Image

Seattle Bicycle Accident Lawyers

As one of the country’s fastest-growing cities, every year finds more and more cyclists on the streets of Seattle. Besides skipping the downtown congestion, cycling offers many other benefits — it’s cheaper than taking a taxi, fun to do, and best of all, it’s healthy!

Nonetheless, despite the increase in bicycle-friendly infrastructure and laws, accidents happen, and as of 2018, Seattle still averages just under one bicycle and vehicle collision per day.

Bicycle Accidents Attorneys in Seattle

Here at Brain Injury Law Of Seattle, our personal injury lawyers are experienced in helping cyclists recover from collision injuries by getting them the compensation they deserve. We also represent family members of victims killed in bike crashes.

How Bicycle Collisions Happen

Bicycle collisions in Seattle can usually be put into one of three categories:

Driver Error

These are incidents where a cyclist is struck by a vehicle. Negligent and inattentive drivers are the most dangerous threat to bicyclists. Many motorists do not give cyclists the space they need and do not understand how to share the road safely with bikes. The most common location for a bicycle vs. vehicle collision is in an intersection.

Cyclist Error

This includes a wide range of circumstances, including: drunk or impaired riding, failing to obey traffic laws (e.g. riding a bicycle against traffic), failure to wear a helmet, and failure to maintain a bicycle.

Environmental Factors

An example of environmental factors causing a collision is when a cyclist is forced to swerve out of his lane to avoid a pothole and is then struck by a car or runs into another object.

Environmental factors also include construction equipment left in a bike lane, debris from an unsecured truckload, and any other physical object that may impede a cyclist.

If you have been injured in a collision due to environmental factors, you need to work with an experienced bicycle accident lawyer who will find the people responsible for the object that resulted in your injury.

Common Bicycle Collision Injuries

Due to the lack of protection that cyclists have, collisions and crashes can result in serious, long-term injuries and even death. Some of the most common injuries our clients have come to us with are:

  • Whiplash
  • Traumatic brain injury
  • Broken bones
  • Lacerations and tissue damage
  • Spinal cord injury

The injuries received in a bicycle crash can be life-altering and it is common for victims to feel anger and depression due to their injuries.

These feelings are justified, but if you were not responsible for the collision, then you should not be forced into financial danger through mountains of medical bills, loss of wages, and lost time spent in recovery. You deserve to work with a skilled bicycle accident lawyer who will protect you from loss and make sure the party-at-fault pays the bill.

We Are Local

Seattle

Bellevue

Tacoma

Everett

Edmonds

Lynnwood

Shoreline

Bothell

Woodinville

Redmond

Bellingham

Snoqualmie

Wenatchee

Chelan

How Serious Are Bicycle Collisions in Seattle?

Here are the 2017 statistics on bicyclist injuries, according to the Washington State Department Of Transportation (WSDOT):

  • Fatal bicycle collisions: 3
  • Suspected serious injury collisions: 19
  • Suspected minor injury collisions: 165
  • Possible injury collisions: 144
  • No apparent injury collisions: 21
  • Total bicycle collisions: 352

Based off of Washington State Patrol data for the last five years, the top three most dangerous intersection zones in Seattle for bikers are:

4th Avenue & Pike Street: The area around this intersection is responsible for 54 crashes, 43 minor injuries, and 2 life-threatening injuries. Protected bike lanes were constructed through this zone in September 2017, so hopefully, the number of crashes will begin to decrease.

12th Avenue & Pike Street: The area around this intersection has seen 30 crashes, resulting in 21 minor injuries and 8 life-threatening injuries.

2nd Ave & Columbia St: The area around this intersection has accounted for 31 crashes, 26 minor injuries, and 2 life-threatening injuries.

Recover Compensation for Bicycle Accidents

If you have received injuries in a recent bike accident due to another party’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation in the following categories. Our bicycle accident lawyers at Brain Injury Law of Seattle will evaluate your case and fight to protect your rights if you file a claim.

Property Damage

The Property Damage category includes the damage to your bicycle and other expensive equipment or technology you may have had with you that suffered loss during the accident. Bicycle accident attorneys will work with you to determine the total value of your property damage.

Lost Wages

Lost Wages compensation approximates the amount of money you would have made if you had not received injuries in the bicycle accident. This type of compensation covers time you spent in the hospital and while recovering.

Medical Bills

Depending on the severity of the bicycle accident, you might be facing expensive medical bills. This type of compensation can cover the costs of medical procedures, medications, physical therapy sessions, and emotional therapy sessions.

Permanent Disfigurement or Disability

In severe cases, a cyclist may suffer from permanent disfigurement or a disability after an accident. Settlements are typically larger in these claims because the compensation must account for permanent loss of employment, ongoing medical treatments, and other associated costs.

Common Parties with Legal Liability for Bicycle Accidents

Typically, when a cyclist receives injuries in a bike accident that was not their fault, other parties have some or total legal liability. Your bike accident attorney at Brain Injury Law of Seattle will help you assess the situation to see if any of the following may be at fault.

  • Motorists may be at fault if a privately-owned vehicle hits a cyclist.
  • Commercial or government vehicle operators may be at fault if a truck hits a cyclist.
  • Government road agencies and their contractors may be at fault if a road hazard, like a pothole, caused the accident.
  • Bicycle equipment manufacturers may be at fault if your bicycle stops working because one of the parts becomes defective.

How to Avoid Bicycle Accidents

The best way to avoid a bicycle accident is to stay away from the busiest roads during peak traffic. Drivers and other cyclists are often prone to negligence when they’re late to work or coming home at night. Mapping out an alternate route along other roads can help you avoid those drivers.

Get Help Today

Our bicycle accident lawyers will assess all your medical expenses, injuries, physical pain, lost wages, and mental suffering. We will gather evidence from witnesses, collision experts, and law enforcement in order to build you a solid case to prove your right to compensation and damages.

We understand that your situation may feel hopeless, but don’t despair. A brighter future is around the corner and we are standing ready to help you reach it.

Frequently Asked Questions

CLIENT STORY

M.W., kent, wa

"M.W. was riding his bicycle in a bike lane in Kent. He was a 24 year old elite cyclist in excellent shape. A driver of a truck in the lane next to him suddenly turned right and nicked M.W., making him fall off his bike. He was wearing his helmet. However, when he fell to the ground, his head struck the pavement along with his left shoulder. "

READ MORE

Contact Us

Call or email us for a free consultation, and find out how we can help you get your life back following a brain injury. We are here to help, answer questions, and educate you about what you have to look forward to. We have the medical and legal knowledge to tell you what you are facing and how you can be helped. We pledge to always tell you like it is so you can make informed decisions about your brain injury and how best to help yourself. This is what we do.

CONTACT