Washington’s scenic terrain and historic motorcycle routes make the state a bucket-list destination for motorcycle enthusiasts. It’s also a welcoming state for those who enjoy the gas-friendly option of taking a motorcycle to work or school during temperate weather. Unfortunately, a motorcycle’s two-wheeled, open-air design also leaves a rider vulnerable to grave injuries in a crash. A motorcycle’s slim profile may also cause motorcyclists to become victims of a driver’s unsafe lane change in Washington on multi-lane highways. It’s important to work with an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer in Everett to get the comepnsation you deserve.
What Is an Unsafe Lane Change?
Drivers owe a duty of care to others sharing the road, including motorcyclists. This duty compels them to follow traffic laws and take all reasonable measures to prevent causing injury to others. Part of this legal duty of care is double-checking all rear-view mirrors and blind spots before moving over a lane. When a driver fails to remain vigilant and aware of the presence of a motorcyclist in a parallel lane, the results can be disastrous to the motorcycle rider.
Unsafe lane change is a leading cause of motorcycle accidents in Washington.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents Due to Unsafe Lane Changes
Traffic experts note that drivers have more trouble seeing a motorcycle due to the two-wheeled design. The size difference between a car and a motorcycle also makes it more challenging for a car driver to accurately judge the motorcycle’s speed. Common causes of unsafe lane changes that cause catastrophe to a motorcyclist include the following:
- Distracted driving
- Failure to check rear-view mirrors
- Failure to double-check blind spots
- Underestimating the speed of a motorcycle traveling in a parallel lane
When a standard car weighing an average of 4,000 pounds collides with a motorcycle in an unsafe lane change, it causes serious injury to the exposed motorcyclist. Even when properly equipped with a helmet and safety gear, a motorcyclist typically experiences the most serious injuries even when both vehicles crash.
What Types of Injuries Are Caused by Unsafe Lane Change Accidents in Washington?
Even a minor sideswipe has a major impact on a motorcycle, often sending it careening into another lane, forcing a roadway departure, or running over the motorcycle and rider. Common injuries in motorcycle accidents caused by unsafe lane changes include the following:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Fractures, including of the hips, pelvis, and ribs, as well as the limbs
- Neck injuries
- Back injuries
- Internal organ damage
- Skull fractures
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic limb loss
- Soft-tissue injuries to shoulders, knees, wrists, or ankles
- Contusions
- Lacerations
- Abrasions, including road rash
A motorcyclist injured in a crash caused by a motorist’s unsafe lane change deserves full compensation for their damages. If an unsafe lane change causes wrongful death to a rider, their family may recover compensation for their damages in a wrongful death claim in Washington.
What Damages Are Recoverable for the Victim of an Unsafe Lane Change?
Motorcycle accidents cause severe injuries with substantial damages. Common damages named in motorcycle accident claims in Washington include:
- Property damage to a motorcycle
- Past and future medical expenses
- Past and future income loss
- Diminished future earning capacity due to disability
- Pain and suffering compensation
- Compensation for any other applicable non-economic damages in individual cases, like scarring, loss of limb, diminished quality of life, or PTSD
The family members of a motorcyclist killed in an accident caused by someone else may recover additional compensation for the loss of a provider’s income as well as compensation for funeral costs.
How Can a Washington Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Help?
Insurance companies commonly dispute motorcycle accident claims and attempt to pin blame on motorcyclists even when they were the victims of a driver’s unsafe lane change. Contact an Everett personal injury lawyer Wells Trumbull for a strong legal voice to guide your claim and protect your best interests throughout the process. Contact us today for a free consultation.