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(253) 272-5226For the last several years, Washington has been named the most bicycle-friendly state in the country. Even so, over 100 bicyclists in Washington are seriously injured or killed in crashes every year. If an irresponsible driver caused your bicycle collision, you could be entitled to receive compensation for your medical bills and lost wages.
We recommend you reach out to a Tacoma bicycle accident lawyer if you’ve been hurt in a bicycle wreck. An experienced attorney can help determine who’s responsible for what happened and pursue a settlement on your behalf. At Ladenburg Law, it’s always free for an initial consultation. Plus, we only charge a fee for our services if we’re able to win you compensation.
Unlike drivers, bicyclists have little to protect themselves in an accident. As a result, bicycle collisions can result in severe and sometimes deadly injuries.
Some of these include:
These types of injuries may require expensive medical care. Consider that a typical emergency room visit may total $10,000 or more.
Did someone’s carelessness cause your injuries? For instance, perhaps a reckless driver crashed into you? If so, you may be entitled to compensation. Typically, you can file a claim against the driver’s insurance company. But what happens if the driver is uninsured or you’re the victim of a hit-and-run? We may be able to file a claim against your own insurance policy, provided you have uninsured/underinsured motorists coverage.
A Tacoma attorney can fight for a wide range of damages on a bicycle crash victim’s behalf, such as:
One of our skilled attorneys could help by determining what damages you can include in a personal injury claim.
If you’re a bicyclist living in Tacoma, you are probably well-versed on the rules of the road.
Here are a few important laws to note:
Also, remember that Washington State laws are subject to change. For instance, we shared at the Ladenburg Law blog that a new law went into effect on January 1, 2020 that provided clarifications on passing and following.
In the State of Washington, bicycle helmets are not mandatory. However, some cities have local laws about helmet usage. Tacoma used to have a bicycle helmet law, but this was repealed in July 2020.
Even so, we believe there are compelling reasons to wear a helmet every time you head out on your bike! Plus, it’s possible you decide to ride or commute to in a neighboring city such as Puyallup or University Place that does have a helmet law in effect.
You have three years to file a personal injury claim, including those from bicycle accidents (RCW 4.16.080). In most cases, this is a strict deadline, which means you can miss out on financial recovery.
There are some exceptions to this deadline, most notably if the victim is a minor. If a minor child is out riding their bike and gets hit by a reckless motorist, they have until their 21st birthday to file a personal injury lawsuit.
In any case, we recommend that you involve one of our attorneys as soon as possible. This helps us access evidence while it’s still fresh and gives you legal support for more of the process.
Call a Tacoma bicycle accident lawyer today. A skilled lawyer could protect your rights and work hard to get you the compensation you deserve from the at-fault driver.
Bicycle wrecks are typically more complicated than other accident claims, which is why it’s best to work with a knowledgeable Tacoma attorney. At Ladenburg Law, we have experience assisting many bicycle crash victims with their claims.
Not able to make it into the office? Please let us know. We are happy to coordinate a free consultation at your home or hospital.