Understanding Maryland’s Motorcycle Safety Laws: A Guide for Bikers

In a crash between a car and a motorcycle, the biker is far more likely to be injured. As a result, Maryland has many laws designed to protect motorcyclists.

This article discusses the Maryland laws that apply to motorcyclists and the consequences of failing to obey those laws. It also explains how a Laurel motorcycle accident attorney can help after an accident.

Maryland’s Laws on Helmets and Motorcycle Rider Safety

Helmets

The evidence is clear: Helmets save lives. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), between 2002 to 2017, motorcycle helmets saved more than 25,000 lives. They are also nearly 40% effective in preventing fatal injuries.

Maryland requires helmets for all motorcyclists. The headgear must meet the standards created by the NHTSA. NHTSA-approved helmets must be able to protect riders against impact and penetration. They must also have a “retention system,” such as a chin strap, to keep the helmet secured in place. Luckily, nearly all new helmets comply with NHTSA standards.

Eye protection

Unless the motorcycle is equipped with a windscreen, the rider must wear adequate eye protection. Most over-the-counter sunglasses and goggles meet this standard. A helmet’s face shield is also acceptable.

Maryland’s Motorcycle Safety Laws: Passengers and Packages

In Maryland, motorcycle riders cannot carry any package that might prevent them from keeping both hands safely on the handlebars. Other forms of cargo carriage, such as saddlebags and panniers, are allowed.

A Maryland motorcyclist cannot carry a passenger on their bike unless it has been specifically designed to handle multiple riders. The bike must have a secure, permanent passenger seat as well as footrests and handholds for the passenger.

Maryland’s Motorcycle Safety Laws: Use of Lanes

In Maryland, like cars, motorcycles are entitled to use the full lane. However, there are a few motorcycle-specific rules.

First, unlike cars, motorcycles can share lanes. This means that two – but no more than two – motorcycles can be in the same lane at the same time.

Second, like cars, motorcycles can change lanes. However, instead of fully changing lanes, some motorcyclists ride on lane markers or dividers to more easily move through traffic. This practice, known as lane splitting when cars are moving or lane filtering when traffic is stopped, is highly dangerous. Riding outside of an established lane decreases car drivers’ visibility and reaction times, which increases the risk of an accident. Both lane splitting and lane filtering are illegal in Maryland.

Maryland Laws on Motorcycle Safety Components

Each motorcycle must be safe. In Maryland, motorcycles must have:

At least one rearview mirror,
Turn signals, and
A functioning muffler with no cutouts or bypass devices.

Additionally, Maryland does not allow motorcycles with handlebars that extend more than 15 inches above the seat, so be mindful that your “ape hangers” comply with this guideline.

Why Following Maryland’s Motorcycle Safety Laws Matters

You may think that ignoring Maryland’s motorcycle safety laws is no big deal. However, disregarding these rules could cost you – literally.

To win a personal injury case, the injured person (“the plaintiff”) must prove that the person who hurt them (“the defendant”) was negligent. To do this, you and your Laurel personal injury lawyer will have to prove:

That the defendant was supposed to be following a particular rule,
That the defendant did not follow the stated rule,
That you were injured, and
That your injuries were caused by the defendant’s failure to follow the rule.

This seems straightforward, but Maryland law adds a wrinkle. In most states, if two parties are responsible for causing an accident, each one can collect damages. However, their damages will be reduced based on their percentage of fault. So, assume that Mike was distracted at the time of the accident. The jury finds that he was 20% responsible for the crash. If the jury awards Mike $10,000, this amount will be reduced by $2000 to reflect his role in the accident.

This is not the case in Maryland.

Maryland uses a strict rule called contributory negligence. In contributory negligence states, a person who is responsible for causing their own injuries is not entitled to receive any compensation. In Maryland and other contributory negligence states, if you are even one percent responsible for your injuries, you cannot collect damages. If you fail to follow Maryland’s motorcycle safety laws, the defendant’s legal team will use this evidence to argue that you were at least one percent responsible for your own injuries. This finding will prevent you from getting the money you need to cover medical bills and other costs after an accident. So, familiarize yourself with Maryland’s motorcycle laws and follow them consistently.

Get Help with Maryland Motorcycle Accidents

Hopefully, this article helped you to better understand Maryland’s motorcycle safety laws and why it’s important to follow them. If you have more questions about Maryland motorcycle safety or need representation after a motorcycle accident, contact a Waldorf motorcycle accident attorney at the Law Offices of Thomas E. Pyles. Our team prioritizes delivering positive outcomes and experiences to our clients. We’re ready to help you. Get in touch by using our online contact form or calling 301-705-5006.