Fatal Motorcycle Accidents

Biker Accident News: Three Separate Bike Crashes Illustrate the Dangers of Motorcycling in Maryland

March 26, 2012 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

We won’t argue that riding a motorcycle anywhere in the U.S. can be a risky proposition; however, we do understand that everyone is free to make that choice for themselves. As a biker, just as any motorist, an individual relies on the rules of the road to help protect him or her from accidents or other roadway mishaps. Unfortunately, nobody lives in a perfect world, and as such traffic accidents, bodily injuries and fatalities can and do occur with alarming rapidity.

Knowing that motorcyclists deserve the protection under the law, as Maryland personal injury attorneys and auto accident lawyers, I and my legal staff are prepared to represent those people who have been hurt in automobile, motorcycle, and commercial trucking wrecks. In cases where the rider died as a result of another person’s negligence, we typically represent the family of the deceased when they file a wrongful death lawsuit or other legal action against the negligent party or parties.

Now, it’s all well and good to say that individuals who ride a Harley-Davidson, Ducatti, Yamaha or Vespa take their lives into their own hands when venturing out onto the streets, but just as a rider accepts the consequences of his or her own actions, any driver who knowingly flouts the law or acts in a reckless manner on a public roadway must, too, be prepared to answer for any injuries or fatalities he may have caused while doing so.

Annapolis, MD, Bar Faces Fines, License Suspension in Wake of Underage Customers’ Fatal Motorcycle Crash

February 9, 2012 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Amidst the finger-pointing and official investigation following the tragic deaths of two young people in a drunken-driving-related motorcycle accident last summer, the Annapolis bar that sold the two underage victims was “slapped” with a $6,000 fine and two-week license suspension from the city’s liquor control board. While the action against Acme Bar and Grill is one of the more serious that the Annapolis Alcoholic Beverage Control Board has ever taken against an establishment that serves liquor to the public, some people may be wondering if the penalties do justice to the accident victims or their families.

As Maryland personal injury lawyers, we understand that alcohol regulating authorities can only do so much within the law, which is why we have civil courts and personal injury law. Whether one lives in Baltimore, Rockville, Howie or the District, underage drinking is wide-ranging problem. But many would argue that it doesn’t need to be exacerbated by the apparently lax standards and loose policies demonstrated by some drinking establishments across this nation.

Not only do bars, pubs, restaurants and convenience stores have a responsibility to follow state laws against serving liquor to underage individuals, their actions (or inaction) can result in greater consequences than simply that of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. As evidenced by this particular story, many underage kids possess driver’s licenses and regularly operate motor vehicles on public roads.

Maryland Traffic Accident News: Cecil County Motorcycle Rider Killed in Harford Co. Bike Crash

December 30, 2011 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

The list of risks for Maryland motorcyclists is a long one, but not unexpected. Call it a sport, pastime or way of life, motorcycling — as any seasoned rider knows — is a balance of risk and reward. Living to ride another day requires a level head and an understanding of the constant dangers that confront a biker and his mount.

As Baltimore motorcycle accident attorneys and Maryland personal injury lawyers, I and my staff have the skills to represent victims of car and truck accidents. Because cyclists, like pedestrians, have next to no protection in the event of a traffic collision, the extent and severity or injury sustained by a rider can be many times that of a passenger car occupant.

Closed-head injuries are one of the more significant threats to biking accident victims. The moniker given to motorcycles by some in the healthcare industry — namely, “donor-cycle — is certainly well earned. However, the right to own, ride and enjoy a motorcycle makes this fact moot, as most people who take up the hobby live long and productive lives.

Like any traffic accident, motorcycle wrecks can range from minor to fatal. When one does occur, the police and insurance companies investigate to determine fault, if any. Many times, the cause of the serious crash may be found to be negligence on the part of another motorist, which doesn’t change the fact that the victim’s injuries may linger for months or years to come. From time to time, a motorcycle rider may lose control of his or her machine and crash alone.

