What should I do if I was involved in a motorcycle accident in Renton, WA?

Renton Motorcycle Accident Lawyers

If you were in a motorcycle accident and someone else caused it, you can file a claim to obtain compensation for your damages. Your damages can include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.

Renton motorcycle accident lawyer Max Meyers is the one to turn to if you have been in an accident. He has almost two decades of experience in the legal field and has dedicated his life to recovering compensation for injured Washingtonians. His wife, Shelly, is a licensed insurance agent and knows how the other side operates.
To schedule a free consultation with Max Meyers Law, PLLC, call us today: 425-399-7000.

Can I file a motorcycle accident claim?

Yes, you can file a motorcycle accident claim if your injuries resulted from another person's negligence. To do so, we must prove that someone else:

  • Owed you a duty of care. A duty of care is an obligation to behave in such a way that you do not wrongfully cause harm to another. For example, a driver has a duty of care to maintain a proper lookout for motorcycles and pay attention to the road ahead.  
  • Was negligent (i.e., does not live up to the duty of care). If a person was texting while driving, he violated his duty of care. We can subpoena phone records and obtain eyewitness testimony to prove this element.
  • The driver’s negligence caused your injuries. If he crashed into you because he was texting and you suffered injuries in the collision, his negligence caused your injuries. Connecting the negligence to your injuries can be a contested area in your claim. The insurance company may argue you had pre-existing injuries or that your injuries were unrelated to the accident. We may use medical experts to establish the link between the motorcycle accident and your injuries. 
  • You sustained damages, e.g., medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages, etc.

How do motorcycle accidents differ from other traffic accidents?

Ultimately, motorcyclists injured in traffic accidents have the same goals and face the same process as other injury claimants. But we must acknowledge a few key differences that are unique to motorcycle claims:

  • Severity of injuries: Without the protection of a steel cage surrounding passenger vehicle occupants, motorcyclists are at greater risk of severe injuries in accidents. Serious injuries – brain injury, spinal cord injuries, and others – present challenges, like accounting for long-term effects of the injuries (e.g., ongoing physical therapy, future medical care or surgery, long-term medication use, assistive devices (wheelchairs, etc.), and more.
  • Stigma: Unfair as it is, a lot of people assume motorcyclists are reckless, putting them at a distinct disadvantage when arguing that another driver is at fault for their accident. Thorough evidence collection and case building is vital in these cases to overcome this bias.
  • Helmet use: If an insurance company successfully argues your lack of helmet use is to blame for your injuries, then it will lower your settlement. We always recommend wearing a motorcycle helmet, but if you did not and suffered head or neck injuries, then the insurance company may argue that you are partially at fault. We may secure medical expert testimony or other evidence to fight back against these arguments.

How do I prove the other driver caused the motorcycle wreck?

Max may retrieve police reports, visit the accident site, collect evidence of the scene (e.g., photos, surveillance video), and contact eyewitnesses.

But his legwork is not yet over. He will use the available evidence and the resources at his disposal to build your case.

  • He may work with accident reconstruction experts.
  • He might subpoena phone records to prove the other driver was talking or texting on the phone before the accident.
  • When available, he might subpoena security camera footage to establish what happened before the crash.

How Max approaches your case depends on the unique circumstances of your accident and injury. But rest assured, Max will collect the resources he needs to prove fault and liability.

Motorcycle Accidents in Renton, WA

There were 32 motorcycle accidents in Renton in 2016. The severity of these accidents varied from fatal collisions to accidents with no apparent injuries.

 

Severity

Number of crashes

Fatal

2

Suspected serious injury

4

Suspected minor injury

10

Possible injury

13

No apparent injury

3

Total

32

 

The numbers tell an interesting story: Of the 32 motorcycle accidents in Renton in 2016, only three caused no apparent injury; the rest caused injuries of varying severity. This speaks to the risks motorcyclists face when involved in a wreck.

These accidents occurred across Renton. Ten of the accidents that caused injury happened on I-405, highlighting the dangers that motorcyclists face on highways.

How much is my motorcycle accident settlement worth?

Each case has a different value and depends on your medical expenses, as well as lost wages, benefits, and earning capacity. Lingering medical issues, disability, and disfigurement are key factors in the valuation of your case.

In addition to using medical experts to connect the dots between the accident and your injuries, we might also use economic experts to establish your lost wages and future lost earnings. We collect, analyze, and organize relevant documents and other evidence to establish the physical, emotional, and financial impact of your injuries.

We also make sure your claim includes noneconomic damages, which compensates you for the physical and emotional pain and suffering you suffer because of your injuries and the accident.

What should I do after being involved in a motorcycle accident in Renton?

After you have legally and safely left the scene, you should protect your health and your claim by following these steps:

  • Seek medical care. The local hospital in Renton is UW Valley Medical Center, located at 400 S. 3rd St., Renton, WA 98005-5010. There are also walk-in clinics and urgent care centers in the area.

  • Notify your insurance company, but do not make any admissions of guilt or fault.

  • Do not sign anything or give a recorded statement before talking with Max.

  • Talk with Renton accident lawyer Max Meyers, to protect your right to compensation.

Call Max Meyers After a Motorcycle or Other Traffic Accident in Renton

Max handles all types of traffic accident cases, giving him a well-rounded understanding of motor vehicle accident law, including as it applies to motorcycle crashes. In addition to motorcycle accidents, Max represents injured Renton residents in:

  • Car accidents: In 2016, 2,599 motor vehicle drivers were involved in crashes in Renton, reports the Washington State Department of Transportation. Six of these were fatal.

  • Truck accidents: Over 100 motor vehicle drivers were involved in crashes with large trucks throughout Renton in 2016.

  • Bicycle accidents: There were 14 bicycle vs. motor vehicle crashes in 2016 in Renton.

  • Pedestrian accidents: Sixty-two crashes in Renton involved pedestrians and motor vehicles in 2016. One of these was fatal, and eight involved suspected serious injuries.

Whatever the circumstances of your accident – whether you were in a motorcycle accident or other type of motor vehicle accident – Max Meyers will gather the evidence needed to build your case. He will talk with you about the impact of your injuries on your health and finances. Max will deal directly with the insurance company so you do not have to. He will work to get you all the compensation you deserve.

Call Max Meyers Law, PLLC today at 425-399-7000 to set up your no-obligation, free consultation.

Max Meyers
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Max is a Kirkland personal injury attorney handling cases in Seattle, King County & surrounding in WA State.