Seattle Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Holding Negligent Drivers Accountable

Most motorcycle accidents happen when the driver of a passenger car fails to be careful. They’re often distracted, impatient, or simply fail to look for smaller vehicles on the road. We have experience holding these negligent drivers accountable for all types of careless actions.

The most common causes we see include:

• Left-Turn Accidents: One of the most frequent and dangerous types of collisions involves a driver making a careless left turn into the path of an oncoming motorcycle.
• Unsafe Lane Changes: Drivers who fail to check their blind spots before changing lanes on I-5 or other multi-lane roads often collide with riders who are legally occupying the lane.
• Rear-End Collisions: A distracted or tailgating driver who fails to notice a slowing or stopped motorcyclist can cause catastrophic injuries.
• Failure To Yield: This occurs when a car driver pulls out from a side street, driveway, or stop sign directly in front of an approaching rider, violating their right-of-way.
• Opening Car Doors: In urban areas like Capitol Hill or Ballard, a common danger is a driver or passenger of a parked car suddenly opening their door (dooring) into the path of a motorcyclist.

Compensation for Devastating Motorcycle Injuries

The financial, physical, and emotional costs of a serious motorcycle accident are immense. The responsible driver’s insurance company should pay for every loss you have suffered. 

Washington law allows you to pursue payment for both your financial losses and the profound human cost of your injuries. Your Seattle motorcycle accident lawyer will meticulously document your damages to build a comprehensive demand for full compensation.

Your claim includes compensation for your economic damages, which are your direct financial losses. It also includes non-economic damages, which address the personal human cost of your injuries.

We fight to recover compensation for:

• Medical Care: This includes the full cost of all past, present, and future medical treatment, from the initial ambulance ride to surgeries, rehabilitation, and long-term care.
• Lost Wages: We calculate all the income you have lost and will lose in the future if your injuries prevent you from returning to work or reduce your earning capacity.
• Property Damage: This includes the cost to repair or replace your motorcycle, helmet, riding gear, and any other personal property damaged in the crash.
• Pain and Suffering: This compensates you for the physical pain, scarring, disfigurement, and emotional trauma caused by the accident.
• Emotional Trauma: We seek damages for the anxiety, fear, and post-traumatic stress that are the natural result of surviving a violent and life-threatening motorcycle accident.
• Loss of Enjoyment of Life: This addresses how your injuries have impacted your quality of life and prevent you from participating in the hobbies and activities you valued before the accident.

How a Seattle Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Builds Your Case

From the moment you hire our firm, your job is to focus on the road to recovery. Our job is to manage every detail of your legal battle. We take on the full responsibility of your claim, from investigating the crash to fighting the insurance company.

Our team’s Seattle motorcycle injury lawyers act as your shield and your champion. We handle all communications, file all necessary paperwork on time, and build a robust case to get you maximum compensation for your losses.

Investigating Your Motorcycle Crash

A strong case is built on substantial evidence. We conduct our own thorough and independent investigation into your accident. We go beyond the initial police report to find the facts that prove the other driver’s fault.

This process often involves:

• Accident Scene Analysis: We promptly visit and document the accident scene, looking for skid marks, debris fields, and roadway defects.
• Witness Interviews: We find and interview witnesses who saw the crash to get another account of what happened.
• Expert Consultation: We frequently work with accident reconstruction experts who use science and physics to prove exactly how the crash occurred and who was at fault.

Totaling Your Claim

A fair result begins with a complete and accurate accounting of every loss you have suffered. The severe nature of motorcycle injuries means we must account for not just your current medical bills, but also the potential for a lifetime of future needs. 

Our comprehensive approach is key to securing a recovery that truly provides for your future.

Fighting for a Fair Settlement

Once we have built your case and calculated the full value of your claim, we take the fight directly to the insurance company. We present a detailed and comprehensive demand package that lays out the other driver’s fault and the true extent of your catastrophic injuries. 

Your Seattle motorcycle accident lawyer then aggressively negotiates, armed with the facts. We make it clear that we will reject any lowball offer that ignores the long-term impact of your injuries. 

We’re always ready and willing to argue your case before a jury in King County to pursue the fair and just compensation you need.

