Articles Posted in Fatal Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycles are fundamentally less crashworthy than other types of vehicles. By nature, they are less visible to other drivers and less stable than larger closed vehicles. As such, Maryland motorcycle riders tend to sustain more significant injuries in accidents. Studies by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) indicate that over 5,000 people died in a motorcycle crash in the most recent reporting year.

Many factors increase the likelihood of a Maryland motorcycle accident. Like other car accidents, road geography, time of day, environmental factors, and driver error all play a role in these crashes. While warmer weather generally brings more travelers, summer draws more motorcyclists, unlike other peak travel times. Although many motorcycle riders exhibit appropriate road safety, those who have had several months of hiatus may not appropriately assess risk or their level of expertise.

Further, greater traffic, increased impaired driving, and road construction contribute to an accident’s likelihood. Generally, motorcycles have a much higher risk of being hit on the road than other vehicles. For example, Maryland State Police confirmed the death of a motorcycle rider following a three-vehicle crash. An initial investigation reveals that a Harley Davidson motorcycle rider traveled west when a Honda Pilot driver moved over into the westbound lane. A Hyundai driver traveling behind the motorcycle slammed into both vehicles. The motorcyclist was ejected from his bike and fell on the Hyundai. The three vehicles caught on fire, and the biker died at the accident scene. Emergency responders transported the Honda Pilot driver to a hospital for his injuries.

Although motorcycles are a fast, trendy, and convenient way to get around, they often pose unique safety concerns to those who ride them and the drivers they share the road with.

For riders, they are more at risk compared to passenger vehicle drivers because they do not have the benefit of a car to protect them in the event of an accident. For drivers, motorcyclists can be hard to see, especially when weather conditions are poor or visibility is low. Understanding the dangers associated with these accidents is beneficial for anyone who is on the road—and for remaining as safe and proactive as possible.

According to a recent news report, a man was killed after a motorcycle and SUV collided. Local authorities reported that the SUV and motorcycle ran into each other head-on, and the motorcyclist was pronounced dead on the scene. The SUV driver stayed at the scene and cooperated with first responders. The accident remains under investigation.

It’s been a tough couple of years for many people. The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in immeasurable losses for many families. Whether it’s due to the loss of family members, layoffs, or the feeling of isolation, many people feel as though they are at the end of their rope. Not surprisingly, the rate of Maryland road rage incidents has increased significantly since the beginning of the pandemic.

What Is Road Rage?

Road rage is a type of aggressive driving that crosses the line from “negligent” to “illegal.” Road rage often includes actions that are intended to physically harm or intimidate another motorist. Road rage is illegal, and may form the basis of a personal injury lawsuit. Unfortunately, motorcyclists are often the target of road rage, which often ends in a motorcycle accident.

Some of the most common types of road rage include:

• Throwing objects from a moving vehicle;
• Using a car to block another person or vehicle;
• Intentionally hitting a person or vehicle;
• Yelling curse words or threats out the window;
• Intentionally cutting off another vehicle; and
• Running another driver off the road.

Given the dangers of this type of behavior, road rage accidents are not uncommon. For example, a recent survey revelated that 82 percent of drivers admit to committing an act of road rage within the past year. And over the past seven years, there have been at least 12,600 injuries caused by road rage and another 218 road-rage-related deaths. What’s worse, over the past ten years, there has been a 500 percent increase in the number of road rage accidents.

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When driving, it can often be hard for drivers to spot motorcyclists, especially if road or weather conditions are poor. Because motorcycle drivers do not have the protective casing and shell of a traditional car to protect them in the event of an accident, collisions involving a motorcycle and a car can often lead to significant injuries and even death. For drivers and motorcyclists alike, remaining vigilant on the road and exercising certain best practices can keep everyone safe.

According to a recent news report, a major motorcycle accident left one man dead. Local police responded to a four-vehicle crash at an intersection where investigators determined that a motorcycle that was traveling west collided with a Dodge that was turning left. The initial collision then caused both the Dodge and the motorcycle to crash into a Ford that was stopped at the traffic light. The motorcycle then also collided with a Toyota that was stopped at the light. After this series of collisions, the motorcycle driver was thrown from his bike and pronounced dead at the scene. According to local authorities, no one else involved in the accident was seriously injured or hurt. Although the accident remains under investigation, police believe that speed may have been a contributing factor in the accident.

