Bicycle Accidents

The team of experienced bicycle accident attorneys at Davis Law Group successfully recovered a $750,000 settlement on behalf of a 71-year-old Sammamish man who suffered severe orthopedic and traumatic brain injuries after striking an unmarked curb obstructing a designated bike lane.

Details of the Tragic Accident

On July 23, 2023, our client S.L., a retired engineering executive and avid cyclist, was traveling northbound on 244^th Avenue NE. As he descended a hill, he collided head-on with an extruded curb that had been installed across the bike lane less than one month earlier.

There were no traffic control or warning signs alerting cyclists of the new curb. Additionally, the harsh shadows and new concrete matched the surrounding pavement’s color and made it virtually impossible to detect even for an experienced cyclist traveling at a safe and reasonable speed.

The impact launched our client from his bicycle onto the pavement, rendering him unconscious at the scene.

Upon arrival at Overlake Hospital, S.L. was diagnosed with a mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) with loss of consciousness. He also sustained severe trauma to the torso, including seven fractured ribs and a shattered left clavicle. He had surgery on July 25, 2023, and remained hospitalized until July 28.

Prior to the accident, S.L. was in excellent health. He enjoyed cycling, gardening, traveling, and living an active and pain-free life with his wife.

Despite this, the crash permanently altered his lifestyle, leaving him with chronic pain, limited mobility, ongoing medical needs, and reduced ability to participate in the activities he once loved.

Litigation Process and Settlement Recovery

Our legal team conducted a thorough investigation where our findings demonstrated that the City of Sammamish created a dangerous and hidden roadway condition that was out of compliance with its own safety standards. This unmarked curb accounted for a dangerous artificial latent condition that posed a significant hazard to cyclists. After a witness to the crash filed a complaint, the City installed reflectors on the defective curb.

The city denied liability. However, through expert analysis, roadway design investigations, and extensive documentation of our client’s injuries and damages, the experienced legal professionals at Davis Law Group built a strong case showing the hazard and a violation of safety standards the curb imposed through the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

After detailing the full extent of the client’s physical pain, emotional trauma, and the permanent impact on his active retirement lifestyle, the attorneys at Davis Law Group effectively highlighted the wide range of his damages. Attorneys Chris Davis and David Reeve successfully negotiated a $750,000 settlement for our client.

With this settlement, S.L. and his family will be able to move on with their lives and seek out the necessary care and treatment required to allow them to put their lives back together without fear of devastating medical debt or the ongoing costs of the long-term care required for his full recovery caused by this preventable accident.