Maryland Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Blog

Motorcyclist Killed in I-795 Accident in Baltimore County

April 27, 2015 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Earlier this month in Baltimore County, one man was killed when he struck a disabled car on the side of the road on his motorcycle. According to one local news report, the accident occurred just after 9:30 in the evening on I-795 near McDonough Road.

Evidently, the motorcyclist was heading north on I-795 when he attempted to avoid a vehicle that had slowed down or come to a stop in his lane. Upon doing so, however, the motorcyclist lost control of the bike and struck a disabled car that had been left on the side of the highway. The motorcyclist was thrown from his bike and was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident by emergency responders.

Potential Liability in Single-Vehicle Motorcycle Accidents

In Maryland, many motorcycle accidents involve only the motorcyclist. These types of motorcycle accidents are termed single-vehicle accidents, and many Marylanders mistakenly believe that they cannot seek financial recovery in a single-vehicle accident. However, that is not always the case.

Delaware Legislature Blocks Proposed Maryland-Like Motorcycle Helmet Law

April 20, 2015 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Some members of the Delaware House of Representatives recently made a move to prevent a mandatory helmet bill for motorcyclists from moving to the full House of Representatives. A report from one local news source stated that the maneuver puts the plan to require all motorcycle riders to wear a helmet in “legislative purgatory,” and it will prevent the bill from becoming law until at least the next legislative session.

What Is the Law and What Are the Benefits?

The proposed law would require all riders to wear a helmet. The current law requires motorcyclists to have a helmet in their possession but not to wear it. When actually worn, helmets make motorcycle riding safer. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, helmets reduce the risk of death by 37% and reduce the risk of head injury by 69%. The proposed change would have made Delaware a state with a universal helmet law, much like the law in Maryland, where helmets became mandatory in 1992.

Maryland Senate Heard Testimony on New Right-of-Way Bill

April 13, 2015 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Earlier this month, the Maryland State Senate heard testimony from a motorcycle safety instructor in favor of a new bill that would potentially make failing to yield a criminal offense in some circumstances. According to one local Maryland news source, the woman who testified told the story of a 50-year-old woman who was riding her 2006 Harley Davidson to Bike Week along Route 50.

At some point, a Toyota Solara heading in the opposite direction attempted to make a left turn in front of the motorcyclist, cutting her off. As a result, the motorcyclist had no time to react and slammed into the side of the Toyota. The 50-year-old motorcyclist was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident, and the driver of the Solara was named as the at-fault driver.

Another motorcycle and a minivan were also involved in the collision. Currently, the driver of the Solara, who is the son of the Mayor of Pokomoke City, is not facing any criminal charges, although prosecutors may file charges shortly after the conclusion of the investigation.

Maryland Man Faces Homicide Charges for Head-On Collision with Motorcycle

April 6, 2015 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Earlier this month, a 72-year-old Maryland man was involved in a head-on collision with a motorcycle that resulted in the death of one man and another woman being admitted to the hospital in critical condition. According to a local news report, the accident occurred near Highway 76 in Clarksville, Tennessee.

After the accident, the two people on the motorcycle were airlifted to a nearby hospital. However, the driver of the motorcycle was unable to overcome the injuries he sustained in the accident. His wife, the passenger on the motorcycle, was still in the hospital in critical condition at the time of this post.

Some of the details of the accident have yet to be released, but what is known is that the Maryland man was booked into the county jail facing charges of reckless homicide. Police are conducting a thorough investigation into the cause of the accident.

Driver Sentenced in Fatal Hit-and-Run Case, Victim’s Family Unsatisfied

March 25, 2015 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Back in August of last year, a 25-year-old man from the Cleveland area was killed when he was stuck while riding his motorcycle. According to one local news report, the man who struck the motorcyclist fled the scene after the accident and it was subsequently discovered that he was under the influence of alcohol. The driver who caused the fatal motorcycle accident was just sentenced last week to seven-and-one-half years’ imprisonment.

Evidently, as a part of the sentencing process, the victim’s family had an opportunity to speak out about their loss, how much the deceased meant to them, and how different their lives were now that he was gone. The judge allowed each family member to testify one by one before sentencing the driver.

The family has since told reporters that they are unsatisfied with the sentence, explaining that “it is not enough. Absolutely not. He should have gotten at least 13” years, which is the statutory maximum for the offense in Ohio.

Maryland Motorcyclist Killed in Pennsylvania Accident, Driver Pleads Guilty to Criminal Charges

March 18, 2015 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Earlier last year in June, a Maryland man was killed when he was struck by a van being driven by a Pennsylvania man. According to one local news source, the accident occurred very close to the Pennsylvania/Maryland border on Baltimore Pike near Garret Road.

