Maryland Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Blog
Accidents that occur when a moving vehicle strikes one or more vehicles that are pulled off to the side of the road have unfortunately become a familiar sight. As much as we’d like to think otherwise, sometimes cars or motorcycles break down and end up on the side of the road until help arrives. Other times, an officer pulls over a motorist for a violation of the motor vehicle code, and the officer and motorist are on the side of the highway for a short time while the officer writes the citation. In either case, those on the side of the road are extremely vulnerable because they are only feet from cars and trucks sometimes passing at speeds upwards of 60 miles per hour.
Maryland’s “Move Over” Law
To limit the dangers to those stuck on the side of the road, the Maryland Legislature passed a bill to protect roadside emergency workers, commonly dubbed the “Move Over Law.” The Move Over Law requires that drivers approaching an emergency vehicle with its lights or sirens on must move one lane over or slow down to a safer speed as they pass. Currently, the law applies to police, fire, and emergency medical vehicles, as well as other government vehicles.
There is also a related law that protects bicyclists and electric personal assistive mobility devices. This law requires that drivers give these operators a berth of at least three feet as they pass them.
When a driver violates either of these codes, they may be fined an amount that depends on the seriousness of the infraction. In addition, an infraction such as this may be the basis for liability in a civil suit brought by an accident victim injured in an accident caused by the other driver’s negligence in violating the code.
Trooper on Motorcycle Seriously Injured by Passing Motorist
Earlier this month in Arizona, a State Trooper was seriously injured as he was writing a citation. According to one local news source, the accident occurred on the side of a major interstate at around 6:45 in the morning.
Evidently, the Trooper was pulled off the highway onto the shoulder when the passing motorist struck both the Trooper’s motorcycle as well as the vehicle he had pulled over. The Trooper was thrown into the air and crashed head-first into the windshield of the car. Thankfully, the Trooper’s helmet prevented the serious injury from becoming a fatal one.
Have You Been Injured in a Roadside Accident?
If you or a loved one has recently been involved in a roadside accident, you may be entitled to monetary compensation based on the passing motorist’s negligent conduct. To learn more about these accidents, and to speak with a dedicated Maryland personal injury attorney about your case, call 410-654-3600 to set up a free consultation with one of the personal injury advocates at Lebowitz & Mzhen Personal Injury Lawyers, a premier injury law firm in the Maryland and Washington, D.C. area. Calling is free, and you won’t be billed unless we are able to help you recover damages for your injuries.
More Blog Posts:
Hit-and-Run Bicycle Accidents on Maryland Roads, Maryland Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Blog, published January 14, 2016.
Motorcyclist Settles Case against Motorist for $1.3 Million, Claim against Helmet Manufacturer Remains, Maryland Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Blog, published December 18, 2015.