Severna Park, Maryland Motorcycle Accident Attorney

When a motorcycle is involved in a collision with another vehicle, the motorcyclist is much more likely to be injured than other drivers or passengers. Motorcycle riders have almost no protection against the impact of a collision. Even when they wear protective gear like helmets, their bodies will absorb the force of impact, which can seriously damage their limbs, internal organs, or other body parts.

Motorcycle accidents can occur for a variety of reasons, but when they are caused by other drivers, motorcyclists will need to understand what steps they can take to obtain financial compensation. At Whitlock Law, we work with people who have been injured in motorcycle accidents to help them secure compensation that will address their medical expenses and other damages. We understand how devastating these accidents can be, and we are dedicated to protecting the rights of our clients and helping them move forward as they recover from serious injuries.

Why Other Drivers Are Often Responsible for Motorcycle Accidents

When using a motorcycle on the road, a person has the same rights as any other driver. Unfortunately, drivers of passenger vehicles may not respect those rights. They may drive unsafely around motorcycles, such as by following too closely behind them or trying to pass within the same lane. However, the most serious forms of negligence will often involve the failure to see a motorcycle at all.

Because motorcycles are smaller and less visible than other vehicles, drivers may fail to recognize them. This may occur because drivers do not pay close enough attention to their surroundings. Others may not recognize how far away a motorcycle is or the speed at which it is traveling. This can lead them to take actions that block the path of a motorcycle, force a motorcyclist to slow down suddenly, or cause a crash when a motorcycle is forced off the road or into oncoming traffic.

A driver may fail to see a motorcycle because they do not check their mirrors or look in their blind spots before turning or making a lane change. The failure to see an approaching motorcycle when making a turn can be especially dangerous. A driver may make a left turn at an intersection and move directly into the path of a motorcycle, giving them no way to avoid crashing into the vehicle from the side.

Other Forms of Driver Negligence That Can Injure Motorcyclists

Unsafe conduct that might result in a relatively minor collision between cars can cause catastrophic injuries when a motorcycle is involved. Some of the issues that can put motorcyclists at risk include:

Distracted Driving

Drivers who engage in distracting activities will be more likely to miss motorcycles or take actions that could lead to motorcycle accidents. Texting, making phone calls, using navigation systems, adjusting vehicle controls, or looking for items on a vehicle's floor or in the back seat may prevent a driver from seeing a motorcycle, and they may cause an accident when changing lanes or making other maneuvers.

Speeding

When a driver is traveling at an unsafe speed, they will have less time to react to changes in traffic. When speeding, a person may misjudge the distance between their vehicle and a motorcycle, or they may be unprepared to slow down when necessary to avoid colliding with a motorcycle.

Following Too Closely

Motorcycles may stop more quickly than larger vehicles. Drivers may be unprepared for these quick stops, and they may need to brake quickly to avoid a rear-end collision. When a driver is tailgating behind a motorcycle, they may have no opportunity to slow down before crashing into the motorcycle from behind.

Drunk Driving

When a driver is intoxicated, they will be more likely to make dangerous mistakes or lose control while behind the wheel. They may be unable to see motorcycles due to blurred vision, or they may be unable to judge distances correctly. Their bodily control and ability to react quickly may be impaired, preventing them from being able to move in time to avoid a collision. Drunk drivers may weave between lanes, drift out of their lane and strike a motorcycle, or cause a collision when they ignore a traffic signal.

Aggressive Driving

Road rage and hostile behavior by drivers can put motorcycle riders at risk of injury. Drivers who purposely cut motorcycles off, follow them too closely, or force them off the road can cause serious injuries when these aggressive actions lead to motorcycle accidents.

Injuries in Motorcycle Accidents

A collision between a motorcycle and another vehicle can result in severe injuries for a motorcycle rider. A person may need extensive medical treatment, and the recovery time can be long. Some injuries can result in permanent disabilities that will continue to affect a person for the rest of their life. Some of the injuries that take place most often in motorcycle accidents include:

• Traumatic brain injurieswhen a person strikes their head on a vehicle or the ground
• Spinal cord injuries due to the impact to a person's back in a collision
• Road rash that occurs when a person's body comes into contact with the pavement on the road
• Broken bones in multiple parts of the body, such as the hips, ribs, legs, arms, and collarbones
• Internal injuries affecting organs like the lungs, heart, liver, spleen, or kidneys
• Burns from fires that occur when gasoline spills during an accident
• Facial injuries that may lead to permanent scars and disfigurement
• Amputations of limbs that are severely injured in a collision