Maryland Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Blog
Earlier this month, one Maryland man was killed when he was struck by another vehicle while riding on a motorcycle in Upper Marlboro. According to a local news report covering the fatal accident, the collision occurred in the evening hours on Maryland Route 202 near the intersection with Robert Lewis Drive.
Evidently, the motorcyclist was heading southbound on MD 202 when a westbound vehicle traveling on Robert Lewis Drive attempted to make a left-hand turn onto northbound MD 202. As the vehicle executed the turn, it traveled directly into the path of the motorcycle, leaving the operator no time to avoid the collision. The motorcyclist crashed into the side of the vehicle, sending the motorcyclist off the bike and onto the pavement. He later died from the injuries he sustained in the accident. As it turns out, the motorcycle had previously been reported stolen.
Police sent an accident reconstruction team to the scene, and the cause of the accident is still under investigation.
Left-Turn Motorcycle Accidents on Maryland Roads
The tragic accident discussed above is a common scenario on Maryland roads. Unfortunately, as the weather continues to improve and more motorcyclists head out on the road, Maryland will see an increase in the number of serious and fatal motorcycle accidents. Many of these accidents will be caused by another motorist failing to yield to the motorcyclist as the motorist attempts to make a left turn.
Left-turn accidents are common for a number of reasons. For one, many motorists have a difficult time judging the speed at which motorcycles are traveling because they are not accustomed to sharing the road with them. Furthermore, due to a motorcycle’s slim profile, motorists will often fail to take notice of an approaching motorcycle. However, in either case, a motorist’s failure to properly notice and yield to a motorcyclist may result in the motorist being held legally responsible for any injuries sustained in the accident.
The Doctrine of Unclean Hands
As mentioned above, the man involved in the fatal accident was operating an allegedly stolen motorcycle. Under Maryland law, this may create an issue for any family members seeking to bring a wrongful death claim against the responsible driver. The “unclean hands doctrine” acts to prevent a party from recovering a benefit when they have engaged in any “fraudulent, illegal, or inequitable conduct” that is related to their claim.
While the doctrine of unclean hands is not commonly applied to prevent accident victims from recovering, under Maryland’s strict contributory negligence law, any evidence that the accident victim himself may be at fault for the accident can very likely prevent recovery altogether. To learn more about Maryland motorcycle accident law, contact a dedicated Maryland personal injury attorney.
Have You Been Injured in a Maryland Motorcycle Accident?
If you or a loved one has recently been injured in a Maryland motorcycle accident, you may be entitled to monetary compensation. The skilled personal injury and wrongful death attorneys at the Maryland law firm of Lebowitz & Mzhen Personal Injury Lawyers have extensive experience helping their clients seek the compensation they deserve through aggressive representation from beginning to end. Call 410-654-3600 today to schedule a free consultation with an attorney to discuss your case and the options you may have.
More Blog Posts:
Scooter Accidents on Maryland Roads, Maryland Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Blog, published May 11, 2017.
Motorcycle Accidents Involving Government Employees, Maryland Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Blog, published June 6, 2017.