Motorcycle Accidents Can Have Devastating Consequences
With beautiful scenery and mild summer weather, the Tacoma area is great for motorcyclists. However, motorcycle riders face unique dangers and challenges on the road. With other cars not paying attention and poor road conditions, any collision can cause devastating injuries. If you or a loved one suffered a motorcycle accident, our attorneys at Alliance Law Group, PS, can help you fight for the compensation you deserve.
Since our founding in 1950, Alliance Law Group, PS, has developed a reputation for providing a high standard of legal services and honest, straightforward guidance. We continue this tradition by prioritizing a collaborative approach to every case. We will always work with you to develop a legal strategy that protects your rights and advocates for your best interests.
Fighting For The Compensation You Deserve After Your Accident
Even with the use of proper safety equipment, the lack of a car body around them makes motorcycle riders vulnerable to serious injury. Oftentimes, drivers of other vehicles on the road do not notice motorcycle riders or drive recklessly, endangering others. When a collision happens, the rider is left susceptible to serious injuries and, in some cases, fatalities.
Motorcycle accidents can cause serious injuries, including:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Burns
- Amputations
- Broken bones
- Fatalities
After suffering an injury, you may also face financial uncertainty as your medical bills pile up, and you may miss work due to your recovery. Our lawyers can help you file a personal injury lawsuit to fight for compensation for your losses. Depending on the circumstances of your case, you may win damages to cover your medical expenses, lost wages, lost earning capacity and future income, pain and suffering and mental anguish.
Washington Motorcycle Accident FAQs
As Washington lawyers with experience handling severe injury cases, we understand that riders harmed in a motorcycle accident are unsure what is next. Here are clear answers to help you determine your options.
What are Washington’s helmet laws, and how do they affect my motorcycle accident case?
The law requires all motorcyclists and passengers to wear a helmet that meets the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) standards. This is a universal helmet law with no exceptions.
If you were not wearing a helmet during your accident, it may impact your case in two significant ways:
● Under Washington’s comparative fault laws, not wearing a helmet could be considered negligence, potentially reducing your compensation.
● Insurance companies often use helmet noncompliance to argue that your injuries would have been less severe had you worn proper protection.
Not wearing a helmet does not bar you from compensation; the focus is on which injuries a helmet could have prevented versus those that would have happened anyway.
Are there specific high-risk roads for motorcyclists in Washington state?
Several Washington roadways have higher-than-average motorcycle accident rates:
● Mountain passes such as Snoqualmie, Stevens and White Pass
● SR 20 (North Cascades Highway), particularly during tourist season
● SR 410 (Chinook Pass)
● Certain sections of I-5 and I-90 with heavy merging traffic
● Urban areas with high traffic density, especially in Seattle, Tacoma and Spokane
Knowing this does not undo the crash, but it can help explain what happened for your claim.
How does Washington’s comparative fault law apply to motorcycle accidents?
If you are partly to blame, like speeding or reckless behavior – your share of the fault cuts your compensation. Say you are 30% at fault and your damages are $10,000; you would get $7,000. Even if you are mostly at fault, you can still recover something, which is why every detail of the motorcycle accident matters and should be scrutinized.
How long does a motorcycle accident settlement take?
It depends. Simple cases with clear faults might end in a few months (3 to 6). However, if injuries are serious, fault is complicated or insurers try to delay payment, it could take a year or more. Washington provides three years from the motorcycle crash date to file a lawsuit, offering ample time to resolve the issue. Settlements are not quick fixes; they are meant to cover what you have been through.
Get Started On Your Case
At Alliance Law Group, PS, we understand the dangers motorcycle riders face on a daily basis. Our attorneys will fight tirelessly to help you recover the compensation you need to move forward. Call us at 253-300-2055 to schedule a consultation at our Tacoma office. You can also reach us by completing our online contact form.