Fatal Motorcycle Accidents

Maryland Motorcycle Safety Update: Don’t Let Enthusiasm for Warmer Weather Lead to Serious Motorcycle Crash

March 9, 2011 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Having worked for years as a Baltimore personal injury attorney and auto accident lawyer, I have seen the result of numerous motorcycle accidents. In fact, just a look at the local news during the year and one will likely find a string of bike accident articles. Whether you live in Annapolis, the District, Frederick or Gaithersburg, MD, motorcycle collisions involving passenger cars, light trucks and commercial deliver vehicles are not uncommon during the riding season.

No biker, regardless whether he or she is a Harley, Honda, Triumph or Vespa fan, will deny that motorcycles, scooters and mopeds offer virtually no protection to their operators in the case of a traffic accident. Nevertheless, this fact has hardly discouraged the tens of thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts to hit the road every year as temps warm up and the snow and ice melt away.

As a motorcycle accident attorney, I truly understand the lure of the open road for many individuals. But that doesn’t change the fact that a motorcycle wreck, whether caused by poor weather conditions, another driver’s error or equipment failure, can be much more severe than the average car accident under similar circumstances. Much of this is due to the relatively poor protection that a bike provides to its rider.

Maryland Motorcycle Injury News: Carroll County Driver Faces Prison for Fatal Drunk Driving Crash with Biker

February 17, 2011 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

A resident of Carroll County, MD, recently pled guilty in a Howard County court room to the fatal drunk driving-related motorcycle-car collision that killed a 68-year-old woman who had been riding on the back of her husband’s bike. The accident took place on Rte 40 when now 23-year-old Alison Walsh, 23, reportedly drove her Honda Civic into the back of the cycle being driven by a 74-year-old man, Antonio Amato, and his wife, Cecilia.

According to news reports, Amato told police that the couple’s motorcycle was stopped at a red signal along a stretch of Rte 40 at the intersection of Marriottsville Rd at the time of the crash. Amato stated that his bike was sitting approximately 15ft from the intersection when they were hit from behind by Walsh’s car.

As a Baltimore motorcycle accident lawyer and Maryland personal injury attorney, I know that this kind of accident can cause severe injuries and sometimes death. In this particular case, the man’s wife was riding on the back of the bike and was thrown off as a result of the impact. Even with the use of a helmet, brain trauma and spinal damage can result from this type of traffic accident.

Baltimore Personal Injury News: Thoughts on Motorcycle Safety and Traffic Accidents in the Off Season

January 21, 2011 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Looking forward, and at this point we’d say rather far forward, to spring and the new riding season, motorcyclists will at some point be getting back on the road. When that time comes, there will likely be some more intrepid riders heading out early. Whether you ride a Yamaha, Harley, Honda or Suzuki, when the next clear and warm riding day arrives bikes will start to make their appearance all across the state.

As a Maryland personal injury lawyer and motorcycle accident attorney, I know that as the snows melt and the roads dry out, motorists will start to encounter bikes on the street again. There is a danger during those early weeks, however, for riders and their passengers. It’s a good guess that passenger car and commercial truck drivers will need to acclimate to motorcycles being out on the roadways.

Especially for those die-hard bikers who venture out early in the season, it’s good to be aware that four-wheelers aren’t expecting these smaller and faster bikes being in traffic again. Use caution during those early weeks, when riders are fewer in number. The question we need to ask ourselves is whether or not motorcycle-car accidents may increase as riders begin to hit the road, due in part because car, minivan, SUV and semi drivers have become less conscious of motorcycles during a long and nasty winter season.

Maryland Motorcycle Accident Report: Rider Dies following Hit-and-Run Traffic Collision in Baltimore

December 6, 2010 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

It’s a tragedy when anyone is killed in a senseless Maryland traffic accident, but to lose a loved one as a result of a fatal hit-and-run crash, that is a double blow to a family that is already reeling from the loss. As a Maryland automobile injury lawyer, I have represented victims of car, bike and commercial trucking accidents over the years. One thing that never seems to change is the sadness of families of people killed in by negligent drivers.

When a motorist is found to have operated his or her vehicle in a negligent manner that results a catastrophic traffic accident, that person should be held liable for the injury or wrongful death of the victim or victims. In some cases, the state will want its pound of flesh too, meaning the defendant could also wind up spending time in jail. Whatever the circumstances, it doesn’t change the fact that careless or reckless acts committed by another individual, whether a passenger car driver or professional truck driver, can have long lasting effects on the victim and his or her family.

A little while back, a man was killed in a hit-and-run accident here in Baltimore. At the time of the news report, police were still looking for the suspect, who was reportedly driving a black Mercedes-Benz at the time of the crash. These kinds of accidents can be hard to solve, but the fact that the driver fled the scene may indicate the potential for negligence on his or her part.

Maryland Motorcycle Injury News: Deer Blamed for Fatal Multi-vehicle Accident that Killed Glen Burnie Biker

November 30, 2010 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

While winter may be here to stay for some time, it’s important to remember that motorcycle accidents can and do happen at the most unlikely times and for sometimes unexpected reasons. As a Baltimore auto accident attorney and motorcycle injury lawyer, I’ve seen enough news articles and police accident reports to know that bikers are at high risk for injury and death when traveling on our public roads.

Especially during the off-season for riders, fewer passenger car and commercial truck drivers are looking for motorcycles in the colder months. Riders already know they are relatively invisible and therefore more apt to be hit by another, larger motor vehicle. The results, of course, can be tragic.

