Washington Personal Injury Blog - Motorcycle Accidents

Everett Man Injured In Motorcycle Accident

Chrissie Cole — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 23:19:00 GMT

An Everett man, 22, was injured in a motorcycle accident and taken to Harborview Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries on Saturday, according to a spokeswoman for Snohomish County Fire District.

Northbound I-5 near the 112th Street SW park-and-ride lot was closed down for nearly two hours following the accident.

The accident occurred when the motorcyclist, riding a Kawasaki, struck the back of a Hyundai driven by a Marysville man and flipped several times.

State Patrol officers closed the freeway so the helicopter could land in the carpool lane, due to heavy traffic caused by construction.

The driver of the Hyundai refused medical treatment and sustained approximately $1,000 worth of damage to his vehicle, according to troopers.

Each year, more than 2,200 people are killed and more than 55,000 are injured in motorcycle accidents.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chrissie Cole

Injuries at Work--Police and Firefighters

Michael Myers — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 23:40:35 GMT

There are special rules that apply to injuries suffered by police, firefighters and first responders. It's called the Fireman's Rule.

The Fireman's Rule stands for the general principle is that a firefighter who enters a home to fight a fire may not sue the individual who negligently created the emergency.

But the Fireman's Rule does not bar all suits for on the job injuries suffered by police, firefighters and first responders. Case in point:

A Tukwila police officer on a motorcycle was involved in a crash with a truck. Police said the officer was riding northbound on Interurban Avenue South at Interstate 5 with his lights and siren on when a box truck turned in front of the officer, resulting in a crash.

In this case the officer will not be precluded from brining a third party claim (a vehicle providing significantly more benefits than his Labor and Industries claim) just because he was on duty. The driver of the cube van did not create the emergency to which the officer was responding.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Michael Myers

Bicycle accidents on sidewalks

Don Jacobs — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 14:49:05 GMT

Many consumers are confused over what rights and responsibilities people who commute by bike enjoy when they share the roadway with vehicles. In Washington, a bicycle ridden upon the roadway is required to obey all the rules of the road required of cars unless incapable of doing so. The posted speed limit may be an example of a law the bicycle operator is incapable of following. But what if the bicycle is being ridden on a sidewalk? Riders should know that certain Washington laws prohibit the operation of a bicycle on a sidewalk if the sidewalk is within a business district. However, if bicycles are ridden outside a business district they do appear to have the right to travel upon a sidewalk. When they do, the law tends to treat them as pedestrians. As such, they are entitled to all of the protections the law affords pedestrians. A recent case handled by this office involved this exact situation. A passenger car was turning into a driveway of a business and had to cross the sidewalk in order to do so. At the same time, a bicycle was traveling on the sidewalk and was struck by the vehicle. Serious injuries resulted. The insurance carrier for the vehicle denied the claim, basing their decision on the illegality of a bicycle being operated on a sidewalk. After researching the law and providing the authority to the insurance company, they agreed their driver had a duty to stop before crossing the sidewalk and yield to anyone lawfully using it as a pedestrian. As a bicycle rider is treated as a pedestrian under these circumstances, the insurance company paid the claim.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Don Jacobs

Over 41,000 killed in auto accidents in 2007

Don Jacobs — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 15:51:00 GMT

According to the Institute for Highway Safety, over 41,000 people were killed last year on the highways. The figure is down from 2006 where 1,500 more people were killed. Maybe high gas prices have resulted in fewer drivers. California had the biggest decline, 266 fewer fatalities than in the prior year. The District of Columbia and Alaska had the highest percentage increases. The trend among boomers to relive their youth has resulted in ever increasing motorcycle deaths over the last five years. 5,154 motorcycle drivers lost their lives in 2007, compared with 4,837 the year before. Alcohol still plays a big role in deaths although it appears to be decreasing. Fatalities in crashes involving a vehicle or motorcycle operator with a blood alcohol level of 0.08 or more declined to just under 13,000 in 2007, a 3.7 percent decrease from the year before.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Don Jacobs

Motorcycle Deaths Linked with Rising Gas Prices

Michael Myers — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 23:30:11 GMT

Local media sources have linked motorcycle deaths and accidents to rising gas prices. King 5 television provides the following information:

So far, there have been 49 motorcycle related deaths - 10 of them in the last three months.

"We're seeing a high number of motorcycle collisions due to the price of gas, due to the time of year, the weather and they're cheaper than buying a car, and you don't have to have insurance," said Trooper Keith Leary.

