Maryland Accident Law Blog

Washington Irving Wheeler died in a Carroll County motorcycle crash on June 10. The 41-year-old was riding his bike south on Md. 30 when he was involved in a traffic collision with a Chevrolet Cavalier whose driver was attempting to make a left turn. According to police, Wheeler was not at fault in causing the Maryland motorcycle accident.

His death is the third Carroll County motorcycle fatality this year—an increase from the two Carroll County motorcycle deaths in 2009. On March 31, Westminster resident William Parry was killed after his bike and a motor vehicle that was also making a turn collided. In an unrelated traffic crash, motorcyclist Brian Ecker, died on May 15 when his motorcycle struck a fence and a mailbox.

In another recent Carroll County, Maryland motorcycle accident, two local residents suffered injuries on June 12 when the motorcycle they were riding and a car collided at the intersection of Broadfording Road and Md. 63. The motorcycle struck the driver’s side of the 2004 Chevy Monte Carlo as it pulled out from the stop sign. The two riders were thrown from their bike.

Police are saying that there is a huge tree at that intersection that obstructs the view from both roads, which makes it likely that both drivers couldn’t see each other. The motorcycle driver, 41-year-old Michael Destefano, was flown to University of Maryland R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center in critical condition. His girlfriend, 45-year-old Christine Biddinger, was treated for a collapsed lung, chest injuries, and a broken arm.

Carroll County man in critical condition after motorcycle accident, Herald Mail, June 12, 2010

Md. 30 crash is Carroll's third motorcycle fatality this year, Carroll County Times, June 16, 2010

Related Web Resources:
2010 Maryland Motorcycle Safety Program , Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration

Maryland Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Blog

Continue reading "Carroll County Motorcycle Death is Third One This Year " »

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports even though more car accidents happened in urban areas, 56% of the 37,261 traffic deaths that occurred in 2008 took place on rural roads. There were 20,905 rural traffic deaths last year.

One reason for the number of deaths that occur in rural areas is that people tend to drive faster on roads that are not as designed and engineered as well as they are in urban areas. Two of the other reasons that rural auto accident deaths happen is people failing to use seat belts or driving drunk. It can also take longer for medical help to arrive at a rural car accident site. 222 of the 591 Maryland traffic fatalities in 2008 occurred in rural areas.

Findings from another traffic accident study, recently discussed in ScienceDaily.com, affirmed the NHTSA’s findings that driving in rural areas is not safer than driving in urban areas. The study, conducted by researchers abroad, reports that:

• Fatality crash risk in surrounding districts is 40% more than for city dwellers.
• Country inhabitants have a crash risk that is up to three times higher.
• The chance of sustaining serious injuries during a rural car crash is 70-100% greater than in cities.

Many people may harbor the misconception that driving in a metropolitan area is more dangerous. This may cause them to drive more cautiously than they would when driving on a rural road where there is less traffic. Obviously, this is not the case.

A driver whose negligence causes a catastrophic Maryland car crash can be held liable for personal injury or wrongful death—not to mention that he or she could end up serving time in jail while having to cope with the guilt of knowing that his or her careless or reckless acts contributed to someone getting seriously hurt or dying.

Our Maryland injury lawyers represent traffic crash victims who were injured in motorcycle accidents, truck crashes, bus collisions, pedestrian accidents, and bicycle collisions in both rural and metropolitan areas throughout the state. Contact Lebowitz & Mzhen today.

More Motorists Die on Rural Roads, USA Today, October 7, 2009

Cities Less Dangerous Than Rural Regions, Traffic Accident Study Shows, Science Daily, September 8, 2009

Related Web Resources:
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Maryland State Highway Administration

Driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs continues to destroy too many lives. Drunk driving and drugged driving are both careless acts that can be grounds for a Maryland car accident lawsuit if someone gets hurt or dies. On a positive note, however, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s new roadside survey reported that the decline in the percentage of legally intoxicated drivers is continuing. Per the new survey, just 2.2% of drivers had a BAC of .08 or greater—compare this figure to 1973, when 7.5% of motorists had BACs registering at the legal limit or exceeded it.

The survey, gathered from roadside locations in 2007, also screened for other substances. 16.3% of nighttime weekend motorists tested drug positive for marijuana (8.6%), cocaine (3.9%), as well as prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs (3.9%). Drivers for the survey were chosen at random and given the opportunity to volunteer while remaining anonymous.

Out of 11,000 motorists, 90% gave breath samples and 70% gave saliva samples. Any motorist that was impaired or appeared to be driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs was not arrested. However, he or she wasn't allowed to get behind the steering wheel of the vehicle.

US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood noted that while he was pleased that the fight against drunk driving is making headway, it was imported to remember that 13,000 people a year still die in US drunk driving crashes. He also emphasized the importance of reducing drug abuse and drugged driving.

The NHTSA wants to figure out how drug use is connected to driver impairment—especially as some drugs can stay in the body for weeks.

