It is vital to take basic steps to protect yourself when you are driving or riding in a car or on a bike. One simple thing you can do every time you drive is to ensure that you are wearing your seatbelt, especially when you’re in the front of the car. Seatbelts significantly decrease the risk of fetal injuries in the event of a crash, while forgoing a seatbelt while in a car can increase your risk of death in a car accident by as high as 45%. Thousands of drivers in Maryland experience severe or fatal accidents annually due to their failure to wear seatbelts. Additionally, it is vital to wear a helmet if you are riding a motorcycle or bike. The small silhouette of these smaller vehicles makes them much more likely to be hit by others on the road, especially large automobiles such as buses.
How Many People Are Injured in Acidnets Involving Busses and Large Vehicles?
Automobile accidents involving large vehicles, such as buses, are extremely dangerous. According to a report by the U.S. Department of Transportation, more than 4,100 people were killed in large vehicle crashes last year. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has found that there were more than 500,000 crashes nationwide involving large vehicles, with approximately 107,000 resulting in injuries. Buses are much larger than standard passenger vehicles, averaging 20 to 30 times bigger, creating massive crashes when they impact other vehicles. The difference in the size of the vehicles can prevent bus drivers from seeing smaller cars and bikes, while also resulting in more severe impact when crashes do occur. Most deaths in large vehicle crashes are from occupants of passenger vehicles. Of those killed in such accidents, roughly 82% are people in smaller vehicles. A recent article discussed a fatal crash involving a bus and a bicycle rider.
According to the news article, the accident occurred early in the morning on Tuesday, December 5, around 7:00 am. The 15-year-old boy was hit and killed by a school bus early in the morning while trying to cross the street on a bicycle, according to the Lakeland Police Department. Emergency personnel responded to the scene, including Polk County Fire Rescue and the Lakeland Fire Department. Unfortunately, the teen was later pronounced dead at Lakeland Regional Health. According to the Lakeland Police Chief, the teen was apparently riding his bike to school when the crash happened. It seems as though he was trying to move from the highway’s turning lane into the inside lane where the bus was traveling westbound when the collision occurred.
Does Negligence on My Part Affect My Maryland Case?
Contributory Negligence is a legal concept that can prevent plaintiffs from receiving recovery for injuries resulting from a crash if their negligence contributed to the accident to any degree. Even if the negligence of the operator of another vehicle is in large part responsible for the accident, if the plaintiff was negligent at all, it is possible they will not be able to recover compensation. In Maryland, contributory negligence is generally interpreted very broadly, allowing extremely minor negligence by the plaintiff in personal injury cases to defeat even very strong claims.
Have You Been Hurt in a Maryland Truck Accident?
If you or a loved one has suffered injury or harm from a truck accident in Prince George’s, Charles, Baltimore, or Montgomery County, contact the lawyers at Lebowitz & Mzhen today for help. Our attorneys have many years of experience fighting for the injured and will work to provide you with the support, legal knowledge, and confidence to proceed with your claim. The costs stemming from injury or abuse can quickly become overwhelming, and having a team of experienced lawyers on your side can make all the difference. To schedule a free and confidential consultation today, contact us at 800-654-1949.