For motorcyclists, getting on the bike isn’t about getting from point A to point B. It is about the experience. So, when a traumatic motorcycle accident happens, the outcome is physically and emotionally devastating.
Motorcyclists travel with little protection when they pull alongside cars, SUVs, and giant trucks. At any moment, drivers can forget to glance into a rear-view mirror or check a blindspot and suddenly put a nearby rider at incredible risk.
Hagens Berman advocates for safe rides for motorcyclists and protects their rights as they navigate Seattle and the surrounding area. Our personal injury attorneys demand respect when standing up to car insurance companies on behalf of injured motorcyclists.
MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT DANGERS IN SEATTLE
A motorcycle ride can be the most liberating part of someone’s day. Yet, that feeling of freedom can be shattered when careless and reckless drivers skip safety checks and start to encroach on a motorcyclist’s lane.
Often, a rider has enough experience with bad drivers to anticipate an inattentive motorist’s mistakes. However, there are dangerous situations when a driver acts with irrational negligence, leaving a rider with no time or space to avoid a collision.
These are a few traffic situations that commonly arise on local roads and highways that threaten a rider’s safety:
- Vehicle Turning Left. Drivers attempting to enter a highway or turn left at a traffic light can fail to scan oncoming traffic properly. They believe the coast is clear and proceed with a hasty merge or a wide turn. Their failure to acknowledge a motorcyclist can lead to disastrous consequences.
- Unsafe Lane Changes. A driver’s failure to check mirrors and blind spots is especially hazardous to a motorcyclist traveling beside the vehicle. Motorcycles have no sidewalls or doors to protect riders in a sideswipe. They can either absorb a blow from a merging vehicle or dart out of the way, perhaps leaving them vulnerable to other collisions. Drivers like to claim they never saw the rider they hit, but their failure to see a motorcyclist does not protect them from the consequences of hitting one.
- Rear-end Collisions. Drivers also claim they can’t always see a motorcyclist right in front of them. These collisions often occur in stopped traffic as a driver approaches a red light or stop sign. If they misjudge the distance between themselves and the motorcycle, they can cause a collision that often propels the rider to the ground.
- Dooring. Even parked cars present a significant hazard to riders. When the occupants of parked cars open their doors without checking for motorcyclists, it can result in a disastrous collision. Auto drivers and passengers can be held responsible for dooring accidents.
Any traffic collision involving a motorcycle is potentially devastating and can cause severe consequences for victims. Severe injuries can result, leaving motorcyclists to wonder if they will ever be able to ride again.
At Hagens Berman, our focus is exclusively on providing the best representation possible for our clients. When these injuries occur, we strive to earn substantial compensation to cover the best medical care available for victims and to facilitate a quick return to the road for the motorcyclist.
EARNING COMPENSATION FOR MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT VICTIMS
Washington law grants motorcycle accident victims up to three years to file a personal injury claim. This can give victims the impression that there’s no reason to hurry. However, it’s advantageous to begin building your case as soon as possible.
Talking with Hagens Berman in the days after a crash will allow our legal team to begin investigating the circumstances of your accident immediately. As a result, evidence will be easier to track down in the early stages, and witnesses will be easier to locate. When we build a thorough claim with proper documentation, insurance adjusters have fewer footholds to build an opposing case.
A strong case can earn compensation for every hardship a motorcyclist faces in recovery, including:
- Current hospital bills and those anticipated in the future.
- Lost wages while off the job during recovery.
- All costs associated with a permanent physical disability resulting from the crash.
- Emotional trauma, such as depression.
- Loss of enjoyment of life, including the hardship associated with not being able to ride.
- The anguish experienced due to constant physical pain.
- Money for motorcycle repairs or a new motorcycle.
CONTACT A SEATTLE MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT LAWYER WITH HAGENS BERMAN
Motorcyclists face unique dangers on the roads, highways, and interstates around Seattle. After a frightening collision, insurance companies may add insult to injury by refusing to pay the whole sum of what they owe an injured rider.
The legal professionals with Hagens Berman believe no victim should ever be put through such trauma, especially while trying to recover from their injuries physically. Unfortunately, insurance providers make a habit out of denying support to motorcycle accident victims.
Contact the attorneys at Hagens Berman for a free and confidential case evaluation. We are ready to take on giant insurance corporations to secure justice while allowing you to focus on healing and returning to the rides you love.