Other survey findings:
• There were 42% more male drivers than female motorists with illegal BAC levels.
• Motorists were more likely to be driving with a BAC greater than the legal drunk driving limit between 1am and 3am than during other hours of the day.
• Motorcycle riders were two times as likely to be drunk than the drivers of passenger vehicles.

According to the Governors Highway Safety Association, drugs are a factor in 18% of motor vehicle driver fatalities.

Driver Survey Finds Less Drinking, More Drugs, NY Times, July 13, 2009

Results of the 2007 National Roadside Survey of Alcohol and Drug Use by Drivers, NHTSA (PDF)

Related Web Resources:
Impaired Driving, CDC

Drugged Driving

Continue reading "Preventing Maryland Drunk Driving and Drugged Driving Accidents: NHTSA Roadside Survey Reports Decrease in Drunk Drivers " »

Baltimore County police say that two people were sent to an area hospital after they were involved in an Owings Mills multi-vehicle collision on Friday that ended when one car drove into an M & T Bank branch. The Maryland traffic accident occurred when a Hyundai Sonata struck a Toyota RAV4 that was at a red light, which then hit a Lincoln Navigator. Meantime, the Hyundai drove over a curb and into the bank. Fortunately, no one inside the bank was hurt.

In a Baltimore car accident that also occurred on Friday, police are looking for the driver of a van that fatally hit a man riding a dirt bike on Chatham Road. The van’s driver failed to stop at the crash site. Police are asking for any information that could lead to the capture of the driver involved in the deadly hit-and-run Maryland motor vehicle crash.

Also on Friday, Clinton resident Franklin Trowell sustained critical injuries in Howard County when a car hit him on eastbound Route 32 close to Interstate 95. Trowell had been standing on the shoulder of the road examining another accident when the catastrophic Maryland car crash occurred. The driver of the car, Leonard Supsic, 55, reportedly lost control of the 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier that struck Trowell.

Maryland Personal Injury
It can take some time to determine how much financial recovery you are entitled to receive after you’ve been injured in a Maryland motor vehicle accident. This is why it is important that you don’t rush to settle your car accident claim immediately. Your injuries may be more serious than you think, which means they could cost significantly more to recover from than what original estimates suggest. There also may be other parties that can be held liable for your Maryland personal injuries.

Clinton man in critical condition after being hit by car, Baltimore Sun, May 30, 2009

Police seek van driver who fatally hit man on dirt bike, Baltimore Sun, May 30, 2009

Three-vehicle accident sends car into bank, Baltimore Sun, May 30, 2009

Related Web Resources:
Car Accidents Overview, Justia

Personal Injury, Nolo

Continue reading "Recent Maryland Motor Vehicle Accidents Cause Injuries and Deaths" »

According to AAA Mid-Atlantic, about 83% of the 609,000 Marylanders traveling 50 miles or more over the Memorial Day weekend will travel by car—that’s 508,000 motor vehicle riders. A decrease in local gas price is one of the reasons cited for an increase in road travelers from last year. Air travel is also expected to increase this year by 7%. Another reason cited for this rediscovered travel bug is that a poor economy has forced hotels, cruises, airlines, and car rental companies to lower their prices.

With more people getting into their cars and heading toward vacation destinations and family reunions, the roads will likely be more crowded this weekend. Traffic and the excitement and rush to arrive at a specific location can create a less relaxed travel climate that can increase the chances that a motorist might become involved in a catastrophic Maryland car accident.

Here are a number of safe driving tips to help you navigate your way through the Memorial Day weekend:

• Make sure you have your maps organized and travel routes planned before leaving.
• Check the Internet, listen to the radio, or watch TV to see where there may be traffic backlogs that you can avoid.
• Make sure that your car is in proper working condition before you head out.
• Have a roadside emergency kit with you.
• Get plenty of rest before you drive.
• Give yourself plenty of time to arrive at your destination.
• Take periodic breaks while driving so you don’t get lethargic or drowsy.
• Don’t speed.
• Obey traffic laws.
• Don’t talk on the cell phone or text message or read maps while driving.
• Drive defensively.
• Don’t drive drunk.
• Keep emergency numbers at your disposal.

More Marylanders to hit the road this weekend, Baltimore Sun, May 21, 2009

Related Web Resources:
AAA Mid-Atlantic
MD Roads

Continue reading "Maryland Car Accident Lawyers: 508,000 Marylanders Will Drive 50 Miles or More This Memorial Day Weekend, Says AAA" »

Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month is a time when law enforcement and highway safety officials throughout the various US states, along with the federal government, take steps to remind motorcyclists and drivers that they must share the roads safely with one another. The month of May kicks off a period of the year when more Maryland motorcycle riders will get on their bikes now that the weather is getting warmer.

