Maryland Motorcycle Safety Laws: How Riders Can Protect Themselves

Riding a motorcycle is a freedom like no other. But freedom and responsibility must go hand-in-hand. Motorcycles are much smaller than traditional vehicles and offer far less protection to their riders. As such, motorcycle riders must take steps to protect themselves from the road and other vehicles.

This article uses motorcycle crash statistics to explain why motorcycle safety matters. It also outlines Maryland’s motorcycle safety laws and why riders should follow them. Finally, it explains how a Laurel motorcycle accident attorney can help in the event of an accident.

Maryland Motorcycles by the Numbers

Motorcycle crashes are a serious issue. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)’s most recent data show that 6,335 motorcyclists were killed in accidents in 2023. These numbers were the highest since 1975.

Here in Maryland, the state Department of Transportation (MDOT) reports that 73 Marylanders are killed in accidents each year, and another 1,000 people are injured. Though Maryland motorcycle accidents reached a low in 2019, in the years since, the numbers have started to return to their higher levels.

Leading Causes of Maryland Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle accidents can be caused by the car driver or the bike rider. When it comes to drivers, the NHTSA’s numbers show that 46 percent of all motorcycle-car crashes involved the car making a left turn when the motorcycle was going straight. This shows that drivers often fail to yield to motorcyclists.

Bikers are not without fault, though. The NHTSA found that 36 percent of fatally injured motorcyclists were speeding at the time of the accident. This number places motorcycles first among all vehicles for speeding-involved crashes.

Another factor is alcohol. In 2023, 26 percent of all fatally injured motorcycle riders had a Blood Alcohol Content (“BAC”) of more than the legal limit of 0.08. For single-vehicle accidents, this number jumped to 40 percent. Also, nationally and in Maryland, a large number of motorcycle fatalities happen at night. However, the NHTSA notes that alcohol use by motorcycle riders in nighttime crashes is 2.5 times higher than in daytime accidents.

Motorcycle Safety Matters in Maryland

Maryland has many motorcycle safety laws. Here are a few:

Helmets. Maryland requires that all motorcycle operators and passengers wear helmets approved by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Helmets reduce the risk of death for operators by 37 percent and reduce traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) by 67 percent.
Eye protection. Maryland requires all operators to wear a windscreen or goggles.
Licensing. Maryland requires a Class “M” endorsement for all bikers. This is important because NHTSA’s 2023 data show that 34 percent of all riders in fatal crashes were not properly licensed.
Lane-Sharing and Lane-Splitting Laws. In Maryland, two motorcycles may share the same lane. However, Maryland does not allow lane splitting, which is the practice of motorcycles moving between stopped cars to avoid traffic.

Why Following Maryland’s Motorcycle Safety Laws Matters

Failure to follow Maryland’s motorcycle safety laws can not only injure your body, but it can also hurt your accident claim.

After an injury claim is filed, courts and juries consider each person’s role. Each party is assigned a number from 0-100. A person at “0” is completely blameless, while a person at “100” is wholly at fault. But because very few people are clearly at fault or obviously not at fault, most states allow people who are partially at fault to recover damages for their injuries.

However, Maryland uses a rule called contributory negligence. Under this rule, a person who is partially at fault cannot receive any compensation. This harsh rule applies even when the person is only one percent responsible for the accident. Any failure to follow Maryland’s motorcycle safety laws could allow the other driver’s insurance company to raise contributory negligence to bar your claim. The same is true for actions such as speeding and driving under the influence.

How Maryland Motorcyclists Can Protect Themselves on the Road

Motorcycle accidents are dangerous, but they can be prevented. Maryland motorcycle riders should follow all Maryland motorcycle safety laws at all times. In particular, you should never mount up without a helmet or a proper, valid license. NEVER ride while intoxicated. In addition, riders should:

Allow a proper following distance of two to three seconds.
Inspect your bike before every ride.
Wear protective gear such as boots, jackets, and gloves.
Use proper lighting, particularly at night.
Adjust your speed for weather and road conditions.
Be particularly cautious at intersections.

These tips can protect you and others on the road.

Get Help After a Maryland Motorcycle Accident

Hopefully, the tips in this article will keep you and your passengers safe. But if you should happen to be in a motorcycle accident through no fault of your own, you have rights. If you need a Laurel motorcycle accident attorney after a motorcycle accident, contact the Law Offices of Thomas E. Pyles. Our team has decades of experience handling a wide range of personal injury cases. Call us at 301-705-5006 or use our online contact form to schedule a free consultation.