Maryland Traffic Accident Update: Older Motorcyclists’ Risk of Death from Bike Wrecks Higher than Younger Riders

December 19, 2011 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

As we mentioned in our previous entry, motorcyclists are one of the more individualistic groups of people out there; certainly one of the most visible to everyday commuters on Maryland roadways. And while a widely held belief is that bikers as a whole are wild thrill-seekers bent on self destruction, that view is far from the truth for most conscientious motorcycle riders.

As Maryland personal injury lawyers representing victims of car, motorcycle and trucking-related accidents, I and my colleagues have met enough motorcyclists to know that these people can be some of the more safety conscious individuals on the road. And why not? Unlike a typical passenger car driver or commercial trucker, a biker is totally exposed to nearly every danger that Maryland traffic can dish out, with no real protection save some leather and a DOT-approved helmet.

As we stated earlier, being aware and ready for trouble is no guarantee of actually avoiding it on the road. Rockville, Washington, D.C., Gaithersburg and Annapolis expressways and surface streets have been the scene of many serious and fatal motorcycle wrecks over the years. For most any motorcyclist, even the most minor accident can result in painful personal injuries such as road rash, deep lacerations, broken bones and even spinal cord damage.

As we age, our bodies can become less tolerant of injury, which is why it may be important for older bikers to keep in mind that what experts have been saying; that older motorcycle riders who are involved in serious traffic accidents tend to have a lower rate of survivability than younger riders, given the same circumstances.

Baltimore Motorcycle Injury Update: Older Maryland Bikers at Greater Risk of Death from Bike Wrecks

December 14, 2011 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Motorcycle riders are certainly a group unto their own. There are no doubt many average passenger car drivers who consider anyone riding a Yamaha, Harley, Honda or Ducatti cycle to be a rebel hell-bent on destruction. To the contrary, as motorcycle accident lawyers, my firm understands that not every biker is a rebel in this way; instead most motorcycle riders are individualists who take the risk of their pastime in stride, if only because they enjoy the feeling of freedom and being apart from the crowd.

Common misperceptions aside, motorcycle riders — as well as motor-scooter users — are usually rather safety conscious; perhaps even more so than the typical car, SUV or truck driver, because their lives are on the line, not just the sheetmetal of their vehicle. Talk to most any motorcyclist and you may begin to understand the combination of passion and risk management that keeps these people riding year after year.

But as we all know, whether here in the Baltimore area, Frederick, Hagerstown or Washington, D.C., traffic collisions between motorcycles and cars, as well as accidents involving commercial trucks, happen more often than anyone would like. For a biker, even a minor crash can result in some serious and painful bodily injuries. Road rash, cuts and bruises and dislocated joints are usually the least of one’s problems following a motorcycle crash.

Motorcycle Injury Accident News: Harley-Davidson Rider Killed in Crash with SUV in Cecil County

November 30, 2011 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

As far as motorcycling is concerned, there are numerous factors that conspire to challenge even the best of riders. Many times these “challenges” bring with them the prospect of injury or potential death due to the rather unforgiving nature of the pastime. Bikers must contend with dangers such as poor weather and road conditions, lack of visibility due to a motorcycle’s narrow vertical profile, and relative lack of protection bikes afford their riders.

Even the least significant bike crash can cause injuries such as cuts, bruises and dislocated joints. More severe motorcycle accidents — those involving collisions with commercial delivery trucks or passenger cars — can result in the biker sustaining broken bones, neck and spinal cord damage, and even traumatic brain injury. As personal injury lawyers serving the residents of Maryland and Washington, D.C., I and my colleagues are familiar with the range of bodily injury that can result from a bad traffic accident.

For most drivers of passenger cars, it is hard to imagine that motorcycle riders enjoy putting themselves in what is perceived by most of the motoring public as a constant state of peril. But understanding the drive and enthusiasm of the average motorcyclist, we can appreciate the draw that the open road has for this group of motorists.

Maryland Motorcycle Accident Update: Biker Injuries, Potential Fatalities Caused by Car, Truck Collisions; Other Factors

November 12, 2011 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Motorcycling here in Maryland, whether one is a full-time rider or fair-weather cruiser, can be a rewarding albeit risky pastime. Although most of the road-going public prefers to travel by passenger car, city bus or taxi cab, bikers are a breed unto themselves. Unfortunately, the very thing that makes riding a cycle unique and exciting also means that potential danger lurks around every bend. The fact of the matter is that all motorcyclists must be vigilant and ready for almost any eventuality.