Other groups also getting behind the efforts by traffic and safety officials to prevent Maryland motorcycle accidents are the Maryland Motor Truck Association and the Abate of Maryland. Together, they are reminding car drivers, truck drivers, and bus drivers that due to a motorcycle’s smaller size, this type of vehicle can easily get lost in a larger motor vehicle’s blind spot or get covered behind trees, bushes, and fences.

Of the 5,154 US motorcycle deaths that occurred in 2007, 88 of them were Maryland motorcycle deaths—a definite increase from the 58 Maryland motorcycle fatalities that happened in 2003. One reason for this is that motorcycle use has grown in popularity throughout the state.

According to a 2008 Examiner.com news article, more than 1,000,000 motorcycles have been sold in the last six years. The higher cost of gas over the past couple of years may be one of the reasons that more people have opted to ride motorcycles. A motorcycle averages 50mpg, which is twice the mpg of many cars.

AAA Offers the Following Safety Suggestions for Motorists Sharing the Roads with Motorcycles:

• Be on the look out for motorcycles, as well as cars and pedestrians.
• Allow motorcyclists the same driving privileges that you have, including letting them have a full lane to themselves.
• Always signal to indicate when you are turning.
• Give motorcycle riders plenty of space to maneuver.

AAA's Safety Awareness Suggestions for Motorcyclists Sharing the Roads with Other Drivers:

• Wear protective gear so that other drivers see you.
• Give yourself plenty of space to maneuver your bike in the event of an emergency.
• Try not to ride in a driver’s blind spot.
• Don’t share a lane with other vehicles.
• Signal and indicate.
• Make sure you are properly trained to ride your motorcycle and that you have enough experience to operate one safely before you get on a Maryland freeway.

Keep an eye out for motorcycles, Frederick News Post, May 10, 2009

Area motorcycle deaths disproportionate, Examiner.com, June 18, 2008

Related Web Resources:
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Congress Highlights Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month

Continue reading "Maryland Motorcycle Accidents: Safety Awareness Month Promotes Safe Driving Habits to Decrease Traffic Injuries and Deaths" »

The winter time can be a deadly time for Washington DC and Maryland motorists if they aren’t careful. Poor visibility and icy roads can only make the outcome of an auto accident, caused by negligent or careless driving, worse. To help prevent fatal auto accidents from occurring in snowy weather and icy conditions, Forbes.com offers a list of 10 common driving mistakes that can prove fatal in the wintertime:

1) Not checking the weather before you get in the car.
2) Driving too fast under current weather conditions. This can cause a driver to lose control of the vehicle on slippery roads.
3) Following too closely behind the vehicle or snowplow equipment in front of you. Allow greater distance between you and the other motorist than you would when there isn’t snow on the road. Do not drive using cruise control when the conditions are wet.
4) Overcorrecting your car on ice.
5) Driving while you’re tired.
6) Driving when there’s poor visibility.
7) Failing to get the car winter ready. Also, make sure you have an extra key that is easily accessible in the event that you get locked out of your vehicle.
8) Driving on back roads.
9) Not carrying an emergency tool with you, such as jumper cables, a spare tire, water, dried food, a cell phone, and warm clothing.
1) Leaving your vehicle if your car stops, which could be the warmest place for you to be.

According to a University of California, Berkeley, School of Public Health study:
• Poor weather is a factor in 1.5 million of the car accidents that occur every year, resulting in 800,000 injuries and 7,000 deaths.
• Almost 20% of highway deaths involved poor weather as a factor.
• Driving the day after the year’s first winter storm is the most dangerous day of the year to operate a motor vehicle.

The National Safety Council recommends a number of safety tips for winter driving, including:
• Tune your engine.
• Check your battery.
• Make sure the fluids in your car are at the correct levels.
• Make sure your car is equipped with the proper equipment, including tire chains, a snow scraper, and a snow shovel.
• Have first-aid supplies and a compass with you.

In Depth: 10 Deadly Mistakes Of Winter Driving, Forbes.com

Safe Winter Driving

Related Web Resources:
All-Weather Driving Tips, Road & Travel Magazine

Baltimore, Maryland Weather, Maryland Weather

Continue reading "Maryland and Washington DC Drivers Should Watch Out for 10 Fatal Winter Driving Mistakes" »

In Maryland, a Washington County Circuit Court judge has ordered the man convicted of Debra Reed Fields-Jordan’s manslaughter by vehicle death to pay her family $2,084,076.31 in restitution. Fields-Jordan died in a May 2008 motor vehicle accident when a pickup truck ran a stop sign and struck her motorcycle on Md. 77.

The driver of the pickup truck fled the motorcycle accident scene. Police, however, apprehended Harry W. Shrader a few days later because the truck was registered in his name. In November 2008, he was sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to vehicular manslaughter and is now being held at the Maryland Correctional Training Center. Shrader was intoxicated at the time of the deadly traffic crash.

