The number of fatal motorcycle accidents has been sharply increasing in recent years. If your loved one died in a motorcycle accident, your family could be entitled to significant financial compensation in a wrongful death claim. Here are some common causes of motorcycle accident fatalities.
Reckless Driving
These days, drivers pay less attention to traffic laws, and they do whatever they please on the road. They may aggressively weave in and out of lanes or follow too closely behind vehicles. Reckless driving may mean that the motorist does not give enough space to motorcycles.
Distracted Driving
It can take a considerable amount of effort for a driver to be able to see a motorcycle under normal circumstances. Motorcycles are typically smaller vehicles, and they are not generally in a driver’s line of eyesight. When a motorist is not focused on the road, such as when they are sending a text or looking at their infotainment screen, they may not be able to see a motorcycle. Distracted driving can cause a driver to slam into a motorcyclist or simply not see them.
Drunk Driving
Drunk driving accidents can result in fatalities, both because of the speed and their unpredictable nature. When a driver is under the influence of alcohol, they have a reduced ability to perceive other things around them on the road. They would also have lowered risk inhibitions, causing them to take chances that could fatally injure a motorcyclist.
Speeding
When a driver travels at a speed that is unreasonable for the circumstances, they have less control of their vehicle. They may not be able to stop in time to avoid a sudden challenge. They are less able to see what is around them on the road, including a smaller motorcycle. Drivers may not be able to stop in time to avoid hitting a motorcyclist.
Illegal Lane Changes and Turns
Motorcyclists are especially susceptible to any kind of contact from a driver. If a motorist makes an illegal left-hand turn in front of a biker, it could cause the motorcyclist to crash directly into the vehicle and suffer a catastrophic injury. When a driver makes an illegal lane change, they may brush up against or strike the motorcyclist, causing them to fall from their bike.
Not Knowing Traffic Laws
A driver may not know that they need to share the road with a motorcyclist. They may not understand that a motorcycle has a full legal right to a lane in traffic. Lack of knowledge of traffic laws does not mean that the driver can successfully rebut charges of negligence. A driver is assumed to know these statutes before getting behind the wheel.
If your loved one has died in a motorcycle accident, your family may be able to file a wrongful death action against the responsible driver. Here, you would need to prove that the driver was negligent in order to receive financial compensation. If you are successful, your family will receive the damages that you suffered due to the tragic and untimely loss of a loved one. Wrongful death cases can be worth a substantial amount of money, so you need to know how much your lawsuit is worth before you file it and then fight for every possible dollar. Be aware of the fact that the insurance company may try to blame the accident on your deceased loved one, and be prepared to fight back at all times with the help of a motorcycle accident attorney.
Contact a Montgomery County Motorcycle Accident Lawyer at Bikers Have Rights
If your loved one has died in a crash while on their bike, reach out to a Montgomery County motorcycle accident lawyer at Bikers Have Rights. You can schedule a free initial consultation with a motorcycle accident lawyer by contacting us online or by calling us today at 215-525-1616 or 877-333-0300. Our office is in Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania, and we serve injured clients in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.