A recently published news report discusses the tragic death of an Illinois man after a tow truck allegedly swerved into his lane of travel head-on, forcing the motorcyclist to lay down his bike to avoid a collision with the truck. Although the man operating the motorcycle was tragically killed in the incident, a passenger who was on the back of his bike survived the crash, likely as a result of the motorcyclist’s quick decision to avoid a high-speed, head-on collision with the truck. According to the article, another motorcyclist who was accompanying the deceased man on the ride also was forced to lay his bike down to avoid colliding with the truck, although this second biker survived the incident with mild injuries.
The Tow Truck Driver Failed to Stop After the Fatal Crash
According to the friends with the deceased man at the time of the accident, the two motorcycles were traveling side by side on a two-lane undivided highway in Montgomery County, Illinois, when a tow truck and a vehicle it was towing approached the group in the opposite lane of travel and crossed over the center line into their direct path. The bikers were then forced to intentionally crash and dismount from the motorcycles to avoid the near-certain death that would result from crashing head-on into such a large vehicle. According to the news report, the driver of the tow truck failed to stop after the fatal accident. Authorities continue to seek the driver of a black roll-back tow truck with orange and yellow lettering in connection with the crash.
Recovering Damages for Injuries, Death, or Property Damage From Hit-and-Run Crashes
Victims in Maryland hit-and-run crashes may have a difficult time recovering compensation for the bodily injuries or property damage that was caused by the other driver. Generally, the driver whose negligence resulted in the injuries or damage (or their insurance company) would be held accountable for the damages, but in a hit-and-run accident, the negligent party often cannot be located. Accident victims may receive compensation from their own insurance company in the event of a hit-and-run. A driver or motorcyclist’s own mandatory personal injury protection (PIP) coverage will apply to any injuries sustained in an accident involving the covered vehicle. PIP claims are difficult for insurance providers to deny, but PIP coverage is generally expensive and only covers a limited amount of damages.
Accident victims with uninsured motorist bodily injury and uninsured motorist property damage coverage can also make a claim against that coverage in the event of a hit-and-run accident. Although high-limit uninsured motorist coverage is not mandatory for Maryland motorcyclists, the coverage has a much higher claim limit than PIP insurance and is generally affordable enough that it should be considered by Maryland drivers and motorcycle enthusiasts alike.
Legal Representation for Motorcycle Accident Victims
If you or a family member has been injured or killed in a motorcycle crash or a hit-and-run, the skilled Maryland and Washington, D.C. motorcycle accident lawyers at Lebowitz & Mzhen Personal Injury Lawyers can help you seek the compensation that you deserve, even if the at-fault party cannot be found or was not insured at the time of the crash. Our dedicated personal injury and wrongful death attorneys have experience with cases involving motorcyclists, and our clients have been repeatedly pleased with the results of our representation. Get your case started down the path to justice and recovery, and contact us today. At Lebowitz & Mzhen Personal Injury Lawyers, we represent clients in Maryland, Northern Virginia, and the entire D.C. area in motorcycle accidents and other injury cases. Call us toll-free at 1-800-654-1949 or contact us online and schedule a free consultation.
More Blog Posts:
Man Critically Injured in Motorcycle Accident; Reconstruction Team Trying to Discover Cause, Maryland Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Blog, published June 20, 2016.
Alcohol Is a Major Factor in Many Fatal Maryland Motorcycle Accidents, Maryland Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Blog, published July 15, 2016.