Although the summer is officially over, there will still be some great weather here in Baltimore and the surrounding area as we head toward the winter months. Getting that last ride in prior to parking you bike for the season may cause some riders to ignore the potential dangers inherent to motorcycle operation. As Maryland personal injury and motorcycle accident attorneys, Lebowitz & Mzhen Personal Injury Lawyers understands what drives motorcyclists, and also what can hurt them.
Motorcycle-automobile accidents are frequent in the summer months, but they also occur in the cooler months as well. In fact, as the bulk of bikes get stored after the summer, four-wheeled motorists become less aware of bikes later in the season. A car-motorcycle accident is especially tragic because a motorcyclist has little protection against the mass of a car, SUV or pickup truck.
Whereas the driver of an automobile is usually protected from an impact, a motorcyclist usually receives a direct blow from another vehicle; and a rider may also be thrown a fair distance from the crash site. As a result, many motorcycle accidents have an especially high rate of injuries, including broken bones, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and other permanent injuries. Sadly, fatalities are very common when it comes to motorcycle accidents.
Wearing a helmet is one of the best things a rider can do to improve his or her chances of surviving a motorcycle crash. Helmets can reduce the incident of fatal brain injuries by a huge percentage. Protective clothing and the proper footwear can also mean the difference between a minor injury accident and a disabling or permanently incapacitating one.
But no matter how well you prepare, there is always a chance that you could be involved in an accident on your bike. In such an instance, a qualified Motorcycle accident attorney is essential following a crash. A good attorney can communicate with accident investigators to determine whether driver error, fatigue, vehicle speed, alcohol or substance abuse, weather, road conditions, or mechanical defects or other factors were the cause of a motorcycle accident. In fact, retaining the right attorney can mean the difference between being found substantially responsible for an accident or avoiding liability altogether.
If you or someone you know has been involved in a motorcycle accident in Baltimore or surrounding communities, we highly recommend that you contact a legal professional with extensive experience in handling motorcycle accident cases.