As the weather gets warmer, the roads of Montana begin fill up with motorcycles. This increases the risk of accidents that can occur between motorcyclists, cars and trucks. Unfortunately, motorcycle drivers can be particularly vulnerable, and can often suffer serious, even catastrophic, injuries while driving on the roads of Montana.

Recently, a motorcycle was struck by a car at the intersection of North Higgens and Front Street in downtown Missoula. Although the exact details of how this car accident occurred are not yet available, the motorcycle driver was taken to the hospital following the crash. The condition of the motorcyclist is not known at this time, but, fortunately for the driver, the injuries did not appear to be serious according to the initial reports.

Many times, the driver of a car or truck is not able to clearly see the motorcycle, and an accident ensues. There are other causes for accidents as well, including drunk driving, distracted driving and careless driving, among others. It is important to determine whether the driver of either the motorcycle or the car is negligent in causing the accident to occur.

If someone is injured due to another’s negligence, they may be entitled to seek damages and compensation for their injuries. Some forms of compensation that may be recovered in these types of actions are lost wages, reimbursement of hospital and medical expenses, reimbursement for ongoing medical care and damages for pain and mental anguish caused by the accident. If someone suffers a permanent impairment or disability as a result of an accident, they may be entitled to additional damages to compensate them for their injuries.

Source: KPAX 8, “Motorcycle, car collide in downtown Missoula,” April 4, 2013.