What to Consider when Buying Motorcycle Insurance in Maryland
By injuheis on July 28, 2011
If you will be riding a motorcycle in Maryland, the law requires that you purchase a minimum amount of insurance coverage that will protect you in the event of a motorcycle accident. State law requires 30-60-15 coverage minimums for bodily injury and property damage, uninsured motorist coverage for the same amounts, and $2,500 personal injury protection (PIP). In addition to carrying the minimum amount of insurance, Maryland motorcyclists are required to wear a DOT certified helmet and eye protection, if the helmet does not have a visor.
Although the state requires a minimum level of motorcycle insurance coverage, that does not mean that it will be enough. It is important to choose and purchase motorcycle insurance that is right for you. To make the process easier, Motorcycle-USA.com provides the following guidelines:
- Research several insurance providers and shop around for quotes. Start with your auto insurance provider if you are happy with your coverage. You may even get a discount.
- Speak to an insurance agent, do not only research online. Calling an insurance agent may give you better rates than those offered online.
- Insurance rates are influenced by your age, type of motorcycle, driving record, how you store your bike, how often you ride, where you live, and even your credit score.
- Take your motorcycle riding habits, such as riding seasonally or year-round, into account when choosing your coverage plan.
- A discount may be available if you have taken a recent Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) course or are a member of groups like Harley Owners Group (HOG) or the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA).
- Make sure your motorcycle is protected, basic liability may not be enough, especially if you ride a new and expensive bike.
- Although the most expensive, the best coverage is full Comprehensive and Collision coverage.
Finding the right coverage plan will make sure you and your motorcycle are protected in the event of a Maryland motorcycle accident. If you have suffered injury in a motorcycle crash as the result of another driver’s negligence, experienced Maryland motorcycle accident attorney Steven H. Heisler, “The Injury Lawyer,” can help you pursue compensation for your losses. Call Mr. Heisler today for a consultation at (877) 228-4878.
Anne Arundel County Police Officers Injured in Motorcycle Crash
By admin on May 10, 2011
Two Anne Arundel County police officers suffered minor injuries in a Maryland motorcycle accident when they collided into each other while on a traffic escort detail, according to The Baltimore Sun. The officers struck each other near the intersection of Route 295 and Interstate 195 in Linthicum and were transported to Maryland Shock Trauma Center. Both were released the same day, one with a hip injury, the other a leg injury. An investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing.
Maryland motorcycle accidents can cause catastrophic injuries to riders, particularly if the accident involves a larger motor-vehicle. It is imperative that motorcyclists follow the appropriate safety guidelines while on the road, especially when riding in groups. Not knowing how to effectively ride and communicate to each other as a group can cause inadvertent motorcycle crashes, whether one rider collides with another, or one cannot effectively communicate a road hazard. Following these safety tips can ensure that two or more motorcyclists can ride and communicate together safely:
- If riding with a group of more than five motorcycles, break the group up into smaller ones;
- Ride in a staggered line with the first bike on the left side of the lane, not side by side;
- Keep at least a two-second following distance from the motorcycle in front of you;
- Wait in pairs, side-by-side, at a stop sign or red light;
- Pass other motor-vehicles individually, never in pairs or groups; and
- Before you ride, come up with two or three hand signals that may be used for communication.
These guidelines will help keep motorcycle riders safe, but unfortunately cannot prevent every Maryland motorcycle crash. Motorcycle accidents are most often caused by the actions of other drivers who do not know how to share the road with motorcycles.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident in Maryland that was the result of the negligent or reckless actions of another driver, you may be entitled to compensation for your financial and emotional losses. Skilled Baltimore motorcycle crash attorney Steven H. Heisler, “The Injury Lawyer,” can help you attain the compensation you deserve by holding at-fault parties accountable for their negligent actions. To learn more about your legal rights, call today at 877-228-4878 for a free and confidential consultation.
