Maryland Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Blog

Maryland Motorcycle Accident News: Do Fewer Bikes on the Road Really Mean Less Fatalities?

December 24, 2009 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

It may be hard for most riders to swallow, but summer is over. The recent blizzard that hit the East Coast made that abundantly clear. Still, when the snow melts and roads dry out for a day or so, there is always at least one diehard motorcycle enthusiast who cannot let a a single sunny day pass without firing up his Harley, Honda or Ducati — even with temperatures hovering just above freezing.

As a Maryland motorcycle accident lawyer, I have met some dyed-in-the-wool bikers and for them I suggest extreme caution when riding during what many consider the “off season” for motorcycles. But it isn’t just the weather that should concern motorcycle riders. I’ll pose the question here: Could fewer bikes on the road result in car, SUV and pickup truck drivers becoming less conscious of a motorcycle in their blind spot?

It is understood that automobile-motorcycle collisions can be one of the more deadly traffic accidents. Because of this, every rider should be watchful no matter what the season, but especially on those unusually pleasant winter days, not to mention when springtime comes to our state.

Maryland Bicycle Accident News: Hollywood, MD, Woman Cited in Fatal Car-bicycle Accident

December 16, 2009 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Maryland State Police last month charged a Hollywood woman with negligent driving in a fatal traffic accident that left a local bicycle rider dead. Police state that 20-year-old Kathy May Lee contributed to the October 5 accident that killed Curtis Andrew Leymeister, a 47-year-old resident of St. Mary’s County.

As a Maryland personal injury lawyer, I and my colleagues understand the extent of possible injuries that a bicycle rider can receive in a car-bike crash. More often than not, the result is fatal for the cyclist. In this particular case, the cyclist was struck and killed on Clarke’s Landing Road and was apparently riding in the middle of his lane.

According to police, Leymeister was riding his bike west in the westbound lane of the roadway just before 8am when he was struck from behind by a Honda Accord driven by Lee. Every driver is obliged to be aware of the situation around them, and this is especially important when bicycles or pedestrians are present. Reports indicate that the local prosecutor recommended that the motorist be charged with negligent driving, which includes fine of $280.

Maryland Bicycle Riders Honor Baltimore Cyclist Killed in Fatal Traffic Accident

December 8, 2009 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

The dangers of biking in an urban setting were brought home again recently during a memorial ride held in honor of a local Baltimore bicycle enthusiast who was killed in a traffic accident last August. Sixty-seven-year-old John Yates was killed in a truck-bicycle accident by a hit-and-run trucker while he was riding near the intersection of West Lafayette and Maryland Avenues.

At the time of the accident, police investigators said that a truck struck Yates as it was turning left onto West Lafayette. Witnesses at the scene reportedly told police that Yates became entangled beneath the rear wheels of the tanker truck. The cyclist suffered fatal injuries, including severe trauma to his left leg and abdomen. As a Maryland personal injury lawyer, I can tell you that accidents between trucks and bicycles rarely come out well for the cyclist, which is why riders must be especially watchful whenever they mix with other vehicles on the road.

According to police reports, the man’s widow said that he had been running errands on his bike that day before the deadly truck-bike crash occurred. Yates reportedly headed to the University of Baltimore to make certain his registration was in order as he prepared to begin work toward his third master’s degree — he planned to become an alcohol and substance abuse counselor.

Baltimore Co. Police Officer Dies in Fatal Motorcycle-Car Crash

November 29, 2009 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

A word to the wise: It doesn’t matter how good a cycle rider you are, motorcycle accidents can happen to the best riders. Tragically, motorcycle accidents can be very unforgiving to many motorcyclists. As motorcycle accident attorneys, I and my colleagues understand how sudden a fatal traffic accident can occur; many motorcycle-car accidents can spell danger to bike riders. Just recently, a veteran police officer and avid motorcyclist lost his life while riding to work.

According to news reports, an 42-year-old off-duty Baltimore County officer was killed in late October when his cycle nearly collided with a car about two miles from the Parkville Precinct station. Officer Jeffrey Neral, a 17-year member of the department, was riding to work around 1pm on his 2009 Harley Davidson southbound on Old Harford Road when he approached a 2002 Ford Focus, a police spokesman said.

The car’s driver, 26-year-old Pei Kao had just left Loch Raven Presbyterian Church in the 9300 block of Old Harford Road. To avoid a collision, Neral laid down the motorcycle but was subsequently thrown from it and hit the driver’s side of Kao’s automobile.

Pasadena, MD, Man Critically Injured in Motorcycle Crash following Neighborhood Deer Encounter

November 23, 2009 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Even the most simple of traffic incidents can turn a pleasant motorcycle ride into a fight for life. That was the case in mid September when a 36-year-old man crashed on his cycle after a run-in with a small deer not far from his home. The partners at Lebowitz & Mzhen Personal Injury Lawyers have the background to help persons who have been injured on a motorcycle. In cases such as this one, a relatively small animal caused the rider to be thrown from his bike nearly 50 feet, which resulted in very severe injuries.

According to a news report, Charlie Buckheit was riding his motorcycle along Bodkin Avenue when a small doe leapt in front of his bike. Although it was a small deer, about 100 pounds or so according to his wife, the collision was sufficient to knock Buckheit off his bike.

At 265 pounds, the rider was large enough to weather the hit with the deer, however a lighter person may have been killed by the crash. According to his wife, the man landed in a pile of grass and leaves, which may have softened his landing. He was also wearing a helmet, which was probably an important factor in his survival — it’s not uncommon for motorcyclists to suffer fatal traumatic brain injuries in accidents such as this one.

