A Lawsuit Might Be Necessary After A Passenger Injury On A Motorcycle
Posted on: 12 May 2020
Share
Both the driver and the passenger on a motorcycle are very likely to suffer severe injuries as a result of an accident. The motorcycle does not come with the same safety features as a car, and the smaller size of the motorcycle makes it less noticeable. If you are a passenger and the motorcycle operator was driving in a negligent manner, you may be able to recover damages from the driver.
Motorcycle Insurance Doesn't Always Cover Passengers
If the motorist carries insurance, you might not necessarily be covered. Some insurance policies will only cover the driver if he or she is injured. The motorcyclist might need to specifically purchase passenger insurance for you to expect to receive compensation for your injuries. If the driver doesn't carry this type of insurance, your case will likely go to trial.
There Might Be Multiple Drivers
In some cases, the only other individual involved in the accident is the motorcycle operator. For example, if the motorcycle operator was driving recklessly, you may become injured when you fall off of the motorcycle. The motorcyclist might hit a tree and you might brush up against the trunk and suffer an injury. There might have been a mechanical defect that the operator did not have corrected.
Suing a Friend Can be Difficult
One of the challenges of suing a motorcycle operator is that you may have a personal relationship with the operator and not want to damage that relationship. However, by filing the lawsuit, you could be sending a message to the operator that he or she needs to drive more safely. If you are able to sue your friend's insurance company, that would be easier since it would be less personal. However, if the insurance provider does not cover you, your only option might be to seek compensation from him or her.
In other cases, the accident might involve another motorist. For example, another motorist might have negligently cut the operator off and caused him or her to lose control of the motorcycle. In this case, you would need to find out which party caused the accident with the help of a motorcycle accident attorney.
A motorcycle accident attorney will help you know what your claim is worth. Oftentimes, passengers do not know that they can also sue for pain, suffering, lost wages, and punitive damages. They may also underestimate their overall medical expenses. An attorney can help you seek the compensation you deserve.
To learn more, contact a motorcycle accident attorney.