Car Plows Into Cyclists, Killing 1 And Injuring 2 In Annapolis

Over the weekend, tragedy struck for three cyclists in Annapolis when a car hit them as they rode their bikes near East College Parkway and Bay Head Road just after 12:30 p.m. When first responders arrived at the scene, they saw that one of the cyclists had passed away.

The first responders then provided medical assistance to the other two cyclists. One was a 50-year-old man who had suffered life-threatening injuries, so he was flown to the hospital by helicopter. The other cyclist, a 50-year-old woman, was taken to the hospital by ambulance for non-life-threatening injuries.

It’s not yet clear how or why the driver of the car struck the group of cyclists, so police are still investigating the cause of the accident. The legal team at Gilman and Bedigian is hopeful the two injured cyclists will recover quickly and get the justice they deserve after this devastating Maryland bicycle accident.

Maryland Bike Accident Statistics to Know

Unfortunately, accidents involving cars and bikes are not uncommon. In 2017, there were more than 37,000 deaths caused by vehicle accidents in the US, and 783 of those fatalities were cyclists. In Maryland alone, the average amount of bike crashes every year is 816, and that number has increased by 20% in the last five years. Sadly, about 80% of those bike accidents led to injury or death, as was the case in the Maryland bicycle accident discussed here.

Note that bicycle crashes are much more common in big cities like Baltimore than in more rural or suburban areas. Also, bike crashes are more likely to happen in warmer months, as more than half occur between May and October. That’s when the weather is nice enough for Maryland residents to want to take a relaxing bike ride to enjoy the fact that it’s finally warm out.

If you or your loved ones ever do the same, you’re at risk of being a victim of a Maryland bicycle accident. In that case, you’ll need to know what to do if the worst occurs while you’re enjoying a bike ride.

Steps to Take After a Maryland Bicycle Accident Involving a Car

If you ever get hit by a car while on a bike ride around Baltimore or surrounding cities, you first need to assess your injuries. Considering that the vast majority of Maryland car accidents involving a bike lead to injuries, you’ll be very lucky if you can walk away from the accident unscathed.

If you can move, get to a safe area—and out of the road—and call the police to report the accident. While you wait for police and an ambulance to arrive, exchange insurance information with the driver who hit you and get the contact information of any witnesses who saw the accident. If you have time, take pictures of the damage to your bike, and also photograph any injuries you have. And of course, make sure to get the medical attention you need for your Maryland accident injuries as soon as first responders arrive.

Your next step is to contact a Maryland bicycle attorney to find out if your best move is to initiate a case against the driver. Your lawyer will be able to help you decide whether you should settle for what the driver and his or her insurance company has offered, or if you should pursue more. Since your initial appointment is often free, you have nothing to lose by meeting with a Maryland personal injury attorney to learn your options.