Maryland Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Blog

Baltimore Radio Personality’s Motorcycle Accident Injuries Demonstrate Vulnerability of Riders

June 11, 2013 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Popular Baltimore area radio show host Ed Norris was able to return to work this week, nearly two months after he was injured in a motorcycle accident in northern Harford County.

On April 24, Norris was riding his Victory motorcycle north on Route 1 when, according to the Maryland State Police accident report, a GMC box truck made a left turn into Route 1 from Route 161 and straight into the path of Norris and his motorcycle.

According to the report, Norris laid his motorcycle down onto the pavement in order to avoid hitting the truck. Thus, while there was no collision of the two vehicles, Norris suffered abrasions and a severe injury to his arm and shoulder, which subsequently required extensive surgery. He continues to suffer severely limited mobility of his injured arm, and is undergoing continued therapies.

The driver of the box truck pleaded guilty of failing to yield to the right of way earlier this month. The court record indicated that he did not contribute to an accident, although it fined him $110.

Motorcyclist Killed in SUV Collision in Queen Anne’s County

June 4, 2013 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

According to investigator reports in Queen Anne’s county, a motorcyclist was killed over the weekend by a collision involving an SUV.

Authorities believe that the driver of a Honda motorcycle was attempting to pass the SUV to his left, as the SUV began turning left from McGinnis Road onto Burchard Sawmill Road, early Saturday evening.

The motorcycle hit the rear tire of the SUV, and the rider was subsequently thrown from the bike. Officials reported that he later died at the hospital. The SUV’s driver was reportedly not injured.

Police further reported that the motorcyclist was driving on a suspended license, and had not registered his motorcycle.

Car Driver’s Failure to Yield Sends Motorcyclist to Shock Trauma in Critical Condition

May 29, 2013 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

According to police, earlier this month, a car and motorcycle collision sent the driver of the motorcycle to Shock Trauma in critical condition.

The accident, which occurred on May 12 just after 2:30 in the afternoon, happened on Frederick Road, just east of St. John’s Lane in Ellicott City.

According to police, the driver of a vehicle was attempting to exit a parking lot when he pulled out into oncoming traffic, into the path of another man travelling on a Harley Davidson motorcycle. The motorcyclist then collided with the left front corner of the car, causing him serious injuries, which required transportation to Shock Trauma. The driver of the car and his passenger did not suffer any injuries.

While the investigation is ongoing, police revealed that a preliminary investigation found that the driver of the car’s failure to yield the right of way was the primary cause of the accident.

May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month

May 22, 2013 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) posted a page on its website regarding May being Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, and reminding drivers of all other vehicles to not only look out for, but also share the road with, motorcycle riders.

Continued awareness of motorcyclists is critical, because although the fatality rates for other automobiles have generally been on a decline, motorcycle deaths have been increasing for 13 out of the past 14 years.

For example, in 2011 alone:

2% more motorcyclists were killed in collisions than in 2010 (4,612 people)

14% of total highway deaths were motorcycle riders, even though they only comprise roughly 3% of all vehicles throughout the country.

Due to these and other statistics, based upon a per vehicle mile basis, motorcycle riders are more than 30 times more likely to be killed in a crash than individuals riding in cars or other automobiles. They are also 5 times more likely to suffer injuries.

The leading cause of death in motorcycle crashes is head injuries. As of 2011, 20 states, Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico required helmet use by all motorcycle riders. According to statistics, helmets apparently prevent 37% of potentially fatal injuries to motorcycle riders involved in accidents. NHTSA estimates that helmet use may have saved some 1,600 motorcycle riders in 2011 alone.

I 70 Motorcycle Accident Kills Young West Virginia Couple

May 15, 2013 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Earlier this month, a tragic motorcycle accident resulted in the deaths of a young couple that was engaged to be married.

The 19 year old young woman was a passenger on the motorcycle that her fiance, a former military servicemember, was driving.

The accident occurred at around 12:40 p.m. on Interstate 70 in the Indian Springs area. According to Maryland State Police, somewhere around 20 motorcycles were riding in a group, when suddenly one man on a Harley slowed down, and was struck by another man (the male victim’s father) from behind. His motorcycle then struck the motorcycle being driven by his son.

The young woman, who was riding as a passenger, died at the scene. The young man and his father were transported to the Shock Trauma center for serious injuries. According to officials, the young man later died.

Fatal Motorcycle Crash on Route 301 Kills Two Motorcyclists

May 6, 2013 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

According to police and reports, two motorcyclists were killed earlier this month in an accident involving a minivan.

According to Maryland State Police, the accident which occurred near the intersection of Route 301 and Short Cut Road, involved two motorcycles and a minivan. Reportedly, the motorcyclists were travelling at a fast speed in a group of six motorcycles. When a minivan pulled into their path, two of the bikers hit the van so hard that it allegedly flipped three times, resulting in the instantaneous death of the two riders.

This was the third serious motorcycle crash in the D.C. area within recent weeks, and was also the second motorcycle accident to result in a fatality. The other two accidents both occurred on Interstate 95.

The circumstances surrounding the crash remain unclear, for example why the minivan pulled into the group of motorcycles. Perhaps the driver was unaware of the exact location of the motorcycles.

