Motorcycle Injury Attorney in Everett
Driving a motorcycle can be fun, convenient, and cost-effective, but unfortunately, motorcyclists who are hit by cars are often seriously injured or even killed.
At Snohomish Law, Scott Lawrence believes that reckless drivers who endanger motorcyclists should be held accountable, as should the State of Washington for road repair and safety. He has been providing legal services to personal injury victims in Washington State for over 30 years. Being an avid rider himself, Mr. Wakefield understands the impact these types of accidents can have.
He fights for you to get you the compensation you deserve so that you can focus on your recovery and your future.
Causes Of Motorcycle Accidents
Accidents involving motorcycles are frequently caused by other motorists failing to notice nearby motorcycles or failing to respect their right of way. Some of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents are:
- A car turning left in front of a motorcycle: Drivers frequently fail to notice oncoming motorcyclists or don’t recognize their right of way.
- Rear-ending the motorcycle at an intersection: When a car rear-ends another car at an intersection, the resulting damage is often minor. Due to the weight difference between a car and a motorcycle, and a bike’s inherent instability, rear-ending a motorcycle can have much more serious consequences. The motorcyclist can be knocked off their bike, run over by the rear-ending vehicle, or even pushed into traffic.
- Opening a car door while a motorcycle is coming.
- Changing lanes with a motorcycle in the blind spot: Motorcycles are smaller and therefore easier to miss when drivers check their blind spots.
- Head-on collisions: These accidents can be especially serious for motorcyclists, as motorcycles are not designed to protect their drivers from this type of sudden impact.
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Injuries From Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle accident injuries have the potential to be especially dangerous and are statistically much more likely to result in death or severe injuries than car accidents. Some of the most common types of injuries motorcyclists suffer as the result of an accident:
- Head injuries: It is important to always wear a helmet, but even if you do, a crash can knock your head around and result in brain injuries, including concussions or other types of traumatic brain injury. Migraines, cluster headaches, and mood swings can also result from significant cranial impacts.
- Neck injuries: These often go along with head injuries, particularly if the head receives a direct impact. Since the neck houses part of the spinal cord, neck injuries can result in nerve damage or even paralysis.
- Arm injuries: Many motorcyclists who are flung from their bikes instinctively try to catch themselves on their arms, leading to arm injuries.
- Road rash: Any motorcyclist who has ever fallen off their bike knows that dragging on the road can do some serious damage to your skin. This road rash is even worse when your body is traveling at high speeds.
- Leg injuries: Whether your legs hit the ground or parts of your bike, they could be subject to broken bones or other serious injuries.
- Other broken bones: When your body hits a car or the road, no bone is safe from the impact.
- Burns: Particularly if the accident results in an explosion or contact with hot vehicle parts, you could suffer serious, disfiguring burns.
What To Do After A Motorcycle Accident
Motorcycle accidents are serious, and in many cases, the rider and possibly the passenger is too severely injured to do anything at all. If possible, taking these steps can maximize your chance at receiving fair compensation for your injuries.
- Call 911. Apart from assisting anyone injured in the accident, emergency responders such as police, can help to document the accident and its causes.
- Get the name, phone number, and insurance information of everyone else involved in the accident. Be sure to record license plate numbers as well, in case the information you receive is inaccurate.
- Take clear photos of the scene before it is cleared away by accident crews. Make sure to get as many angles as possible and to photograph anything that might be relevant to the accident. Make sure to get pictures of all the vehicles involved.
- If the accident occurred in a town or city, look around to see if there are any nearby traffic or surveillance cameras in the area that may have caught the incident on tape. Nearby gas stations or convenience stores may have cameras whose field of view includes the accident scene. It is important to request these tapes as soon as possible, before the footage is deleted. Accident footage, when available, is one of the best ways to make a strong personal injury claim.
- Seek medical attention as soon as possible. If you were injured in the accident, even if you don’t require an ambulance, or if you think the injury was minor, seek medical attention as soon as possible. Motorcycle collisions often result in serious injuries, but those injuries may not be immediately apparent. It is important to get any injuries checked out immediately so that a causal link to the accident can be established.
- Make sure to follow any medical advice you are given. If your doctor recommends bed rest following an accident, and the other driver’s insurance company finds social media photos of you playing soccer, they may argue either that you are feigning your injuries, or that you have aggravated them by failing to follow medical advice. Be sure to carefully follow any instructions you are given regarding rehabilitation from your injuries.
Proving Fault In A Washington State Motorcycle Accident
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“He is very knowledgeable in the DUI field and was able to guide me throughout the process. My case did go to trial as the public prosecutor was not giving any good negotiation. Scott analyzed the case and told me to take it to trial.”- Former Client
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“We appreciate his rapid responses to our questions, and the peace of mind knowing we had his experience on our side.”- Elizabeth
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“Not only did he win my trial, but his knowledge of the details and his negotiation skills were instrumental in achieving a successful outcome. He was able to navigate the complex legal system with ease and always had my best interests in mind.”- Former Client
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“As an experienced attorney, Scott worked diligently to present the facts of the case and ended up winning the case at trial. We would recommend Scott Lawrence, Attorney at Law, to anyone facing criminal charges.”- Former Client
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“I am incredibly grateful to Snohomish Law for their dedication and expertise in resolving my case. They were professional, compassionate, and kept me informed throughout the process.”- Justin K.
