Seattle Bicycle Accident Lawyers

At Hagens Berman, we don’t just understand bicycle law – we live it. The firm sponsors cycling teams who compete from the Pacific Northwest to the international level, and many of our attorneys commute to the office on two wheels. Cyclist advocacy is at our core, and we will fight to protect the rights of the members of our Seattle cyclist community.

COMMON CAUSES OF SEATTLE AREA BICYCLE ACCIDENTS

Bicycling is a popular form of transportation and exercise throughout Seattle and King County, and the area continues to be increasingly bicycle-friendly, yet drivers and roadway construction mean bicycle accidents do happen in the Seattle area.

Washington has now implemented a law requiring motorists to drive at least three feet away from bicycles, but many drivers fail to recognize the fact that bicyclists have the same rights on the roadway as motorists.

Even if a rider is an experienced bicyclist who follows state and local traffic laws, that individual is only as safe as others who share the road. As per the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), nearly one-third of all bicycle accidents are caused by motor vehicle drivers.

Here are some examples of some of the more common causes of bicycle accidents which occur in Seattle:

Driver Distraction or Inattention: Bicyclists run the risk of becoming the victim of a distracted or inattentive driver. Bicyclists are especially vulnerable to catastrophic accidents and injury due to their low profile and lack of physical protection.
Failure to Yield: Failure to yield accidents with bicyclists usually occur in intersections. They might involve a vehicle turning left into a bicyclist who is traveling straight ahead or turning right into a bicyclist. Failing to stop at traffic signals and stop signs also contribute to failure to yield accidents. These bicycle accidents can be particularly serious.
Backing Out: In these crashes, a driver might not take adequate precautions to ensure their reverse path is clear. Even a collision within a low-speed parking lot or other seemingly minor accident can leave the rider with serious injuries.
Dooring Accidents: In this common instance of bicycle accident, an occupant of a parked car on the side of a street might open a door directly in the path of an oncoming bicyclist. When this happens, the bicyclist could easily hit the door, flip over the handlebars and land on the unforgiving pavement. Car occupants are responsible for ensuring the doorway path is clear prior to opening.
Driving Under the Influence: A motorist who drives under the influence of alcohol, drugs or a combination of the two endangers everybody around him or her. Judgment, depth perception, coordination and cognitive abilities are all impaired.
Roadway Construction and Maintenance: Government entities and their contractors must warn users of bumps, holes, uneven pavement and other road defects during construction or road maintenance. Unmarked hazards can cause serious accidents for riders.
Blocked or Obstructed Bicycle Lanes: In Seattle, bicyclists are commonly subjected to moving vehicles, delivery vans, dumpsters, parked cars and other obstacles obstructing dedicated bicycle lanes. If this occurs in an area of poor visibility or in a case where the cyclist cannot stop quickly or veer out of the way safely, a serious injury can occur.
Poor Roadway Design or Other Street Hazards: Roadway and infrastructure design and other street hazards are an ongoing threat to the safety of Seattle bicyclists. On-road streetcar tracks, poorly planned intersections and confusing and/or unsafe bike lane can contribute to the potential of accidents and bike crashes in the Northwest.

COMMON BICYCLE ACCIDENT INJURIES

Some common bicycle accident injuries that cyclists may suffer include:

Neck and Back Injuries: Being launched from a bicycle as a result of an impact with a motor vehicle can cause serious nerve injuries. Other neck and back injuries could include fractured vertebrae, vertebral displacement, spinal disc and spinal nerve damage and whiplash.
Damage to Internal Organs: Vital organs and blood vessels can be seriously injured by blunt force or penetrating trauma.
Facial and Dental Injuries: Regardless of whether a rider is wearing a helmet, he or she is exposed to facial and dental fractures, lacerations, scarring and chronic jaw pain.
Hip and Femur Fractures and Injuries: Upon being impacted by a bumper or the hard pavement, a dangerous hip or femur fracture can result. Such injuries typically require surgery, extensive rehab and physical therapy.
Tibia and Fibula Fractures: These are the two large bones below the knee. If the fracture is open and protruding through the skin, surgery is generally required.

WHAT TO DO AFTER BEING INJURED IN A BICYCLE CRASH

After being injured in a bicycle crash, there are certain things that you need to do to ensure your rights are protected.

First and foremost, call 911 and ask that both police and paramedics be dispatched to the scene. The investigating officer will compile a report of the crash.
If you are physically able, collect as much evidence at the scene of the crash as possible. Take pictures with your phone. Collect information from witnesses.
Do not try to repair or ride your bike at the scene. Your bike’s condition might be needed as evidence in a personal injury case.
Paramedics can treat your injuries at the scene and transport you to an emergency room.
After your initial medical treatment visit, contact our team of Seattle bicycle accident lawyers here at Hagens Berman for a free consultation and case review.

The insurance company for the person who caused your accident knows that it’s looking at significant exposure, so they could try and do everything that it can to try and devalue or deny your claim for injuries and damages. One way that it could try that is by requesting a written or recorded statement from you about how your accident and injuries occurred.

Even if they pressure you, Washington law doesn’t require you to provide them with a statement. You can simply tell them that you would like to speak with your lawyer before moving forward. Statements may be used to devalue your case.

CONTACT A SEATTLE BICYCLE LAWYER TODAY

The lawyers at Hagens Berman are fierce advocates for the Seattle bicyclist community because many of our team members are active cyclists themselves. Contact us for a free consultation. We will evaluate the details of your case and provide you with an overview of your legal options. If it is in your best interest to move forward with a claim, we will work towards helping you heal financially while you tend to your physical recovery.