryland Motorcycle Accident?
If you or a loved one has recently been injured in a Maryland motorcycle accident, you may be entitled to monetary compensation for the injuries you have sustained. At the law firm of Lebowitz & Mzhen, LLC, we represent injury victims in Maryland motorcycle accident cases, as well as other Maryland car accident claims. Our law firm has helped Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. injury victims obtain compensation for their injuries for over 20 years, and we look forward to discussing your case with you. To learn more, call 410-654-3600 to schedule a free consultation today.