2 die in motorcycle accident involving car crossing center line

Even when riders choose to wear helmets, motorcyclists remain vulnerable. Without the protection specially designed car bodies offer to motorists, motorcyclists who are involved in crashes often suffer catastrophic injuries or worse. Two people recently lost their lives in a motorcycle accident just west of Illinois City.

A preliminary accident report states that a man and his girlfriend, ages 42 and 37 respectively, were westbound on a motorcycle when an eastbound driver of a car allegedly crossed into their traffic lane. In the head-on collision that followed, they were apparently both thrown clear of the motorcycle. A coroner reported that initial results from the autopsies indicated that their deaths were caused by multiple traumatic injuries.

According to the sheriff’s office, the abandoned car was found at the accident scene without its driver. Another person was identified as the registered owner of the vehicle, but he claimed to have sold it recently. The man who was supposedly driving at the time of the accident turned himself into the authorities two days later. He is now facing felony charges related to his failure to remain at an accident scene where others suffered injuries or death. It was reported that the car’s driver was driving on a license that was suspended, and additional charges may follow.

After a motorcycle accident that was caused by the negligence of another party, the families who lost loved ones may pursue financial relief for end-of-life expenses. Sufficient evidence to prove negligence, along with the successful presentation of wrongful death claims in an Illinois civil court may result in monetary compensation. If the vehicle driven by the person deemed negligent belongs to another party, that person might also be named as a defendant in such a claim.

Source: qconline.com, “Muscatine man charged in fatal motorcycle crash near Illinois City“, Rachel Warmke, May 19, 2015