There are too many stories in the news where a motorcycle accident involves motorcyclists who are seriously injured or killed by negligent motorists who were either distracted by a cell phone, weren’t paying attention or were intoxicated. Despite being a safe rider, there’s no guarantee that someone else’s mistake won’t result in serious injuries to you or a loved one. Cars turning left against traffic are a particularly dangerous hazard for motorcyclists.
In one recent Texas motorcycle accident, an Amarillo teen was killed when he broadsided a car. The crash happened on Sunday, August 10, when a 2001 Buick Park Avenue traveling northbound on the road attempted to make a left-hand turn onto another street. The motorist, who is 78 years old, didn’t see the southbound motorcyclist, who struck the side of the car with his 2011 Harley-Davidson motorcycle.
The motorcyclist was taken to the hospital by ambulance later died as a result of his injuries. The other driver was also taken to the hospital but had non-life threatening injuries, according to the Amarillo Police Department. At the time of this writing, there is no word whether the driver of the Buick will be charged for her role in the accident.
Drivers who are distracted or simply aren’t paying attention often miss a motorcycle that should be in plain sight. A driver who hits a motorcycle while making a left-hand turn against traffic may be held financially responsible for the motorcycle driver’s injuries. Drivers have a duty to pay attention to the vehicles traveling around them. Failing to see another vehicle is a breach of that duty, and when that failure causes injuries to a motorcyclist, they may be held liable for their negligence.
If you or a loved one have been seriously injured in an accident caused by another driver, you should speak with an experienced motorcycle accident attorney as soon as possible after the accident. Let too much time elapse and crucial evidence may be lost and witnesses may forget what they saw.
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