Car Accidents | Truck Accidents | Motorcycle Accidents | Bicycle Accidents

Motorcycle Accident Attorneys in Bellevue, WA

There are many reasons why people choose a motorcycle over a car. For some, riding a motorcycle is a fun, recreational activity that is shared with friends or loved ones. For others, riding a motorcycle is an efficient and less expensive method of commuting. Whatever your reason, you have the right to safety when you ride a motorcycle. Unfortunately, many drivers on the road are not safe, and motorcycle accidents leave motorcyclists with serious or fatal injuries. There are several thousand individuals who lose their lives to motorcycle accidents each year in the United States. If you or a loved one have been injured in a motorcycle accident, you may want to partner with a Bellevue motorcycle accident lawyer.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents?

In the state of Washington, Motorcyclists must participate in motorcycle safety courses, and they must pass an advanced knowledge and skills exam for a motorcyclist endorsement. Motorcyclists are taught that staying out of drivers’ blind spots, driving sober, following the speed limit, and wearing a helmet are all very important. Despite how many safety precautions a motorcyclist may take, there are other drivers on the road who may not be exercising the degree of care that is owed to those around them. Drivers who are acting negligently may cause a motorcycle accident by doing any of the following:

  • Speeding
  • Performing illegal maneuvers
  • Driving while intoxicated or distracted
  • Failing to look before changing lanes
  • Failing to stop or yield when required
  • Operating their vehicles aggressively, putting motorcyclists and others at serious risk of harm

If another driver’s negligence resulted in you becoming injured in a motorcycle accident, you may be entitled to financial compensation.

Is Motorcycle Insurance Required in Washington?

If a car and a motorcycle collide, the motorcyclist will almost certainly suffer the most severe injuries of all the parties involved. Even if helmeted and wearing the proper clothing, the motorcyclist can suffer very serious injuries due to the lack of protection that comes with riding a motorcycle. Such injuries include head and brain injuries, a spinal cord injury, bone fracture injuries, internal injuries, road rash, and more.

Motorcycle insurance is mandatory in the state of Washington; however, motorcyclists are only required to have bodily injury and property damage liability insurance. This insurance only covers an injured person in an accident caused by the motorcyclist, not the motorcyclist themselves. As such, if a motorcyclist is injured, he or she will need to prove that the driver of the other motor vehicle was at-fault for the crash. Then, the motorcyclist can file a claim against the at-fault driver’s liability insurance or file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver.  However, most insurance carriers will offer uninsured motorist and underinsured motorist coverage on a motorcycle policy if you ask for it when purchasing your policy.  That coverage will protect you if the driver of the vehicle either does not have insurance at all, or if their insurance is too minimal to fully compensate you for the severity of your injuries.

What Damages Can You Collect after a Motorcycle Accident?

A motorcyclist who is injured in an accident caused by someone else deserves to be compensated in full for their injuries and losses. This includes compensation for the following:

  • Property Damage Losses: Such as the value of damage to the motorcycle and gear
  • Medical Expenses: Including any future medical expenses and rehabilitation costs
  • Lost Wages and Future Lost Wages and Benefits: Due to an injured victim being unable to work while they recover
  • Non-economic Damages: Such as the value of the motorcyclist’s psychological harm, pain, suffering, disability, emotional distress, and diminished quality of life

If you are unsure of what damages you may be eligible to collect, an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer has the knowledge to help you and will go over the details of your accident claim.

When Should You Accept a Motorcycle Accident Settlement?

Insurance companies do not want to pay motorcyclists who are severely injured what they deserve. These companies want to save money. As such, even if you are offered a settlement, it may be lowballed. You may be left wondering what your rights are and what you should do next. This is especially true if an insurance company claims that your injuries are not covered, that you were at fault for the accident, that your damages are not as severe as you say they are, or just simply don’t offer enough money in settlement.

If you are offered a low settlement, you maintain the right to reject the settlement and negotiate with the insurance company. If settlement negotiations fail, you also maintain the right to file a lawsuit and bring your case to litigation. If you file a lawsuit, you must do this within three years of the accident, per the Revised Code of Washington Section 4.16.080.

How a Bellevue Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Can Help You

Premier Law Group has a team of skilled motorcycle accident lawyers with experience helping clients in Bellevue, Washington. We believe that no one should have to go through the motorcycle accident claims process alone. That is why we are dedicated to providing our clients with the personalized representation they deserve. If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident, our Bellevue motorcycle accident lawyers at the Premier Law Group want to help.

Motorcycle accident claims are complicated. It is normal to feel overwhelmed by the situation after a serious crash, especially if you suffered a serious injury or are already getting calls from an insurance company. At Premier Law Group, our Bellevue motorcycle accident attorneys are ready to protect your rights. We know how to hold negligent defendants and large insurance companies accountable. Our motorcycle accident lawyers will:

  • Conduct a free, in-depth review of your motorcycle accident claim
  • Listen to your story, answer your questions, and explain your legal options
  • Investigate the motorcycle crash, securing all relevant evidence
  • Collect all of your medical bills and carefully document your injuries
  • Handle all correspondence with insurance companies
  • Work closely with you through every stage of the legal claims process, ensuring that you understand what is going on and are fully updated on your case

When you partner with one of our experienced Bellevue motorcycle accident lawyers, you will receive dedicated and knowledgeable legal counsel as we help you get your life back on track. 

Partner with a Skilled Motorcycle Accident Lawyer at Premier Law Group

Navigating the claims process after a motorcycle accident can be complicated, especially if you are in the process of healing from serious injuries and picking up the pieces of your life. Our Bellevue motorcycle accident lawyers understand what you are going through and the losses you have suffered, and we want to help.

At Premier Law Group, we have years of negotiation experience and successful trial experience. We know how to build claims, prove our clients’ cases, and recover large settlement amounts that compensate our clients in full. If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident or if you have lost a loved one in a crash, please reach out to our skilled Bellevue personal injury lawyers at Premier Law Group today. To schedule your free consultation, contact us here or call (206) 880-7518.