As Baltimore motorcycle accident attorneys and Maryland personal injury lawyers, I and my staff know how quickly a fun ride can turn into tragedy. As counsel for road accident victims, as well as their families, we understand the pain and suffering that one person can be exposed to as a result of another person’s negligent actions. Sadly, the very nature of motorcycling means that injuries are commonplace and fatal crashes hardly unusual.

If one is lucky enough to survive a traffic collision between, for instance, a commercial vehicle such as an 18-wheeler or delivery box truck, some kind of bodily injury is the norm. Aside from the usual road rash, broken bones and compound fractures can occur, as do lacerations and internal injuries. Helmets can make a big difference in survivability of a crash, but even so a biker can sustain life-threatening injuries (such as closed-head trauma and spinal cord damage) very easily and without much

As motorcycle injury lawyers, we are familiar with the many and various ways in which a biker can be hurt in a traffic wreck. Whether a crash involves just the bike, or another vehicle, the effect on the rider can be many times more severe than that experienced by a passenger car or commercial truck driver. This is due in large part to the relative lack of protection afforded by the cycle versus other, larger motor vehicles.

Because of the higher risk of injury or death, motorcyclists typically exercise extreme caution when sharing the road with other vehicles, especially in high-speed traffic or when riding through densely-populated urban centers.

With the aforementioned in mind, we would like to provide a few safety tips for the conscientious rider. The most obvious warning is that bike accidents can happen nearly anytime of the night or day. Whether you ride to live or live to ride, there are many different kinds of motorcycle accidents, some of which happen more often than others.

Single-bike Accidents
Bikes lend their owners a unique feeling of freedom, something that most car and truck drivers will likely never experience in a closed vehicle. And although motorcycles are fast, highly maneuverable and a joy to ride, the inherent instability of having just two wheels one the road can make them more susceptible to skidding and sliding on poor or uneven road surfaces, which can result in a serious accident caused by laying the bike down or high-siding and throwing the rider off.

Montgomery County Motorcycle Accident News: Maryland Driver Charged in Fatal Hit-and-Run Scooter Crash

October 31, 2011 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Although the driving public at large may feel differently, the sometimes common perception that motorcycle crashes are a result of aggressive driving on the part of the motorcyclist. Frankly, most bikers are actually rather good riders who enjoy their chosen mode of transportation very seriously; enjoying it both as a pastime and an economical way to get around cities like Frederick, Bowie, Hagerstown and the District.

The truth of the matter is that many of the serious and fatal traffic collisions involving cars, trucks and motorcycles occur because the other motorist — be he or she a passenger car driver or commercial trucker — quite simply fails to see or recognize the motorcycle and its rider until it is too late. Many roadway accidents happen because the rider-bike combination presents a much smaller and less familiar profile than what drivers of four-wheelers tend to expect. It’s a matter of conditioning; and most car, truck and SUV drivers have little impetus to watch out for bikers; that is until it’s too late.

Not seeing a biker can be as simple a situation as the rider and his machine being eclipsed by another larger vehicle — basically out of sight from oncoming passenger car drivers. This can be a very dangerous situation, especially at intersections or busy shopping mall entrances. Weather can play a part as well; as do nighttime conditions. But these only increase the chances that a motorist, who may not be concentrating, might hit a biker. Drivers who don’t expect a motorcycle to be approaching, or who are impatient when attempting to make a left turn or pass another motor vehicle, are more likely to miss seeing a bike until it’s too late.

As Maryland personal injury attorneys and auto accident lawyers, I and my staff know that many motorcycle injury accidents could possibly be prevented if only passenger car and commercial truck drivers would take that little bit of extra effort to double-check for a biker in the area before executing a maneuver. Just this simple attempt to confirm is a bike is coming up could transform a potentially deadly turning or merging operation into what it should be: a routine and ordinary event with no victim.

