Can You Ride a Dirt Bike on The Kentucky Roadways?
Kentucky law restricts the use of motorcycles on a highway to people who possess a valid driver’s license; use an approved eye-protective devise, use a motorcycle equipped with a rear-view mirror, a permanently attached seat designed to carry a person in a safe manner; and has a footrest (KRS 189.285). Sometimes you will see people riding dirt bikes on the roadways in Kentucky and, generally speaking, dirt bikes do not have the features described above that is required by Kentucky law for use on a roadway.
Can a Personal Injury Claim be made by anyone involved in a Dirt Bike Accident?
Even if people are driving illegally on a Kentucky roadways, a claim could still be made by the victim that was not at fault in the accident. The illegal use of Kentucky roadways does not prevent a claim of negligence against the negligent party. Using a Kentucky roadway illegally does not make you responsible for causing the accident. I have had many people tell me they think that because a driver of an automobile was driving without a valid driver’s license, then that person must be at fault in the accident. That is not true. The person who caused the accident is at fault regardless of the illegal usage of the roadways.
Frequently the use of dirt bikes involves teenagers or others who do not have a valid driver’s license. In this instance, any victim of a minor’s use of a dirt bike would make their claim of negligence against the parents who, under Kentucky law, assume responsibility for the negligence of their minor children. Kentucky law holds adults jointly negligent with any minor they permit to drive a vehicle.
Although the accident victim can make a claim for his or her injuries in a dirt bike accident, the bigger question is- will there be any insurance to pay that claim? If an adult can be held responsible, there is a greater likelihood that there is some insurance to cover the claim. Will the adult owners of the motorcycle have insurance on the vehicles either through motorcycle insurance or homeowner’s insurance. If they do have insurance coverage, then a successful claim can be made. If there is no insurance, than the parents can file for bankruptcy protection and a claim is not worth pursuing.
CONTACT KENTUCKY CAR ACCIDENT LAWYER
If you are involved in a motorcycle accident, you will require the services of an experienced Kentucky motorcycle accident attorney to investigate the cause of the accident and maximize all benefits available to the victims and their families. Matthew Troutman, a Kentucky motorcycle accident lawyer, of the Troutman Law Office has been handling motorcycle accident claims, almost exclusively, since 1986 and has the experience and talent to obtain the best result for victims in motorcycle accidents.
If you need legal assistance due to a motorcycle accident, contact Kentucky motorcycle accident attorney Matthew Troutman directly at 859- 696-0001 or 502-648-9507 and he will meet with you in the hospital, your home or wherever is convenient for you. He will give you direct access through his cell phone and guide you through the difficult process necessary to obtain the best result possible for you in your motorcycle accident claim. To learn more about Kentucky motorcycle accident attorney Matthew Troutman and the Troutman Law Office, click here.