Motorcycle accidents typically occur at high-speeds, and collisions with another vehicle can leave innocent victims with life-changing injuries. It is no surprise that motorcycle crashes have one of the highest serious injury and fatality rates of all types of motor vehicle accidents.
What Causes Motorcycle Accidents?
A majority of traffic accidents, including motorcycle accidents, typically occur because of the negligence of one or more people involved. Motorcyclists are especially at-risk of being hurt in an accident because motorcycles are often overlooked by other drivers due to their size.
Often times the injuries received in a motorcycle accident are serious, long-lasting and catastrophic because motorcycles do not provide riders with adequate protection from serious injury like an automobile does. Other common causes of motorcycle accidents include:
- Car Crashes
- Blind Spots
- Distracted Driving
- Drunk Driving
- Drowsy Driving
- Drugged Driving
- Roadway Design
- Road Debris
- Speeding
- Traveling Too Fast For Conditions
- Aggressive Drivers
Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries
Our experienced lawyers help riders recover from a variety of different types of injuries resulting from motorcycle accidents.
- Fractures & Broken Bones - Broken legs, arms, shoulders, and fractured pelvis injuries are among the more common types of serious injuries we often see in motorcycle accident cases. Motorcyclists are not protected from external impact, which is one of the main reasons that fractures to the extremities are so common.
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) & Brain Damage - Head injuries are quite common in motorcycle accident cases, even in situations where the motorcyclist was wearing a helmet at the time of the collision. While helmet use does reduce the risk of death by an estimated 37%, the typical impact in these collisions can still be severe enough to cause a serious head injury.
- Road Rash - Because motorcyclists have limited protection, road rash and other injuries to a rider's skin are fairly common in motorcycle accidents even if there was never an actual collision. Simply laying down a motorcycle to avoid an accident will typically lead to road rash, and extreme cases can require extensive treatment and even plastic surgery.
- Rider's Arm - Rider's arm refers to nerve damage and potential paralysis of a rider's arm(s) that may receive the brunt of the impact if a rider falls off of their bike in an accident. This can occur to both arms and legs in serious accident cases.
- Facial Injuries & Disfigurement - Facial injuries are very common in serious motorcycle accidents as riders are often thrown from the bike at a very high rate of speed. These injuries require extensive medical treatment and take a long time to recover from.
- Spinal cord injuries - Complete spinal cord injuries, incomplete spinal cord injuries, and spinal stenosis can change a rider’s life after a crash.
- Dental injuries - A biker's face is usually exposed in an accident. While the head is protected by the helmet, the facial area is not.
- Internal injuries - Injuries to the chest and ribs may occur in a bike crash. Vital organs such as the heart and lungs may be affected.
- Lacerations - Motorcyclists often suffer cuts and scrapes in addition to road rash after a motorcycle accident.
- Amputations - An amputation may happen at the accident scene or because of an infection that results from a bike injury. Either way, amputations are a life-changing condition for an injured rider.
- Wrongful Death - In serious accidents, motorcyclists may pass away due to their injuries.
Types of Motorcycle Crashes
Davis Law Group attorneys have successful represented injured riders in these types of accidents.
- T-bone crashes
- Rear-end accidents
- Head-on collisions
- Left-turn accidents
- Lane splitting crashes
- Hit-and-run accidents
Who Pays For Medical Bills After a Motorcycle Collision?
Motorcycle accident victims also typically face costly medical bills that can lead to financial disaster. Hiring an experienced attorney who understands the legal issues associated with motorcycle accident claims can improve your chances of recovering fair compensation and making sure that your medical bills and other costs are not sent to a collections agency.
Motorcycle insurance can be expensive, and since liability insurance is not required for motorcyclists in Washington state, many riders do not have their own insurance coverage. In cases in which the motorcycle driver is the victim of a collision with a car, the at-fault driver's insurance company should take financial responsibility. We will fight the insurance company until they agree to fairly compensate you.
Common Questions from Motorcycle Accident Victims
- What Are Types Of Insurance Coverage That Can Apply To An Accident Case?
- What Should I Do After a Motorcycle Accident?
- How Much Does It Cost To Hire A Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?
- What Kind Of Insurance Coverage Is Required For Motorcycles In Washington State?
- What Types of Expert Witnesses are there in Motorcycle Accident Cases?
Legal Rights Of Injured Motorcyclists In Washington State
Not all motorcycle accident victims need the assistance of a lawyer, but it may be in your best interests to at least discuss your case with an attorney to evaluate your options. There are a variety of laws regarding motorcycle accidents, so if you are searching for an attorney, make sure the one you choose has experience with motorcycle accident cases. The right attorney will make sure no one, including the insurance company, takes advantage of your legal rights.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident, it is likely in your best interests to consult with an attorney experienced in representing motorcycle accident victims. Davis Law Group offers a complimentary case review to anyone who has been injured in a motorcycle accident, and we offer free legal consultations with our legal team if we believe we can help resolve your claim.
Call our office at (206) 727-4000 today or use the confidential contact form on this page to get started with the case review process. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means there are no up-front costs associated with hiring us and we only collect legal fees after your case has been successfully resolved.