Fatal Motorcycle Crash on Route 40 Kills Dundalk Man
By admin on May 4, 2011
A 59-year-old man was killed and a 51-year-old woman injured in a Maryland motorcycle accident when the 1996 Honda Gold King motorcycle they were riding hit a guardrail on Route 40 in Cecil County, according to The Dundalk Patch. Both the driver and his female passenger were ejected from the motorcycle on impact. No other vehicle was involved in the accident, however witnesses say that it had just begun raining and the driver may have hit some water. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene, while his female passenger was taken to Christiana Hospital in Delaware.
According the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were 106,000 motorcycle crashes nationwide in 2009. Of these, 84,000 were injury crashes, 4,595 were fatal crashes, and 17,000 involved property damage. Ten percent of the 106,000 crashes involved colliding with a fixed object, such as a guardrail, and 1,147 fixed object motorcycle accidents were fatal.
Motorcycle accidents can be caused by bad weather, a negligent driver, or hazardous road conditions. If a motorcycle accident is caused by reckless or negligent driving on the part of another motorist, that motorist could be held liable for any injuries caused. In the case of a hazardous roadway, it is a little more complicated. It must be determined that the city or other governing body in charge of maintaining and repairing the road did not do so, or did not do so properly. It is only then that the city or other at-fault party could be held accountable for injuries and fatalities that result. Hazardous road conditions, especially potholes, can be very dangerous for a motorcyclist. If you or a loved one has been injured in a Maryland motorcycle crash caused by the negligence of another, you may be able to recover compensation through a personal injury claim.
Steven H. Heisler, “The Injury Lawyer,” is a dedicated Maryland motorcycle accident attorney that helps injured victims hold negligent parties accountable for their losses. Mr. Heisler can inform you of your legal rights and advise you on the right course of action for your particular case. Call today for a free confidential consultation at 877-228-4878.
Safety Tips for Maryland Motorcyclists
By admin on April 25, 2011
As the weather becomes warmer, more people will be enjoying the freedom of riding their motorcycle. In order to safely share the road with other motorists who often don’t pay attention to motorcycles, motorcycle riders need to practice Maryland motorcycle safety by driving defensively and wearing the proper gear.
What a motorcyclist wears is almost just as important as how they drive since motorcyclists are not protected by their vehicle as other motorists are. A Maryland motorcycle crash can have devastating results because of that fact. The best thing a motorcyclist can do is make sure their body is protected by the proper clothing: A full-face helmet, which provides eye and face protection; gloves, sturdy jacket with full-length sleeves, thick pants, and boots that preferably cover the ankles.
In addition to wearing the proper gear, the best way to stay safe on your motorcycle is driving defensively. Many motorists don’t know how to share the road with motorcycles; oftentimes, many motorists don’t even know that a motorcycle is next to them. This is why a motorcyclist must be especially aware of other vehicles, what they are doing and where they are going. Always remember that even a two-door Mini Cooper is larger and heavier than most motorcycles and can easier knock an unsuspecting rider off of their bike. Keeping these points in mind can help motorcycle riders avoid an accident.
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a motorcycle accident in Maryland due to the negligent actions of another driver, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses. Contact the experienced Baltimore motorcycle accident attorney Steven H. Heisler, “The Injury Lawyer,” at 877-862-6288 for a free confidential consultation and to learn more about your potential claim.
Federal Study: Maryland Motorcycle Helmet Law Helps Prevent Deaths
By admin on February 2, 2011
In 1992, Maryland enacted a law that required motorcyclists and their passengers to wear helmets. The purpose of the law was to help prevent traumatic brain injuries and other serious injuries and deaths to motorcycle riders.
Now, a study published in the American Journal of Public Health has concluded that Maryland’s helmet laws have gone a long way toward protecting Maryland motorcyclists from the most serious injuries.
The study examined Maryland accident statistics from the three years immediately before and immediately after the helmet law went into effect. Researchers discovered that, while the number of motorcyclists on Maryland’s roads stayed the same, the number of fatal accidents dropped from 130 deaths before the law took effect to 82 deaths in the three years after the law took effect.
