Washington Motorcycle Accidents & Personal Injury Lawsuits
Although the rainy state of Washington is not recognized for its motorcycle-friendly weather, the Evergreen State still has more than 220,000 registered motorcycles—roughly one for every 33 citizens.
Unfortunately, motorcycle riders are significantly more likely to die or have serious injuries in a crash than passenger car drivers.
In this article, we’ll discuss Washington motorcycle accidents, including the rules that motorcycle riders should be aware of, how liability is determined following a motorcycle accident, and the average damages that can be claimed.
Around one in every five motorcycle accidents results in serious injury or death. Each year, on average, 75 riders are killed in incidents on Washington’s highways.
Washington motorcycle rules of the road
Motorcyclists, like other road users, must adhere to the road’s laws.
Motorcycle riders, for example, must respect all traffic signals and posted speed restrictions. Additionally, motorcyclists, like all other road users, are required to exercise “due care” to prevent endangering others.
Additionally, riders in Washington must adhere to some motorcycle-specific restrictions.
Washington’s motorbike legislation
All of Washington’s motorcycle laws are contained in Title 46 of the Revised Code of Washington, but the following points are important for motorcyclists to remember:
All motorcycle operators and passengers must wear helmets certified by the US Department of Transportation.
Unless the operator is wearing glasses, goggles, or a face shield, all motorbikes must be fitted with a windshield.
Motorcycle riders are not permitted to transport passengers unless the motorcycle is specifically intended to do so.
Motorcycle handlebars may not be raised above the seat by more than 30 inches.
Splitting lanes is completely forbidden on Washington state highways.
All motorcycles are entitled to the full use of a lane, and no motor vehicle shall be operated in such a way as to deny any motorbike that use.
Motorcycles shall not be operated in a single lane more than two abreast.
A child under the age of five is not permitted to ride a motorcycle.
Liability determination following a motorbike accident
Motorcyclists and motor vehicle drivers have a responsibility to exhibit reasonable care on the road in order to avoid injuring others. If a motorcycle rider or a driver of a motor vehicle violates this responsibility and an accident occurs, the at-fault party may be held accountable.
The most frequently used legal theory to hold the at-fault person accountable is carelessness, which requires the plaintiff to show three elements:
The defendant owed a responsibility to the plaintiff,
The defendant violated their fiduciary obligation, and
The plaintiff’s injuries were legally caused by the breach.
While the majority of motorcycle accidents are caused by either a rider or a motor vehicle driver, this is not always the case. There are a few additional persons who could be held accountable for your accident:
Property Owners: Premises liability regulations require property owners to keep their premises safe. If a motorcyclist is harmed on someone else’s property as a result of a dangerous condition, the property owner may be held accountable.
Manufacturers are required by product liability rules to avoid releasing defective products onto the market. If a motorcycle rider is killed as a result of a defective product (such as a malfunctioning brake system), the product’s producer may be held accountable.
Q: How can I get an attorney that can assist me with my motorbike accident case?
Our experienced attorneys at Caron, Colven, Robison & Shafton with 100+ years of combined experienced can help you with your Washington State Motocycle injury claim. The majority of initial consultations are complimentary.
