Last week, an Aberdeen man died as a result of a tragic motor scooter accident, just north of Bel Air.
According to a Maryland State Police accident report, the 68 year old man was riding northbound on the Bel Air Bypass on his 2007 Vespa Piaggio scooter midday Friday, when a deer suddenly ran out in front of him. This caused him to lose control, overturning the scooter and causing him to collide with the median curb.
State police stated that due to serious injuries, the man was flown to the Maryland Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore, where he was later pronounced dead.
This was reportedly the third major accident involving a deer within Harford County over the past eight months. In November 2012, a man died after the body of a deer came through the windshield of a dump truck that he was driving. The deer had initially been hit by a vehicle traveling in the opposite direction. In March, a motorcyclist was seriously injured when he collided with a deer, as well.
In this case, authorities believe that the fact that the deer was crossing the road during the daytime may have caught the driver off guard. Authorities remind drivers to be extra vigilant when traveling in areas with marked deer-crossing signs, and reduce speed when necessary to ensure safety.
While it appears as though this case was just an incredibly unfortunate accident, it demonstrates the point that drivers have to be constantly aware of their surroundings. For example, the Bel Air Bypass is located in the middle of an incredibly wooded area. Additionally, animals are more likely to be out during the day during late spring/early summer months.
However, animals are not the only potential factors for which drivers need to scan the road. Other common causes of single-vehicle accidents are things such as obstructions in the road, having to swerve to miss another collision, or reacting to other drivers who are aggressively speeding, failing to observe traffic laws or yield to the right of way. If another driver acts negligently and causes your injury, you may be entitled to receive compensation. In order to do so, you will have to assert that the driver was acting in a way which a reasonably prudent driver would not–violating speed laws is one example– AND that the negligent behavior was the cause of the injuries that you suffered. In motorcycle cases in particular, failure to observe the right of way can prove deadly.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a Maryland motorcycle accident, contact the experienced motorcycle accident attorneys at Lebowitz & Mzhen Personal Injury Lawyers. Our knowledgeable attorneys are dedicated to ensuring that you receive the compensation you deserve for your injuries. We have successfully represented many motorcyclists and their passengers who have been injured due to another driver’s negligence. Contact us today in order to schedule your initial complimentary consultation. You can reach us by calling 1-800-654-1949, or through our website.
More Blog Posts:
Failure to Yield Results Kills Fourth Individual in Six Days in Carroll County, Maryland Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Blog, published June 18, 2013
Baltimore Radio Personality’s Motorcycle Accident Injuries Demonstrate Vulnerability of Riders, Maryland Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Blog, published June 11, 2013