Seattle Personal Injury Lawyer - Motorcycle Accidents - Most Commented

Motorcycle Deaths Linked with Rising Gas Prices

Michael Myers — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 23:30:11 GMT

Local media sources have linked motorcycle deaths and accidents to rising gas prices. King 5 television provides the following information:

So far, there have been 49 motorcycle related deaths - 10 of them in the last three months.

"We're seeing a high number of motorcycle collisions due to the price of gas, due to the time of year, the weather and they're cheaper than buying a car, and you don't have to have insurance," said Trooper Keith Leary.

Hopefully these statistics represent a temporary spike. It's reasonable to assume that as drivers become more accustomed to sharing the road with motorcyclists (and bicyclists) that accidents, injuries and fatalities will decrease.

Besides heightened awareness, we also hope that the increased use of fuel-efficient motorcycles starts to change public perception and that motorcyclists are viewed as citizens who are working to decrease traffic and minimize our use of oil. If this change takes place personal injury cases involving injured motorcyclists will be much better received by juries.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Michael Myers

More Motorcyclists Getting Killed on the Road

Michael Myers — Sat, 14 Oct 2006 20:43:09 GMT

More bikers are getting killed on the road. "This trend is very troubling," said NTSB member Debbie Hersman, who chaired a two-day forum on motorcycle safety that began Tuesday. "The number of fatalities is outpacing the increase in ridership."

Motorcycle accidents involved dramatically different considerations that run of the mill motor vehicle accidents. Riding is different than driving. Jury perception of motorcyclists is different than automobile drivers.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Michael Myers

Injuries at Work--Police and Firefighters

Michael Myers — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 23:40:35 GMT

There are special rules that apply to injuries suffered by police, firefighters and first responders. It's called the Fireman's Rule.

The Fireman's Rule stands for the general principle is that a firefighter who enters a home to fight a fire may not sue the individual who negligently created the emergency.

But the Fireman's Rule does not bar all suits for on the job injuries suffered by police, firefighters and first responders. Case in point:

A Tukwila police officer on a motorcycle was involved in a crash with a truck. Police said the officer was riding northbound on Interurban Avenue South at Interstate 5 with his lights and siren on when a box truck turned in front of the officer, resulting in a crash.

In this case the officer will not be precluded from brining a third party claim (a vehicle providing significantly more benefits than his Labor and Industries claim) just because he was on duty. The driver of the cube van did not create the emergency to which the officer was responding.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Michael Myers

Motorcycle Manufacturers Liable for Single Vehicle Accidents

Michael Myers — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 20:27:32 GMT

Motorcycle accidents happen for a variety of reasons. We've written about several (including the most common: drivers making left hand turns in front of motorcyclists). However, a frequently overlooked cause of accidents relates to the negligent design, repair or manufacture of motorcycles.

A recent case involved Honda motorcycles and allegations that the company's Gold Wing motorcycles has a design defect that causes it to wobble at low speeds. Currently our firm is handling claims against Harley Davidson dealers and investigating others against Harley Davidson relating to engine seizures and performance defects that have both caused accidents and serious injuries.

If you are involved in a "one motorcycle" accident and suffer serious injuries, it makes sense to investigate whether the negligent design or manufacture may have caused the accident.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Michael Myers

Motorcyclist Dies in Collision with Dump Truck

Michael Myers — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 08:06:58 GMT

Recently, a 44-year-old Seattle man died after a collision with a dump truck. The collision occurred at about 7:40 a.m. at East Lake Sammamish Parkway and 229th Avenue Southeast, just north of Interstate 90. The circumstances of the accident remain under investigation.

Left hand turns are one of the biggest threats to motorcyclists. Drivers turn across motorcyclists' lanes of travel and either collide with riders or force the riders to take evasive action. Motorcycles are an economical, relatively environmentally friendly form of transportation. Other drivers should be both respectful and cautions to motorcycle riders.