Hopefully these statistics represent a temporary spike. It's reasonable to assume that as drivers become more accustomed to sharing the road with motorcyclists (and bicyclists) that accidents, injuries and fatalities will decrease.

Besides heightened awareness, we also hope that the increased use of fuel-efficient motorcycles starts to change public perception and that motorcyclists are viewed as citizens who are working to decrease traffic and minimize our use of oil. If this change takes place personal injury cases involving injured motorcyclists will be much better received by juries.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Michael Myers

Motorcycle Manufacturers Liable for Single Vehicle Accidents

Michael Myers — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 20:27:32 GMT

Motorcycle accidents happen for a variety of reasons. We've written about several (including the most common: drivers making left hand turns in front of motorcyclists). However, a frequently overlooked cause of accidents relates to the negligent design, repair or manufacture of motorcycles.

A recent case involved Honda motorcycles and allegations that the company's Gold Wing motorcycles has a design defect that causes it to wobble at low speeds. Currently our firm is handling claims against Harley Davidson dealers and investigating others against Harley Davidson relating to engine seizures and performance defects that have both caused accidents and serious injuries.

If you are involved in a "one motorcycle" accident and suffer serious injuries, it makes sense to investigate whether the negligent design or manufacture may have caused the accident.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Michael Myers

Motorcyclist Dies in Collision with Dump Truck

Michael Myers — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 08:06:58 GMT

Recently, a 44-year-old Seattle man died after a collision with a dump truck. The collision occurred at about 7:40 a.m. at East Lake Sammamish Parkway and 229th Avenue Southeast, just north of Interstate 90. The circumstances of the accident remain under investigation.

Left hand turns are one of the biggest threats to motorcyclists. Drivers turn across motorcyclists' lanes of travel and either collide with riders or force the riders to take evasive action. Motorcycles are an economical, relatively environmentally friendly form of transportation. Other drivers should be both respectful and cautions to motorcycle riders.

If you're involved in a motorcycle accident it's important to have an attorney who is familiar with both the special laws that apply to motorcycles and has ridden motorcycles. I'm pleased to say that I have my Class 3 (motorcycle) endorsement.

For more information on this subject, please refer to the section on Car and Motorcycle Accidents.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Michael Myers

Freight Train Derails and Falls into River

Jenny Albano — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 15:32:59 GMT

A CSX freight train derailed on a bridge above the Anacostia River on Friday, November 9 and 10 of the 90 rail cars fell into the water. There were no injuries due to the accident.

The train was parked with no passengers or crew aboard when another freight train ran into it. The Fire Department stated that the cause was unknown and that the National Transportation Safety Board would be investigating the incident.

Several fireboats and other emergency vehicles responded, including some engine companies with hazardous materials units that came to the scene as a precaution. The crash dumped coal into the river, along with hydraulic fluid and oil from the train cars, District of Columbia Fire Department spokesman Alan Etter said.

The water in the river seems to have a oily sheen to it which could mean some petroleum products made it into the river, but pH tests so far have been neutral. Structural engineers are checking the bridge for damage and want the rest of the rail cars moved; they believe there has been some structural damage to the bridge.

For more information on this subject, please refer to our section on Airlines, Cruises, Buses, and Other Mass Transit Accidents.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jenny Albano

Motorcycle Crash on West-Seattle Bridge Highlights Importance of Carrying Adequate Insurance

Michael Myers — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 08:00:50 GMT

Motorcycle accidents account for almost half of all motor vehicle fatalities. Knowing this, motorcyclists should not only ride defensively, they should ensure that they have purchased adequate insurance to cover themselves, their passengers and their motorcycle in the event of a crash. This advice is underscored by reports of a recent accident.

On Tuesday, a motorcycle carrying two men - one in his 30s, another in his 20s, crashed into the guardrail on the West Seattle Bridge. Police and firefighters were called to the scene and the motorcycle driver and passenger were transported to Harborview Medical Center with leg fractures. Neither men involved in the crash suffered life-threatening injures. Police believe that speed may have been a factor in the crash.

Motorcycle riders do not have to carry liability insurance. But it should be something every rider purchases for at least two reasons. First, it will cover injuries to your passengers if you make a mistake and go down. Second, it is a pre-condition to purchasing UIM coverage which is absolutely essential for every rider. If you need advice about purchasing motorcycle insurance, please ask. We'd be happy to help.

For more information on this subject, please refer to the section on Motorcycle Accidents.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Michael Myers

Motorcycle Crash on West-Seattle Bridge Highlights Importance of Carrying Adequate Insurance(2)

Michael Myers — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 08:00:50 GMT

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Michael Myers