Although motorcycle riders make up fewer than 2 percent of travelers on U.S. roads, they are 14 times more likely to be killed in a traffic crash. The greater exposure of a motorcyclist’s body to the road, as well as the increased chances that a motorist will not see a motorcycle, increases the risk of a motorcycle accident in Maryland.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a Maryland motorcycle accident, the assistance of a skilled Maryland motorcycle accident attorney can help ensure that rightful compensation is obtained. Steven H. Heisler, “The Injury Lawyer,” has both the legal resources and experience to present a strong case on your behalf. For a free and confidential case evaluation, call Steven H. Heisler today at 877-228-4878.
Fourteen Year Old Passenger Killed in Maryland Motorcycle Crash
By injuheis on September 13, 2010
A 14 year old girl from Harford County was killed on September 2, 2010 in a motorcycle accident in Darlington.
According to the Baltimore Sun, the teenager from Whiteford was a passenger on her father’s Harley Davidson, when the motorcycle crashed into the rear of a 2005 Dodge van. The girl was thrown from the motorcycle and later died at Johns Hopkins Hospital.
The Maryland State Police reported that the bike was southbound on Route 136 and “failed to notice” the van as it rounded the curve. The van was stopped behind another vehicle waiting to make a left hand turn. The driver of the motorcycle, the girl’s father, survived the Maryland motorcycle accident.
The death of this young woman is a horrible tragedy. What can we learn from this? Well, the first thing that jumps out is it appears that the driver of the motorcycle was not paying attention. Obviously, keeping your eyes on the road, and especially when transporting a passenger, is of the utmost importance. What else should motorcyclists keep in mind when carrying a passenger?
According to msf-usa.org, carrying a passenger on a motorcycle puts extra weight on which affects the handling of the bike. Drivers should adjust their suspension and tire pressure to compensate for the passenger.
Some other tips from msf-usa.org regarding carrying a passenger:
- Braking is more difficult. When carrying the weight of a passenger it may take longer to stop.
- Advise passengers to always hold the driver at the hips or waist and lean forward a little bit when the motorcycle accelerates from a stop on the road.
- Passengers should also “be firmly braced against (the driver’s) waist and should lean back slightly” when braking to avoid their weight from shifting forward.
Washington County Motorcycle Accident Injures Two Men
By injuheis on July 5, 2010
A motorcycle and a car collided earlier this month in Carroll County. The collision occurred at the intersection of Broadfording Road and Md. 63, according to an article in The Herald-Mail. Two individuals were riding a motorcycle on Md. 63 when a Monte Carlo pulled out from a stop sign to cross the road. The motorcycle hit the driver’s side of the car and both riders were thrown from the bike.
The motorcycle’s driver was flown to a trauma center in critical condition. The motorcycle passenger was taken to a local hospital with a broken arm, a collapsed lung, and chest injuries. The automobile’s driver refused treatment.
The intersection where the accident occurred is known for being dangerous because of a large tree that obstructs the view from both intersecting roads.
In 75 percent of motorcycle accidents, the motorcycle collides with another vehicle, usually a passenger vehicle. The major cause of motorcycle accidents in Maryland is the failure of motorists to see and recognize motorcycles in traffic. The most likely place for motorcycle accidents is intersections, as it occurred in this particular crash, and usually involves the other motorist violating the motorcycle’s right of way. The visibility of the motorcycle also plays a large part in motorcycle accidents – the more visible the motorcycle, the less the risk of an accident.
Have you or a loved one been injured in an accident involving a motorcycle? Tragically, motorcycle accidents can result in more bodily injury to the rider than individuals riding in enclosed vehicles. If you have been involved in a Maryland motorcycle accident as the result of someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Contact Steven H. Heisler, “The Injury Lawyer”, today at 877-228-4878 for a free consultation. Our Maryland motorcycle accident lawyers are eager to assist you.
