When a loved one dies, it can feel like the worst thing possible has happened, and that there’s nothing you can do about it. While no amount of compensation can make up for your loss after a fatal motorcycle accident, you may also have to worry about bills and funeral expenses. The deceased may have been the primary breadwinner in your family, whose death and lost income may leave your home and lifestyle at risk.

If someone’s negligence caused the motorcycle accident that took your loved one’s life, you are entitled to seek damages from the responsible party. A Salt Lake City motorcycle accident wrongful death lawyer from Craig Swapp & Associates can help you through a challenging legal process during a difficult time.

 

Negligence and Fatal Motorcycle Crashes

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 4,586 people died in motorcycle crashes in 2014. Too many of these crashes were due to the careless actions of others.

Negligence can be shown by proving that while the victim was reasonably careful leading up to the accident, the defendant was not reasonably careful due to either negligent acts or a failure to act and is therefore to blame for the victim’s injuries or death. Just a few examples of another driver’s negligence are disobeying traffic laws, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, distracted driving, speeding, aggressive driving, and other dangerous behavior on the road.

Conversely, if another driver was not responsible, but road hazards were, it must be determined which government body (federal, state, or local) or private company is responsible for that particular road’s upkeep and maintenance. A construction site could also be to blame if one of these parties was negligent. Examples of road hazards are a lack of guardrails, dangerous construction barriers, broken traffic lights and treacherous potholes.

 

Financial Compensation for Motorbike Accidents

One of the first steps our Salt Lake City motorcycle accident wrongful death lawyer will take in your case will be to request a settlement and name an amount that will cover all of your costs and damages. If this is not accepted, your attorney can submit a document called a complaint, which instigates a lawsuit.

A wrongful death lawsuit describes how family members have suffered measurable damages from their loved one’s death. The lawsuit will seek monetary compensation for all of the damages incurred by the accident:

  • Medical bills
  • Funeral expenses
  • Pain and suffering
  • Loss of insurance, pension, and medical coverage
  • Loss of companionship, care, and protection
  • Loss of the deceased’s future earnings
  • Punitive damages

If the victim was initially injured in the crash and later succumbed to his or her injuries, sometimes personal injury compensation can also be sought for the duration that the victim survived after the crash before dying.

 

Consult a Salt Lake City Motorcycle Accident Attorney for Free

During this painful time, Craig Swapp & Associates can take care of the details while you and your family begin to heal. A senseless tragedy can upend your life for years to come. Make sure that financial burdens don’t add to your suffering.

Call us for free at 1-800-404-9000 with no obligations or fill out our online form below. One of our sympathetic team members can speak to you about your concerns regarding your motorcycle accident wrongful death case.