In August 2008, Fields-Jordan’s husband, Stephen J Jordan, sued Schrader for his wife’s wrongful death. Jordan sought $2 million in punitive damages and $4 million in compensatory damages. He accused Schrader of causing emotional trauma, mental anguish, loss of companionship, society, marital care, comfort, protection, advice, attention, training, guidance, counsel, education, and his wife’s love. Last month, Jordan filed documents accusing Schrader of trying to defraud his family from any wrongful death compensation they could be owed when the inmate transferred more than 44 acres of land to his girlfriend.

Intoxicated Driving
Driving while intoxicated, whether under the influence of alcohol or drugs, is against the law. It is also a cause of far too many personal injuries and wrongful deaths. A truck driver, motorcyclist, car driver, or bus driver who engages in intoxicated driving and injures someone else as a result may be held liable with a Maryland personal injury claim or wrongful death lawsuit.

$2M restitution in manslaughter case, The Herald Mail, January 30, 2009

Smithsburg man gets 10 years in vehicle manslaughter case, The Herald-Mail, November 17, 2008

Related Web Resource:
Motorcycle Accident Overview, Justia

A bill that is calling for a Maryland reckless driving law would make it easier to prosecute reckless drivers if passed. The proposal calls for drivers who were responsible for causing a motor vehicle fatality because they exhibited negligence leading to “substantial risk” of safety to be charged with a misdemeanor crime. The penalty would be up to three years in jail.

Maryland Delegate Luiz R.S. Simmons (D-Montgomery) has been pushing for this law for five years. He claims that the state’s standard for proving vehicular homicide is too high.

Currently, some 30 US states have laws that allow reckless driving charges even if the driver did not exhibit “gross negligence.” The bill has died every year so far because the House Judiciary Committee chairman, Del. Joseph F. Vallario, has not called for a vote on the matter.

This week, Mary Gray, the mother of a 20-year-old man who died after he was hit by an off-duty Prince George’s County police officer, testified in Annapolis in support of the reckless driving bill. Officer Mario Chavez, who admitted to drinking on the night before the deadly Maryland auto crash, was not charged in her son's death.

The state’s attorney for Prince George’s County found that there was insufficient evidence to charge the police officer with vehicular manslaughter, which is an offense that requires proof that the driver was grossly negligent. Instead, Chavez was issued a traffic ticket for the deadly December 2007 accident.

Now Brian’s family is suing Chavez and Prince George’s County for his wrongful death.

Reckless Driving
While state laws can vary in terms of how incidents of “reckless driving” are defined and criminally prosecuted, there is no doubt that driving carelessly or recklessly can lead to serious motor vehicle accidents resulting in personal injury or wrongful death. Driving at excessive speeds, drunk driving, and other reckless acts can be grounds for a Maryland wrongful death lawsuit if someone else dies as a result.

Reckless Driving Law Is Urged, Washington Post, January 29, 2009

Mother Waits For Answers In Crash That Killed Son, WUSA9.com, May 17, 2008

Related Web Resources:
Wrongful Death, Justia

Maryland State Highway Administration

Maryland State Police are investigating a deadly motor vehicle crash in St. Mary’s County that left a newlywed couple dead. Phillip Brian Natalie died at the crash scene, while his wife, Jessica Laurel Natalie, was pronounced dead at St. Mary’s hospital following the crash. Jessica and Laurel, who were both 26, were married this summer.

The collision took place at the intersections of Crimson Drive and Willows Road. Police reports indicate that the Maryland motor vehicle collision happened after a Toyota Camry, driven by 25-year-old Lateesha Shonte Cooper, made a left turn and drove into the path of the motorcycle that the couple was riding. Cooper, who is also a Lexington Park resident, was treated at a hospital for her injuries and later released.

According to Lt. Michael Thompson, preliminary findings made it appear to him as if the motorcycle was trying to avoid Cooper's car. He noted the possibility that Cooper might have failed to yield the right of way.

Maryland State Police records show that there were 96 motorcycle deaths in Maryland in 2007. Police say that although only 2% of all registered motor vehicles in Maryland are motorcycles, these vehicles were involved in 16% of the state’s deadly traffic collisions. While Maryland motorcyclists are responsible for 50% of these auto accidents, the other 50% of traffic crashes are caused by other motorists.

2007 NHTSA US Motorcycle Crash Statistics:

• 5,154 motorcyclists died.
• 103,000 others were injured.
• 1,784 lives were saved because of helmet use.
• 2,332 two-vehicle crashes involved collisions between a motorcycle and another vehicle.
• 25% of all motorcycles involved in deadly accidents were in collisions with fixed objects.

Lex. Park Couple Killed in Motorcycle Crash, Southern Maryland Online, October 20, 2008
2 killed in crash with car, Southern Maryland Newspapers, October 15, 2008

Related Web Resource:

Motorcycle Traffic Safety Fact Sheet, NHTSA

Continue reading "Lexington Park Couple Dies in Maryland Motorcycle Accident" »

US Transportation Secretary Mary Peters announced the latest national drunk driving-related death statistics. Peters noted that while the number of total DUI deaths has dropped significantly in 32 US states, half of the states experienced an increase in drunk driving-related motorcycle fatalities.