If you're involved in a motorcycle accident it's important to have an attorney who is familiar with both the special laws that apply to motorcycles and has ridden motorcycles. I'm pleased to say that I have my Class 3 (motorcycle) endorsement.

For more information on this subject, please refer to the section on Car and Motorcycle Accidents.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Michael Myers

Motorcycle Crash on West-Seattle Bridge Highlights Importance of Carrying Adequate Insurance

Michael Myers — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 08:00:50 GMT

Motorcycle accidents account for almost half of all motor vehicle fatalities. Knowing this, motorcyclists should not only ride defensively, they should ensure that they have purchased adequate insurance to cover themselves, their passengers and their motorcycle in the event of a crash. This advice is underscored by reports of a recent accident.

On Tuesday, a motorcycle carrying two men - one in his 30s, another in his 20s, crashed into the guardrail on the West Seattle Bridge. Police and firefighters were called to the scene and the motorcycle driver and passenger were transported to Harborview Medical Center with leg fractures. Neither men involved in the crash suffered life-threatening injures. Police believe that speed may have been a factor in the crash.

Motorcycle riders do not have to carry liability insurance. But it should be something every rider purchases for at least two reasons. First, it will cover injuries to your passengers if you make a mistake and go down. Second, it is a pre-condition to purchasing UIM coverage which is absolutely essential for every rider. If you need advice about purchasing motorcycle insurance, please ask. We'd be happy to help.

For more information on this subject, please refer to the section on Motorcycle Accidents.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Michael Myers

Motorcycle Crash on West-Seattle Bridge Highlights Importance of Carrying Adequate Insurance(2)

Michael Myers — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 08:00:50 GMT

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Michael Myers

Motorcycle Passenger Killed in Crash in Des Moines, Washington

Michael Myers — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 12:11:34 GMT

On September 25th a Des Moines woman was killed in a motorcycle crash on Pacific Highway South and South 226th Street. The 49-year-old woman was a passenger on a motorcycle driven by a 50-year-old man. Both the woman and man were thrown at least 75 feet after their motorcycle collided with a car that was making a left hand turn in front of the motorcycle.

The woman was killed and the man was transported to Harborview Medical Center. His condition is unknown.

According to police, the impact was hard enough to send the car spinning around. The driver and passenger in the vehicle were uninjured.

As indicated in prior entries, about 90 percent of motorcycle accidents happen when drivers make left hand turns in front of them. It's critical for the families of persons injured in these types of accidents to involve experienced counsel right away. Evidence at the scene of the accident is fleeting and must be preserved in order to maximize the chances of success in court.

For more information on this subject, please refer to our section on Car and Motorcycle Accidents.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Michael Myers

19 Year Old Killed in Motorcycle Accident

Mark McLean — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 12:57:04 GMT

19 year old Chantelle Still was killed in a motorcycle accident on I-405 in Kirkland recently. Ms. Still was a passenger on the motorcycle. The driver lost control of the motorcycle at a high speed in a construction zone. Both the driver and Ms. Still were thrown from the motorcycle.

In situations like this accident, Washington's wrongful death statutes allow the victim's family to pursue a cause of action--potentially against both the driver of the motorcycle and the contractor handling the construction work.

For more information on this subject, please refer to our section on Car and Motorcycle Accidents.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Mark McLean

Motorcyclist Killed in Mukilteo Accident

Mark McLean — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 12:45:36 GMT

A 29 year-old Bothell man was killed when his motorcycle was struck by an SUV in the 500 block of the Mukilteo speedway recently. The SUV was making a U-turn at the time of the accident.

Under Washington law, the families of victims who are killed as a result of someone else's fault can recover damages under "wrongful death" statutes. These statutes ensure proper compensation for the families of victims of horrible accidents. However, these statutes also contain many procedural hurdles. Experienced attorneys can guide families through these requirements during such a difficult time.

For more information on this subject, please refer to our section on Car and Motorcycle Accidents.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Mark McLean