Maryland Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Blog
Auto accidents that involve automobiles and two-wheeled vehicles, whether bicycles, motorcycles, or motorized scooters, share common characteristics demonstrating the unique dangers that are faced by commuters using smaller vehicles on our nation’s roadways. Not only are the users of two-wheeled vehicles more likely to suffer an accident based on the negligence of another driver, but also they are more likely to be seriously injured or killed in an accident as a consequence of the difference in mass between the vehicles.
Other Drivers Owe a Special Duty of Care to Motorcyclists and Bicyclists
There are several reasons why accidents between normal vehicles and smaller, two-wheeled vehicles are more common than between two normal vehicles alone. A primary cause of the increased accident risk is the fact that motorcycles and other small vehicles can be more difficult for another motorist to see, resulting in an unintended collision. Although bicycle and motorcycle operators should use additional caution when commuting around larger vehicles, the drivers of the larger vehicles have a legal duty to exercise due care while on public roadways, and this duty includes paying attention to the road and keeping an eye out for smaller vehicles. If the driver of a larger vehicle fails to see a smaller vehicle and causes an accident, the driver of the larger vehicle may be accountable for damages to the motorcyclist even if the driver of the other vehicle never actually saw the smaller vehicle before the collision.
Motorcyclists and Bicyclists Should Use Approved Safety Equipment to Ensure Their Safety
Motorcyclists should always employ fully functional safety equipment to protect themselves while on the road. This includes lights, reflectors, proper signaling equipment, protective clothing, and a helmet. Using approved safety equipment while on the road can help save a motorcyclist’s life in the event of an accident and additionally support their case for compensation from a negligent driver who may have caused the crash. A motorcyclist or bicyclist involved in an accident who failed to use safety equipment or follow traffic laws before an accident may lose their right to collect the full amount of damages from a negligent driver who caused the accident.
Eight-Year-Old Girl Killed in Auto-Bicycle Collision Earlier This Month
A recently released news report discusses an accident between an SUV and a bicyclist that has ended in tragedy. According to the report, a 70-year-old man was driving his SUV on a road in Southern Minnesota when he drove through an intersection and struck the young girl, who was riding her bicycle across the street. The article does not mention any reason the driver of the SUV may have given for the collision, but the victim was pronounced dead at the scene. Tragedies such as this one demonstrate the increased dangers that are faced by people who operate smaller vehicles when other drivers fail to properly share the road and act attentively.
Have You Been in a Motorcycle or Bicycle Accident?
If you or a family member has been injured or killed in a motorcycle or bicycle accident with another vehicle, the skilled Maryland, Virginia, and D.C. motorcycle accident attorneys at Lebowitz & Mzhen Personal Injury Lawyers can fight for you to seek the damages that you deserve for the harms caused by the negligence of another driver. Our dedicated accident lawyers are familiar with the types of negligence claims that succeed for Maryland motorcycle accident victims, and we will handle your case competently and professionally. At Lebowitz & Mzhen Personal Injury Lawyers, we represent clients in Maryland, Northern Virginia, and the entire D.C. area in motorcycle accidents and other negligence cases. Call us toll-free at 1-800-654-1949 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation today.
More Blog Posts:
Man Critically Injured in Motorcycle Accident; Reconstruction Team Trying to Discover Cause, Maryland Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Blog, published June 20, 2016.
Alcohol Is a Major Factor in Many Fatal Maryland Motorcycle Accidents, Maryland Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Blog, published July 15, 2016.