Washington’s Motorcycle Accident Laws

After a crash, several specific state laws will directly impact your ability to recover compensation. Insurance companies use these rules to their advantage. An experienced Seattle motorcycle crash attorney knows how to navigate this legal framework to protect your rights.

Washington’s Statute of Limitations

The law gives you a limited time to pursue a legal claim after an accident. Washington’s statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit is generally three years from the crash. This deadline is extremely strict.

If you fail to file a lawsuit within this period, the court will bar you from ever seeking compensation for your injuries, regardless of how strong your case is. Certain claims, such as those against a government entity for a hazardous road, have even shorter and more complex notice requirements. 

Act quickly and contact a Seattle motorcycle accident lawyer to protect your claim.

Comparative Fault

Washington follows a pure comparative fault rule. This means you may still recover compensation even if you’re partially at fault for the accident. However, your final compensation award is reduced by your percentage of fault.

For instance, if a jury finds you were 10% responsible for the crash, your total award would be reduced by 10%. 

Insurance companies use this rule aggressively against motorcyclists. They’ll try to argue that you were speeding or otherwise careless to assign you a percentage of blame and reduce the amount they have to pay. 

Our job is to fight these unfair tactics and use the evidence to place the fault squarely on the negligent driver.

Washington’s Helmet Law

Washington requires all motorcycle riders and passengers to wear a helmet. If you weren’t wearing one, the insurance company will likely argue that your head or brain injury would have been less severe if you had complied with the law. 

While this may affect the value of your TBI claim, it doesn’t prevent you from recovering compensation for your other injuries, like broken bones or road rash.

FAQs for Seattle Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

How Does a Seattle Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Prove the Driver Was at Fault if They Claim They Didn’t See Me?

The “I didn’t see you” defense is common, but it’s not an excuse for negligence. Drivers have a legal duty to see what is there to be seen. 

We fight this defense by using evidence like witness statements, the location of the vehicle damage, and the analysis of accident reconstruction experts to prove you were visible and that the driver simply wasn’t paying attention or failed to yield the right-of-way.

What if a Road Hazard, Like a Pothole, Caused My Crash?

If a dangerous road condition, such as a large pothole, unmarked construction zone, or gravel spill, caused your accident, you may have a claim against the government agency responsible for maintaining the road. 

These cases are complex and have very strict and short notice deadlines. Contact a Seattle motorcycle accident lawyer immediately to investigate the matter and protect your rights.

Why Do I Need a Seattle Motorcycle Accident Lawyer for My Claim?

You need a Seattle motorcycle crash attorney because these claims involve severe and complex injuries, a significant and unfair bias against riders, and unique evidence challenges. 

Lawyers know how to combat the stereotypes, demonstrate the physics of the crash, and present a compelling case to an insurance company or a jury. 

Is My Expensive Riding Gear and Damaged Motorcycle Part of My Claim?

Yes, your damaged bike and gear are part of your claim. The at-fault driver is responsible for compensating you for all your property damage, not just your medical bills. This includes the full cost of either repairing or replacing your motorcycle in its pre-accident condition. 

It also includes the replacement value of all your damaged riding gear, including your helmet, jacket, leathers, boots, gloves, and any custom parts or accessories on your bike. We make sure the insurance company doesn’t undervalue your property.

How Do I Receive Compensation if I Was Injured in a Hit-and-Run Accident?

If the at-fault driver fled the scene, you typically file your claim with your own insurance company through your Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage. This is a part of your own policy designed to protect you when you’re injured by a driver who is uninsured or cannot be found. 

Our attorneys can help you navigate the process of filing a UMUIM claim and fight to get you the full benefits under your policy.

Fighting for Washington’s Riders

Your passion for riding shouldn’t be used as a weapon against you by an insurance company. You were the victim of another driver’s negligence, and you have a right to seek full and fair compensation. 

At Boohoff Law, P.A., we’re proud to stand with the Seattle riding community and fight for the justice you need. Let us be your shield and your advocate. We will handle the entire legal battle so you can put all of your energy into the road to recovery. 

Call our office 24/7 at (877) 999-9999 for a free, no-obligation case evaluation.

Boohoff Law, P.A. — Auto Accident Lawyers
Seattle Location

920 5th Ave,
Suite 1530,
Seattle, WA 98104
Phone: (206) 350-6561