Overall, almost 13,000 people died in accidents involving motorists with a blood alcohol concentration of .08% or more—a drop from the almost 13,500 DUI victims that died in 2006. Peters noted that 1,621 motorcyclists that died in alcohol-related collisions last year—a 7.5% increase from the year prior.

Of the 12,998 drunk driver-related deaths that occurred last year:

• 7,283 of the victims where drunk drivers.
• 2,067 victims were riding with the drunk driver.
• 1,361 fatalities were motorcyclists that were intoxicated.
• 81 of the deaths were passengers of intoxicated motorcyclists.
• 1,431 victims were occupants of other motor vehicles.

The state that experienced the greatest drop in alcohol-related deaths was California, with 1,155 alcohol-impaired deaths in 2007 compared to the 1,272 fatalities in 2006.

States that experienced an increase in drunk driver-related deaths in 2007 included North Carolina, South Carolina, Massachusetts, Alabama, Maine, Montana, Alaska, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Oregon, Delaware, North Dakota, West Virginia, Minnesota, Virginia, Nebraska, Ohio, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia.

The number of drunk-driving deaths in Maryland for 2007 was 179.

DUI Fatalities Down Nationwide and in 32 States, Says U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary Peters, NHTSA, August 28, 2008

2007 Traffic Safety Annual Assessment - Alcohol Impaired Driving Fatalities (PDF)

Continue reading "US Department of Transportation Releases 2007 DUI Death Statistics" »

The parents of Gene Sergent, a motorcyclist who died after his motorcycle collided with an ambulance in Maryland City on September 14, 2007 has filed a $4.4 million wrongful death lawsuit.

John A. Turkette and Frieda L. Sergent say that witnesses saw the driver of the ambulance, Darrel E. Blount, run a red light when his emergency lights were off. They are accusing him of causing the accident.

Their allegations contradict the Anne Arundel County police’s report that it was Sergent that ran a red light on Route 198 in front of the Maryland City Plaza shopping center. An Assistant County lawyer has acknowledged that there are report discrepancies among the witness reports.

The investigation that determined Sergent was at fault closed in April. Those findings were primarily based on police findings. According to Anne Arundel County police, Firefighter Blount was exiting the shopping center in his ambulance when Sergent drove his sport bike into the motor vehicle.

Sergent’s mother, however, claims that police can’t be trusted to be unbiased, because the “police department and fire department” are family. She and Turkette are suing Blount and Anne Arundel County. The lawsuit was filed in US District Court in Baltimore. Frieda L. Sergent says she is determined to clear her son’s name.

Whether you are a Maryland resident or someone from outside the state who was seriously injured or lost a loved one in a Maryland motorcycle accident, our wrongful death lawyers would like to talk to you. Even if police reports indicate that you or your loved one caused the accident, there may be evidence that proves otherwise. If so, you could be entitled to receive personal injury or wrongful death recovery.

Lawsuit filed in fatal ambulance crash, Hometown Annapolis.com, June 26, 2008

Police recruit, two others die in weekend crashes, Examiner.com, September 17, 2007

Related Web Resource:

Anne Arundel County

Continue reading "Family of Motorcyclist Struck by Ambulance in Maryland Sues Anne Arundel County for Wrongful Death" »

Federal, state, and local agencies have designated the month of May as Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month to remind drivers and motorcyclists to “Share the Road” safely and keep motorcyclists safe.

In 2007, one out of every nine traffic accident fatalities was a motorcyclist. 4,810 motorcyclists died in 2006. While the number of car and truck accident deaths has declined, motorcyclist fatalities are on the rise.

Recent studies indicate that about 80% of motorcycle accidents result in injuries or death for the motorcyclists or their passengers—compared to 20% of other kinds of motor vehicle crashes.

In Maryland recent motorcycle accidents include:

In April, a motorcyclist (and his passenger) was critically injured after he crashed his bike to avoid colliding with a large farm sprayer.

In another accident last month, a motorist was seriously injured after almost crashing into a Dodge pick-up truck.

Beginning June 1, 2008, a new Maryland law goes into effect that will allow motorcyclists to place light emitting diode (LED) pods and strips so that other drivers can see them. The accent lighting will hopefully reduce the number of motorcycle injuries and deaths at night on Maryland roads.

Maryland Senate Bill 713 also lets motorcyclists use blue dot illumination on the backs of motorcycles.

According to ABATE of Maryland, Inc, the largest association of motorcycle riders, the majority of motorcycle accidents happen because the driver of the vehicle didn’t see the motorcyclist or was at fault in some other way.

