Most motorcyclists know that some drivers just don’t see them. Whether that was a factor in a recent fatal accident in the Billings area is not yet known.
The accident happened late on a Tuesday morning just west of the airport near the Southview Drive intersection. The motorcyclist was in the westbound lane of the highway on a Harley Davidson bike when a Toyota SUV hit him from behind. The biker, a 55-year-old man, was taken to Billings Clinic, where he later died from his injuries. The driver of the Toyota, a 36-year-old woman, appeared unhurt. Traffic was slowed in both lanes of the highway while police conducted their accident investigation.
For the family of the victim, the sudden death of a loved one in a motorcycle or car accident is devastating. On top of the emotional loss, the family will be faced with medical and funeral expenses. And if the deceased was a breadwinner, the family’s grief will be compounded by anxiety over their financial future.
When a person is killed by a negligent driver, the victim’s family has the right to bring a wrongful death lawsuit and recover damages for their financial and emotional losses. The compensation that can be recovered includes loss of support and loss of companionship. In addition, medical expenses and funeral expenses can be recovered. The at-fault driver’s insurance will be obligated to pay any losses, up to the limits of their policy. If the damages exceed those limits, the underinsured motorist coverage on the victim’s own policy is available to pay the additional damages, up to the limits of that coverage.
Source: KTVQ.com, “Motorcyclist killed in Highway 3 crash,” Sept. 10, 2013
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