In Maryland, the effects of a motorist’s reckless driving can often be severe, especially for those riding motorcycles. Indeed, Maryland motorcycle accidents are among the most fatal type of traffic accident, and reckless driving is a major cause of these accidents. Under section 21-901.1 of the Transportation Code, reckless driving is defined as driving a motor vehicle “[i]n wanton or willful disregard for the safety of persons or property,” or “[i]n a manner that indicates a wanton or willful disregard for the safety of persons or property.”
Not only are drivers who drive recklessly subject to criminal penalties, but they may also be liable for negligence or gross negligence claims. Drivers in Maryland have a duty to exercise reasonable care under the circumstances. This duty requires drivers to exercise the degree of care that a person of ordinary prudence would exercise under similar circumstances. The extent of a driver’s duty may change depending on conditions of the weather, the time of day, and other circumstances.
For an accident victim to succeed in a Maryland personal injury claim, they must show that the defendant acted negligently by acting or failing to act in a certain way. General negligence claims require showing that: the defendant had a legal duty to use a certain level of care toward the plaintiff; the defendant failed to meet the standard of care required; the plaintiff suffered damages; and the defendant’s failure to meet the standard of care caused the plaintiff’s damages. In more extreme cases, gross negligence claims may be pursued. Gross negligence refers to willful and wanton misconduct, or a wanton or reckless disregard for others.
Maryland accident victims frequently face massive medical bills, as well as other economic and non-economic damages. Plaintiffs in negligence claims may able to recover compensation for medical expenses, wage losses, and pain and suffering, among other damages.
Motorcyclist Killed in Recent Reckless Driving Crash on I-95
According to a local news source, one man recently died after being involved in a serious car crash in Emporia, Virginia. Evidently, the man’s motorcycle was hit by another car around 2 a.m. on a Saturday morning. According to police, witnesses reported that both vehicles were heading northbound on I-95. The driver of the car reportedly lost control of the car, went off the roadway, and ran into a guardrail, causing it to spin back into traffic and crash into the motorcycle. The motorcyclist was thrown off his motorcycle and died at the scene. The driver of the car was charged with reckless driving, and police say that alcohol may have been involved in the crash.
Have You Been Injured in a Motorcycle Crash?
If you or a family member has been injured in a Maryland motorcycle crash, you should speak to an experienced car accident attorney about your case. The accident attorneys at Lebowitz & Mzhen, LLC are dedicated personal injury attorneys representing injury victims across Maryland, D.C., and Virginia. At Lebowitz & Mzhen, our attorneys have decades of experience representing accident victims in all types of personal injury cases, including other types of motor vehicle accidents. We take pride in advocating for the rights of accident victims, and have a successful track record across all areas of personal injury law. Contact us today at 1-800-654-1949 or fill out our online form set up a free consultation.