Maryland Accident Law Blog
A number of motorcycle accidents in the past several weeks have caused police in Anne Arundel County to warn drivers on the road to pay more attention to motorcyclists.
On April 22, Lora Burgess, of Laurel, and Kevin Ross, of Baltimore, were killed in Millersville on Interstate 97 after their motorcycle hit a guardrail. Ross had been trying to pass another car on the right shoulder. Also that day, other motorcycle riders sustained serious injuries and were hospitalized following three other motorcycle crashes.
In 2006, there were 11 motorcycle fatalities. Anne Arundel County was named the number three county in the state with the most motorcycle deaths. In Maryland, 85 people died in motorcycle accidents in 2006—87 people died in 2005.
Anne Arundel County Police say that last year, they responded to nearly 20 incidents where there was property damage involving a motorcycle. They also recorded 98 personal injury accidents.
The Maryland Department of Transportation offers the following 2003 statistics regarding motorcycle accidents in the state:
* Drivers involved in motorcycle crashes are overwhelmingly men (89.3 %).
* Drivers involved in motorcycle crashes are fairly evenly distributed among the age groups between 21-49 years old.
* Prince George’s County has the highest number of motorcycle crashes (192) and Baltimore County (183) has the second highest number of crashes.
* However, based upon vehicle miles traveled, Baltimore City (141), Frederick County (70), and Charles County (67) are significantly over represented.
* Motorcycle crashes occur on Maryland state and county roads than on any other road type.
* The majority of motorcycle crashes occur between April and September.
* A higher percentage of motorcycle crashes occur during the weekend than during the week.
* The highest percentage of motorcycle crashes occurs between 2:00 pm and 8:00 pm.
Motorcycle accidents can be very catastrophic and often lead to serious injuries or death. If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident or someone you love has been killed in a motorcycle collision because another driver was negligent, there were unnecessary hazards on the road, there was a defect in the design of the motorcycle, or for other reasons where another party may be liable for negligently causing the collision, you should speak with a personal injury attorney right away.
Lebowitz and Mzhen is a personal injury law firm that handles serious personal injury and wrongful death claims for clients in the Maryland and Washington D.C. area. We are skilled and experienced injury and trial lawyers that have successfully helped many victims of personal injury accidents recover damages for their injuries or loss.
To schedule a free consultation, call Lebowitz and Mzhen today.
For bikers, death is always a lane away, Maryland Gazette, May 9, 2007
Profile of a motorcycle crash in Maryland – 2003, Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration
Related Web Resources:
Motorcycle Accident Cause Factors and Identification of Countermeasures