A motorcyclist was reportedly driving north of Thurmont over the weekend, when he apparently lost control of his motorcycle, throwing both him and his female passenger from the bike.
At nearly 12:30 in the afternoon, the motorcycle was heading south on Md. 550, north of Kelbaugh Road in Sabillasville, Md., when the driver suddenly lost control on a curve in the road, throwing both riders off of the bike.
Maryland State Police reported that the man was pronounced dead on the scene. According to a news release from state police, the woman was transported to a local medical center for treatment of her injuries. The investigation remains ongoing.
Sadly, this accident is a clear illustration of the complete lack of protection motorcycle riders have from injury when they are involved in accidents. They are exposed to the open road and many of the most serious injuries occur when the motorcyclist has been thrown from the bike. Even though motorcyclists are required to wear helmets in Maryland, head injuries are the leading cause of death in motorcycle accidents. Motorcyclists also frequently suffer broken bones, severe skin abrasions (sometimes referred to as road rash), and spinal cord injuries.
Additionally, while it does not appear to be the cause in this case, many times it’s drivers of other vehicles on the road who are not paying attention to motorcycles that cause motorcycle accidents. Motorcyclists are typically extremely safe drivers and usually abide by all of the required traffic regulations.
Because motorcycle accidents are usually caused by the negligence of other drivers, there will often be liability associated with these kinds of collisions. However, even when fault might seem obvious to the rider involved in the accident, actually proving liability can be difficult. Handling a motorcycle accident case requires the implementation of certain strategies as motorcycle riders are often unfairly hampered by negative stereotypes, which can harm how they are perceived by potential jurors. Opposing counsel will attempt to take advantage of and proliferate the negative stereotypes often associated with motorcycle riders, which can potentially hamper your case. This is just one of the reasons it is critical to consult with an attorney who has extensive experience in representing motorcycle riders.
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 immediately. Collection of evidence is key, and our attorneys can advise you how best to proceed. We have successfully represented many motorcyclists and their passengers who have been injured due to another driver’s negligence. We are well versed in the evidentiary challenges that motorcyclists and their passengers face in bringing personal injury claims. Call us today in order to schedule your initial complimentary consultation. You can contact us by calling 1-800-654-1949, or through our website.
More Blog Posts:
Speed Possibly to Blame in Death of Motorcyclist on U.S. 1, Maryland Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Blog, published August 7, 2013
Motorcyclist Remains Hospitalized Following Rising Sun Accident, Maryland Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Blog, published July 26, 2013