A police officer in Aurora was recently killed in a tragic motorcycle accident. The accident is a tragic reminder of the risk that comes with getting on a bike.
Mikaela Lakin died after her motorcycle was struck in East Aurora, near Tallyn’s Reach Library, according to 9News. The 25-year-old police officer was off duty at the time of the crash.
Investigators are still looking into the accident, 9News reports. They said alcohol and speed were not factors in the collision.
Lakin was entering an intersection when her bike was struck by a Honda Pilot coming in the opposite direction and making a left turn. The Pilot’s driver failed to yield to the motorcycle’s right of way, according to 9News.
The Pilot driver remained at the scene of the crash and was treated for minor injuries.
Your Rights Under Colorado Law in Fatal Car Accidents
Lakin’s untimely death is yet another reminder of the risk that comes any time that you get on a motorcycle or behind the wheel of a car.
When a tragic accident happens, the family of a person who dies has the right to seek compensation from those responsible. Although no amount of money will work to go back in time and stop the collision from happening in the first place, money damages can help ease some of the financial stress that can come with losing a loved one -- especially in cases where the deceased was the family breadwinner.
But what does wrongful death mean? Wrongful death is a legal claim in which the survivors of a person killed in an accident seek to hold those responsible for the accident liable. The money damages involved in these cases includes compensation for loss of income, burial expenses and other impacts of the person’s death. Additional compensation may also be available for pain, suffering, emotional distress and the loss of a spouse’s companionship.
To get that compensation, you need to be able to prove negligence by the driver responsible for the crash. Colorado law imposes a “duty of care” on drivers, which requires them to operate their vehicles in a reasonably safe manner. A driver that does not live up to this responsibility is likely to be found negligent and liable for any accidents that occur as a result.
In Colorado, an experienced attorney can help you understand your rights and explore your legal options. A lawyer will work the case by investigating the crash to identify the responsible parties, gathering evidence to support legal claims and making the strongest possible case for money damages. One important thing to note is that injured parties have a limited amount of time in which to bring a claim. While everyone knows that one’s health and wellbeing are most important after an accident takes place, injured individuals should not hold off too long with making a claim for just compensation.
If you have lost a loved one in a motorcycle or car accident in Colorado, it is vital that you seek the assistance of an experienced legal professional as soon as possible.