Motorcycle Injury Accidents

AMA Expects Washington, D.C., Motorcycle Fatality Rate to Increase in 2009

August 9, 2009 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

According to a report from the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration), 2008 saw a total of 38 motorcycle riders killed in the District of Columbia and other nearby jurisdictions. Most recently, Peter Horst of the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) says his organization anticipates this figure will balloon in 2009.

Already this August, three motorcyclists died in less than two days as a result of multiple-vehicle traffic accidents. Although the economy has caused a decrease in the sales of motorcycles, riders who have bikes are using them more than usual in an effort to save on gas money.

For 2008, the number of U.S. traffic injuries and fatalities for every motor vehicle category dropped — all except the motorcycle accident category. Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C. may have bucked the trend last year, but as our D.C. accident lawyers reported earlier in this post the total for 2009 is expected to be greater.

Married Couple Severely Hurt after Their Motorcycle Crashes on Route 29 in Columbia, Maryland

June 19, 2009 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Emergency responders from Howard County recently responded to a serious motorcycle injury accident on the southbound lanes of Maryland’s Route 29 near Seneca Drive. Reportedly, a husband and wife riding two-up on a BMW R75/6 contacted a guardrail during the afternoon of June 8 near Columbia, MD. Both riders were transported to the R. Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore for treatment of their injuries.

According to Howard County police, 55-year-old Timothy Danaher was operating the couple’s motorcycle with his wife, Diana Danaher, also 55 years old, riding on the back of the same bike. News articles state that the motorcyle somehow veered to the left causing the vehicle to strike a roadside guardrail — the reason for accident was as yet unknown. Both riders were thrown off the bike. After being admitted to the hospital, Mrs. Danaher’s condition was listed as fair, however her husband was in critical condition.

Without a doubt, motorcycle accidents can inflict some of the worst injuries for the operator and any other person riding along as well. As Maryland motorcycle accident lawyers, we have a great deal of experience in injury accident cases just like this one. Although the Howard County police department’s traffic enforcement section was still investigating the crash, from the sound of it, this accident may have happened due to a defective part or perhaps improper maintenance. Regardless of the cause, the husband’s injuries could be severe, and may include traumatic brain injury or damage to the spinal cord.

Off-duty Annapolis Police Officer Hurt on I-95 After Crashing Motorcycle into Construction Vehicle

June 11, 2009 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

An off-duty Annapolis police officer was seriously hurt when he rode his motorcycle into the rearend of a construction vehicle on Interstate 95, near Route 216 in Scaggsville, Maryland. The two-vehicle crash happened close to midnight on May 31 — the incident caused law enforcement personnel to close down the highway for about 60 minutes.

The 28-year-old rider, Edwin Caraballo of Pikesville, MD, has been working about 12 months for the Annapolis Police Department. According to Maryland State Police, Caraballo sustained multiple injuries as well as being knocked unconscious when he apparently rode his 2004 Suzuki motorcycle at a rather high rate of speed directly into the back of the truck.

Police investigators report that Caraballo was travelling on I-95 when suddenly changed lanes apparently not knowing that his newly chosen lane was being shut down for construction. The man slammed into the rear of a Chevy work truck.

When police arrived, they found Caraballo unconscious in the roadway. Howard County Fire and Rescue personnel attempted to revive him and he was subsequently flown to the Maryland Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore, where he was listed in serious but stable condition. Reports indicate that the man only had knee and arm injuries, which makes him lucky because incidents like this can easily result in traumatic brain injuries or worse.

According to reports, the off-duty officer was not riding with the proper documentation for his bike or himself. State police charged him with negligent driving, driving an uninsured vehicle, and driving without current registration and a proper driver’s license for a motorcycle.