Every time a motorcyclist puts on their helmet and hops on their bike, they are putting themselves at risk. Most motorcyclists are aware of these facts, as the freedom and enjoyment they get out of riding outweighs the potential dangers.
Motorcycles have all the tools necessary to avoid a collision. They have excellent handling, unobstructed views, great brakes and good tires. Unfortunately those abilities are usually no match for other drivers that cause wrecks due to inattention, or unsafe and unforgiving road conditions.
There are several different types of motorcycle accidents, each carrying its own risks.
Common Kinds of Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle crashes on Washington state roads typically occur in one of the following ways:
- T-bone collision: These accidents — where a vehicle strikes a motorcycle from the side — are very common at intersections. Motorists either fail to see the motorcycle or misjudged the distance, hitting the bike on the side.
- Rear-end accident: The force of a rear-end motorcycle accident can cause the rider to go over the handlebars and cause the bike to fall on top of the rider. Wearing a helmet in a rear-end crash greatly reduces the chance of serious brain injury.
- Head-on collision: This occurs when a motor vehicle strikes a motorcycle from the front. Head-on collisions involving motorcycles are usually fatal.
- Left-turn accident: A motorcycle’s small size makes it less visible to other drivers while turning. If a driver is attempting a left-hand turn in front of a motorcycle, there needs to be ample room to complete the turn. If not, hard-braking motorcyclists can be thrown off the bike or smash into a vehicle.
- Lane splitting accident: While lane splitting is not legal in Washington state, motorcyclists do get hurt in these types of crashes. Lane splitting is when a motorcyclist drives between two lanes of slowly moving or stopped vehicles, typically in traffic. Accidents can occur for a variety of reasons.
- Hit-and-run accident: When the driver of the car that hits a motorcycle leaves the scene of the accident, the penalties are severe. Hit-and-run motorcycle crashes can lead to death, amputations, brain damage, spinal cord damage and other life-altering conditions.
Legal Rights After a Motorcycle Crash
Determining fault in a Washington state motorcycle accident is often challenging. Finding fault requires the skills of an experienced personal injury attorney that can investigate the crash and identify all responsible parties. Once the case is laid out, an attorney will establish the best legal strategy moving forward.
The attorneys at Seattle-based Davis Law Group, P.S., help motorcycle accident victims get back on their feet physically and financially. For a free case evaluation, contact us today at (206) 727-4000.
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