How To Be A Safe Driver For Motorcyclists

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Seattle, WA, offers ample motorcycle riding opportunities through stunning scenery. But motorcycles provide little protection in a collision, and as a result, riders can easily suffer injuries that cause long-term disabilities. The good news is that you can effectively reduce your risk of causing a motorcycle accident by understanding how to be a safe driver for motorcyclists.

On the other hand, if you are a rider who has been injured in one of these crashes, you may be entitled to seek compensation under Washington law. A Seattle motorcycle accident lawyer from Davis Law Group Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers can help you protect your rights and pursue the damages you need to recover. 

Contact our law office today at (206) 727 4000 for a free consultation.

How Davis Law Group Can Help After A Motorcycle Accident In Seattle, WA

The skilled team at Davis Law Group Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers has advocated for motorcycle accident victims in Seattle, Washington, for decades. Our Seattle personal injury lawyers have recovered tens of millions of dollars for our clients and provide critical legal support after an accident in these key ways: 

• Review your accident and injuries to uncover every dollar you are owed
• Prepare and file an insurance claim using the records and evidence we gather for you
• Fight aggressively for a fair settlement with the insurer
• Pursue litigation against the at-fault driver if their insurance carrier refuses to settle

Our commitment to exceptional client service is undeniable. Contact us to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with an experienced Seattle motorcycle accident attorney from our team to discuss the compensation you may be entitled to seek.

Tips For Driving Safely Around Motorcyclists

As a driver, you can reduce the chances that you will hit a motorcycle by following a few crucial tips:

Pay Attention

Motorcycles are difficult for drivers to spot for a few reasons. First, motorcycles are smaller. This can make it harder for drivers to see them in traffic, especially when they are not looking for them. For example, a driver might miss spotting a motorcycle in an adjacent lane when they only check their side mirror instead of turning their head.

Second, drivers often suffer from a cognitive bias that prevents drivers operating on autopilot from spotting unexpected road hazards. This phenomenon, called inattentional blindness, can mean drivers may not see motorcycles even when they are in plain sight.

Drivers can overcome both these problems by actively looking for motorcycles. In other words, when you consciously look for motorcycles, your brain is better at identifying them while driving.

Yield To Motorcycles

Some crashes happen when drivers fail to yield to motorcycles even when they have the right of way. This sometimes occurs when drivers think they can beat a motorcycle through an intersection.

However, motorcycles’ smaller size can cause drivers to misjudge their distance or speed. As a result, they proceed through an intersection even though the bike is too close to stop. Many left-turn accidents happen this way.

Another reason that drivers fail to yield to motorcycles is that the driver is too distracted to realize that the motorcycle is there. For instance, a driver making a right turn at a stop sign or red light might not spot a bike approaching from their left. They then cause a distracted driving accident when they pull out in front of the motorcyclist instead of yielding to them.

Slow Down

Speeding is a leading cause of all traffic crashes, including those involving motorcycles. Drivers who speed cannot stop as quickly when they encounter slowing or stopped traffic. Moreover, drivers who speed have a higher risk of losing control in adverse conditions, like rainstorms.

Rear-end collisions with automobiles can cause serious injuries, but fatal injuries are fairly rare. The same crash involving a motorcyclist, however, can be deadly. A rear-end crash can eject the rider from the motorcycle, injuring them in both the initial collision and again when they strike the pavement.

What Are Common Causes of Motorcycle Crashes?

Each of these crashes involved unique facts and injuries. However, most of them resulted from just a few specific causes:

• A driver turned left across the path of a motorcycle traveling toward them
• A driver changed lanes, striking a motorcycle adjacent to them
• A driver hit a motorcycle with the right of way while merging or turning right

In all of these scenarios, the accident could have been prevented if the driver had adjusted their behavior according to safe driving practices.

How Common Are Motorcycle Accidents In Seattle?

According to the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), Seattle saw 135 motorcycle accidents in 2024 alone. This number might seem low, but it only includes the accidents that occurred within the city limits. Looking more broadly at all of King County, over 460 motorcycle crashes happened in 2024.

Contact Our Seattle Motorcycle Accident Lawyers For A Free Consultation

Motorcycle accidents in Seattle can cause serious or even fatal injuries. If you were hurt in one of these collisions, contact Davis Law Group for a free consultation to explore your legal options. Our Seattle motorcycle accident lawyers have the experience and resources to help you build a strong claim.