Maryland Police have reported that one individual has been confirmed as dead following a motorcycle accident earlier this month in Frederick County.
The accident occurred at just after nine in the morning on US-15, near Monocacy Blvd. According to police, a 2012 Volkswagon Jetta was making a left turn across the northbound lanes of Rt. 15, attempting to travel eastbound down Monocacy Blvd. The driver of the Jetta apparently did not see an approaching Suzuki GSXR motorcyclist in the northbound lanes as it began to turn.
As the Jetta was crossing the roadway, the motorcycle rider attempted to stop, but the suddenness of the braking resulted in the bike skidding out of control, causing it to crash into the side of the car.
The motorcyclist was subsequently pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the Jetta was taken to a local hospital as a precaution.
Maryland State Police say that an investigation into the accident remains ongoing.
Tragically, this accident is an illustration of many of the commonalities in fatal motorcycle accidents.
First and foremost, the Jetta’s driver reportedly did not see the motorcyclist. A lack of awareness of motorcycle riders is an incredibly common cause of accidents.
Secondly, even though the motorcyclist had a brief period of time to attempt to stop, due to the lack of any meaningful protection upon impact, the victim slammed into the car, which either immediately or eventually killed him or her. Motorcycle riders are incredibly vulnerable to suffering major injury or death in the event of a collision.
Thirdly, a common cause in many accidents, not just this one, is the risks implicated in turning across oncoming traffic, and the fact that a majority of accidents occur at intersections of some kind.
According to a report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), collisions occur most frequently at intersections, because they present an opportunity for two or more vehicles to cross paths. This is true even though intersections constitute only a small proportion of the overall roadway system.
Based on NHTSA’s data, in 2008 an estimated 2,307,000 crashes occurred at
intersections across the nation, accounting for nearly 40 percent of the 5,811,000 total collisions. Among these, 7,421 were fatal, and in 733,000 crashes one or more occupants
suffered injuries.
However, NHTSA’s report and other sources give reasons why accidents are more likely to occur at intersections, and include things such as driver inattention, failure to properly gauge distance, aggressive driving, and the like. If another driver operates in a way that does not meet the standard for how a reasonably prudent person would drive, what is referred to under the law as driving negligently, you may be entitled to compensation for the injuries or other damages that they cause.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a Maryland motorcycle accident, contact the experienced motorcycle accident attorneys at Lebowitz & Mzhen Personal Injury Lawyers. Our knowledgeable attorneys are dedicated to ensuring that you receive the compensation you deserve for your injuries or loss. We have successfully represented many motorcyclists and their passengers who have been injured due to another driver’s negligence. Contact us today in order to schedule your initial complimentary consultation. You can reach us by calling 1-800-654-1949, or through our website.
More Blog Posts:
Baltimore Ravens Cheerleader Killed in Motorcycle Crash, Maryland Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Blog, published July 8, 2013
Deer Causes Death of Motor Scooter Rider in Harford County, Maryland Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Blog, published June 28, 2013