Driving or riding a motorcycle can be a fun experience, but motorcyclists face unique risks while sharing the road with cars. The average motorcycle is about 80-100 inches long. When compared to other vehicles that motorcycles share the road with, other vehicles can range from a mid-sized sedan that can be around 14 feet long to large pick-up trucks that on average can be around 235 inches long. Although motorcycle accidents do not necessarily happen more frequently than other motor vehicle accidents, accidents involving motorcycles can be particularly devastating. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2019, motorcyclists were nearly 29 times more likely than passenger car occupants to die in a crash per vehicle miles traveled. Motorcyclists and drivers of other vehicles should take precautions and be mindful of others on the road to prevent devastating accidents.
In recent news, an accident occurred outside of Maryland and led to severe injuries for a motorcyclist. The accident occurred at the intersection of 3rd and E streets in the Judiciary Square neighborhood of D.C. According to the report, D.C. Fire and EMS crews were responding to a fire around 10 a.m. when they collided with a motorcyclist. The motorcyclist was taken to a nearby hospital with serious injuries. No one on the fire truck was injured. The crash is still being investigated.
As seen in the accident described above, sharing the road with emergency vehicles can present additional risks as these vehicles respond to various emergency situations multiple times throughout the day. All drivers should take extra care to be aware of the changing environment around them while they are on the road, which may mean safely yielding to the right when emergency vehicles have turned on their emergency signals. In addition, emergency vehicles and other vehicles must be mindful of smaller vehicles on the road, including motorcycles.
What Causes Accidents Involving Motorcycles and Other Vehicles
Because of the size of motorcycles compared to other larger vehicles on the road, oftentimes other drivers may fail to detect motorcycles. It may be the case that the driver failed to detect the motorcycle early enough to prevent a collision. In some motorcycle accidents, the motorcyclist may fail to properly abide by road laws, which because of a motorcycle’s smaller size, may include motorcyclists taking risky maneuvers to avoid traffic. In addition, the speed of one of the drivers can be a contributor to motorcycle accidents, whether it is the speed of the motorcyclist or the speed of the driver of another vehicle. Those who have suffered injuries after a motor vehicle accident should contact an experienced lawyer immediately to help them recover damages for their injuries.
Have You Been Injured in a Motorcycle Accident in Maryland
If you or someone you love has suffered injuries after being involved in a motorcycle accident or other vehicle accident in Maryland, contact the Schupak Law Firm today. Our skilled attorneys are ready to assist you with recovering the damages you deserve after a motor vehicle accident. The attorneys at Schupak have years of experience helping clients navigate difficult litigation involving motor vehicle accidents in Washington D.C. and Maryland. In addition to motor vehicle accident cases, our firm handles premises liability cases, defective product lawsuits, and medical malpractice. Call our office today at 240-833-3914 today to discuss your case with a dedicated team member.