Man charged in fatal Ontario motorcycle accident

According to officials, a Chevrolet and motorcycle were involved in a collision in Zorra Township at 19th Line at Road 64 on Sept. 7 about 12:45 p.m. The motorcyclist was killed in the accident and the Chevrolet’s driver was taken to the hospital for treatment of minor injuries.

Investigators concluded that the accident was caused by the actions of a negligent driver. Officials say that the Chevrolet veered across the centre line and struck the motorcycle as it headed east. The Chevrolet’s driver has been charged with causing death by criminal negligence and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle.

Motorcyclists are much more likely to be severely injured or killed in a collision than other motorists. For this reason, motorists are generally encouraged to maintain awareness of motorcycles on the roadway and to exercise caution. In addition, motorists are required to maintain their own lanes of travel. If a motorist crosses the centre line and causes a collision, he or she may be held liable.

When an accident results in a fatality or severe injuries, investigators may perform an accident reconstruction to figure out what caused the accident. The reconstruction report may contain useful information that indicates who might be at fault.

A personal injury lawyer may use such a report to support a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of an accident victim’s family. If the report clearly assigns fault to a driver, the insurer may be willing to offer a fair settlement without lengthy negotiations or litigation. If the insurer is unwilling to offer the amount requested by the plaintiffs, the case might need to go to civil court for litigation. In that event, the lawyer may argue on behalf of the plaintiffs in court.

Source: AM980, “Charges Laid In Fatal Crash That Killed London Man,” Jess Brady, Sept. 8, 2014