While it is a lot more fun to be riding a motorcycle on a beautiful day rather than a car, it is important to be careful. When you ride a motorcycle, you don’t have the protection of being shielded by a metal enclosure like you would be if you were in a car. In motorcycle accidents, injuries are reported 80% of the time, by contrast, in car accidents they are reported only 20% of the time. Summer is the deadliest season for motorcycle riders, and it is essential to exercise extreme caution while riding your motorcycle or when you drive around motorcycles.
The Maryland Department of Transportation prepared a crash report in 2021.Some facts and statistics:
• 78 people died as a result of motorcycle accidents in Maryland in 2021
• Prince George’s County and Baltimore County had the highest rate of motorcycle accidents
• Approximately 40% of motorcycle accidents occur in June, July, and September
• Approximately 40% of motorcycle accidents happen on Saturdays and Sundays
• The most common time for motorcycle accidents to occur is between the hours of 3:00 pm-6:00 pm
• Over half of the motorcyclists involved in collisions with other vehicles are men
How to Decrease Your Chances of Getting Involved in a Motorcycle Accident?
• Allow sufficient space between a motorcycle and other vehicles
• To ride a motorcycle, wear bright clothes
• Recognize your blind sports
• Perform regular maintenance on your motorcycle
• Do not share a lane with a car
• Take a safety course
Maryland is a Contributory Negligence State
Only three other states continue to use the contributory negligence standard, Maryland is the fourth. If your state is a contributory negligence state, it means that if the plaintiff contributed to the accident at all, the plaintiff is barred from recovering damages. Therefore, even if the plaintiff is responsible in only 1% for what happened, the plaintiff will still be unable to recover any damages from the defendant. It is very important to keep this in mind, as it means, e.g., that if you are involved in a serious collision due to another driver cutting you off while you were speeding, you will not be eligible for any kind of financial compensation. Another example is, not wearing a helmet. Even though the accident may not be your fault, you could lose your opportunity to receive compensation, as not wearing a helmet could be considered negligence on your part.
After you were involved in an accident, you need to go to the hospital if you are experiencing any kind of pain. Remember, do not wait to see how you feel later. Your medical records are the most reliable evidence of your injuries, which assists in the process of negotiating the compensation you deserve. You must, therefore, ensure that your medical records correctly indicate the extent of your injuries, pain, and suffering. Please get in touch with us as soon as possible if you or a family member has been hurt in a motorcycle accident. We have worked with thousands of people and ensured that they receive the compensation they deserve.