Motorcycle season is upon us, and as motorcycle riders and enthusiasts head out onto the roadways in greater numbers it is important to know how to keep everyone safe. It is also important for motorcycle accident victims to be familiar with the legal remedies that may be available to them if a negligent driver harms them. As is true of any car accident or motorcycle accident, negligence of a party can form the foundation of a personal injury lawsuit.
Motorcycle riders can be particularly vulnerable on the roadways to an inattentive, drunk, or distracted driver. When a negligent driver fails to yield the right of way and turns into a motorcyclist, or fails to observe a motorcycle rider and strikes them, catastrophic injuries often result. This can leave victims and their families in a difficult position. What’s worse is knowing that two-thirds of motorcycle accidents occur when a driver violates a motorcyclist’s right of way.
A negligent driver who causes a car accident or motorcycle accident may be liable to compensate a victim for the damages that victim has suffered, which may include medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering damages. Other damages may be available for future medical care costs, which can be especially important when catastrophic injuries such as brain and spinal cord injuries are involved. A successful legal claim may also help provide relief for lost-earning capacity, permanent disability, disfigurement, and mental anguish associated with the trauma of an unexpected car or motorcycle accident.
It is important that drivers take care to ensure that everyone on the roadway stays safe, but we all know that does not always happen. As a result, it is also critical for motorcyclists to be familiar with the ways a personal injury claim for damages can hold a careless, reckless, or negligent driver accountable. Skilled legal professionals stand ready to assist these victims in their quest to find a just outcome.