Earlier this week in Ellicott City, a man was killed when he ran a red light on his 2013 Kawasaki Ninja. According to a report by a local news source, moments earlier the man was being pursued by the police for speeding. The police officer gave up the pursuit in order to avoid a high-speed chase. However, the motorcyclist continued speeding and eventually ran a red light at the intersection of Route 40 and Normandy Drive.
He continued speeding and then ran another red light at the intersection of Route 40 and Rogers Avenue. As he ran the second red light, he crashed into a Saturn sedan that was turning left.
The motorcyclist—who did not have a motorcycle operating permit, and whose regular driver’s license was suspended—was pronounced dead shortly after he was taken to Howard County General Hospital. The driver of the Saturn was taken to the hospital out of precaution, but he did not suffer any major injuries. Police are currently investigating the accident to see if any other causes contributed to the fatal crash.
Motorcycle Safety on Maryland Roads
It happens that in the accident described above the motorcycle driver was the one who was acting recklessly when he was speeding, fleeing from the police, and running red lights. However, this is not always the case. In many Maryland motorcycle accidents, the motorcyclist is actually the victim of that kind of driving.
In fact, because motorcycles are harder to see than other vehicles, they are often the victim of failure to yield accidents and other kinds of serious or fatal accidents. In order to make sure that you are safe while riding a motorcycle, be sure to follow these easy, yet critically important, rules of the road:
- Make sure to obey all traffic signals and laws;
- Always wear a DOT-approved helmet;
- Frequently check that all headlights, taillights, and turn signals are working properly;
- Pay attention to the condition of the road (gravel, wet, etc.);
- Always pay close attention to the road; and
- Never drink or use illegal or prescription drugs and drive a motorcycle.
You can never guarantee a safe journey on a motorcycle, but you can take certain steps to decrease the chances of being involved in a serious or fatal motorcycle accident.
Have You Been Involved in a Serious 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 damages based on the negligent driving of the person responsible for the accident. Contact an experienced Maryland motorcycle accident attorney to learn more. In general, drivers owe motorcyclists around them a duty to operate their vehicles according to the law and in a safe, responsible manner. When drivers fail to live up to this standard, the law holds them accountable. Click here, or call 410-654-3600 today to schedule your free initial consultation with a dedicated Maryland personal injury attorney.
More Blog Posts:
Prince George’s County Sees Four Fatal Motorcycle Accidents in Just Four Days, Maryland Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Blog, published June 2, 2014.
Driver Kills Motorcyclist While Texting and Driving and Fined Only $500, Maryland Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Blog, published May 19, 2014.