Washington State Motorcycle Accident Laws and Statistics
Traveling by motorcycle can cause devastating personal injury and even wrongful death, as motorcycle accident statistics underscore. In Washington, there were 80 motorcycle accident fatalities in 2006 alone. If you are among those who have been affected by a motorcycle accident injury or death, you may be entitled to compensation for losses and expenses stemming from the crash. Proner & Proner can help. Our motorcycle accident attorneys represent clients from throughout Washington, working diligently to protect their rights while seeking damages for their injuries.
Motorcycle Accident Law
Motorcycle accident law includes a number of statutes that determine the rights of crash victims – for example, who may seek a motorcycle accident settlement, who may be held liable for a victim’s injuries, and who must pay damages. Depending on state law and on the circumstances surrounding the crash, a number of parties can be held responsible for a motorcycle accident – for example, the manufacturer of a defective automotive or motorcycle part, a motorist whose driving caused the accident, and even the injured motorcyclist him or herself. Every state has motorcycle accident laws, although the particulars of those laws vary from state to state. Therefore, it is crucial that crash victims hire an experienced motorcycle accident attorney to handle their potential claims.
Learn more about motorcycle accident laws in Washington.
Types of Injuries
A motorcycle accident can cause a number of injuries, ranging in severity from relatively minor (e.g., broken bones and road rash) to catastrophic (e.g., back, burn, spinal cord, and brain injury, and even wrongful death).
Motorcycle Accident Compensation
A motorcycle accident settlement or jury award is meant to compensate a victim for the losses and expenses he or she faces as a result of his or her injuries – for example, medical expenses, rehabilitative care, lost income, decreased earning potential, and household expenses during recovery. The amount of compensation a victim is able to receive depends on a number of factors, including the severity of his or her injuries, the skill of his or her lawyer, and the circumstances surrounding the crash.
Filing a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit
Filing a motorcycle accident lawsuit involves a number of steps, including investigating the accident, filing the proper paperwork, meeting the statute of limitations, and proving the fault of the negligent party. The process of filing suit can be complex and overwhelming without the help of a lawyer experienced in handling motorcycle accident claims. Such an attorney will have the skill and knowledge necessary to reaching a settlement or obtaining a jury award on behalf of his or her client.
If you have suffered personal injury or lost a loved one in a motorcycle crash, contact Proner & Proner to schedule a consultation with one of our motorcycle accident attorneys. Our law firm serves clients from throughout Washington.
Motorcycle Accident Statistics
The following motorcycle accident statistics reflect accident trends in Washington and throughout the nation since 1999*:
- In 1999, there were 50,000 motorcycle accident injuries and an additional 2,472 motorcycle accident deaths in the U.S.
- In 2004, there were 567 motor vehicle accident deaths and 73 motorcycle accident deaths in Washington.
- In 2005, there were 649 motor vehicle accident deaths and 74 motorcycle accident deaths in Washington.
- Of the 647 highway traffic fatalities in Washington in 2005, 39 percent (253 deaths) involved driver impairment. Of these fatalities, 74 were motorcyclists – 97 percent of whom were helmeted, 26 of whom had a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) of .01 or higher, and 49 of whom had no BAC.
- In 2007, there were 65 motorcycle accident fatalities in Washington. Of these victims, 85 percent were wearing helmets, 35 percent were driving with a BAC of .08 or higher, and 45 percent had a BAC of 0.01 or higher.
- Washington is one of 20 states with a universal helmet law and 27 with anti-impaired riding education programs for riders.
Contact Our Motorcycle Accident Attorneys
If you have suffered personal injury or lost a loved one in a motorcycle collision, you need an experienced lawyer to protect your rights. Contact Proner & Proner to learn more about motorcycle accident statistics. Our attorneys welcome clients from throughout Washington. When you enlist our services, we will work diligently to obtain the compensation to which you are entitled.
*Motorcycle accident statistic references: the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation Bureau of Transportation Statistics, and Governors Highway Safety Association websites.
We serve motorcycle accident victims throughout Washington, including the following cities:
- Seattle
- Spokane
- Tacoma
- Vancouver
- Bellevue
- Everett
- Kent
- Yakima
- Renton
- Spokane Valley
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