If you or someone you love was seriously hurt in Washington D.C. or Maryland because of another party’s carelessness or negligence, contact our motorcycle accident law firm for your free consultation.

May is Motorcycle Awareness Month, Baynet.com, April 14, 2008

New Maryland Law Allows LED on Motorcycles, Clutch and Chrome, April 8, 2008

Related Web Resources:

Maryland Senate Bill 713

ABATE of Maryland

Continue reading "Maryland Takes Part In Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month" »

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is reporting that 4,810 motorcyclists died in deadly highway crashes in 2006—a number that grew for the ninth year in a row.

Over one of every nine road fatalities in 2006 involved a motorcycle rider. The NHTSA is providing this information to prepare motorists for “Share the Road,” Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, which takes place in May.

Motorcyclists continue to likely to be involved in motor vehicle accidents for a number of reasons, including:

• The smaller size of a motorcycle can make it more difficult for other drivers to see.
• It is sometimes hard to gage how fast a motorcycle is moving.
• Motorcycle riders don’t have anything except for protective clothing standing between their bodies and the impact of a collision.

To prevent motorcycle accidents, The NHTSA recommends that car drivers, truck drivers, and bus drivers do the following:

• Allow a motorcyclist the full lane width.
• Always signal your intentions.
• Check your blind spots.
• Allow more following distance when you are driving behind a motorcycle.

The Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration provides a list of protective gear for motorcyclists:

• The DOT (Department of Transportation)-approved Helmet, which is mandatory for all motorcyclists riding in Maryland.
• Approved eye protection (Also mandatory for Maryland riders)
• A long-sleeved jacket or shirt
• Over-the-ankle shoes/boots
• Long pants made with sturdy material
• Full-fingered gloves

Please contact our Maryland motorcycle accident law firm to discuss your case with one of our experienced motorcycle crash lawyers. Your first consultation is free.

2008 Motorcycle Awareness Safety, NHTSA.gov

Protective Riding Gear, Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration

Related Web Resources:

Maryland Motorcycle Roads

Maryland MVA Guide for Motorcycles, DMV.org

Continue reading "NHTSA Says Motorcycle Deaths Rose for the Ninth Straight Year In 2006" »

In Anne Arundel County, Maryland, a 52-year-old motorcyclist died yesterday evening after being struck by a Toyota 4-Runner on Defense Highway in Crofton.

John Carlton Winner, a Bowie resident, was taken to Maryland Shock Trauma Center where he was pronounced dead. Karleen Jeane Talbot, the SUV driver, was not injured in the deadly collision.

According to Anne Arundel police, the accident happened when Talbott tried turning left onto Defense Highway (from Priest Bridge Center). The motorcycle was heading up Defense Highway from the opposite direction. Talbot turned her SUV directly into the path of the 2006 Harley-Davidson motorcycle, which caused Winner to be thrown off.

Motorcycle accidents can be deadly accidents for the motorcyclist—even if he or she is wearing a helmet and the proper protective gear.

2006 Motorcycle Accident Statistics from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA):

• There were 4,810 motorcycle fatalities in 2006.
• 88,000 motorcyclists were injured in accidents.
• Motorcyclists are 37 times more likely to die in a traffic collision than the occupant of car, truck, or bus, and eight times more likely to survive with sustain injuries.
• Speeding and drunk driving were among the most common causes of deadly motorcycle accidents.
• 47% of the people who died in motorcycle crashes were 40 years of age or older.

In Maryland and Washington D.C., anyone riding a motorcycle is required to wear a Department of Transportation-approved safety helmet. Across the U.S., 1,658 motorcyclists survived their crashes because they were using helmets.

Please contact a Maryland or Washington D.C. motorcycle accident lawyer if you or someone you love was seriously injured while riding a motorcycle because another driver was careless or reckless. The law entitles to you personal injury compensation. If you have lost a family member in a motorcycle crash, you may be entitled to receive wrongful death compensation.

Motorcyclist killed in crash in Arundel, Baltimore Sun.com, January 8, 2008

Motorcycle Crashes, Insurance Information Institute

Related Web Resources:

Maryland Motorcycle Roads

Motorcycle Riding Laws by State

Continue reading "Motorcyclist Dies in Crofton, Maryland After Collision with SUV " »

D.C. police say they have identified the motorcyclist that was involved in the high-speed police chase that resulted in a deadly multi-motor vehicle collision on the Capital Beltway on May 30. The crash resulted in the deaths of two people. 15 others were injured in the collision involving seven motor vehicles.

The woman who was a passenger on the motorcycle is the person that has reportedly come forward to identify the motorcyclist. According to over 20 witnesses and based on videotape and other evidence, Office Scott Campbell began chasing a motorcycle, driven by a man with a female passenger, down the Capital Beltway during rush-hour traffic. The high-speed pursuit at times reportedly exceeded 120 mph. The police cruiser eventually crashed into an SUV and other vehicles became involved in the multi-car collision.