Inexperience, driving under the influence, left-hand turns, speeding, and negligent or reckless driving are among the most common causes of motorcycle accidents. In addition, unsafe lane changes, car doors, lane splitting, and sudden stops also contribute to a number of motorcycle accidents each year. At intersections, motorcyclists are particularly susceptible to accidents. In fact, approximately 70 percent of motorcycle collisions take place at intersections.

Motorcyclists, including riders and their passengers, have the highest risk of fatalities among all motor vehicle operators. Although many people view motorcycling as an extreme mode of transportation, most riders operate their vehicles aware of their vulnerable position.

Like many Maryland accidents, motorcycle crashes are complex events that may have been influenced by various factors. These factors may include human error, vehicle defects, and environmental influences. However, while human error is the leading cause of motorcycle accidents, many of these errors are on the part of other road users and not the biker. However, given the biker’s vulnerable position, these accidents are more likely to lead to a fatality.

For instance, a recent news radio station reported that a motorcycle rider died in an accident involving a pickup truck. According to reports, the pickup truck driver was traveling southbound, approaching an intersection. The driver entered the highway in the path of a westbound motorcycle. The pickup slammed into the motorcycle, and the rider was ejected onto the roadway, where two eastbound drivers struck the vicitm. The motorcyclist was wearing a helmet, but he suffered fatal injuries and died at the accident scene.

Any experienced Maryland motorcycle accident attorney knows the effect that bias and profiling can have on an accident victim. The American Motorcycle Association (AMA) frequently educates the public on the impact of discriminatory enforcement actions targeting motorcyclists. While the state has a law to ban motorcycle profiling, the reality is that this bias is deeply embedded in society. The result of this bias often leaves motorcycle accident victims with overwhelming challenges. An attorney is a critical resource in overcoming these fundamentally unfair biases.

According to the Maryland Department of Transportation, annually, the state experiences nearly 1,800 motorcycle accidents. Further, motorcycle riders are ten times more likely to suffer serious injuries than other vehicles. Moreover, Maryland’s strict contributory negligence laws compounded with biker bias often result in hefty financial burdens on the accident victim.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Maryland Motorycle Accidents?

Motorcycle accidents can occur because of a variety of factors. Certain types of accidents, such as left-turn collisions and failure-to-yield, tend to result in litigation. However, accidents can stem from any form of driver negligence.

On its face, parking lot and parking garage accidents and lawsuits may seem similar; however, they often fall under two different legal theories. While car and motorcycle accidents often occur on highways or congested roadways, parking lot and garage accidents are quite common. Even though cars tend to be traveling at lower speeds in these areas, the accidents can still result in devastating consequences. Injury victims should contact a Maryland motorcycle accident attorney to discuss their recovery options.

A recent news report described a parking lot accident between a motorcyclist and a box truck. According to an initial investigation, the motorcyclist was leaving a restaurant parking lot when he pulled in front of a box truck. The truck driver attempted to veer out of the way but could not. The motorcyclist died at a local hospital, however, local authorities stated that the driver will not face criminal charges.

What Are the Main Casues of Accidents in Parking Lots?

Parking lot accidents can occur in various situations, such as when vehicles are backing out of a spot, turning out of a lot, or entering space simultaneously. Contrary to what many people believe, drivers are not automatically equally at-fault for a parking lot accident. Instead, courts treat these cases like any other vehicle accident. Insurance companies and courts make liability determinations by looking at the totality of the circumstances. However, even in cases where fault and liability are apparent, defendants may present affirmative defenses to avoid liability. For this reason, it is best to consult with an experienced personal injury attorney before filing your case.

Following a major accident that results in the death of a loved one, it can often feel overwhelming as you get their affairs in order and manage the fallout of losing someone close to you. If the death of your loved one was the result of another party’s negligence or carelessness, however, you may have grounds to file a wrongful death lawsuit—and hold those who are responsible for the accident accountable for their actions.

According to a recent news report, a 13-year-old boy was killed in a hit and run crash. Local authorities reported that a truck was driving north when it struck the boy, who was riding his bicycle. The boy was killed as a result of the crash and the pickup truck fled the scene. State highway patrol is seeking assistance from the public in identifying and locating the pickup truck involved in the crash, and the accident remains under investigation.

Following a major accident that is the result of the at-fault party’s negligence or carelessness, potential plaintiffs should consider filing a wrongful death lawsuit. Although the at-fault party in the case described previously may face criminal penalties for fleeing the scene in Maryland, this only results in criminal charges, rather than monetary compensation. To receive monetary compensation for their actions, potential plaintiffs must file a separate lawsuit in civil court to do so.