Bicycle Accidents

Whatcom County Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Providing Compassionate Legal Counsel to Victims Hoping to Secure Compensation for Their Severe Injuries

Bicycle accidents involving cars and other types of automobiles are often devastating incidents that cause catastrophic injuries to cyclists. Many bicycle accident cases occur because of negligent drivers failing to obey the rules of the road, not giving bicyclists enough room in the bike lanes, or engaging in other forms of recklessness or negligence behind the wheel of a motor vehicle. Injured cyclists may be able to seek financial recovery by filing an insurance claim or a personal injury lawsuit. However, a bicycle accident claim can be challenging to win, as the insurance company and lawyers for the defendants will bring their full force to bear to deny driver negligence and potentially even shift the blame onto the cyclist’s shoulders.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a bicycle accident due to a driver’s negligence or another at-fault entity, you need professional legal representation and personalized attention to help you through the legal process of filing your personal injury claim. Our law firm has a sterling reputation and a long track record of success in helping injured victims obtain full compensation for their damages, including financial recovery for medical bills, lost wages, and more. Our experienced legal team would be proud to represent your interests and attempt to maximize the compensation you stand to recover.

To learn more about our legal services and how we can significantly benefit you and your bicycle accident case, please contact our Whatcom County law office to schedule your free initial consultation with the attorney today. We look forward to speaking with you.

What Should You Do in the Immediate Aftermath of a Bike Crash Involving a Motor Vehicle?

Many cyclists suffer severe injuries in bicycle crashes and are left overwhelmed, not knowing how to respond in the immediate aftermath of the incident. Bicycle accident victims must take specific steps to address their injuries and strengthen their legal claims.

Immediately following the bike crash, check for injuries to yourself or others and call 911. While awaiting the arrival of paramedics and law enforcement, attempt to move yourself and your bicycle to a safe location out of the way of oncoming traffic.

Even if you believe your bike crash to be relatively minor, it is still essential that you seek medical attention from professionals and speak to the police about your accident. The police will file an accident report, which will be invaluable when filing a personal injury suit or an insurance claim.

Exchange insurance policy information and contact details with other parties involved in the crash. Additionally, if there were any witnesses to the accident, attempts to get their names and contact information as their testimonies will prove valuable later on.

Before you leave the accident scene, document what you can see by taking photographs of your injuries, bike, environmental details, and damage to the vehicles involved in the collision.

After you get checked out by medical professionals, contact a personal injury attorney to discuss your bicycle accident claim immediately. Our Whatcom County bicycle accident attorney offers free consultations to prospective new clients interested in retaining our legal representation.

What Are Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Everson and Bellingham, Washington?

Bicycle accidents frequently occur due to motorist negligence. While not all drivers are negligent behind the wheel of a car, and most are respectful to cyclists, there are exceptions.

Common causes of bicycle collisions and other types of bike accidents include the following:

  • Dangerous road conditions such as potholes, uneven surfaces, poorly designed roadways, and debris left in the streets
  • Distracted driving, including texting, talking on a cell phone, adjusting the radio, or engaging in conversations with passengers
  • Driving at excessive speeds, which can impact reaction times and endanger cyclists
  • Drunk driving and driving under the influence of drugs, which can impair a motorist’s ability to operate their vehicles safely
  • Failing to yield to the right-of-way of the cyclist
  • Following too closely behind a cyclist and tailgating
  • Improper and unsafe lane changes, particularly involving drivers who fail to signal properly or check their blind spots
  • Inadequate infrastructure for bicyclists, such as the lack of proper signage or unclear bike lanes
  • Motorists drifting into the bike lane
  • Opening car doors in a bicyclist’s path
  • Road rage and aggressive driving
  • Running stop signs and traffic lights, creating hazardous conditions for bicyclists
  • Urban traffic and dangerous intersections
  • Visibility issues caused by weather, insufficient lighting, or low visibility due to sunrises and sunsets
  • And more

Whatever the cause of your traffic accident, we have the extensive experience necessary to represent your claims in pursuit of fair compensation. Contact our Bellingham office to schedule your free case review today.

