As many New York residents know, a motorcycle can be a fun and easy way to travel, whether for practical purposes or for leisure. Unfortunately, though, accidents involving motorcycles and larger vehicles, such as cars and trucks, are not uncommon, and in most collisions, the people on motorcycles tend to receive the brunt of the injuries. In one such case, wrongful death lawsuits may follow a fatal collision involving a pickup truck and a motorcycle that killed a Syracuse couple.
The incident happened on a recent evening on Route 49 near Constantia. According to police, the westbound motorcycle collided with an eastbound pickup truck. The truck had made a left turn into a parking lot and apparently had not seen the smaller vehicle. Both occupants of the motorcycle were thrown from the vehicle.
Reportedly, the motorcycle passenger, a 55-year-old woman, was transported to a hospital but died from her injuries later that day. Her 48-year-old husband, who was driving the motorcycle, was taken to the same hospital via helicopter. Unfortunately, he died of his injuries the next day. The 31-year-old man driving the pickup truck was not injured. State police are continuing to investigate the crash.
Since motorcycles are typically smaller than most other vehicles on the road, some drivers can fail to see them in time to avoid a collision. However, all drivers have a serious responsibility to remain aware of their surroundings at all times while they are behind the wheel. The evidence in this case may reveal that the truck driver was distracted from the road at the time of the collision or that he caused this tragedy due to negligent and/or reckless behavior of some other sort. If so, the victims’ families may consider pursuing the matter further through the New York civil justice system. An attorney experienced in this area of the law can explain the options available to them, including the possibility of a wrongful death lawsuit.