BMW Recalls Thousands of Motorcycles Due to Brake Failure Risk
By injuheis on June 30, 2010
According to the NHTSA, 15,532 U.S. motorcycles have been recalled by BMW as a result of possible brake defects. The German manufacturer is concerned that “vibrations could cause the front brake lines to develop leaks that could allow brake fluid to escape. In a worst case scenario, this could lead to a failure of the front brakes,” according to a www.telegraph.co.uk report.
The recalled motorcycles are from the K1200 and R1200 series for model years 2007 to 2009.
Maryland motorcyclists who ride BMW’s need to take this recall seriously. Riding on a motorcycle is hazardous enough, let alone one that has no working front brakes. If you ride a BMW motorcycle, please have your bike examined immediately.
Steven H. Heisler, “The Injury Lawyer,” takes motorcycle safety seriously. If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident, please contact Maryland motorcycle injury lawyer Steven H. Heisler for a free consultation. He represents motorcycle accident victims involving brain trauma, defective motorcycle products and defective helmets.
Maryland Motorcycle Accident Injures Man
By injuheis on August 11, 2009
A man was injured in a Maryland motorcycle accident on Mapleville Road, the Herald-Mail reports in an article. The motorcyclist was traveling south on Mapleville near Beaver Creek Road when he lost control of his 2003 Yamaha motorcycle, Maryland State Police said. He was thrown off the motorcycle and crashed into several trees and shrubs; however, he suffered non-life threatening injuries.
Motorcycle accidents can result in catastrophic injuries – sometimes, injuries that can leave you disabled for a lifetime. Medical treatment for these injuries and long-term care, if it becomes necessary, can cost a lot of money. In solo crashes, it is important to look into whether there was a dangerous road condition or a mechanical problem or defective auto product in the motorcycle that caused the rider to lose control. Where there are other vehicles involved, it is critical to get all information about the other party, such as license plate, insurance, driver’s license number and witness information. If the other party is determined to be at-fault, then you may be eligible to seek compensation for your injuries, damages and loss.
Along with quality medical treatment and care, you also need to seek out and consult with an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer who has a sound understanding of Maryland motorcycle and traffic laws. If you or a loved one has sustained injuries as a result of a motorcycle accident, please contact Maryland motorcycle injury lawyer, Steven H. Heisler, for a free consultation. He represents clients involved in a variety of motorcycle accidents that involve head trauma, defective auto products and defective helmets. Steven H. Heisler will fight for your rights while remaining sensitive to special and unique issues you face as an injury victim. Call today for a free case evaluation.
Maryland Motorcycle Accident Kills Man
By injuheis on June 2, 2009
Ryan Myers, 23, was killed in a Maryland motorcycle accident after he was run over by a tractor-trailer on Route 63 near Hagerstown, according to this news report. The fatal motorcycle crash occurred on Route 63 near French Lane when Myers was traveling north. A tractor-trailer pulled out of a truck stop into Myers’ path. Maryland State troopers said the motorcycle braked and skidded about 300 feet.
Myers was run over by one of the left rear tires of the tractor-trailer, which was reportedly being driven by 62-year-old Larry Garrett of Edmond, Oklahoma. Myers was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash. Myers is the son of Delegate LeRoy Myers. State police have not yet filed charges against Garrett pending a police investigation.
Statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) show that more than 38,000 people died in motorcycle accidents throughout the United States between 1975 and 1999. With the growing popularity and use of motorcycles, it’s more important than ever before to understand what you need to do in case of a motorcycle accident in Maryland and how to protect your legal rights if you ever become a victim.
If you have suffered serious injuries in a motorcycle accident as a result of someone else’s negligence, you may be eligible to receive compensation for your medical expenses, hospitalization, pain and suffering, cost of medication, and lost wages. If you have been injured or have lost a loved one in a Maryland motorcycle accident, please call skilled Maryland motorcycle attorney Steven H. Heisler for a free and comprehensive consultation and case evaluation.
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