Officer Campbell reportedly began chasing the motorcycle without notifying dispatchers—which he should have done. Kevin McDonald and Sidney Clanton, who were riding the SUV, were killed almost immediately. The car of an off-duty police officer also involved in the crash was also seriously damaged.

There is no word on whether criminal charges will be filed. The Prince George’s police department vehicle pursuit policy says that police officers can only engage in chasing a suspect if an officer has probable cause to believe that the person they are pursuing either injured or killed someone in a hit and run crash or physically violent or could become physically violent. According to police policy, police officers must prioritize ensuring the preservation of life over catching a suspect.

Statistics show that 300 people die every year in police pursuit-related accidents. Of these deaths, about 30% of the victims were innocent bystanders who were not even directly involved in the pursuit. Between 1994-2002, 102 bicyclists and pedestrians and 40 police officers were killed because of police chases.

If you or someone you love was seriously injured in a motorcyclist, because a car driver, truck driver, another motorcyclist, a pedestrian, a bus driver, a police officer, or any other party behaved negligently or carelessly, you may be able to file a personal injury claim or lawsuit to demand compensation for your injuries.

Motorcyclist Sought in Pileup Is Identified, Washington Post, October 27, 2007

Study examines crash fatalities from police pursuits, UW School of Medicine, April 16, 2004

D.C. Area Crash Kills 2, Injures 15, CBS News, May 31, 2007

Related Web Resource:

Police Pursuit Accidents

Continue reading "Washington D.C. Police Identify Motorcyclist Involved in Deadly Police Chase and Seven-Car Crash" »

A jury in Maryland has ordered Cecil County to pay Karl Dorman, a 34-year-old Elkton man who lost his right leg in a 2002 motorcycle accident, $3.2 million. Dorman sued Cecil County for personal injury after his leg was severed during his motorcycle crash where a pickup truck collided with him. His leg hit a utility pole that was placed just 17 inches from the road.

Dorman claims that his leg was severed because the county neglected to properly maintain Nottingham Road (where the accident occurred) and the surrounding areas. The motorcycle accident took place on June 2, 2002 close to Steele’s Motel.

Because of Maryland’s limitations cap on local government liability, Dorman will only be able to collect $200,000. To win its case, the plaintiff said that the county neglect its duty to adopt regulations that would prohibit potentially hazardous objects, including utility poles, from being placed too close to roads. They cited “breach of duty” as the cause of Dorman’s severed leg.

The American Association of Highway Safety Transportation Officials has issued a recommendation that utility poles be placed at least 7 to 10 feet from the roadway. The defense said these guidelines are included in Cecil County’s road code.

The six-person jury, however, ruled in favor of Dorman. They said that the county acted negligently by not fulfilling its responsibility to keep Nottingham Road and the nearby area safe and that this negligence was a “concurrent proximate cause” or a “proximate cause” that led to Dorman’s personal injuries.

The jury awarded Dorman $605,000 for mental suffering, physical pain, humiliation, and disfigurement, $266,408.71 in lost wages, and $2,345,257 in medical costs.

A severed leg is a catastrophic injury and the costs for medical bills and recovery are astronomical. Filing a personal injury claim against the person or entity responsible for such an injury can help relieve some of the financial burden and provide the injured person with some acknowledgement for their loss.

Filing a personal injury lawsuit against any government entity can be very complicated and a plaintiff must follow strict guidelines in order for the suit to be brought. It is important to file any kind of accident claim against a government employee or agency as soon as possible. Depending on the state where the accident occurred, the government entity or employee usually must have the chance to agree to or deny your claim. If they deny your claim, you can then file a lawsuit in civil court.

If you have been seriously injured in a motorcycle accident or any other kind of motor vehicle accident in Maryland or Washington D.C., you should speak with a personal injury attorney right away.

Motorcyclist who lost leg wins judgment against county, Cecil Whig, August 29, 2007

Related Web Resources:

AASHTO, Transportation.org

Motorcycle Accident Cause Factors and Identification of Countermeasures, Findings from the Hurt Report

Costs of Injuries Resulting from Motorcycle Crashes, US Department of Transportation

Continue reading "Maryland Motorcyclist Who Lost Leg Wins $3.2 million Personal Injury Judgment from Cecil County" »

Currently, Maryland is one of 20 U.S. states that require all motorcycle riders to wear a helmet. A group of motorcyclists, however, are pushing to have Maryland’s “Helmet Law’ revised.

They want the Maryland General Assembly to let motorcycle riders over the age of 21, who have at least two years motorcycle riding experience or finish an authorized motorcycle safety course, to be given the option of choosing whether to use a helmet.

Doctors at Maryland Shock Trauma Center, however, calls “motorcycles donor cycles.”

Maryland’s “Helmet Law” was repealed in 1979 but reinstated in 1992. Brain injuries have been known to occur 80% more frequently in states that have repealed their Helmet Law.

