Motorcycle accidents are common throughout the United States, including in Maryland. These accidents often cause catastrophic injuries as well as deaths. Riders must be both cautious and skilled enough to operate their motorcycles in dangerous conditions. Drivers of other motor vehicles, on the other hand, must be attentive to smaller vehicles on the road around them. When they fail to recognize motorcycles, the results can be deadly.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, motorcyclists are more likely to be involved in fatal accidents than drivers of passenger vehicles. Riders only have minimal protective gear to protect themselves from injuries and, if not wearing helmets, can suffer head injuries as well as spinal injuries and broken bones. Head injury, in fact, remains the leading cause of death in any motorcycle-related crash. It should come as no surprise that motorcyclists who wear helmets are less likely to suffer fatal injuries than those who do not wear helmets.
Motorcycle accidents have many causes. One leading cause is the failure of drivers of other vehicles to see and recognize motorcycles around them. These situations can be prevented if both motorcyclists and drivers exercise due caution. As required by Maryland law, motorcyclists should always observe and maintain a safe distance from other vehicles when traveling next to them. Drivers of other vehicles, on the other hand, need to be more observant and keep in mind at all times that they share the road with motorcyclists.
In the event of a motorcycle accident, the person who caused the mishap can be held liable for the victim's damages if negligence can be shown to have contributed to the accident. If the injured motorcyclist was following traffic rules and regulations and the other party was acting recklessly before the collision, then the injured motorcyclist can receive compensation.