Three people were injured in an accident in Florida that involved a car turning in front of two motorcycles. The driver of the car, an 83-year-old man, was reportedly intoxicated when he turned in front of two oncoming motorcycles at the intersection of Mary Lane.
The first motorcycle was a Harley Davidson that was driven by a 53-year-old man and had a 40-year-old woman riding as a passenger. That motorcycle struck the right rear of the Corvette. The second motorcycle was a Kawasaki Ninja that was driven by a 42-year-old man. It veered to the right to avoid a collision. Both motorcycles landed on their sides. All three of the people on the motorcycles were taken to a nearby hospital and were reported to be in serious condition. The driver of the Corvette was uninjured in the auto accident.
The driver was charged with DUI causing bodily injury and DUI causing property damage. In addition to the criminal charges that he faces, he may face a civil lawsuit. The injured motorcyclists might decide to file personal injury lawsuits against him to gain compensation for their injuries. Personal injury lawsuits, if won, may allow people to be compensated for time they missed from work due to their injuries, their hospital and medical expenses, their pain and suffering and other punitive damages.
Personal injury lawsuits are based on the premise that the claimants’ injuries would not have occurred had it not been for the negligence of the other driver. Therefore, the person deemed at fault for the accident should have to compensate the injured parties. Personal injury lawyers may help people prepare their statements and help them negotiate a settlement with the defendant. In cases where the matters aren’t settled outside of court, lawyers may help their clients present the evidence that proves their claims.
Source: Herald Tribune, “3 badly injured after car turns in front of motorcycles”, May 19, 2013