Motorcycle riders may be a common sight for Maryland residents because more and more people prefer motorcycles as a means of transportation. Many people find motorcycles more advantageous than passenger vehicles due to their flexibility in traffic and modest use of gasoline. While this may seem like good news, it may also increase the possibility of motorcyclists being involved in motor vehicle accidents.
Many Laurel, Maryland, residents may be interested in a report regarding motorcycle crashes and fatalities. Reportedly, nearly 3,922 motorcyclists were killed across the United States during the first nine months of 2012. Although the total number of traffic-related deaths decreased to 23 percent, motorcycle fatalities increased twice that compared with the total number in the previous years.
There are several factors involved in motorcycle deaths. These factors include weather conditions, the improvement of the economy and higher costs of gasoline. However, experts agree that using helmets can prevent motorcycle fatalities. For example, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration stated that nearly 706 motorcycle riders killed in 2010 may have survived the crash had they been wearing helmets at the time of the accident. However, only 20 states, including Maryland, require motorcycle riders to wear helmets.
The growing number of motorcycle fatalities may remind people about the dangers of motorcycle riding. Motorcyclists may get involved in crashes that are caused by negligent drivers or drunk drivers on the road. Motorists are also inattentive sometimes and do not notice the presence of motorcycles, which may lead to serious injury or death as a result of a collision. In such cases, motorcycle accidents that result in injuries or death may be the liability of the other driver.
In such cases, victims injured due to motorcycle accidents may want to consider filing a lawsuit in order to receive compensation. This compensation may support hospitalization, lost wages and other necessary expenses. If an accident claims the victim's life, the immediate family may be compensated through a wrongful death lawsuit.
