Family and friends of a young man stood and cried together in the middle of the intersection where he had died just minutes earlier. This accident was the second traffic fatality of the year and the first motorcycle fatality for St Joseph. Understandably, Missouri motorcycle accidents like this leave friends and family distraught. 

The crash occurred near a local intersection at around 4:40 p.m. A 36-year-old male driver of a northbound SUV was in the process of making a left turn when a motorcycle struck the front of the vehicle. The 21-year-old motorcyclist was thrown from his bike. Sadly, the young man was pronounced dead on the scene.

According to the police, evidence shows that it is possible that the motorcycle’s speed may have been a factor in the accident. The man driving the SUV was not injured. He was not issued a citation, as the crash is still undergoing investigation. It took nearly four hours for the scene to be cleared and reopened to motorists.

Losing a loved one in a motor vehicle accident is incredibly difficult. Which driver was at fault in an accident is not always easy to determine. When a driver is deemed negligent in motorcycle accidents, the injured party may have the right to pursue compensation from the negligent party. If a Missouri driver is killed because of the negligence of another driver, his or her family may be able to file a wrongful death claim. Though a lawsuit will not bring back the loved one, a successful claim may result in monetary compensation for medical bills, funeral expenses, and pain and suffering.

Source: newspressnow.com, “Motorcycle rider killed in crash on Belt“, Kristin Hoppa, Aug. 23, 2015