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.
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