Maryland Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Blog
Earlier this week in Potomac, Maryland, a fourth-year medical student was killed when he was struck by another vehicle while riding his motorcycle. According to a report by one local news source, the man was riding his motorcycle on River’s Edge Drive when a BMW sedan attempted to make a left turn in front of the motorcyclist, cutting him off.
The motorcyclist flew off his bike as a result of the collision. Nearby witnesses attempted to perform first aid on him until emergency crews arrived, but the young man was pronounced dead later that day.
The driver of the BMW was also taken to the hospital, although only with non-life-threatening injuries, and he is expected to fully recover. Police are currently conducting an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fatal motorcycle accident, hoping to gain additional insight as to the cause of the tragic event. It is not clear if the other driver is facing any charges related to his role in the accident at this time.
Failing to Yield to Motorcycles Is a Common Cause of Fatal Accidents
It seems as though many motorcycle accidents are caused by the driver of a car or truck failing to yield to the motorcyclist. While motorcycles can be more difficult to see on the road due to their slender profile, drivers are still responsible to drive safely when they are around them. It is not the motorcycle rider’s fault, in other words, that he or she chooses to travel by motorcycle.
In many cases, failure-to-yield accidents are caused by improper left turns because drivers have a difficult time estimating the speed at which motorcycles are traveling, even when the motorcycle is traveling well within the speed limit. However, in cases where the motorcyclist was speeding, he or she may have “lost” the right-of-way, and the other driver may not be at fault under these circumstances.
Regardless, the families of motorcycle accident victims have a right to have their questions answered and to hold the person whom they believe caused the accident responsible. Thankfully, Maryland law allows for the surviving members of an accident victim’s family to file what is called a “wrongful death” lawsuit against the person or people at fault. If successful, the plaintiffs in a wrongful death lawsuit can recover a substantial sum to help compensate them for their loss.
Have You Lost a Loved One in a Maryland Motorcycle Accident?
If you have recently lost a loved one in a Maryland motorcycle accident, you may be entitled to monetary damages to help compensate you for your loss. Depending on the surrounding circumstances, the accident that tragically took your loved one’s life may have been due to no fault of his or her own. To learn more about the motorcycle accident laws in Maryland, and to schedule a free initial consultation with a dedicated and experienced personal injury attorney, click here or call 410-654-3600 today.
More Blog Posts:
Another Maryland Motorcyclist Dead After Fatal Left-Turn Accident, Maryland Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Blog, published August 21, 2014.
Off-Duty Police Officer Killed in Motorcycle Accident, Maryland Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Blog, published July 24, 2014.