What Washington Traffic Laws Could Impact Your Bicycle Accident Case?

Specific traffic laws apply to bicyclists, intended to protect them while they share the roads with larger motor vehicles. While these laws are meant to protect cyclists, they also regulate their actions and limitations. Bicyclists typically have the same rights as anyone else to navigate most roadways safely, but there may be exceptions that apply to cyclists that could impact personal injury claims.

Relevant Washington biking laws that could impact a bicycle accident case include the following:

  • A cyclist must provide proper signals when turning
  • Bicycles are not permitted to ride on some limited-access highways in Washington State
  • Bikers are usually required to keep to the right side of the road or remain in any designated bike lane
  • Cyclists must yield to motorists when crossing streets at any point other than a crosswalk. In such situations, a cyclist is typically provided with the same protections as pedestrians
  • Gas-powered bikes, electric scooters, and mopeds are generally not permitted on sidewalks or trails, though there may be some local exceptions
  • Vehicles must pass bicyclists on the left side while maintaining a safe distance. A motorist cannot return to occupying a lane until they are clear of the overtaken cyclist. State laws do not require drivers to yield to bicyclists in all cases, but one exception is when the cyclist is using a sidewalk or entering or exiting a driveway
  • Cyclists must yield to pedestrians in crosswalks

Bike riders who violate traffic laws could endanger their ability to recover compensation if they are injured in a traffic accident.

What Are Common Injuries Associated with Bike Crashes?

Cyclists frequently suffer severe injuries in accidents involving much larger and faster-moving motor vehicles. Many cyclists require extensive medical treatment following such a collision.

Common bicycle accident injuries include the following:

  • Back and neck injuries, including whiplash
  • Broken bones and bone fractures
  • Crushing injuries and degloving injuries
  • Dislocated joints, particularly dislocated shoulders and knees
  • Facial disfigurement
  • Forced amputations
  • Head injuries, including contusions, concussions, open head wounds, and traumatic brain injuries
  • Loss of vision or hearing
  • Organ damage, nerve damage, and internal bleeding
  • Road rash and extensive skin abrasions
  • Soft tissue injuries, including deep cuts, lacerations, and heavy bruising
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Wrongful death

By using past and present medical records, working with experts to create an accident reconstruction model, obtaining police reports and eyewitness testimonies, and diligent work investigating the cause of the crash, we can help you seek compensation.

Can a Bicycle Accident Attorney Help You Recover Full and Fair Compensation?

With a successful bicycle accident claim, it is possible to recover a settlement for your injuries and other damages. A personal injury settlement can be provided for economic and non-economic damages. The value of your case will depend upon several factors, including the severity of your injuries, your inability to return to work, shared negligence, and more.

Potential financial recovery could include the following:

  • Property damage
  • Disfigurement, dismemberment, or disability compensation
  • Past medical bills and future medical expenses, including hospital room visits, surgeries, and physical therapy costs
  • Emotional distress and mental anguish compensation
  • Physical pain and suffering
  • Wrongful death damages
  • And potentially punitive damages

If an insurance adjuster approaches you at the accident scene, remember you do not need to speak with them. They are only there to limit the liability of their insurance company’s employers and look for ways to save money. Instead of talking to the insurance adjusters, direct them to speak to us.

Contact Us to Request a Free Consultation with our Experienced Bicycle Accident Lawyer Today

If you or a family member is seriously injured in a bicycle crash, you need professional legal representation to assist you with your lawsuit or insurance claim. Our attorney has the knowledge and experience to help you throughout the claims process in pursuit of justice and fair financial recovery.

To learn more about the benefits of hiring Bellingham bicycle accident lawyers to represent your claims, please contact Coppinger Law P.S. today.

You can get in touch with us by calling us at 360-685-7955.