While it’s no secret that driving a motorcycle comes with its fair share of risks, the law does not give motorcyclists any fewer rights than those operating a car. Yet, there is always a certain percentage of the public that feels motorcycle riders should accept their fate since they are engaging in a risky activity.
At NW Injury Law Center, we feel differently. We stand with injured motorcyclists. If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident, contact our Vancouver motorcycle accident attorney today for a free consultation.
At times, it almost seems that people have more sympathy for the driver of the car who failed to see the motorcycle than they do for the injured motorcyclist. As a motorcyclist, you have exactly the same right to file a personal injury compensation claim and the same privileges as people who choose to transport themselves in other vehicles.
Why Choose NW Injury Law Center?
- At the NW Injury Law Center, we have represented victims of motorcycle accidents for over 35 years and know how to ensure your rights are upheld.
- You can count on our accident lawyers to get to know you and build a strong case using personalized legal services and strategies. Our law firm reviews speak for themselves.
- Our motorcycle accident lawyers in Vancouver work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you won’t owe any legal fees unless we win your case.
Client Testimonial
“I appreciate everything you’ve done to help me through my accident. I felt my case was handled very well. The staff was extremely friendly and Mr. Jacobs spoke to me, not at me.”
– Tiffany Ueltschi
How Can a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Help You?
Automobile insurance companies always put themselves first. They are for-profit businesses that will try to protect themselves by devaluing claims submitted by motorcyclists. An insurer may try to do this by blaming you for the accident, underestimating the severity of your injuries or rejecting your valid insurance claim.
The most effective way to handle a motorcycle accident claim is by hiring an attorney to represent you during the legal process. Your lawyer can help you get the results you deserve using tailored legal services, such as carefully investigating the crash, analyzing the official police report, collecting evidence against the at-fault party and handling settlement negotiations with an insurer for you.
Common Causes Behind Motorcycle Accidents in Vancouver
If you get injured in a motorcycle crash, you or your attorney will need to determine the cause before you can file a claim. This is because in Washington, if another party’s negligence (failure to act with ordinary care) causes an accident, riders are entitled to seek compensation from the at-fault party.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that, per vehicle mile traveled, motorcyclist fatalities occur 22 times more frequently than passengers in cars. Common causes of motorcycle crashes include:
- Speeding
- Drunk or impaired driving
- Distracted driving
- Breaking traffic laws
- Drowsy driving
- Failing to keep a proper lookout
- Failing to yield the right-of-way
- Tailgating
- Running red lights and stop signs
- Poor weather or road conditions
If it is determined that a driver is at fault for your motorcycle accident, you can file a claim with the driver’s insurer to pay for your damages. You may qualify for coverage for your medical bills, property repairs, lost wages, and more. If the at-fault driver was uninsured, you may have to seek compensation from your own insurance company, instead.
Who Is Liable for a Motorcycle Accident in Vancouver?
As an injured victim or plaintiff in a motorcycle crash case in Vancouver, you are required to prove that someone else is at fault for your crash to recover compensation from that party’s insurance company. You or your motorcycle accident attorney must provide evidence that proves the defendant (accused driver or party) is more likely than not to be responsible for your wreck.
You may have grounds to bring a claim against the driver involved in your accident as well as a third party, such as the driver’s employer, a motorcycle manufacturer or the government for an unsafe road condition. If you are assigned a percentage of fault for the crash, you could still recover partial compensation under Washington’s comparative negligence law.
This law states that an individual’s contributory fault for an accident diminishes proportionately the amount awarded as compensatory damages, but does not bar recovery. It preserves a victim’s ability to recover for injuries, death or property damage despite being allocated a proportion of fault. If you share fault for a motorcycle crash in Vancouver, your financial recovery will be reduced by your amount of comparative negligence.
How to Handle a Motorcycle Accident Claim
Motorcycle accident claims in Vancouver come with unique challenges and obstacles compared to typical car accident cases. It is important to understand how to deal with insurance companies to fight for fair compensation as an injured rider. Automobile insurance companies often perpetuate stigmas against motorcyclists that can get in the way of you making a fair recovery.
First, do not admit fault. The insurer will be looking for reasons to reject your claim or blame you for the accident. Keep your answers to questions short and simple to protect yourself. If the insurance company asks you to give a recorded statement, politely decline. Express that you will be submitting a written statement instead after speaking to an attorney.
If you are offered a fast settlement to quickly end your claim, wait to accept it until you have spoken to an attorney. Initial settlement offers are often low on purpose so that the insurance company saves money on the motorcyclist’s payout.
You may be able to submit a counteroffer and negotiate a higher settlement with assistance from a lawyer. Consult with an attorney about the value of your claim before signing anything – especially if you have suffered severe injuries that will require future medical care.
Most Frequent Motorcycle Accident Injuries
Motorcycle accidents often inflict serious and life-threatening injuries. Even if a rider is wearing a helmet, he or she could sustain catastrophic injuries. Motorcyclists do not have the amount of protection that a motor vehicle driver has from the forces of an accident, which can result in injuries such as:
- Multiple bone fractures
- Muscle and soft-tissue damage
- Severe road rash and permanent scarring
- Facial and dental injuries
- Skull fractures and traumatic brain injuries
- Neck, back and spinal cord injuries
- Permanent paralysis
- Crush injuries
- Nerve damage
- Internal organ damage
- Fatal injuries
If you or someone you love has suffered any type of serious injury in a motorcycle crash in Vancouver, you can get help from the lawyers at NW Injury Law Center. With our decades of experience, we know how to get fair case results for clients with all types of injuries. We won’t let an insurance company take advantage of motorcycle accident victims or undervalue your claim.
Steps to Take After a Motorcycle Accident in Vancouver, Washington
If you get involved in a harmful motorcycle crash in Vancouver, try to stay calm and check yourself for injuries. Take the following steps to protect yourself:
- Call 911 to report the motorcycle accident.
- Get professional medical care immediately at a hospital in Vancouver.
- Gather the other driver’s contact and insurance information.
- Take pictures and videos at the scene of the accident.
- Write down the names of eyewitnesses.
- Contact your own insurance company to report the accident.
- Consult with an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer.
Once you reach out to an attorney, you can have peace of mind to focus on healing while your lawyer handles the legwork of building and filing your claim.
What Compensation Is Available After a Motorcycle Accident?
Under Washington’s automobile accident laws, you may be eligible for financial compensation for several of your economic and non-economic damages as a motorcycle crash victim. Common examples include:
- Past and future medical bills
- Lost wages and earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Property damage
- Wrongful death damages
- Punitive damages, in some cases
NW Injury Law Center can review your claim to help you craft a complete list of your damages. Then, we can fight for maximum compensation in and out of the courtroom using a personalized legal strategy.
How Long Do I Have to File a Claim in Washington?
In the State of Washington, the deadline or statute of limitations for filing an automobile accident claim is generally three years from the date of the crash, under the Revised Code of Washington § 4.16.080. If you wait and miss your statute of limitations, the courts will most likely bar you from seeking a financial recovery from an at-fault party.
Contact Our Vancouver Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
An attorney handling a motorcycle accident case has to understand the prejudice motorcyclists face and confront it head on. Fortunately, our experience will help us make sure that you get all the compensation you deserve if injured on your bike.
Please call our motorcycle accident attorney in Vancouver at NW Injury Law Center at (360) 695-1624 if you have any questions or would like to speak with us regarding motorcycle damage or injury. We offer free consultations to review your case and discuss your legal options.