Kent motorcycle accident lawyer
Washington State Motorcycle Accident Attorney Serving Injury Victims in Kent
While many motorcyclists know that their vehicles are putting them at greater risk of bodily injury than a larger automobile like a car or truck, we often do not think about just how debilitating and deadly motorcycle accidents can be. According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), motorcyclists are considerably more vulnerable on Washington’s highways and neighborhood streets when it comes to crash-related injuries than motor vehicle occupants, and every year motorcycle accidents result in billions of dollars in costs for emergency medical surgery and treatment, physical rehabilitation, lost wages, and property damage.
Motorcycle accidents often happen because of another party’s negligence. If you or someone you love got hurt in a motorcycle crash, you should speak with a Kent, WA motorcycle accident lawyer to learn more about filing a claim for compensation. The dedicated personal injury attorneys at Khan Injury Law PLLC are committed to providing aggressive advocacy for clients who have gotten hurt in accidents in Washington State.
Getting the facts about kent motorcycle accidents
What do you need to know about motorcycle accidents in Washington? The III provides some of the following facts and figures that help to make clear the severity of motorcycle crashes and the importance of holding responsible parties accountable when they cause collisions:
- 5,286 motorcyclists lost their lives in accidents in 2016;
- More than 8,600,000 motorcyclists suffered injuries in crashes in 2015, for an injury rate of 1,028 per every 100,000 registered motorcyclists;
- Motorcycle injuries happen on every day of the week and at all times of day;
- Most common time for nonfatal and deadly motorcycle accidents is from 3:00pm to 6:00pm, when nearly 25 percent of all motorcycle fatalities occur and almost 28 percent of nonfatal injuries happen in motorcycle crashes;
- Other common times for motorcycle accident injuries and fatalities include 6:00am to 9:00am, 9:00am to 12:00pm (noon), and 6:00pm to 9:00pm;
- Alcohol plays a major role in motorcycle accidents and is a factor in more than 30 percent of all fatal motorcycle collisions; and
- Motorcyclists and automobile drivers alike often have an illegal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 percent or higher in deadly motorcycle accidents.
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Common Causes of Motorcycle Crashes in Kent, WA
Motorcycle accidents often happen because of another party’s negligence, error, or reckless behavior. Some of the following are common causes of motorcycle crashes in Kent, Washington:
- Distracted driving;
- Drowsy driving;
- Drunk driving;
- Aggressive or reckless driving;
- Dangerous road conditions; and
- Defective automobile or motorcycle parts.
When another motorist’s negligence causes a motorcycle accident—such as a motorist who speeds, runs a red light, or drives drunk—it is important to learn more about filing a claim and seeking compensation from that party. It may also be possible to seek compensation from a property owner when a dangerous roadway caused the crash or from a motorcycle or automobile designer or manufacturer if a defective part resulted in a collision and personal injuries.
How Long Do I Have to File a Motorcycle Accident Claim in Kent?
The time period for filing any civil lawsuit is known as the statute of limitations. For most personal injury matters, the clock on the statute of limitations begins ticking once the person is involved in an accident and suffers injuries. As such, most motorcycle accident cases must be filed within a specific period of time that begins with the date of the crash.
Under Washington State law (Wash. Rev. Code § 4.16.080), the statute of limitations for most motorcycle accident claims in the state is three (3) years. If you fail to file your claim within this three-year period, you may be barred from seeking compensation through a personal injury lawsuit. You should also keep in mind that the sooner you contact a motorcycle accident attorney and get started on your case, the sooner you may be eligible for compensation. It can be difficult to think about legal issues when you are dealing with the physical and emotional pain of a crash, but it is important to begin working on your claim as soon as possible.
Can i still recover damages if i was partially to blame for the crash?
Motorcycle accident victims often want to know whether they are still eligible to obtain compensation if they were partially to blame for the crash. For instance, if a motorcyclist was speeding at the time she or he was hit by a drunk driver who ran a red light, can the motorcyclist still recover?
This question involves the matter of contributory fault. Under Washington State’s contributory fault law (Wash. Rev. Code § 4.22.015), a plaintiff can definitely recover damages, but the damages award will be reduced by the percentage of the plaintiff’s own fault. To be clear, the plaintiff’s own fault does not bar the plaintiff’s recovery. This is true whether the plaintiff is determined to be 1 percent responsible for the accident or 99 percent responsible.
To give you an example of how this works, imagine that a motorcycle accident victim is speeding 15 miles per hour over the speed limit when a drunk driver runs a red light and crashes into the motorcyclist, causing severe injuries. The motorcyclist files a lawsuit, the defendant raises the issue of contributory fault, and the court says the motorcyclist is 20 percent responsible. If the plaintiff receives a $500,000 damages award, that award would be reduced by 20 percent (or $100,000), and the plaintiff would receive $400,000.
Contact a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Kent, WA Today
If you or someone you love sustained injuries in a motorcycle accident, it is important to get in touch with a Kent, WA motorcycle accident attorney to learn more about filing a claim for compensation. You may be eligible to receive damages that will compensate you for financial losses like medical bills and lost wages, as well as for losses like pain and suffering or the loss of enjoyment of life.
The sooner you get in touch with an advocate and file a claim, the sooner you may be eligible for compensation. Contact Khan Injury Law PLLC for more information about how we can assist with your case.