Maryland Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Blog
Maryland motorcyclists might be surprised to learn that one of the most fatal traffic situations is one they are in regularly: left turns. Turning left while driving or riding a motorcycle is typically unavoidable for most people because left turns are commonly necessary to get to places they regularly visit, such as work, the grocery store, or a family member’s house. Unfortunately, however, these turns can be quite dangerous, especially for motorcyclists because the drivers of other vehicles often have a difficult time accurately assessing the speed at which an oncoming motorcycle is traveling.
According to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Association, turning left is considered a “leading critical pre-crash event.” In fact, 22.2 percent of all crashes involve someone turning left, as do approximately 61 percent of crashes that take place while someone is turning or crossing an intersection. Additionally, CNN recently reported that left turns are three times more likely to kill pedestrians than right turns are. Because of these dangers, some commercial drivers, such as those who drive UPS trucks, avoid left turns as much as they can.
Left turns are especially dangerous for motorcyclists who are largely exposed on the road and do not have a large vehicle surrounding them to absorb the shock or force of an impact. For example, take a recent crash that occurred in Gulfport, Mississippi. According to a local news report covering the incident, a 35-year-old man was driving a Harley Davidson motorcycle when he tragically struck a pick-up truck that was turning left. Due to the force of impact, and the fact that the motorcyclists’ body was largely unprotected from the crash, the motorcyclist was killed and pronounced dead on the scene.
This tragic event illustrates the risk of left turns to motorcyclists and the importance of taking precautionary steps when driving, and especially when making a left turn. To minimize risk, anyone operating a motor vehicle and turning left should always use their turn signal, check their blind spots, and avoid cutting corners. Additionally, and perhaps most importantly, those making left turns should always make sure that there is no risk of hitting oncoming traffic or any pedestrians crossing the street. Small precautionary steps such as these can literally be the difference between life and death while making a left turn.
Contact a Maryland Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
In the aftermath of a Maryland motorcycle accident, injured victims and their loved ones may have more important things to worry about than contacting a lawyer. However, if you have recently been injured in a motorcycle accident, you understand the financial toll those accidents can take on victims, stemming primarily from medical bills and lost wages. Maryland law allows you to file suit to recover those costs and more, but the process can be complicated. To get help, contact Lebowitz & Mzhen, Personal Injury Lawyers. With dedicated and compassionate attorneys experienced in personal injury law, you can trust that our firm will handle your case skillfully from beginning to end. To learn more and schedule a free initial consultation, call us today at 800-654-1949.