A recent Maryland study shows that over 50 percent of Maryland motorcyclists do not have health coverage. As the majority of people who sustain traumatic brain injuries have to use Medicaid, every brain injury ends up costing $120,000 annually of taxpayers’ dollars.

The Maryland State Police in Frederick say that they see approximately two to three motorcycle fatalities each week and that the accidents are usually nastier because the victims have no protection.

Motorcycle helmets are considered the best protection from head injuries in motorcycle collisions. Head injuries are a major cause of motorcycle fatalities.

A person who is not wearing a motorcycle has a 40 percent greater chance of sustaining a fatal traumatic brain injury (TBI). He or she also has a 15 percent greater chance of sustaining a nonfatal injury than a motorcyclist wearing a motorcycle.

States with a mandatory motorcycle helmet law:

• Alabama
• Washington D.C.
• Maryland
• Louisiana
• California
• Georgia
• Massachusetts
• Mississippi
• Michigan
• Nebraska
• Missouri
• New Jersey
• Nevada
• New York
• North Carolina
• Tennessee
• Oregon
• Vermont
• Virginia
• West Virgina
• Washington

The Helmet Law, ABC2.com, July 31, 2007

Motorcycle Helmet Use Laws

Motorcycle Helmet Use in 2006

Related Web Resources:

Motorcycle Helmet Use Laws, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety

State of Maryland Mandatory Helmet Law

Continue reading "Motorcycle Injuries and Maryland’s Helmet Law" »

Abraheim Mohamed Zarti of Bryans Road in Charles County, Maryland died on Friday when the motorcycle that he was riding in was hit by a 1998 Toyota Camry at Southbound Maryland Route 210 near Matthews Road. Zarti broke his neck and died from his injuries.

The Camry was driven by Sharon Leta Glisson, 67. Police say that she failed to yield the right of way when she turned in front of him. The motorcycle collision caused Zarti to be thrown from his motorcycle.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that the number of motorcycle deaths in Maryland increased by 60%—from 53 to 85 fatalities a year—from 2001 to 2005.

When involved in motor vehicle crashes, motorcycle riders tend to be more vulnerable to serious injuries than the passengers and drivers of cars, buses, and trucks. Motorcycle riders do not wear seatbelts to keep them safe, nor do they have the body of a vehicle around them to prevent them from being thrown from their motorcycle or crushed by other vehicles.

Despite the size of their motor vehicle, motorcycle riders have the same rights as everyone else on the road.

A few common instances when A motor vehicle driver might get into an accident with a motorcycle rider:

• A motorcyclist is making a turn in the driver’s blind spot
• Hazardous road conditions may compel a motorcycle rider to turn or swerve unexpectedly
• The driver of the motor vehicle is turning left in front of the rider

Motorcycle riders who are seriously injured because of another driver’s negligence on the road should contact an experienced personal injury lawyer who can investigate your accident and file your personal injury claim for you.

If you have lost a spouse, parent, or child in a motorcycle accident that was someone else’s fault, a personal injury lawyer can file a wrongful death lawsuit for you.

Bryan's Road Man In Fatal MotorCycle Accident in Charles County, Southern Maryland Online

Motorcycle Deaths Renew Calls for Safety Measures in Maryland, Insurance Journal.com, June 13, 2007

Tips for Sharing the Road, The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles

Related Web Resources:

2007 Maryland Motorcycle Safety Program, MarylandMVA.com

Continue reading "Maryland Man Dies After Motor Vehicle Crashes Into His Motorcycle In Charles County" »

Tyler Patterson Curry, 22, died on Friday night in Boonsboro, Maryland when his motorcycle crashed head-on with a 2007 Mack tractor that had been pulling an empty fuel tanker on Alternate U.S. 40. Curry had just come from picking up his new 2007 Yamaha YZR6 when the collision happened. He was pronounced dead at the accident scene.

The truck driver, Kenneth Woodrow Knight, sustained no injuries. Maryland State Police have been investigating the crash.

Recent figures released by the U.S. government show that the number of motorcycle fatalities has continued to rise in the last 10 years. This rise is consistent with the numbers of motorcycle fatalities reported in Maryland, where last year police recorded 1,701 injuries and 82 deaths involving motorcycles—that’s two times more injuries and triple the number of deaths involving motorcycles than the number of injuries and deaths in 1997.

Accidents involving motorcycles can result in both serious injuries and fatalities to motorcycle riders because they don’t have anything to protect them when they collide with a car, truck, pedestrian, or another motorcycle. If you were riding a motorcycle and were injured because another party was negligent, a good personal injury lawyer can help you negotiate a settlement with the other party’s insurance company. The insurance company will want to try and settle with you directly, but you stand a better chance of obtaining a larger recovery by retaining the services of a personal injury lawyer.

Continue reading "Maryland Motorcyclist Dies After Collision With Truck On Alternate U.S. 40 in Boonsboro" »