Posted in News on March 16, 2012
As spring approaches, many motorcycle riders in Montana and throughout the country will dust off their bikes and hit the open road. But as readers in the Billings area know, cyclists face certain dangers on the roadway when other motorists fail to drive with the appropriate caution.
One recent motorcycle accident may serve as a stark reminder of the unique dangers faced by open-wheeled riders, as well as of the need for motorcycle awareness.
This particular accident involved two motorcycles and a car, and the fatal crash occurred way down in Florida.
According to a news report, a 16-year-old female was driving her car eastbound, attempting to turn left onto another street. Meanwhile, two Harley-Davidson motorcycles were approaching from the west. It is unknown whether the driver of the car failed to see the motorcycles or merely misjudged the distance, but she attempted to complete the turn in front of the oncoming bikes.
Unfortunately, one of the motorcycles was not able to stop, and the bike collided with the car. The 54-year-old driver of the motorcycle died at the scene, and his female passenger had to be transported to a local hospital. The driver of the second motorcycle avoided the crash, but in his efforts, he lost control and dropped his bike onto the roadway. He was also transported to the hospital for treatment.
With charges pending against the driver, and with the surviving victims coping with their injuries, the focus will now turn to recovery. Of course, the hopes of recovery will be tempered with what could be high medical costs and missed work, putting a burden on the injured persons and their families. In such cases, a personal injury claim is often appropriate for obtaining compensation from an at-fault driver or that driver’s insurance company.
In the case of the man who died tragically in this accident, his family now has to deal with the extreme pain of losing a loved one. Of course, no amount of money can fill that kind of loss, but many families seek some measure of solace through filing a wrongful death claim. Such a claim can help cover medical and funeral expenses, as well as hold negligent or reckless parties accountable.
Source: clickorlando.com, “Firefighter killed in motorcycle crash,” Lisa McDonald, March12, 2012