You ride your motorcycle in Bellevue and expect a pleasant experience when you travel around the city. Unfortunately, you are involved in an accident caused by a negligent motorist or another liable party. After the incident, connect with a Bellevue motorcycle accident lawyer to examine your legal options.
Premier Law Group has recovered over $100 million in compensatory damages for our clients as part of personal injury verdicts and settlements. Let our legal team assist you with your motorcycle accident case. Speak to a Bellevue personal injury lawyer from our team.
What to Do If You Are Involved in a Motorcycle Collision
It is easy to panic and lose sight of taking care of your health and well-being in the initial moments after your collision. Take a deep breath and remember that what you say or do at this time can help or hurt your chances of collecting damages for your medical expenses and similar losses. Use these tips to help you deal with your crash’s aftermath:
- Call for help. Dial 911 to report the incident and bring medical professionals and police officers to the accident scene.
- Receive medical attention. Allow medical personnel to assess and treat your injuries before they can get any worse.
- Talk to the police. Provide police officers with information about the accident so they can include it in a police report.
- Gather evidence. Take videos and photos of your injuries and the scene.
- Get the driver’s information. Ask the motorist involved in the crash for their driver’s license and insurance information.
In the days following the accident, consult with Premier Law Group. We can provide you with free Washington law guidebooks and other legal resources that can help you determine what to do from here. Discuss your case with a Bellevue motorcycle accident attorney from our team.
How a Motorcycle Crash Insurance Claim Works
Motorcycle insurance is mandatory in Washington, but riders are only required to have bodily injury and property damage liability coverage. This insurance protects an injured person in an accident caused by a motorcyclist. If a motorcyclist is injured in a crash caused by the driver of a motor vehicle, they will need to prove that the motorist was at fault for the crash.
You should notify your insurance company about your motorcycle crash, as this will open a claim. Next, your insurer can work with the driver’s insurance provider to determine who is at fault. Ideally, the insurance carriers will see that you are not responsible, which could help you get a fair settlement for your crash-related losses.
Alternatively, an insurance company can dispute your request for compensation or offer a lowball settlement. A motorcycle accident lawyer in Bellevue can provide you with a Washington accident claim calculator and handle your insurance claim negotiations. If necessary, they can file a personal injury lawsuit on your behalf to help you recover damages.
What to Expect If You File a Bellevue Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit
You may wonder how to pay your medical bills and cover other accident-related costs. A motorcycle accident attorney in Bellevue can address this and other legal concerns and questions. They can submit your lawsuit and prepare an argument designed to prove to a judge or jury that you deserve maximum damages.
Washington is classified as a “pure” comparative negligence state. In your lawsuit, you can recover damages even if you are 99% at fault. If you are found to be in some way at fault for your crash, what you receive in damages can be reduced by your percentage of liability.
For example, a judge or jury finds that you are 30% at fault for a motorcycle collision. The defendant in your lawsuit will be ordered to pay 70% of the damages you originally sought. You will be responsible for the remainder of your losses.
For a free legal consultation with a motorcycle accident lawyer serving Bellevue, call (206) 285-1743
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Damages You Can Recover in Your Lawsuit
It can be difficult to know if you have a case and if you are eligible to recover damages. By scheduling a consultation with a Bellevue personal injury attorney, you can determine if you have grounds to receive economic and non–economic damages through a lawsuit. Reasons why a judge or jury could offer damages include:
Medical Treatment Costs
You wear a helmet and take many precautions to guard against a severe injury when you ride your motorcycle. Regardless, a motorist slams their car into you and your motorcycle, and you suffer a severe injury that could change your life. At this point, get medical care and track your medical treatment bills, and you could be awarded damages accordingly.
Loss of Income
The motorcycle crash injury recovery process can take months or longer. During this time, you miss work and cannot earn a living wage. Your lawyer understands the legal process, and they can collect pay stubs and other financial documents to help you prove to a judge or jury that you deserve damages for your current and future lost income.
Pain and Suffering
You experience mental anguish and other forms of pain and suffering due to your motorcycle collision. These problems linger, and they make it tough for you to enjoy time with family and friends and work or go to school. Tell your lawyer about your pain and suffering, and they can account for these non-economic losses in your damages request.
Keep a close eye on each medical expense you incur and other accident-related losses. Along with this, meet with a lawyer. They can explain how cases work and help you make informed decisions as you go through the legal process.
Should You Accept a Motorcycle Accident Settlement?
Insurance companies do not want to pay you the full amount of your motorcycle accident claim. An insurer could offer you a settlement that is far less than what your case is actually worth. If you schedule an initial consultation with a motorcycle accident injury lawyer, you can get insights into whether an insurer is offering fair compensation.
Ultimately, your lawyer accounts for your physical pain, loss of enjoyment, and other losses you face. They can collect a witness statement, medical record, and other proof to show you should receive fair compensation. If your personal injury claim does not prompt an insurer to submit a reasonable settlement, you can file a lawsuit based on the Revised Code of Washington (RCW).
Per RCW 4.16.080, you have up to three years from the date of a motorcycle accident to sue a liable party for damages. For instance, you get into a motorcycle collision that results in a spinal cord injury. If a negligent driver is at fault for the crash, you have a maximum of three years from the date of the incident to seek damages from them.
Our Bellevue Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Can Assist You with Your Legal Matters While You Focus on Your Recovery
A motorcycle accident victim can suffer a common injury or any other due to another party’s actions. This individual could have an insurance policy, but holding an at-fault party accountable for your crash-related losses can be challenging. Thankfully, you can get legal representation, which could help you recover adequate compensation for your losses.
Premier Law Group gives our clients the attention they deserve. We have extensive experience in motorcycle accident lawsuits and will apply what we know to your personal injury case. Contact us today to get started.
Jason at premier law group is truly an outstanding individual. Our particular case was not something that their firm usually sees but they were more than willing to help us and give us all of the information they had available. I can't recommend them enough.