Motor vehicle accidents involving motorcycles most often result in catastrophic injuries to those who are riding the motorcycle. Sometimes the injuries are so severe that they cause death. The family of a Washington couple enjoying a ride on a motorcycle this past weekend likely understands this all too well.

According to a trooper with the Washington State Patrol, the couple, a man and his 55-year-old wife, were travelling south on Highway 525 when they were hit by a pickup truck. At the time, the pickup was trying to make a left-hand turn onto Admiral Drive.

The 55-year-old woman sustained serious injuries in the collision. Thought the nature of her injuries is unknown, they were described as life-threatening. She was transported via helicopter to Harborview Medical Center located in Seattle. Sadly, her husband perished in the accident.

The trooper indicated that alcohol and drugs did not appear to be a cause of the accident. He also said the driver of the pickup truck would likely not be criminally charged.

A cause of accidents such as these that is commonly heard is that the driver of the vehicle did not see the motorcycle. While the difference in size between the two types of vehicles makes this believable, it likely does not make the loved ones of lost individuals feel better. For them, the person that they loved is gone forever.

There is clearly nothing that can be done to bring back someone who has died in a motorcycle accident. Under some circumstances however, there is something they can do to take some control. It is sometimes possible for family members left behind to seek financial compensation from the responsible party via a wrongful death lawsuit. In addition to making it easier to move forward financially, the action often provides a sense of closure as well.

Source: The Herald staff, "Motorcycle rider dies, passenger injured in Whibdey Island accident," Jan. 8, 2012