An accident of any kind can be stressful, especially for the family of the victims. A motorcycle accident can be even more severe, as riders often don’t have much protection from the wreck. It’s important to know the legal options available for those involved in motorcycle accidents, which may mean receiving compensation for medical bills and pain and suffering.
On Dec. 20, an East Brunswick man reportedly struck a motorcycle and its driver with his car, which threw the motorcyclist to the street. The man then fled the scene, dragging the motorcycle with him for two miles, according to police. The man, 47, was stopped after police noticed the sparks coming from his Nissan Altima.
The accident, which occurred at 8:25 p.m. in South Brunswick, happened when the driver of the Nissan apparently hit the cyclist who had stopped at a traffic light. The cyclist, 39, was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, according to reports.
The witnesses reported that the driver of the Nissan only stopped when he attempted — unsuccessfully — to pull the motorcycle free from under his car. According to police, the driver of the Nissan smelled of alcohol and had difficulty standing. He was charged with driving under the influence, assault by auto, leaving the scene of a car accident and failure to aid an injured person.
After an accident, knowledge is key for moving forward. A cyclist in a similar situation could be entitled to a claim for compensation for property damage, medical expenses and more, depending on the reason for the accident.
Source: The Star-Ledger, “Police: East Brunswick driver flees crash, drags motorcycle for 2 miles,” Tom Haydon, Dec. 21, 2012