A 39-year-old woman was killed when the motorcycle on which she was a passenger crashed into a guardrail. According to a NewsOn6 report, the fatal motorcycle accident occurred on Avery Drive west of Chandler Park in Tulsa County. Officials say the 42-year-old man who was driving the motorcycle was traveling at a high rate of speed when he failed to negotiate a turn. The motorcycle left the roadway and struck the guardrail. The female passenger was pronounced dead at the scene, and the motorcyclist sustained injuries. It is not clear if the motorcyclist will be cited for the crash.
Speed is a common factor in Oklahoma motorcycle accidents. Under Oklahoma statute 47-11-801: “Any person driving a vehicle on a highway shall drive the same at a careful and prudent speed not greater than nor less than is reasonable and proper, having due regard to the traffic, surface and width of the highway and any other conditions then existing.” Motorcyclists who lose control of their vehicle because they are traveling too fast may be held accountable for their actions.
The family of someone killed in an Oklahoma motorcycle accident may file a wrongful death claim to receive compensation for their losses. In order to have a successful claim, they will have to show that the at-fault driver was negligent in some way. Was the driver speeding, intoxicated, distracted, or otherwise careless? In such cases, he or she can be held accountable for the loss suffered by the victim’s family.
A successful claim can provide much needed financial support to a grieving family. At-fault drivers can be held accountable for funeral expenses, lost future wages, medical bills, and other related damages. The family of the victim, however, may not want to file a claim if the at-fault driver is a friend. It is important to remember that the insurance provider of the driver responsible for the crash will bear the bulk of the damages in cases where passengers are injured or killed.
At the Maples Law Firm, we help Oklahoma families receive fair compensation following a fatal crash. We offer no-cost consultations to anyone who has lost a loved one in a fatal Oklahoma traffic accident. Please contact us at (405) 705-5050 to find out how we can help.
