Posted in News on November 7, 2013
Given the difference in size and weight, a collision between a truck and motorcycle is very likely to result in injury to the motorcyclist. Some drivers do not keep an adequate lookout for motorcycles, despite public safety announcements encouraging them to do so. A failure to keep a lookout, combined with intoxication, led to an accident which caused serious injury to a Montana motorcyclist and their passenger in July of 2012.
Last month a 47-year-old man pleaded guilty to a felony charge of negligent vehicular assault in connection with the accident. The man was driving his truck while intoxicated, and as he tried to make a left turn he collided with the motorcycle. According to the Montana Highway Patrol, the truck driver’s blood alcohol level was nearly two times the legal limit. In connection with his guilty plea, the man admitted in court that he was responsible for the accident. The man faces a large fine and up to ten years in prison for his negligent act.
As a result of this motorcycle accident, both the operator of the motorcycle and the motorcycle passenger were hospitalized. The motorcycle passenger’s left leg had to be amputated, and the operator of motorcycle had a broken left foot. The passenger will now have to learn to live with her disability.
Anyone who has suffered a permanent disability due to a negligent driver is entitled to compensation for past and future medical expenses stemming from the accident, lost wages, loss of future earning capacity, pain and suffering and more. An experienced personal injury attorney can represent the injured party and help ensure they recover the maximum damages to which they are entitled.
Source: Daily Inter Lake, “Bigfork man admits causing crash,” Jesse Davis, October 21, 2013