When Maryland motorists get behind the wheel, they assume a duty to the other drivers they encounter along their journey, including motorcyclists. Motorcyclists in particular are at an increased danger of suffering serious or fatal injuries following an accident, due to the lack of protection motorcycles afford riders. When it comes to Maryland motorcycle accidents, there are many causes; however, certain common traffic situations pose a heightened risk.
A large percentage of Maryland motorcycle accidents occur at traffic intersections when another motorist runs a red light or makes a left-hand turn in front of an approaching motorcycle. These failure-to-yield accidents account for over half of all fatal motorcycle accidents. In part, these accidents are so common because motorists are not accustomed to sharing the road with motorcycles and may have a difficult time assessing the speed at which an approaching motorcycle is traveling.
Another common cause of failure-to-yield motorcycle accidents is aggressive driving, which may be a manifestation of drunk or intoxicated driving. In any event, when a motorist causes a serious or fatal Maryland motorcycle accident, the surviving loved ones affected by the accident may be able to pursue a Maryland personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit against the at-fault motorist. Successful parties may receive compensation for medical bills, missed work, and any pain and suffering caused by the accident.
Motorcyclist Killed in Red-Light Accident
Earlier this month in Salt Lake City, Utah, a motorcyclist was killed when he was struck by another vehicle while crossing an intersection at around 8:30 in the evening. According to a local news report covering the fatal accident, the motorcyclist was heading southbound through a green or yellow light when a driver came from a perpendicular direction and struck the motorcyclist.
The motorcyclist was thrown from the bike and was not wearing a helmet. After colliding with the motorcycle, the other vehicle continued through the intersection, eventually crashing into a third vehicle. The motorcyclist sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead a short time after the accident. All others involved in the accident were uninjured.
Police are conducting an investigation into the accident and have not yet issued any citation to the other motorist involved. Police did note that the fact that the motorcyclist was not wearing a helmet may have contributed to his injuries.
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 compensation. The dedicated personal injury attorneys at the law firm of Lebowitz & Mzhen Personal Injury Lawyers have decades of collective experience helping victims hold those responsible for their injuries accountable. Call 410-654-3600 to schedule a free consultation with an attorney at Lebowitz & Mzhen today, and since we operate on a contingent-fee basis, we will not bill you for our services unless we are able to help you get the compensation you deserve.
More Blog Posts:
Determining Fault in Maryland Motorcycle Accidents, Maryland Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Blog, published June 27, 2017.
Establishing Government Liability in Maryland Motorcycle Accidents, Maryland Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Blog, published July 13, 2017.