It wasn’t long that a motorcyclist from Anne Arundel County died in a multi-car accident on Solley Road when a deer apparently bolted out into the street. According to police, the accident happened late on a Saturday night when 34-year-old John Fabian III and a passenger where riding on the man’s ‘96 Honda Shadow near Nabbs Creek Road.

Baltimore Motorcycle Accident News: Bikers Must Stay Focused to Avoid Serious or Deadly Crashes

November 14, 2010 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

As the motorcycle season winds down here in Maryland, now is not the time to take your mind off the road and all those cars, minivans and large commercial trucks out there. As any rider who wants to avoid a traffic accident knows, bikes are nearly invisible to many motorists mainly because of their small profile and their even fewer numbers when compared to the thousands of four-wheeled motor vehicles on the roadways.

As a Baltimore motorcycle accident lawyer and Washington, D.C., injury attorney, I understand how easily a carefree ride can turn bad, usually with a collision between a bike and a much larger and more imposing passenger vehicle. Make no mistake, many bike riders involved in an automobile or commercial truck accident suffer life altering injuries, if they are even lucky enough to survive in the first place.

And it is a sad fact that a certain percentage of motorcycle riders are killed in traffic accidents. It is with this reminder that we say, please ride defensively and live to see another day. On that note, there was a story of a seasoned biker who was killed earlier in the year as a result of not being easily seen.

Maryland Motorcycle News: Traffic Accident, Crime Victims Meet in Baltimore, Share Stories of Grief

October 21, 2010 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Nothing can bring back a loved one who has been killed in a senseless automobile accident, or taken by a bullet from a criminal’s gun. As a Maryland personal injury attorney, I’ve seen first-hand the torment that victim’s families experience in the wake of an untimely death. Whether caused by the negligence of a passenger car driver, the operator of an 18-wheeler, or a seasoned criminal, the anger and pain seems to never quite go away.

For the victims of fatal motorcycle accidents, their families are always left wondering what if. What if he didn’t go for a ride that afternoon? What if he stayed the night instead of heading home after dark? What if it was someone else behind the wheel of the car who hit him? None of these questions can be answered to anyone’s satisfaction. But still the second-guessing continues.

Not long ago eight victims of violent crime and motor vehicle accidents met in Baltimore to share their stories of grief and frustration with each other and cities officials. According to one report, the group included residents of Baltimore, Anne Arundel, Harford, Cecil and Howard counties. Families and victims alike told their stories in front of a panel at Long Reach High School. It was the second of several such regional meetings being held statewide.

Baltimore Biker Accident News: Maryland Teenager Killed, Father Injured in Harford County Motorcycle Crash

September 9, 2010 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

The loss of any life to a senseless traffic accident is tragic to say the least, but the death of a young person is doubly so. Motor vehicle collisions happen quite frequently, but motorcyclists especially know that danger lurks around every corner. What can start out as a pleasant afternoon ride can end in pain and costly medical care, and that’s if one is lucky.

As a Baltimore motorcycle accident lawyer and personal injury attorney, my sympathies go out to anyone who loses a loved one as a result of a bike accident. Regardless of whether you ride a chopper, cruiser, standard or so-called “crotch rocket,” every rider faces the same set of risks on Maryland’s roadways.

Any kind of accident is hard for the survivors to deal with, but a single-bike crash can leave them wondering what went wrong. Although driver error is always at the top of the lit, other factors can conspire to cause an accident. Defective brakes, wheel bearings, faulty tires and poor motorcycle maintenance are just a few of the potential causes of a serious wreck.

Baltimore Motorcycling Accident News: Hyattsville Man Dies, Passenger Injured in Prince George’s County Motorcycle Crash

August 31, 2010 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Products liability covers a range of topics one of which is defective vehicle equipment that may be responsible for motorcycle, trucking and passenger car accidents. Faulty, poorly designed, or incorrectly maintained vehicle components, systems and safety equipment has been known to be the main cause a many vehicle crashes and resulting traffic accidents.

As a Maryland personal injury attorney who represents bikers injured as a result of a crash on a highway, rural road or city street, my main objective to help that victim and his or her family recover various medical cost and lost wages suffered as a result of the accident. For families who have lost a loved one as a result of a bike crash, the burden can be especially hard when the deceased was the primary breadwinner for the family.

If defective equipment is to blame, there may be a third party to consider in a suit. It’s not uncommon for defective equipment and components to be a source of both minor and serious motorcycle accidents. Depending on the particular system that failed on the bike, the resulting wreck can cause injuries from cuts and bruises to internal bleeding, permanent spinal cord damage and even fatal brain trauma.

Baltimore Biker Injury News: Maryland Woman Dies When Husband Loses Control of Couple’s Harley Motorcycle

August 23, 2010 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Without a doubt, motorcycle riding gives its fans a wonderful experience of freedom and adventure. There is little in the way of affordable fun that provides that same level of joy and excitement on the open road. But as a Maryland motorcycle accident attorney, I know the downside to all that fun and adventure. Sadly, when a rider is involved in a highway accident, especially at cruising speeds or involving a large commercial truck, the result can be nothing less than tragic.

While riding provides an unparalleled traveling experience, the pleasure of a two-wheel excursion must always be balanced against the dangers inherent with the sport. Not long ago a news article point out that fact in no uncertain terms.

According to the article, a woman was killed when the bike she and her husband were traveling on went out of control and crashed in Baltimore County. Based on police reports, the accident occurred on Putty Hill Avenue just after 12:30am in mid-July.