In the latest of a string of fatal motorcycle accidents that have plagued Maryland, one man is dead after he ran into a car that was making a left turn in front of him. According to a report by one local news source, the accident occurred on Route 29 in Nelson County last Saturday morning.
Evidently, a man on a Harley Davidson was heading north on Route 29 when a southbound driver attempted to make a left-hand turn in front of the biker. Unfortunately, the driver was mistaken in his judgment, and the motorcyclist had no time to react and hit the side of the car.
The motorcyclist was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident by emergency responders. The driver of the car was not injured in the accident at all. However, he was charged with reckless driving for his role in causing the fatal motorcycle accident.
Legal Liability in Left-Turn Accidents
The general rule when it comes to left-turn accidents (as well as most other failure-to-yield accidents) is that the driver turning left has a duty to ensure that he or she can complete the turn safely. If the turn is not safe to make, the driver should wait for the next available opportunity to make the turn.
Left turns pose a special threat to motorcyclists because it seems that people have a difficult time discerning how quickly motorcycles are approaching. This is even the case when the motorcyclist is following the speed limit. For some reason, motorists think they can safely complete a turn in front of the motorcycle, even when that is not the case.
Another explanation for the frequency of this type of accident is that the driver of the car sometimes does not see the motorcyclist. Many times drivers will admit to police that the motorcycle “came out of nowhere.” The truth is, however, that had they been paying more attention, they likely would have seen the motorcycle approaching.
In either case, it is not the motorcyclist who is at fault. But for the driver’s negligent actions, the accident would have been avoided. Thankfully, in these situations the innocent motorcycle accident victim is entitled to recover financially for his or her injuries from the person at fault. To learn more, contact a Maryland personal injury attorney.
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 damages to help compensate you for your injuries or loss. The dedicated personal injury attorneys at the Maryland law firm of Lebowitz & Mzhen Personal Injury Lawyers have years of collective experience litigating all kinds of personal injury claims, including motorcycle accident claims. They understand the nuances of accident law, and they represent all of their clients to the fullest of their ability. To learn more about the laws in Maryland that allow for the innocent victims of motorcycle accidents to recover for their losses, click here or call 410-654-3600 to schedule a free initial consultation.
More Blog Posts:
Two Maryland Motorcyclists Lose Their Lives in Recent Motorcycle Crashes, Maryland Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Blog, published July 10, 2014.
Off-Duty Police Officer Killed in Motorcycle Accident, Maryland Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Blog, published July 24, 2014.