Earlier this month, an Upper Marlboro man was fatally injured in a Maryland motorcycle accident when he collided with another vehicle that was in the process of making a U-turn. According to a local news report, the fatal crash occurred around 10 in the evening on northbound Route 301, in Waldorf.
Apparently, the motorcyclist was traveling on 301 northbound at a high rate of speed. As the motorcyclist approached Central Avenue, a pick-up truck that was heading southbound on 301 began to initiate a U-turn. As the truck was in the middle of the U-turn, the motorcycle collided with the passenger side of the pick-up truck. The force from the collision spun the pick-up truck 18 degrees.
The motorcyclist was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency responders. The driver of the pick-up truck was injured and transported to the hospital. Police told reporters that they believe speed to have been a factor in the accident.
One Accident, Two Stories
Maryland motorcycle accidents are often told from two very different points of view. Motorists who hit motorcyclists often blame the motorcyclist for speeding, making quick lane changes, or driving aggressively, knowing that they will likely be believed. Unfortunately, in fatal Maryland motorcycle accidents, there is too often no one to tell the motorcyclist’s story.
For example, in the “comments” section of the article mentioned above, a reader who appeared to be an eyewitness to the accident left comments on the article. That reader explained that the pick-up truck “had no lights on besides his fog lights and looked as if he was trying to block or frighten us by smashing on the gas and trying to block our path.” The reader explained that the motorcyclist pulled onto the shoulder of the road when the pick-up truck pulled into the motorcyclist’s lane, but the truck seemed to block the motorcycle from passing intentionally. He also explained that the pick-up truck driver did not get out to check on the motorcyclist after the accident.
Of course, these comments may not have been made by an eyewitness, and police are still investigating the cause of the accident. However, regardless of their veracity, the comments serve as a reminder that there are at least two sides to every story.
Have You Been the Victim of a Maryland Motorcycle Accident?
If you or someone you care about has recently been injured in a Maryland motorcycle accident, you may face an uphill battle based on what the other driver told the responding police officers. The unfortunate reality is that many motorists think that they can blame a motorcyclist for any accident; however, that is not the case. At the law firm of Lebowitz & Mzhen, LLC we have assembled a dedicated team of Maryland motorcycle accident attorneys who are skilled at investigating and litigating motorcycle accident claims across Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. To learn more about how we can help you pursue a claim for compensation based on the injuries you have sustained, call 410-654-3600 to schedule a free consultation today.