Anyone that rides or knows someone that rides a motorcycle knows the risk involved. Even experienced riders are at risk to of a motorcycle accident. Negligence on a driver’s part is a significant concern for riders as bikers are often overlooked on our roadways. Recently a Texas police officer was killed in a motorcycle accident.
The officer was off-duty when the accident occurred around noon on the last Monday in June. According to reports, an SUV cut him off. A nurse saw the accident and performed CPR before he was transported to the hospital. The officer was pronounced dead there. He was wearing a helmet even though one is not required in Texas under the age of 21.
While initial reports didn’t say drugs or alcohol were believed to be a factor, charges could still be pending. This has certainly shaken his fellow officers as well as the community. While losing a loved one isn’t easy, when it occurs because of carelessness on another driver’s part, it can be even harder to accept. Although this is an emotionally difficult time for the officer’s family members, they may want to explore their right to file a civil suit to help recover some of the medical expenses as well as burial costs and other permissible damages.
Any Texas rider that has been involved in a motorcycle accident, or the surviving family of a biker that loses their life, could benefit from taking a proactive approach. It can be hard to think about filing a civil suit so soon after a traumatic event, but a successfully navigated claim may help prevent financial devastation. Medical bills, long term care, and missed wages are just a few of the financial issues one can face, depending upon the facts of a particular accident. When negligence is found to have been a cause, a victim — or the surviving family when a fatality occurs — can be hopeful that these monies can be recovered as compensation for the damages sustained.
Source: nj.com, “Former cop in Ocean County killed in Texas motorcycle crash,” Jeff Goldman, May 28, 2013
