Seattle Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Bicycles are a popular choice for exercise and leisure in the Seattle area, and many people love riding their bikes to and from work as an environmentally responsible alternative to driving. However, bicycle accidents can happen and cause serious injuries.  If a driver or another party causes an injury to you or a loved one while riding a bicycle in the Seattle area, the Seattle bicycle accident attorney at Washington Injury Law can help you determine your options for legal recourse. Contact Washington Injury Law today to schedule a free consultation with a Seattle bicycle accident attorney and learn more about how our firm in Washington state can help.

Seattle Bicycle Accident Resources

Why Choose Washington Injury Law?

When you need a Seattle bicycle accident attorney for a bicycle accident claim, it is crucial to find one with the experience necessary to navigate you to a successful result.

  • Washington Injury Law offers a full range of legal services for bicycle accidents and other personal injuries in the Seattle area.
  • Our Seattle personal injury attorneys have extensive experience with bicycle accident claims and know how to approach these cases to maximize your recovery.
  • Our Seattle bicycle accident lawyers take every case with a contingency fee agreement, meaning we only collect legal fees after we win your case and charge no up-front fees for any legal services.

Your bicycle accident attorney in Seattle will be a major deciding factor in the quality of your recovery after a serious accident.

Is there a Statue of Limitation for Bicycle Accident Claims in Washington?

In Washington state, most personal injury claims, including bicycle accidents, have a standard time limit of 3 years. It’s important for people injured in a serious bicycle accident to contact a Seattle bicycle accident attorney as soon as they can start working towards getting the compensation they deserve. It’s also critical to keep all records of interaction with police and documentation of medical treatment for a strong claim.

What are the Most Common Causes of a Bicycle Accident in Seattle?

Bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as motor vehicle drivers in Washington. With few exceptions, bicycles may travel in the road and “take the lane” as necessary, and nearby drivers must yield as they would for any other vehicle. Bicyclists should remain in bike lanes wherever possible and avoid traveling side-by-side in a bike lane adjacent to lanes of other traffic.

According to studies, 45,000 bicyclists were injured in 2015. Many bicycle accidents occur due to poor visibility. Bicycles are harder to see, and a driver could unknowingly hit a bicyclist traveling too close or failing to signal for a turn or lane change. Road damage in Seattle can also contribute to a bicycle accident, and the government office responsible for maintaining the road would be liable for the victim’s damages. However, it is not always possible to file a civil claim against the government due to sovereign immunity. Even if the option is available, the potential recovery is likely limited, and the claimant will have a much shorter time to file his or her claim for a bike accident.

Does Washington Law Require Me to Wear a Helmet While Riding my Bicycle?

Currently, there are no official laws requiring helmet use in bike accidents in Washington state. However, there are some cities and counties in Washington that do require helmets. Even if helmet use is not required, it’s important to wear one to avoid sustaining a life-changing brain injury should there be a bike accident. 

According to Helmet.org, the average bicyclist will have a bike accident every 4,500 miles, with head injuries accounting for nearly 75% of deaths in bicycle accidents. Most helmets are made of EPS foam and a plastic shell. The plastic shell holds the foam together during the initial impact, while also helping the helmet skid across the sidewalk or pavement to avoid any jerking of the neck during a bike accident.

A Roadway Defect Caused My Bicycle Accident… Do I Have a Claim?

It depends. You will need to prove that someone’s negligence was the cause for the roadway defect (ie: pothole, crack, drainage ditch, uneven surface). If the defect was caused naturally, you will need to have proof that the party responsible should have been aware of the issue and had adequate time to fix it.

What To Do After A Bike Accident in Seattle

  • Do not apologize or claim responsibility. Even if you think you caused the accident, it’s important to discuss events with the other person involved in the accident and law enforcement before automatically claiming fault.
  • Contact law enforcement and emergency services if necessary. Do not leave the scene of the accident until you clear it with the authorities.
  • Exchange important information such as the driver’s name, phone number and insurance information. Also, speak to people who witnessed the collision and get their information as well.
  • Get treatment for injuries as soon as possible.

How to Determine Fault in a Seattle Bicycle Accident

In some cases, it can be obvious who is at fault in a bicycle accident. For example, if the bicyclist crossed the road after the light turned green, the motorist would be considered at fault because the bicyclist had the right of way.

In other cases, a motorist and cyclist may share fault if were both were not following the rules of the road and mutually caused the car accident.

Common Bicycle Accident Injuries

Getting into a bike accident in Seattle can leave the victim with many serious injuries, including:

How Will a Seattle Bicycle Accident Attorney Help?

The Seattle bicycle accident lawyer at Washington Injury Law will carefully review the details of your bicycle accident claim to help you identify the liable parties and assess the full extent of your damages. Your bicycle accident attorney can handle correspondence and negotiations with insurance carriers on your behalf, limiting the chance of push back against a legitimate claim and ensuring you receive an appropriate amount of coverage. A Seattle bicycle accident lawyer can also represent you in court and coordinate expert witness testimony to support your claim in front of a jury if necessary.

Is a Bicycle Accident in Seattle Case a Civil or Criminal Case?

Your bicycle accident claim will be a case in civil court. But if the other person involved in the accident has violated the law with a pending criminal case against this person, evidence from that criminal case may help in your civil suit.

Will a Bicycle Accident Claim Go to Trial in Seattle?

Not usually. Most bicycle accident cases are settled out-of-court. An experienced Seattle bicycle accident attorney will seek the best way to resolve your case and get you the maximum amount of compensation possible.

How Do I Recover Compensation for a Seattle Bicycle Accident Claim?

An injured bicyclist can claim compensation for any and all damages resulting from another party’s negligence.

  • Medical expenses, both immediate and future, may form the bulk of an injured claimant’s economic damages. A plaintiff can claim compensation for hospital bills, rehabilitation, prescription costs, and any costs for necessary ongoing or long-term care.
  • Plaintiffs may also sue for lost income if their injuries prevent them from working during recovery or if they cause permanent disabilities that interfere with their ability to work.
  • A plaintiff may also claim compensation for property damages, such as the cost of repairing or replacing his or her damaged bike.
  • Plaintiffs receive pain and suffering compensation for the physical pain and psychological damage suffered from their accidents.

Speak to a Seattle Bicycle Accident Lawyer Today

Securing compensation for your bicycle accident claim starts with hiring the right bicycle accident attorney in Seattle to represent your interests and fight for your recovery. Contact Washington Injury Law today to schedule a case evaluation with an attorney and learn more about your options for legal recourse.