Virginia driver severely injures a motorcyclist while making an unsafe lane change
The Daily Press, a Virginia publication, reported on April 25, 2014 that a motorcycle driver was severely injured when a car driver switched lanes improperly. The accident happened on I-64 East near the Twin Bridges. The motorcycle driver was thrown from his vehicle and taken to nearby Sentara Norfolk General Hospital with injuries that were considered life-threatening. The accident happened around 7:45 am. The driver of the Chevy Cruze was charged with making an unsafe lane change.
Legal issues in the this type of case
- Wrongful death claim: If the motorcycle rider does not survive the accident, his family will have the right to bring a wrongful death claim against the driver and owners of the Chevy Cruze. A personal representative will be appointed to pursue the wrongful death claim. A wrongful death claim includes requests for reasonable funeral bill expenses, the pain and suffering of the family members, the loss of income to the family that the motorcyclist would have provided, the loss of services to the family members, and any medical bills.
- Personal injury claim: If the motorcycle rider survives, then he can bring his own claim for pain and suffering, medical bills, and lost wages.
- Punitive damages: Because of the unsafe lane change charge, there may also be a claim for punitive damages.
- Insurance issues: The ability to bring damage claims will be controlled by the insurance policies of everyone involved. Motorcycles are different than passenger cars when it comes to insurance claims. There are different laws as to when victims can sue and how they collect. For this reason, it’s imperative to consult a skilled motorcycle personal injury lawyer.
Contact a Norfolk Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Norfolk attorney Joe Miller at Joe Miller Law, will fight to get your medical bills and lost wages paid and get you compensation for your pain and suffering if you or someone you love was injured in a motorcycle accident. To learn more about how he can put his 25 years of experience to work for you following an accident, contact his office today by calling (888) 694-1671.
