Most Washington motorcyclists know that there are certain dangers unique to motorcyclists when they travel the state’s highways and roadways. This is because motorcyclists face certain problems that motorists do not, including road hazards such as potholes, puddles and railroad tracks and instability at higher speeds. No matter who causes an accident, the fact remains that motorcyclists are 26 times more likely to die in an incident than other motorists.
In 2013, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that more than 4,500 people died and approximately 88,000 were injured in motorcycle accidents. In total, motorcycle deaths accounted for 14 percent of all crash fatalities for that year. More than half of those killed were over the age of 40. Approximately 37 percent of motorcycle fatalities were attributed to alcohol use, with 29 percent of deceased motorcyclists having a BAC of .08 percent or higher when they died and another 8 percent having a BAC between .01 and .07 percent at the time of their deaths.
If a motorcycle accident does occur, there is a chance that the injured cyclist may recover damages. However, in order to be eligible to seek compensation, there must be evidence that the other driver was responsible for causing the crash and that the accident occurred as a result of negligence or recklessness.
Usually, those who were injured in a motorcycle accident seek compensation from the liable party by filing a personal injury lawsuit naming the liable party as defendants. An attorney may assist the plaintiff with gathering the evidence to prove that the other party was responsible for their client’s injuries. Additionally, the attorney may also help determine the total cost of the damages that resulted from the motorcycle injuries.
Source: FindLaw, ‘Motorcycle Accidents: Overview,” Accessed on Feb. 24, 2015