Earlier this week in Washington Township, Pennsylvania, a man was killed when a truck turned left in front of the motorcycle he was operating. According to a report by Your4State.com, a 2008 Chevy Silverado truck turned in front of a motorcyclist traveling on Buchanan Trail East.
Evidently, the truck was turning into a restaurant parking lot when the motorcycle ran into the side of the truck. The motorcyclist was pronounced dead at the scene. Police have not yet determined who was legally at fault for the accident, and an investigation is ongoing.
Left-Turn Motorcycle Accidents
One of the most common types of motorcycle accidents is a left-turn accident. Specifically, a left-turn accident occurs when a motorcyclist is traveling straight ahead and a car turns (usually left) in front of the motorcyclist. Most often, motorcyclists do not have the time or the braking capacity to come to a compete stop before slamming into the side of the car.
Some bikers end up avoiding the side of the turning vehicle but end up in a similarly dangerous situation as they do so.
The Rules of the Road: Yielding to Other Vehicles
Maryland traffic laws require that a left-turning vehicle yield the right of way to the vehicle that is traveling straight in the opposite direction. Aside from resulting in a hefty traffic violation, such conduct also can result in serious injury or death, as it did in the report above.
In such cases, the vehicle’s driver may be responsible to the accident victim, or the accident victim’s family, if the accident victim dies as a result of the accident. In the latter case, the accident victim’s family can file what is called a “wrongful death ” action against the driver, alleging that the driver’s negligent or reckless conduct caused their loved one’s death.
Maryland Wrongful Death Cases
In Maryland, wrongful death lawsuits must be brought by someone with a sufficiently close relationship with the deceased accident victim. Qualifying people are named “beneficiaries.” In Maryland, only a child, a parent, or a spouse of the deceased may be a beneficiary. If there no primary beneficiaries, a secondary beneficiary may be named in some circumstances. To find out more, speak to an experienced personal injury attorney.
Have You Been Injured in a Maryland Motorcycle Accident?
If you or a loved one has recently been involved in a Maryland motorcycle accident, you should speak with a dedicated Maryland personal injury attorney as soon as possible. By speaking with an attorney, you can gain a better understanding of what Maryland law requires as proof in a wrongful death claim, and will then be able to better assess the strength of your case, ultimately helping you determine if it is something you wish to pursue. The law firm of Lebowitz & Mzhen Personal Injury Lawyers has a team of experienced and passionate Maryland personal injury attorneys ready to speak with you about the facts of your case. Click here, or call 410-654-3600 today to schedule a free initial consultation.
More Blog Posts:
Fatal Motorcycle Accident on I-95 Claims One Young Man’s Life, Maryland Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Blog, published May 5, 2014.
Woman Sentenced in Intoxicated Driving Accident that Resulted in Double Amputation, Maryland Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Blog, published April 23, 2014.