WV Motorcycle Accident Leaves Spouse in Critical Condition | Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp

A woman is in critical condition after a motorcycle crash in Kopperston, West Virginia. On July 22, a motorcycle crashed into a tractor-trailer on State Road 99 (Bolt Road), according to williamsondailynews.com. State police believe the motorcyclist crossed the centerline and hit the tractor-trailer, which was traveling in the opposite direction.

 

 

The rider received minor injuries, but his wife, Tracy Evans, was seriously injured. She was transported by Medi-Vac helicopter to Charleston Area Medical Center and is listed in critical condition. The tractor-trailer driver was not injured.

The Evans family is well-known in their community for their financial support of the Tug Valley High School basketball team.

I extend my deepest sympathies to the Evans family, and I hope Ms. Evans can make a full recovery from her injuries. I am sure the community in which she and her husband are so active is rallying around the couple to provide support.

No one expects to be in an accident when they climb on a motorcycle, but unfortunately motorcycle accidents happen every day. Collisions involving motorcycles and larger vehicles, especially tractor-trailers, often result in life-threatening injuries or even death to the rider and his passenger.

A passenger who is seriously injured in a motorcycle accident may be averse to filing an insurance claim for compensation for his or her injuries. When the motorcycle driver is a friend or family member, as was the case in this accident, filing a claim may not occur to the victim at all, especially if the driver and passenger are covered under the same insurance policy.

Passengers in accidents where the at-fault driver is a relative or friend should still consider filing a claim with the insurance company. Insurance is purchased to guard against financial liability in the event that the insured driver causes an accident. This is true regardless of the relationship between the at-fault driver and the injured passenger. The insurance company can’t hold the relationship against either party, and it won’t decrease the amount of compensation the victim can receive. Moreover, the driver generally isn’t involved in the settlement process, so filing a claim will put minimal stress on an important relationship during an already difficult time.

Medical treatment is expensive, particularly if the injured person requires extended therapy or suffers a permanent disability. Recovering from serious injury is also emotionally taxing. A personal injury attorney can take the burden of dealing with the insurance company off an accident victim’s shoulders so the victim and her loved ones can focus on healing. For more information on the insurance claim process, see our firm’s extensive list of auto accident injury FAQs.

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