Maryland Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Blog
Last week, a Burbank jury found Los Angeles County liable to a motorcyclist in the amount of $773,000 for negligent road repairs causing the motorcyclist to slide out of control. According to a report by the Los Angeles Daily News, roadside crews repairing the highway left loose gravel on the road where they were working. As one motorcyclist was traveling down that section of the road, he slipped on the gravel and lost control, crashing into another motorcyclist. Both motorcyclists were taken to the hospital for their injuries.
The motorcyclist who was hit was a 71-year-old man who suffered spinal fractures as a result of the crash. Doctors testified that he was just a half inch way from being completely paralyzed.
In response, the 71-year-old man decided to sue the County of Los Angeles for negligently leaving the gravel on the road, which caused the other motorcyclist to slip out and, in turn, collide with him.
The Trial, Verdict, and Award
At trial, the jury determined that the County of Los Angeles was 100% at fault for the accident. The jury awarded the elderly motorcyclist damages of $123,000 for past and future medical expenses as well as an award of $640,000 for past and future pain and suffering.
The motorcyclist also sued the other motorcyclist involved in the accident. However, the jury determined that the first motorcyclist was not at all at fault for the accident.
Negligence Cases in Maryland Motorcycle Accidents
In Maryland, accident victims are able to bring a suit in negligence against parties who cause serious accidents resulting in harm to them or their families. As illustrated above, the liable party does not necessarily need to be another driver.
In some cases, state, city, or county governments endeavor to complete a road construction project, but leave the project in an unsafe state when they are in the middle of working on it. When this happens, and a driver gets into an accident due to the unsafe road condition, that driver has a cause of action against the local government based on the theory of negligence.
Motorcycles are particularly susceptible to even the most minor unsafe road condition. However, this does not decrease the government’s duty to ensure that the roads are safe to travel on, even in the slightest.
Have You Been Involved in a Maryland Motorcycle Accident?
If you or a loved one has recently been involved in a Maryland motorcycle accident, you may be entitled to monetary damages, depending on the specific facts of your case. Like in the case above, an accident victim who properly shows that another party is responsible for their injuries is generally able to recover amounts for past medical bills, future medical expenses, as well as a separate amount for any pain and suffering caused by the accident. If you would like to find out more about how to recover from your accident, contact a Maryland motorcycle accident attorney. Click here, or call 410-654-3600 today to schedule a free initial consultation.
More Blog Posts:
SUV and Motorcycle Collide in Texas, Injuring Four, Maryland Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Blog, published January 20, 2014.
Pennsylvania Man Pleads Guilty to Involuntary Manslaughter and Reckless Driving After Killing Motorcyclist, Maryland Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Blog, published February 25, 2014.