Tacoma Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Motorcycles make up 3% of the registered vehicles on the road. And yet, motorcyclists are 29 times more likely to end up in a fatal crash. They’re also almost 5 times more likely to end up injured than passengers in car crashes.

If you or someone you love has been seriously injured or even killed in a motorbike collision, the attorneys at Ladenburg Law are here to help. Speak with a Tacoma motorcycle accident lawyer to learn more about our process for helping victims get the compensation they deserve.

What Makes a Motorcycle Crash Different Than a Car Crash?

There are key differences between motorcycle and car accidents. We keep these differences in mind whenever we help motorcycle accident victims.

These include:

Severe injuries. Without a car to protect you, your body takes a direct impact during a motorcycle collision. Perhaps you’ve suffered a catastrophic limb injury, skin abrasions, traumatic brain injury, or even burns from exhaust. These injuries can be serious and require extensive medical care.
Biases. Unfortunately, one of the things we come up against when working with motorcyclists is the stereotypes people have about you. Insurance adjustors and juries may pre-judge bikers as being risk takers, reckless, and even law breakers.
Low Insurance Offers. While we tend to see low offers with car claims, this is even more the case with motorcycle claims. Insurance companies will work to minimize their losses and even dismiss your claim if possible.

Our Tacoma attorneys understand the unique needs of motorcyclists when it comes to making an insurance claim. During these difficult times, we urge you to rely on our expertise.

What are the Most Important Things I Should do After my Motorcycle Accident?

Here are the steps we recommend you take right after a motorcycle accident. In some situations, we recognize that you might not be able to do all (or any) of these. Getting immediate medical care always comes first!

But, if you’re able, please do the following (or ask a witness to help):

Gather as much information about the other driver(s) as you can. Be sure to get their name, address, driver’s license number, license plate number, and insurance information.
Talk to witnesses and collect names, addresses, and whenever possible, license plate numbers.
Get the name, badge, and precinct number of the investigating police officer. Request the case control or accident report number.
Write down and/or photograph the address and location of the crash scene. Make notes about the weather, traffic, and road conditions. If you think road design or maintenance played a part in the motorcycle accident, record that as well.
Document information about the motorcycle accident. Jot down how the collision happened, who is at fault, the street layout, and the presence of the street lights and signals.
Get photos of the scene, the vehicles, skid marks, debris in the road, and anything else that might be relevant to your case.

Again, do not delay in getting medical care! If your injuries are serious or life threatening, visiting the emergency room might make the most sense. Otherwise, see your primary physician or chiropractor as soon as possible – ideally, the same day. It’s important for your claim to document the extent of your injuries and the medical care required.

Recoverable Compensation for a Motorcycle Accident

Here are some of the damages we’ll fight to recover for you:

Medical costs. This includes both past and future medical care required to treat your injuries.
Lost wages. We account for missed opportunities such as overtime and bonuses.
Pain and suffering. You can receive compensation for the physical pain and mental anguish from your accident.
Funeral costs. If your loved one was killed in a motorcycle accident, we may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit on their behalf.

Every situation is unique. Given your lifestyle or career, you may have other damages we can help you recoup.

Role of Shared Liability in Settlement Negotiations

Washington is what’s known as a comparative fault state. This means that if you’re partly to blame for the accident, you can still receive compensation, but it will be reduced by the percentage you’re found at fault.

For example, suppose you were found to be 25% responsible for the collision. This would make the driver that hit you on the hook for the other 75%. In this scenario, your total settlement would be reduced by 25%.

If you are more than 50% at fault for the accident, it may not be in your best interest to pursue a lawsuit. No matter what, we’re happy to talk with you at no cost and hear what happened. We can help determine who’s at fault and explore your legal options.

Accidents Caused by Debris or a Pothole

Road hazards, such as debris, are common causes of motorcycle accidents. In these situations, you may not know who’s to blame.

Even so, you may still have options. For instance, if you have uninsured motorists coverage on your policy, you might be able to file a claim with your own insurance carrier. We might also discover that a city or other party may be held liable for not addressing road hazards. Depending on your case, there may be other parties that can be held liable, too.

Motorbike Wrecks Caused by Mechanical Malfunction or Defect

Sometimes, a defective product causes the accident. That product could be the motorcycle itself, a part, or a modification.

These cases need expert help because it’s not easy to discover a product defect and bring a lawsuit against a manufacturer. The good news is that our Tacoma attorneys have successfully handled many defective product cases over the years.

No matter who or what caused your motorcycle accident, we would like to speak with you to see if we can help.

How Could a Tacoma Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Help Me? Can I Handle this on My Own?

When you’re facing a serious injury, it’s important that your settlement is more than adequate to cover your medical expenses. Too often, we see insurance companies make very low offers that would leave victims unable to pay for all their required treatment.

Please call us. A Tacoma motorcycle accident lawyer could assess the true cost of your damages and fight for a fair settlement from your insurance company. We’re prepared to take any case to trial if need be. Let us help take some of the burden off your plate so you can focus on your health and healing.

At Ladenburg Law, we only collect a fee if we’re able to win you a settlement. Call us today for a no-fee, no-obligation consultation about your case.