Maryland Teenager Hospitalized after being Injured in Bicycle-Car Traffic Accident

November 18, 2009 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

It’s sad to say, but most bicycle accidents are completely preventable. As a Maryland personal injury lawyer, I know how out-matched a bicycle is next to larger and more massive passenger cars. A collision between the two almost never goes well for the cyclist. Head and back injuries, broken bones and minor scratches and bruises are all results of car-bike crashes. Fatalities are often very common in car-bicycle crashes.

Recently, a Maryland youngster was very lucky not to have been killed when he was struck by a car on Twin Rivers Road in Columbia, MD. The accident happened around 6pm on October 12. According to news reports, a Ford Focus driven by a 61-year-old Columbia woman was traveling westbound along Twin Rivers Road when it approached two cyclists riding along the right-hand side of the road.

According to police, as the car was about to pass the two bikes, 14-year-old Sergial Brown allegedly made an abrupt left turn directly in front of the vehicle. The boy was struck by the car, but was thankfully not killed. Emergency crews arrived at the scene and treated the teenager, then he was transported by Maryland State Police helicopter to Johns Hopkins Hospital, where he was reportedly listed in good condition.

Maryland Motorcycle Rider Killed in Head-on Crash with Automobile in Carroll County, MD

November 9, 2009 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Motorcycle riding season is drawing to a close for the most part, but accidents are still quite common. As Maryland personal injury lawyers, Lebowitz & Mzhen Personal Injury Lawyers provide aggressive representation to motorcycle accident victims and their families. We understand the pain that relatives experience at the loss of a loved one. Sadly, fatal bike crashes are not uncommon in Baltimore, D.C. or any of the cites and towns throughout our state.

Toward the end of October, a Carroll County resident died when his motorcycle hit an oncoming passenger car head-on at a high rate of speed in Westminster. In such cases, the survivability of the rider is quite low. According to news reports, Cpl. Mario DeVivio was heading northbound on Route 97 in an unmarked police patrol vehicle when a motorcycle pulled out in front of him.

Edward Nicholas Dill was riding a 2004 Yamaha when Officer DeVivio signaled him to pull over. Instead, the 28-year-old allegedly fled, accelerating away from the police car and disappeared from the view.

Maryland Cyclist Killed by Motorist in Hollywood, MD, Car-bike Accident

October 29, 2009 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

It’s a tragedy when anyone dies, but fatal traffic accidents can usually be avoided. In the case of car-bicycle collisions, the bicycle rider is always the loser. As a Baltimore motorcycle and bicycle accident attorney, I have represented numerous victims of senseless auto, bike and motorcycle accidents over the years. The human toll is always severe in these cases. Sadly, a recent news article details yet another fatal Maryland bicycle-car accident.

According to a news article, Maryland State Police identified the body of a bicycle rider as that of 47-year-old Curtis Andrew Leymeister who was killed on the morning of October 5 while commuting on his bike. The accident occurred on Clarks Landing Road not far from the victim’s home.

The Hollywood resident was struck from behind by a Honda Accord driven by another local resident, 20-year-old Kathy May Lee. According to police, Leymeister was riding his bike west in the westbound lane of the roadway, near the intersection of Scotch Neck Road. Investigators said that the rider was in the travel portion of the roadway, centered in the westbound lane. And although he was going the right way, police reminded that he should have been on the paved shoulder.

Maryland Injury Accidents: Facts on Bicycle-Automobile Crashes

October 21, 2009 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Even before people began riding their bicycles to save gas and money during this recent economic downturn, bicycling accidents were already a fact of life around Baltimor and other parts of the state. As personal injury lawyers, we at Lebowitz & Mzhen Personal Injury Lawyers have first-hand experience with individuals who have been hurt in traffic accidents involving a bike. Numerous bicycle fatalities and lesser injuries occur each year as a result of another person’s negligence.

Sad to say, many bicycle accidents and the injuries received as a result are totally preventable. This goes back to my previous statement, which points the finger at motorists whose negligent actions cause the accident in the first place. Of course, that’s not the only cause. A percentage of cycling accidents are a direct result of a defective bicycle or equipment.

Bicycle crashes and other cycling-related accidents can cause severe injury, and sometimes death. Neck and head injuries are rather common — in fact, many bicyclists suffer brain damage following a serious accident. Similarly, spinal cord injuries, nerve damage, broken limbs, and even permanent injuries are not uncommon as a result of these types of collisions. If an automobile is involved, a fatality is a frequent result.

Annapolis, MD, Car-Motorcycle Traffic Accident results in One Fatality

October 13, 2009 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

An Annapolis, Maryland, motorcyclist was killed in mid-September traffic accident when a Catonsville man driving a Saturn passenger car collided with a motorcycle on Riva Road in Anne Arundel County. As Maryland motorcycle accident attorneys working in the area of personal injury law, our staff has seen the results of crashes like this one, and sadly, the automobile no matter how small usually wins.

According to reports, the accident occurred around 5:30 on a Friday afternoon, near Aris T. Allen Blvd. Officers from the Anne Arundel County police department stated that a Saturn model being driven by 38-yeaar-old Michael Joseph McCann attempted to make a left turn out of the Bowen Farm Supply onto Riva Road.

Traffic was apparently stopped in the two southbound lanes as the Saturn driver began to turn into the southbound left-turn lane. Just then, Adam Douglas Ketels, 25, from Annapolis changed lanes into the left-turn lane and sped up, according to witnesses. Ketels’ Yamaha motorcycle slammed into the driver side door of the merging Saturn.