Everyone knows that riding a motorcycle carries risks. For some Louisiana motorcyclists, that risk is part of the appeal. However, these thrill-seekers also know that with careful driving and proper training and equipment they can avoid getting into many types of accidents. Unfortunately, even the most skilled and prepared motorcyclists still must share the road with drivers who are not so careful.
A Louisiana man was killed recently when the driver of a Jeep ran a stop sign and collided with his motorcycle. Louisiana State Police said the accident occurred in Luling, when a 16-year-old driver ran a stop sign as she was entering U.S. 90 and collided with the motorcycle. The 23-year-old motorcyclist was wearing a helmet, but police said he did not survive his injuries.
According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, nearly half of all fatal motorcycle accidents involve a collision between a motorcycle and another vehicle. In about 75 percent of these, the other vehicle was in front of the motorcycle, suggesting that many of these fatal accidents involve a car or truck driver violating the motorcyclist’s right of way.
When a motorcyclist is killed in an accident caused by another driver’s negligence, the motorcyclist’s family is left with medical expenses, funeral expenses, loss of income and other monetary damages on top of all the emotional turmoil that comes with the sudden loss of a loved one. Family members may be compensated for these monetary losses through a wrongful death lawsuit against the negligent driver.
Wrongful death lawsuits can be emotionally difficult and technically complicated. The thought of attaching a monetary value to the loss of a loved one makes many people uncomfortable. While it’s true that a wrongful death lawsuit cannot bring back a loved one, the monetary damages that come with a fatal motorcycle accident are very real. A lawsuit can help families cope with these damages, and it can also help hold careless drivers accountable for their actions.
Source: NOLA.com, “Covington motorcyclist killed in Luling crash after driver disregards stop sign,” Heather Nolan, May 16, 2014