When one is behind the wheel of a vehicle or traveling as a motorcyclist on Hawaiian roadways, one assumes that all parts of the vehicle or safety accessories used when riding a motorcycle will function properly. In some situations, a motorist who suffers injury in an accident claims that defective products were the cause when they malfunctioned or were poorly designed, creating potential hazards to those who use them. A motorcyclist recently filed a legal claim against a helmet manufacturer after he was involved in a crash.
The biker was reportedly struck by another vehicle. He suffered permanent brain damage as a result of his injuries in the collision. In addition to the lawsuit filed against the driver of the vehicle that struck him, the man has also sued the helmet manufacturer, alleging that the helmet he was wearing failed to protect him in the accident.
Catastrophic injuries often necessitate a need for life-long medical care and living assistance. Such care and the attendant supplies can create an enormous financial crisis for a recovering victim. In a successfully litigated case, the court may award compensation to help alleviate those costs.
The claim against the helmet manufacturer is slated to go to trial in Nov. 2016. In the meantime, a federal judge has awarded the Hawaiian motorcyclist $1.3 million in his claim against the other motorist. Anyone who believes that his or her injury in a vehicular accident was caused by defective products can consult with an experienced personal injury lawyer in order to determine what options for financial redress may exist.
Source: insurancejournal.com, “Brain Damaged Motorcyclist in Hawaii Gets $1.3M Settlement“, Dec. 1, 2015