Baltimore Personal Injury News: Harford County Motorcycle Wreck on Rte 1 Kills Towson, MD, Firefighter

October 17, 2011 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Lives lost as a result of senseless traffic accidents is a sad and tragic fact of life these days here in Maryland and Washington, D.C. Whether it’s a family losing a father or mother, or a wife’s loss of a husband to a commercial trucking wreck, there are no words that can console the victim’s loved ones. Any loss of life can be devastating to the relatives and friends of person killed in a fatal roadway collision.

Communities also suffer from the deadly results of a thoughtless driver’s negligent actions. While police officers and firefighters face the danger of personal injury and possible death every working day of their lives, it is a shame that numerous public servants are killed while off duty every year. Again, with most car, truck and motorcycle collisions being preventable, on the whole, these victims are stolen from their families and communities long before their time.

As Baltimore motorcycle accident lawyers and Washington, D.C., personal injury attorneys, I and my staff feel for the families of any person injured or killed in a traffic mishap. And even though many bikers understand the dangers inherent in their sport or chosen mode of transportation, when a crash does occur, it’s never a comfort to say they knew the risks.

But if one operates a cycle long enough, chances are you will become involved in an accident or have a brush with death or injury as a result of a close call. Whether one’s chosen ride is a sport bike, hog, cruiser or dirt bike, the lure of the open road and the freedom that a motorcycle represents is irresistible to many. Whether you live or ride to work in densely-packed metropolitan areas such as Annapolis, Rockville or Gaithersburg; or if you enjoy the relatively open rural roads, every biker understands the dangers posed by this sport.

In fact, it makes no real difference if one rides a Honda, Suzuki, Harley or Yamaha, motorcycling as a pastime is right up there with other rather risky hobbies. Any high-risk activity requires a modicum of caution, but to survive on a bike one needs to apply a balance of pleasure and the potential danger for physical harm.

Accidents do happen. And for motorcyclists the results can be serious, or even fatal. Just one severe injury accident can land a biker in the hospital for day, weeks, and even months or years. (Closed-head trauma is a typical injury most commonly associated with motorcycle accidents.) Even those individuals who choose to wear protective gear, including a helmet, can still suffer from paralysis, cognitive problems and even death.

Maryland Traffic Accident Injury News: Baltimore County Rider Killed in Fatal Drunken-driving Roadway Collision

October 10, 2011 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

The odds of being killed in a car, motorcycle or commercial trucking accident are somewhat less than those of being severely injured as a result of another driver’s negligence, but the risk still remains. As motorcycle riders know too well, injury or death are just part of the landscape when operating a cycle. In fact, thousands of people die in traffic accidents every year across this nation; in this regard, residents of Rockville, Gaithersburg and Washington, D.C., are no strangers to fatal motor vehicle wrecks.

Although being injured or killed in a multi-vehicle collision is not unusual, there are situations where a cyclist is at greater risk, sometimes without knowing it. Drunk driving is one of the many contributing factors to motorcycle injury accidents. As Maryland personal injury lawyers, we have seen the results of fatal highway wrecks that have ultimately led to a wrongful death lawsuit on the victim’s behalf.

Alcohol consumption and motor vehicle operation is a dangerous mix. As Maryland and Washington, D.C., auto injury attorneys, I and my staff have seen many people who have been hurt as a direct result of a drunk driver. These instances of serious or fatal car accidents caused by drunken driving continue to occur despite state laws designed to reduce and eliminate the problem.

Anyone who has ever lost a family member or loved one through the senseless act of drunk driving knows the heartache associated with these mostly preventable accidents. Victims’ families not only experience a huge emotional loss, but they can be affected financially as well, especially if the victim was a family breadwinner. While nothing can make a family whole again following a fatal car or motorcycle accident, recuperating medical costs and lost wages may help the surviving family members make it through one of the darkest periods of their lives.

Not long ago, a Parkton, MD, resident was killed while riding his bike along a stretch of York Rd. Sadly, this crash may have been avoided since news reports indicate that the driver of the vehicle which hit the rider may have been drunk at the time of the crash.