Category Archives: Bicycle Accident
Insurance Company Defenses in Bicycle Accident Cases
Most bicycle accident defenses contest two basic issues: damages or liability. Damages basically means the amount of compensation the victim is entitled to. Insurance company lawyers often claim that the victim’s injuries were exaggerated, especially if the victim doesn’t immediately seek medical treatment. But in this post, we’ll focus on liability defenses. Damages are… Read More »
What to Expect in a Bicycle Injury Case
Bicyclists often suffer such severe injuries in collisions that their medical bills can be significant. These victims have no protection from oncoming vehicles, other than thin bicycle helmets. Ironically, according to some research, bicycle helmets might do more harm than good. They give both riders and tortfeasors (negligent drivers) a false sense of security…. Read More »
Building a Bicycle Accident Claim
As outlined below, evidence is the most important part of a bicycle accident claim. A victim/plaintiff must prove negligence, or a lack of care, by a preponderance of the evidence (“more likely than not”). Although this burden of proof is very low, there’s usually a relationship between the amount of evidence a victim/plaintiff presents… Read More »
What Causes Bicycle Accidents in Seattle?
Driver error, mostly the two kinds of driver error discussed below, causes over 98 percent of the bicycle wrecks in King County. These collisions often cause catastrophic injuries, such as head injuries. Helmets only prevent a handful of these injuries. When riders fall off their bikes and hit the ground, their brains violently slam… Read More »
Understanding A Pedestrian’s Rights After A Bicycle Collision
In the Seattle area, thousands of people enjoy walking or bicycling every day, whether they are out for fun, getting to work, or running errands. Bicyclists and walkers alike take justifiable pride in these eco-friendly modes of travel. However, most don’t realize there are safety risks involved, and accidents between bikers and walkers can… Read More »
White Bicycles and Outlines of People – Reminders of Wrongful Pedestrian and Bicycle Deaths
If you live or work in the Seattle area, you may have seen white bicycles or the outlines of pedestrians on sidewalks or along bike paths throughout the city and county. These are the results of a project known as Ghost Bikes – which works to raise awareness of bicycle fatalities and safety concerns…. Read More »
Bicyclist killed by streetcar tracks – potential liability for city of Seattle?
A local Seattle woman died due to injuries she sustained when she crashed while biking across the streetcar tracks on Yesler Way. According to the KOMO article, the cyclist was riding eastbound on Yesler and crashed when she crossed the streetcar tracks near 13th Avenue. Family members cited in the article indicated that the… Read More »
Cities Making Bicyclists Safer – Ideas from Other Cities
Biking.com reported on 8 different cities that are undertaking projects and programs to make cycling safer in the metropolitan areas. Included in the article were cities such as Portland, Chicago and Philadelphia – all cities that have active and robust cycling communities. Citied in the article is a study that found that bicycling safety… Read More »
Bicyclist Killed In Hit-and-Run Accident
A bicyclist was struck and killed by a driver who fled the accident scene. According to the reports, a red truck struck the bicyclist from behind as the bicyclist and truck traveled on a highway near the Chelan Airport. The police later found the red truck abandoned in a field. Hopefully the police will… Read More »
Watch Out for Bicyclists – Recent Capital Accident Likely Due to Inattention
Its summertime and a lot of people are out on their bikes enjoying the nice weather. Even when the weather is terrible, Seattle and the Puget Sound region has an abundance of bicyclists who use our roads and highways for commuting and exercise. If you are driving, the law requires you to keep a… Read More »