While there are many causes of fatal Maryland motorcycle accidents, one of the most frequently seen causes is a motorist’s failure to yield the right-of-way to a motorcyclist. Of all the failure-to-yield accidents, left-turn accidents are the most common. Indeed, it is estimated that approximately 40% of all fatal motorcycle accidents involve a motorist making a left turn in front of a motorcyclist who is going straight.
In most cases, these accidents are results of a motorist’s inability to properly gauge the speed at which a motorcyclist is traveling. However, aggressive driving may also be a cause. Regardless, motorists are responsible to safely operate their vehicles while on the road, and neither of the above reasons is an excuse for causing a motorcycle accident.
Motorcycle accident victims who are injured in a left-turn accident may be entitled to recover compensation for their injuries – both physical and emotional – through a personal injury lawsuit. In order to successfully bring a motorcycle accident case, an accident victim must be able to establish that the other driver was somehow negligent in the operation of their vehicle. This can be shown though the issuance of a traffic citation, or, if no citations were issued, through the presentation of convincing evidence at trial.
Two Teens Die in Failure-to-Yield Motorcycle Accident
Earlier this month, two teens were killed in a motorcycle accident involving a van that failed to yield the right-of-way to the motorcyclists. According to a local news report, the two teens were heading westbound on a divided highway late on a Sunday evening. As the teens were headed westbound, a van heading eastbound attempted to make a left-hand turn in front of the motorcycle. The driver of the van miscalculated the distance he had to complete the turn, and the motorcyclist was left with too little time to react. The two vehicles collided at a high rate of speed.
The motorcycle’s operator and passenger both were thrown from the bike. One of the teens was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. The other was taken to a nearby hospital by helicopter, where he was pronounced dead a short time later. The fatal motorcycle crash remains under investigation, and there is no indication as to whether the other driver involved in the crash was cited for his involvement.
Have You Been Injured in a Maryland Motorcycle Accident?
If you or a loved one has recently been injured in a Maryland motorcycle accident, you may be entitled to monetary compensation. Motorcycle accident cases can be tricky, since most of the public do not ride motorcycles and have been subject to a culture that tends to unfairly shift the blame onto motorcyclists. At the Maryland personal injury law firm of Lebowitz & Mzhen Personal Injury Lawyers, we stand up for the rights of motorcyclists who have been involved in serious motorcycle accidents. We won’t let an aggressive insurance company push you around, and we are not afraid to take your case to trial if a fair settlement is not reached. Call 410-654-3600 to schedule a free consultation with an attorney today.
More Blog Posts:
Maryland Motorcycle Accidents Caused by Motorists Running Red Lights, Maryland Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Blog, published August 4, 2017.
Bicyclist Deaths Continue to Increase in Bicyclist-Motor Vehicle Crashes, Maryland Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Blog, published September 6, 2017.