Motorcycle unawareness is one of the most common causes of an automobile-motorcycle accident in Baton Rouge and across Louisiana. Since motorcyclists are vulnerable and can face serious injuries and death when they are in a crash with a conventional motor vehicle, it is imperative that they are cautious and aware of the vehicles with which they are sharing the road. In some unfortunate situations, all the caution in the world will not prevent a crash. These can quickly turn into fatalities. People who have lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident will need to know their legal options.
According to a recent reports, a 40-year-old woman died when her motorcycle was hit by a driver who turned into her path. The accident happened in the morning at around 6 a.m. The rider was going west when the 27-year-old male driver heading east committed a failure to yield and made a left as she approached the intersection. The vehicles collided. The rider was thrown from the motorcycle. When emergency personnel arrived, they declared her dead at the site of the crash. As law enforcement officials investigate, they do not believe that the driver was under the influence, but they are continuing their investigation.
Experience oftentimes will not protect riders from the worst-case scenario of a driver who is not paying attention to them, turns into their path or causes a crash in some other circumstance. The statistics for motorcycle fatalities on an annual basis are worrisome. With the number of drivers who are distracted behind the wheel in the age of smartphones, devices and multi-tasking, that is likely to get worse.
Even when motorcyclists survive the impact, they can have spinal cord damage, brain trauma, broken bones and other injuries that result in medical costs and lost time on the job. With a fatality, the family must learn to move forward. A legal filing can be imperative to help them do that. Victims and family members must remember their rights after motorcycle accidents.