Fatal Motorcycle Accidents in Utah


motorcycle accident

Howard Lewis & Petersen is the leading group of Provo wrongful death attorneys and Provo personal injury attorneys in Utah. When you need a Provo motorcycle accident attorney or Provo accident attorneys, we have the experience and knowledge to give you the best legal representation from any of our Provo accident lawyers. Our lawyers will provide nothing but the finest services of any motorcycle accident attorney in Provo.

Fatal Motorcycle Accidents in Utah

In 2020, there were 1,077 motorcycle-related accidents in Utah. There were 1,018 injuries, and 16.3% resulted in fatalities. Motorcyclists who did not wear a helmet were 1.6 times more likely to suffer a fatal injury than those who wore a helmet.

Common Types of Motorcycle Accidents in Utah

The most common types of motorcycle accidents in Utah are due to:

  • Speeding
  • Following too closely
  • Failure to yield
  • Improper lane change
  • Disobeying traffic lights and signs
  • Distracted driving
  • Driving under the influence
  • Reckless driving
  • Texting while driving
  • Road rage
  • Limited visibility
  • Left-turn collisions
  • Loss of control

Common Injuries Sustained from Motorcycle Accidents

The most common injuries in motorcycle accidents involve:

  • Fractured bones
  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Loss of life
  • Damaged or severed spinal cords
  • Paralysis or loss of limbs
  • Broken necks
  • Neck injuries
  • Soft tissue damage
  • Facial disfigurement
  • Severe brain damage
  • Shoulder injuries
  • Slipped or herniated spinal discs
  • Burns
  • Concussions

Injuries Leading to Wrongful Death in Fatal Accidents

These are the most common injuries leading to death in a fatal motorcycle accident:

  • Skull fracture
  • Subdural hemorrhage
  • Subarachnoid hemorrhage
  • Cerebral contusion or laceration
  • Cerebral edema
  • Intracerebral hemorrhage

Compensation for Injuries or Wrongful Death

A wrongful death claim must involve the death of a person due to another person’s legal fault. It may include any type of fatal accident that caused the death of a person out of the negligence or intentional act of another responsible party. There are different types of compensation for these types of injuries or injuries leading to wrongful death.

Types of Compensation for Injuries and Wrongful Death Claims

The types of compensation for motorcycle accident injuries and wrongful death vary depending on many factors. Your motorcycle accident attorney in Provo can explain how the injured person’s or deceased’s income, earning capacity, medical expenses, and other aspects, including the defendant’s liability, will determine the compensation.

Special Damages or Economic Damages

  • Lost wages and loss of future income
  • Lost earning capacity
  • Medical expenses
  • Future medical costs
  • Costs involving altered plans and canceled trips
  • Property damage

General Damages or Non-Economic Damages

  • Loss of consortium
  • Pain and suffering
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Loss of society
  • Mental anguish

Wrongful Death

  • Burial and funeral costs
  • Loss of financial contributions
  • Loss of companionship
  • Loss of services and support
  • Pre-death medical costs
  • Emotional distress of family members

Punitive Damages

Punitive damages are awarded as a punishment to the defendant to discourage future malicious or reckless acts. These damages are often applied to cases involving defective product manufacturing, the employer of a company driver, a designer or builder of a faulty roadway, a merchant or server who sold alcohol to an impaired driver, or a similar defendant. A Provo motorcycle accident attorney can provide more details.

Who Can Make a Claim for Wrongful Death

A wrongful death claim must be filed by someone representing the survivors who suffer damages, also called “real parties in interest.” The representative is usually the executor of the estate of the deceased person.

Real parties in interest may include:

  • Immediate family members
  • Life partners, financial dependents, or putative spouses
  • Distant family members
  • Any person who suffers financial loss from the death
  • Parents of a deceased fetus

Fatal motorcycle accidents, those who suffer severe injuries, and their families are entitled to representation and compensation for their losses. The Provo personal injury attorneys at Howard Lewis & Petersen have the experience to help you recover that compensation.

Howard Lewis & Petersen are Your Provo Accident Attorneys

No matter how cautious a person is as a motorcycle enthusiast, accidents will happen. Sometimes, they are worse than expected, and you and your family are left grieving, confused, and lost. Whether the rider is severely injured or deceased, our Provo wrongful death attorneys and Provo accident lawyers are suited up and ready to fight for you.

Call our office today to schedule an appointment for a consultation. We’re here for you.