Evidently, the van was traveling south when it crossed over the median and struck the motorcyclist that was heading in the opposite direction. After the collision, the van burst into flames and caused a very serious accident scene that took emergency workers hours to clear.

The motorcyclist, a 64-year-old man from Westminster, Maryland, died from the injuries he sustained in the accident. The driver of the van sustained minor injuries. He also faces criminal charges for his involvement in the accident.

As the Weather Improves Bicycle Safety Becomes a Key Issue in Maryland

March 11, 2015 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

It has been a long winter, and most of us are ready to shed our winter jackets and parkas in favor of shorts and T-shirts. Along with the new clothes, many of us will also opt for new modes of transportation, opting for bikes and motorcycles instead of cars, trucks, and busses. However, as Marylanders from across the state begin to hop on their bikes, the issue of bicycle safety should be in the front of everyone’s minds.

The State of Maryland Department of Transportation has a website dedicated to bicycle safety. It goes over some of the things that all cyclists and motorists should keep in mind when riding or driving on Maryland roads.

For motorists:

Expect bicycles to be on the road and when you see one, maintain a safe distance;
When passing a bicyclist, leave a three-foot distance between the car and the cyclist;
Be extra careful when backing out of driveways;
When merging with a bicycle, yield as you would to another motorist; and
Always be sure to stay alert, keep your attention on the road, and use your signals.

Maryland Man Convicted of DUI Manslaughter in Fatal Motorcycle Accident

March 5, 2015 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Earlier last month, a Maryland jury convicted a man for DUI manslaughter stemming from the death of a 21-year-old motorcyclist. According to one local news report, the accident occurred back in 2012 near the intersection of MD 77 and Pleasant Valley Road.

Evidently, the accident occurred when the driver made a left turn in front of the motorcyclist without using his signal. As a result, the motorcyclist slammed into the side of the driver’s vehicle. The motorcyclist was pronounced dead at the scene by responding emergency workers.

Upon investigating the blood-alcohol content of the driver, police discovered that the driver’s BAC was .15, almost twice the legal limit. At last month’s trial, the man was found guilty of operating a vehicle while “per se” intoxicated. This conviction carries with it a possible five years in prison as a punishment. Sentencing will be held after the court prepares a pre-sentence report.

Episcopal Bishop Asked to Resign After Involvement in Fatal Bicycle Accident

February 26, 2015 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Earlier this year, the Standing Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland asked a bishop who was involved in a fatal hit-and-run bicycle accident to resign from her post. According to one local news report, the Committee told the bishop that they have “agreed unanimously that you are no longer able to function effectively in the position of Bishop Suffragan given recent events.” As a result, the Committee asked her to voluntarily resign from her position.

Back in December of last year, the bishop was involved in what some are calling a hit-and-run, alcohol-induced accident involving a software engineer at John’s Hopkins Hospital. Evidently, the bishop’s blood-alcohol content at the time of the accident was .22, or 22% — almost three times the legal limit in Maryland. On top of that, evidence suggests that she was also sending a text message at the time of the fatal accident.

After hitting the bicyclist, the bishop left the scene of the accident before returning a short time later. Some in the news media have called for the bishop to be charged for a hit-and-run accident, while others see her eventual return to the scene as acknowledging her role in the accident.

New Study Claims Most Motorcycle Accidents Caused By Rider’s Loss of Control

February 19, 2015 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

In a recent study cited in a Bloomberg Business report, a group of researchers claims that the most common cause of motorcycle accidents is the driver’s loss of control over the bike. The article, which was released just a few weeks ago, claims that motorcyclists are 3.5 times as likely to get into a single-vehicle accident as they are to get into an accident involving one or more other cars or trucks.

Not surprisingly, the most common cause of single-vehicle accidents, the article claims, is speed. Another common occurrence of single-vehicle accidents is alcohol. The article advises that all motorcycle riders take motorcycle safety classes that are available through the State’s Motor Vehicle Association. However, no matter how cautious and educated a rider is, there is always the possibility for a freak accident to occur with another driver who may not see the motorcyclist.

Motorcycle Accident Victims Have an Uphill Battle

This article is good evidence of what the general public mistakenly believes to be the case in most motorcycle accidents: that the riders themselves are at fault and should be prevented from any financial recovery. Indeed, it cannot be denied that there are cases where a negligent motorcyclist is driving while intoxicated and gets into a single-vehicle accident, severely injuring him or herself. However, this is not always—or even often—the case.