Maryland Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Blog
Any accident involving a motorized vehicle and a bicycle has the potential to result in tragedy. And there are no more tragic bicycle accidents than those that result in the death of the bicyclist. Perhaps the only thing that can make a fatal accident worse is when the driver involved in the accident decides to flee the scene rather than stop to see if the bicyclist they just hit needed medical care.
While hit-and-run accidents may shock the conscience of some, they are more common than most believe. In fact, the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration estimates that approximately 1,450 fatal hit-and-run crashes occur each year. Due to the reprehensible nature of a hit-and-run accident, the Maryland state legislature has enacted strict penalties for those who are found to have fled the scene an an accident resulting in serious injury or death.
Not only can a hit-and-run driver face criminal liability, but also they may be sued in a civil court of law by the injured party or the injured party’s family. These lawsuits are based on the legal theory of negligence and require that the plaintiff prove to the court that the defendant’s negligent actions resulted in the plaintiff’s injuries. The fact that a defendant fled from the scene of an accident can be a basis for liability, even if the cause of the original accident is not certain.
Bicyclist Killed in Hit-and-Run Accident
Earlier this month, an Illinois man was hit and killed as he was riding his bike at around 11 in the evening. According to one local news source, police received a call for an accident involving a bicycle. When police showed up, they found a man a few hundred feet away from where they believed the collision occurred. The driver of the car or truck that struck the bicyclist did not stop at the scene of the accident and chose to flee the scene instead. Police have not yet found a suspect in the fatal hit-and-run accident.
What makes matters worse is that the bicyclist was alive when police arrived. The bicyclist was immediately taken to the hospital, where he sadly later succumbed to his injuries. There is no telling if the result would have been different had the driver stopped and rendered aid as the law requires.
Have You Been Injured in a Maryland Bicycle Accident?
If you or a loved one has recently been injured in any kind of Maryland bicycle or motorcycle accident, you may be entitled to monetary compensation based on the other party’s negligence. In some cases, establishing negligence is easier than in others. Regardless, it is important that you speak with a dedicated personal injury attorney about your injuries prior to filing your case. The skilled advocates at the Maryland-based personal injury law firm of Lebowitz & Mzhen Personal Injury Lawyers have decades of experience bringing cases against negligent drivers. Call 410-654-3600 today to set up your free consultation. Calling is free, and our representation will not cost you anything unless we are ultimately able to help you recover damages for your injuries.
More Blog Posts:
A Motorcyclist’s Liability to His Passenger, Maryland Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Blog, published December 11, 2015.
Motorcyclist Settles Case against Motorist for $1.3 Million, Claim against Helmet Manufacturer Remains, Maryland Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Blog, published December 18, 2015.