Bicycle Accident Could Have Ended University of Maryland Basketball Player Seth Allen’s Athletic Career

April 16, 2013 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Understanding the potentially life-shattering power that a serious pedestrian or bicycle-related traffic accident can have on a person could go a long way toward altering the way people perceive traffic safety and its effect on the non-vehicular component of our cityscapes. Because almost every one of us assumes the role of pedestrian at one time or another during our workweek or on the weekend, traffic safety as it pertains to pedestrians and bicyclists should be on everyone’s mind.

While walking is a healthy pastime, many individuals prefer to cover more ground and see a little extra scenery by taking advantage of pedal power. A usually pleasant and beneficial way to exercise — as well as being a decent mode of transportation, of course, depending on the weather – cycling is an eco-friendly activity for many people, young and old. In places like Baltimore City, local government is trying to make streets more “bike-friendly.” But there are always dangers when people and bikes mix with motor vehicle traffic.

As Maryland personal injury lawyers, we keep an eye on the traffic-related injury totals from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In 2011, the latest year for fatality statistics from the safety agency in Washington, D.C., 102 pedestrians were killed in automobile-related collisions here in Maryland, while “only” five cyclists died in traffic crashes. If we compare this to the total number of deaths on our state’s highways and city streets, bicycle fatalities made up less than one percent of the total figure.

For Motorcycle Riders All Around Maryland, Spring Means Getting Back on the Road… Safely

April 8, 2013 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

If the last several years have been any indicator, it’s that there are more and more people choosing economical transportation over more expensive passenger cars. Whether that means chucking a larger sedan or sport utility vehicle for a gas-sipping hybrid or diesel hatchback, taking public transportation on the weekdays and saving the family vehicle for weekend outs only, people are trying to save money left and right.

It’s no secret that one of the more economical modes of personal internal combustion-powered transport is the motorcycle. Unfortunately bikes and motor scooters can also pose significant physical dangers to their owners. It’s a major tradeoff that many people need to consider very seriously when looking to save money at the pump and to lower ownership costs. If you can, literally, live with the near-constant risk of physical injury or even death, then the two-wheeled solution might be an option.

As a Maryland personal injury attorney, I understand the downside of being involved in a traffic accident while riding a Honda, Harley-Davidson, Suzuki or Ducati cycle. Obviously the emotional and financial payoff with these vehicles can be quite high, but riders need to fully understand and accept the dangers as well. Having represented victims of motorcycle, automobile and trucking-related collisions, I and my colleagues are all too aware of the potentially painful consequences — physical, financial and emotional — that a motorcycle-related traffic accident can present to a victim and his family.

Will Warmer Weather Prompt Renewed Illegal Dirt Bike Activities in Baltimore and Other Maryland Cities

March 31, 2013 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Spring has arrived, and though it could be a little early for every motorcycle rider to dust off his mount, the warmer days are on their way. But from a public safety standpoint, we can’t help but wonder if we will be looking at some more passenger car-bike and truck-motorcycle accidents as the season progresses. Most anyone who follows the news here in Baltimore and other urban areas has heard for the potentially dangerous groups of dirt bike riders playing havoc with motorists and others in town.

As Maryland personal injury lawyers, I and my legal staff have helped bikers injured in bad traffic collisions. A serious roadway collision can turn out to be a life-threatening event for almost anyone, but for motorcyclists the risks can be even greater. And, while most conscientious riders obey our traffic laws and respect other motorists’ rights as well, there are bad apples among them.

As we write this, we are thinking specifically about the dangerous trend of urban dirt bike riding by mostly unlicensed and, some would say, reckless youth. While not involving the more thoughtful riders out there, this trend has continued much to local police departments’ dismay. Based on a news article published not long ago, we have to ask ourselves if Baltimore and other areas of the state are in for another round of dangerous dirt bike riding exploits.

With Spring Officially Here, Anne Arundel County Police Officers Provide Tips for Safe Motorcycling

March 24, 2013 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

We’ve already heard of several fatal accidents involving motorcycles this year, so it’s not too soon for everyone to prepare themselves for a new season of motorcycle riding here in Maryland. Whether one is riding on the expressways serving our major cities, out on some rural two-lane or creeping through dense urban traffic, the opportunities for a severe roadway accident anywhere throughout the state are much higher for bikers than most any other motorist.

As Baltimore personal injury lawyers, I and my legal staff have seen the aftermath of many a tragic traffic collision; and certainly more than we would want anyone else to experience, especially not first-hand. Passenger car collisions, whether they involve a sedan, family minivan or larger sport utility vehicle, can result in serious and sometimes fatal injuries. The same can be said for roadway wrecks caused by commercial vehicles, such as city buses, 18-wheelers, large box trucks, and utility repair vehicles.

But as bad as car and trucking-related collisions can be, accidents involving any one of these vehicles and a motorcycle can be much, much worse; usually the person who is hurt the most is the rider on the bike. Even while wearing all the proper safety equipment — such as a correctly sized and certified helmet, motorcycle boots and gloves, plus a specialized riding suit, or leather chaps and motorcycle jacket — injuries sustained by a motorcyclist can range from painful, yet minor to severe and life-threatening.