Motorcycle accidents can be especially tragic, given the speeds involved and the high likelihood that riders will be ejected from the vehicle. The reality is that, while many motorcycle accidents are not caused by the motorcyclist themselves, some are. And motorcyclists, like all other drivers on the road, owe a duty to other motorists around them. This includes a duty that arises to those riding as passengers on the motorcycle who are legally in the driver’s care.
When a motorcyclist is involved in a serious or fatal accident, and a passenger of theirs is injured as a result, that passenger (or the passenger’s family if the passenger does not survive) may be entitled to compensation from the person operating the motorcycle or that person’s insurance company. To be sure, these lawsuits can be emotional, since the parties often know each other. However, it is important to keep in mind that it is most often not the motorcyclist himself who is paying out any award amount, but the motorcyclist’s insurance company. Indeed, this is exactly the reason Maryland state law requires that motorcyclists maintain adequate insurance on their vehicles.
In tragic cases in which the driver of the motorcycle is killed as a result of the accident, an injured or dead passenger does not necessarily lose their ability to recover compensation. These lawsuits are not uncommon in Maryland courts.
Motorcyclist Dies, and Passenger Injured, in Highway Motorcycle Accident
Earlier this month in New Braunfels, Texas, a man was pronounced dead and a woman seriously injured after the motorcycle on which the two were riding was involved in a crash. According to one local news report, the accident occurred on a Saturday night, and it was caused by the motorcyclist’s failure to safely negotiate a turn in the exit ramp from the highway to the frontage road. After the motorcyclist lost control, the bike crossed into a grassy median before crashing.
The motorcyclist and his passenger were both taken to a nearby hospital. The driver was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. The passenger was admitted in stable but critical condition. She is expected to make a recovery. Neither of the two riders involved was wearing a helmet at the time of the accident.
Have You Been Injured in a Motorcycle Accident?
If you or a loved one has recently been injured as a passenger in a Maryland motorcycle accident, you may be entitled to monetary compensation to help you cope with the costs associated with the accident. If you are successful, you may be able to recover amounts for past and future medical expenses, lost wages, and any pain and suffering you endured as a result of the motorcycle accident. To learn more about Maryland law as it pertains to motorcycle accidents, contact one of the dedicated personal injury advocates at the Maryland and Washington D.C.-based law firm of Lebowitz & Mzhen Personal Injury Lawyers. Call 410-654-3600 today to set up your free consultation.
More Blog Posts:
Aggressive Driving and Maryland Motorcycle Accidents, Maryland Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Blog, published February 4, 2016.
Roadside and Shoulder Accidents in Maryland, Maryland Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Blog, published January 21, 2016.