Holding the at-fault party accountable for a motorcycle accident can be challenging. A Bellevue personal injury lawyer can take on your case and pursue justice on your behalf.
Premier Law Group has been advocating for accident victims since 2001. After a motorcycle crash caused by someone else’s negligence, a Bellevue motorcycle accident lawyer from our team can help you secure a fair settlement.
How Our Bellevue Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Can Help
The aftermath of a serious motorcycle crash can be overwhelming. Our motorcycle accident lawyers in Bellevue can step in and help by :
- Investigating the accident: We can gather police reports, witness statements, surveillance footage, medical records, and other evidence to determine how the crash occurred and prove who is at fault.
- Calculating your damages: We can calculate your economic and non-economic losses to determine your personal injury claim’s true value.
- Handling insurance negotiations: We can communicate with insurance adjusters, respond to requests for information, and work to negotiate a fair settlement.
- Preparing for litigation: If settlement negotiations fail, we can build a strong case and represent you in court.
What Types of Compensation Can You Recover?
You can recover a variety of damages after a motorcycle crash, including:
- Medical expenses: You can recover compensation for emergency treatment, hospital stays, surgeries, rehabilitation, medications, assistive devices, and ongoing treatment related to the crash.
- Future medical costs: You can seek compensation for anticipated medical treatment and long-term medical care related to the accident.
- Lost wages: You can recover income you lost during your recovery from the crash.
- Reduced earning capacity: You can pursue compensation if your injuries affect your ability to earn a living in the future.
- Property damage: You can recover the cost of repairing or replacing your motorcycle and any other damaged personal property.
- Pain and suffering: You can seek compensation for physical pain, discomfort, and the overall impact of your injuries on your daily life.
- Emotional distress: You can recover damages for anxiety, depression, and other psychological effects of the accident.
- Loss of enjoyment of life: You can pursue additional compensation if your injuries prevent you from participating in activities you previously enjoyed.
- Permanent disability or disfigurement: You can seek additional compensation if your injuries result in long-term impairments or visible scarring.
In the event of a fatal accident, surviving family members can pursue wrongful death damages.
What Is the Deadline to File a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit in Washington State?
Per RCW § 4.16.080, you typically have up to three years from the date of a motorcycle accident to sue a liable party for damages. For instance, if you get into a motorcycle collision that results in a spinal cord injury, you have a maximum of three years from the date of the incident to seek damages from the at-fault driver.
A different statute of limitations may apply if your case involves minors or the delayed discovery of injuries. If you fail to file a lawsuit before the applicable deadline, the court will likely dismiss your case, permanently barring you from recovering compensation.
For a FREE legal consultation with a motorcycle accident lawyer serving Bellevue, call (206) 285-1743
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Who Pays for a Motorcycle Accident in Bellevue?
Liability for a motorcycle accident generally falls on the party whose negligence caused the crash. Potentially liable parties may include:
- Drivers of passenger vehicles
- Truck drivers
- Commercial trucking companies
- Motorcycle or vehicle parts manufacturers
- Government entities
- Construction companies or contractors
- Property owners
What if You Were Partially At Fault?
Washington is a pure comparative negligence state. This means that in your lawsuit, you can recover damages for a motorcycle crash even if you are up to 99% at fault. However, if you are found to be partially at fault, your damages will be reduced by your percentage of liability.
For example, if your damages total $100,000, and a judge or jury finds that you are 30% at fault for a motorcycle collision, the defendant in your lawsuit would be ordered to pay 70% of the damages you originally sought, reducing your award to $70,000.
What if You Weren’t Wearing a Helmet?
Washington law requires motorcycle riders and passengers to wear approved helmets. However, violating state helmet laws does not automatically prevent you from pursuing compensation after an accident. If another driver caused your crash, they may still be liable for your injuries.
That said, insurance companies may argue that the lack of a motorcycle helmet contributed to the severity of certain injuries, and your total compensation may be reduced. In addition, since not wearing a helmet is a traffic violation in Washington, you will likely have to pay a fine.
Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries
Some of the most common motorcycle accident injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Concussions
- Spinal cord damage
- Neck injuries
- Back injuries
- Fractures and broken bones
- Road rash
- Internal injuries
- Facial injuries
- Psychological trauma
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Bellevue
Motor vehicle accidents can occur for many reasons, but most are the result of negligence. Common causes of accidents in Bellevue include:
- Failure to yield: Drivers may turn left in front of oncoming motorcycles or enter intersections without yielding the right of way.
- Distracted driving: Texting, using mobile devices, eating, or other distractions can prevent drivers from noticing nearby motorcycles.
- Speeding: Excessive speed reduces a driver’s reaction time and increases the force of impact when a collision occurs.
- Sudden lane changes: Drivers who fail to check their blind spots may strike riders traveling in adjacent lanes.
- Driving under the influence: Alcohol and drugs impair a driver’s judgment, coordination, and reaction time, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Tailgating: Following a motorcycle too closely can lead to a rear-end collision when traffic suddenly slows.
- Dooring accidents: Occupants of parked vehicles may open doors into the path of an approaching rider.
- Poor road conditions: Potholes, debris, uneven pavement, and inadequate maintenance can create dangerous hazards for riders.
- Defective parts: Mechanical failures involving brakes, tires, steering systems, or other components can contribute to serious crashes.
- Adverse weather conditions: Rain, fog, and wet road surfaces can reduce traction and visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
What to Do if You Are Involved in a Motorcycle Accident in Bellevue
Everything you say or do after a motorcycle crash can help or hurt your chances of collecting damages. With that in mind, it’s important to:
- Call for help: Dial 911 to report the incident and request emergency medical assistance.
- Get the driver‘s information: Ask the other motorist involved in the crash for their driver’s license and insurance information.
- Gather evidence: Take videos and photos of your injuries and the accident scene.
- Seek medical attention: Allow medical professionals to assess and treat your injuries before they get any worse.
- Notify your insurance company: Report the crash promptly, but don’t provide any recorded statements or accept a settlement until you speak to our lawyers.
- Avoid discussing fault: Do not apologize or make statements that could be interpreted as admitting responsibility for the crash.
- Get legal assistance: Our personal injury attorneys can evaluate your case, explain your legal options, and help you pursue a claim.
Schedule a FREE Case Review
Medical bills can add up quickly after a motorcycle crash. If you or someone you love was injured in one, a Bellevue motorcycle accident attorney from Premier Law Group can help you build a strong claim and obtain the compensation you need to move forward.
Schedule a FREE case review to get help with your claim.
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.