Unlike riding in a vehicle as a passenger, riding a motorcycle as a passenger isn’t a passive experience. Most importantly, passengers must hold on to bars or their drivers tightly in order to simply stay on their bikes while moving. In addition, motorcycle passengers need to shift their weight during turns and help their drivers maintain balance and stability while in motion.
Safely riding on a motorcycle as a passenger requires experience, skill, dexterity, and having access to and wearing all the gear, all the time. Like motorcycle drivers, passengers should wear full protective gear, including helmet, riding jacket, pants, gloves, and boots. But as with drivers, no amount of protection can completely eliminate the risk of being injured in a crash.
Motorcyclists often face significant bias from insurance companies when they seek compensation after accidents, but passengers don’t always have that problem. After all, it’s rare that a passenger causes of contributes to a crash because of negligence. In addition to having an easier time seeking compensation, passengers can also sue the drivers of the motorcycles they were riding on if their negligence caused their injuries.
However, many passengers are reluctant to sue or file compensation claims, especially if the at-fault party is a friend, significant other, or family member. But when they don’t file compensation claims, many injured passengers face expensive medical bills and lost wages that they must cover out of pocket.
At Skolrood Law Firm, we work hard to protect all injured riders, including passengers. Contact our Roanoke motorcycle accident lawyers today after a crash that wasn’t your fault. We’ll work hard to get you full compensation.
