No matter how responsible you are on the road, there is always a risk that another driver’s misconduct could lead to you suffering serious harm in a wreck you did nothing to cause. Unfortunately, motorcycle riders are more susceptible to injury under these circumstances than almost anyone in a commuter car or truck, and they are more likely to suffer life-threatening and fatal complications from their injuries as well.
If your close family member passed away in a motorcycle crash due to another person’s negligence, you may have grounds to take legal action in their name and on behalf of their surviving loved ones. However, suing over fatal motorcycle accidents in Houston can be difficult on both legal and personal levels, so you should strongly consider seeking help from one of our motorcycle injury attorneys at KGS Law PLLC.
Are Motor Vehicle Drivers Always at Fault for Fatal Motorcycle Crashes?
When someone suffers physical injury from a motorcycle wreck, the rules for assigning civil liability for that wreck are the same regardless of whether that injury has fatal consequences. Someone is legally at fault for a motorcyclist’s injury if they directly caused it to occur through a specific reckless or careless act, such as:
- Speeding
- Drunk driving
- Driving while distracted
It is also worth mentioning that an individual driver is not necessarily the only person who may hold civil liability for damages stemming from a fatal motorcycle crash in Houston. Depending on the circumstances, our team may be able to help you successfully file suit against various third parties who indirectly contributed to the accident that caused your loved one’s premature death, such as a manufacturing company that made defective vehicle components or a local government body that failed to keep roads in safe condition.
Recovering Compensation Through a Wrongful Death Claim
A wrongful death lawsuit built around a fatal injury from a Houston motorcycle collision can demand compensation for both economic and non-economic forms of harm, including:
- Emotional anguish
- Lost future financial support and the value of inheritance
- Lost guidance, education, and assistance around the house
- Lost love and companionship, including loss of consortium with a spouse if applicable
However, only the deceased person’s spouse, children, and parents have the right to file and recover through this sort of claim in the first three months after the decedent’s death. Once that three-month period passes, the decedent’s estate representative can sue on behalf of the estate unless all surviving family members specifically object to them doing so.
Contact a Houston Attorney After a Fatal Motorcycle Wreck
Losing a loved one to an unexpected accident is an incomparably upsetting experience, and money alone cannot possibly make up for the pain of that loss. However, proactively seeking civil restitution after a fatal motorcycle accident could help protect your entire family’s best interests in the long term, as well as ensure you have time to grieve without worrying about the financial burdens associated with your family member’s death.
Our team has extensive experience handling cases involving fatal motorcycle accidents in Houston effectively, confidentially, and always with our clients’ well-being as our top priority. Call today to discuss your legal options.