Motorcycles are at risk on the road at any time of day. Distracted drivers can fail to make the proper mirror checks and land a rider in a severe accident. The chances a driver misses seeing a motorcyclist after sundown increase dramatically.
At night the visibility hazards only grow for riders. A study by the Insurance Institute For Highway Safety (IIHS) illustrates how vulnerable motorcyclists are as the daylight fades. The most fatal accidents in 2017 happened between 6 pm and 9 pm accounting for 22% of all motorcycle accidents. The time between 9pm to Midnight wasn’t far behind accounting for 15% of the deadly accidents for the year.
A nighttime accident can cause a motorcyclist to suffer severe injuries and even cost a rider his or her life. At-fault drivers can feel terrible about their mistake, but they must also be willing to accept the consequences of their actions.
Georgetown Motorcycle Collision Kills Cynthiana Man
Two people were on a motorcycle when it collided with an SUV on Tuesday Night in Georgetown. Police say a man was killed and a woman was badly injured.
WKYT reported the accident happened on Cherry Blossom Way in front of the Walmart on August 4, 2020. Investigators found the SUV was turning when the motorcycle crashed into it around 10 pm.
The male victim from Cynthiana was transported to the hospital and later died there. The woman, also on the motorcycle, is in the hospital in critical condition. No one in the SUV was hurt.
Wrongful Death Motorcycle Accident Claims
When a family member dies in an accident that is caused by a negligent driver, they are able to file a wrongful death claim.
Kentucky Law protects families who lose a loved one in a motorcycle accident. Certain family members are allowed to sue in a wrongful death case against the at-fault driver to try to recover the financial and emotional damages in the aftermath of a tragic loss.
Kentucky law allows a representative of the family of the deceased to file a wrongful death claim. This can be an attorney or someone chosen by the family.
When compensation is issued the estate first takes out money for the funeral and burial expenses and any expenses involved in pursuing the case. Generally, the rest of the money would go to the spouse and any children the victim left behind. If the victim wasn’t married and without children, then the victim’s parents may be eligible to receive compensation.
Time Limit for Wrongful Death Claims
Kentucky law provides one year for family members to file a wrongful death claim. If the victim did not die on the day of the accident but died later as a result of the injuries then the one year begins on the day the victim passed away.
The motorcycle accident attorneys with The Kaufman & Stigger Lawfirm don’t recommend waiting until the end of this period to file. If you intend to file a claim, the sooner the better. Evidence and documents you’ll need for your case will be easier to collect immediately after an accident.
Contact a Lexington Wrongful Death Attorney Today
If you’ve lost someone in a tragic motorcycle accident you may wonder if your family needs an attorney to represent them. The answer is almost always yes in wrongful death cases. The insurance company agents have years of experience and are good at their job which is to pay you as little as possible or nothing at all. You need someone just as experienced to help you level the field.
Talk to a Lexington Wrongful Death Attorney you can trust to be on your side and get your family what is theirs under the law. The attorneys at Kaufman & Stigger, PLLC, have that knowledge and a combined 100 years’ experience in helping clients get the compensation needed to protect a family’s future. To discuss your case, call Kaufman & Stigger, PLLC today, at (800) 937-8443 or click here to contact them online.
