Posted in News on March 28, 2012
A Montana man is facing charges for aggravated driving under the influence and four felony counts of criminal endangerment following a motorcycle accident in Billings. Police officers arrested the 21-year-old near Highway 3 and North 27th Street after he crashed into a motorcyclist and fled the scene of the accident. Emergency personnel transported the 48-year-old motorcyclist to St. Vincent Healthcare for injuries he sustained in the crash.
Police officers responded to the scene after witnesses contacted them about a collision involving an automobile and a motorcycle just west of the Airport Road roundabout on Highway 3. According to witnesses, the man facing charges was driving a Dodge Stratus when he struck the motorcycle.
Following the accident, the man apparently got out of the car and ran eastward down Highway 3. Three passengers remained inside the vehicle at the scene of the crash as the man fled on foot. The impact of the collision hurled motorcyclist and his vehicle 250 feet down the road from the point of contact.
Fortunately, he was wearing full protective gear at the time, a fact that may have helped save his life. The car that struck the motorcyclist was estimated to be moving in excess of 50 miles per hour when the accident occurred.
Based on the reported evidence, the injured motorcycle driver will likely be entitled to seek compensation in civil court. Personal injury claims allow injured parties to seek compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. In this case, the physical damage could have been much worse, but the rider took precautions and was fully protected.
When a person is injured due to another party’s negligence, it is important that the injured individual is fully aware of his or her rights under Montana law. After all, nobody should have to pay out of pocket for another person’s negligent or reckless behavior.
Source: Billings Gazette, “Man arrested after crash on Airport Road,” March 24, 2012