Earlier last month in Prince Frederick, a multi-vehicle accident injured several people, including one man on a Kawasaki motorcycle. According to one local news source, the accident took place on Route 231, near Skipjack Road.
Evidently, a Ford Focus was stopped on the single-lane road waiting to make a left-hand turn. As an SUV was approaching the Ford from the rear, the SUV entered onto the median to pass the Ford. The SUV passed successfully, but a van immediately behind the SUV didn’t see that the Ford was in the middle of the road until it was too late. The van collided with the Ford and pushed it into oncoming traffic, where it struck a Honda Civic.
The cars were spread across the road as a result of the collision, and oncoming vehicles were unable to stop in time. Eventually, another two vehicles were involved in the accident. Finally, the van that caused the initial collision was pushed into a passing motorcycle, ejecting the rider.
Thankfully, no one was killed in the collision. However, several people were taken to the hospital with various serious injuries. Police are still conducting an investigation into what happened in the moments before the serious accident. Once the police arrive at an ultimate conclusion, they may issue citations to responsible parties.
Motorcycles and Multi-Vehicle Accidents
One drawback to riding a motorcycle is that they are more difficult to bring to a quick and complete stop. This means that motorcyclists are often at the mercy of other motorists when it comes to avoiding an approaching collision. In many cases, responsible motorcyclists are involved in serious or fatal collisions due to no fault of their own, merely because another negligent motorist gets involved in an accident and the motorcyclist is unable to avoid a collision.
In these cases, Maryland law allows for the injured party to file suit against the parties he or she believes to be at fault for causing the collision. However, one unique aspect of Maryland personal injury law is that injury victims who are found partially liable for the accident that resulted in their injury cannot recover under the doctrine of “contributory negligence.”
Unlike many other jurisdictions, Maryland law completely bars recovery for accident victims who are even just a small percentage at fault. This means that it is imperative to an accident victim’s case to ensure even the smallest amount of blame is not shifted onto them by a defendant.
Have You Been Involved in a Maryland Motorcycle Accident?
If you or a loved one has recently been involved in a serious Maryland motorcycle accident, you may be entitled to monetary damages based on the other driver’s negligence. However, it is important to keep in mind that the defendant can successfully evade liability by shifting just a small portion of the blame onto you. To make sure that you are treated fairly and are not taken advantage of, contact one of the dedicated personal injury attorneys at the Maryland personal injury law firm of Lebowitz & Mzhen Personal Injury Lawyers. The dedicated personal injury advocates at Lebowitz & Mzhen have decades of experience representing injured Marylanders and know what it takes to bring a successful case against a negligent driver. Call 410-654-3600 today to set up a free consultation.
More Blog Posts:
Virginia Man Killed in Motorcycle Accident Involving Two Motorcycles and One Truck in Fairfax County, Maryland Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Blog, published May 27, 2015.
Maryland Man Dies in Bicycle Accident, Maryland Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Blog, published June 19, 2015.