Have you been hurt in a Bellingham motorcycle crash? The Bellingham motorcycle accident lawyers at Walton Law are here to help. We know how scary and painful these accidents can be. Careless drivers often don’t watch out for motorcycles like they should. This can lead to very serious crashes.
If a motorcycle wreck hurts you or someone you love, our skilled lawyers in Bellingham will fight hard to get you the money you deserve. We’ll also make sure the driver who caused the accident is held responsible for what they did.
Bellingham Motorcycle Accident Guide
Why Choose Walton Law?
We know motorcycle accidents are different than other vehicle accidents. There are special challenges and laws involved. We have lots of experience handling these unique cases.- We truly care about motorcycle riders and their families. We’ve helped many of them get money to pay for medical bills, lost wages, and other losses after bad crashes. We’ll work tirelessly for you too.
- We have the skills and resources to take on even tough cases, including ones against drivers with good lawyers of their own. We’re not afraid to fight for you, no matter what.
What Can You Recover After a Motorcycle Accident?
After your motorcycle accident, you may be able to get money for things like:
- Doctor and hospital bills
- Surgeries and rehab
- Missed paychecks and lost earning ability
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and trauma
- Losing enjoyment of life activities
- Scars, disfigurement, and permanent injuries
- Damage to your bike and gear
In deadly accidents, family members may receive wrongful death payments. How much your case is worth depends on how badly you were hurt, how much money you lost, and how strong the evidence is against the driver. Our experienced personal injury lawyers in Bellingham will look closely at your case to figure out all your losses. Then we’ll fight hard to get you the most money possible.
Proving Your Motorcycle Accident Case
To win your case, we usually have to prove a few key things:
The Driver’s Duty of Care
When someone gets behind the wheel, they take on a big responsibility. They have what’s called a “duty of care” to drive safely and follow traffic laws. This means being careful, paying attention, and watching out for others on the road, including motorcycle riders.
Drivers must take extra care around motorcycles because they’re smaller and harder to see than cars or trucks. Motorists need to double-check blind spots, use turn signals, and give bikes plenty of room. They should expect to see motorcycles and adjust their driving to keep everyone safe.
Breaching the Duty of Care
Sometimes, drivers mess up and break their duty to drive safely. We call this “breaching” the duty of care. It means doing something careless or reckless that puts others in danger.
There are lots of ways a driver might breach their duty, especially when it comes to motorcycles. They might fail to yield right-of-way when turning left in front of an oncoming bike. They could follow a motorcycle too closely or swerve into its lane. They might get distracted by their phone or drive too fast for conditions. Any negligent behavior that makes an accident more likely is a breach of the driver’s duty.
Causation – Linking the Breach to Your Injuries
To have a case, there has to be a direct link between the driver’s dangerous actions and your injuries. We call this “causation.” It means showing that if the driver had been careful and followed the rules, you wouldn’t have gotten hurt.
Sometimes causation is obvious, like when a distracted driver rear-ends a stopped motorcycle. Other times, it takes more investigation to prove how the driver’s mistakes led to the crash. At Walton Law, we know how to gather evidence like skid marks, debris patterns, and witness statements to show that the motorist’s bad moves caused your injuries.
Damages – The Losses You Suffered
The final piece is called “damages.” These are all the ways the accident harmed you physically, emotionally, and financially. Damages can include things like:
Medical bills for emergency care, surgeries, medication, and therapy- Lost wages from missing work while you recover
- Reduced earning capacity if your injuries affect your job
- Pain, suffering, and emotional trauma
- Lasting scars or disabilities
- Damage to your motorcycle, gear, and belongings
To get fair compensation, you need to document all these losses in detail. This could mean gathering medical records, repair bills, pay stubs, and other proof. It may also mean testimony from doctors or experts on how the accident will affect your future. Making a strong case for damages is key to getting the full amount you’re owed.
Putting it all together, here’s what it takes to win a motorcycle accident case against a negligent driver:
- First, show they had a duty to be careful around motorcycles.
- Second, prove how their risky actions broke that duty.
- Third, link their bad choices directly to your crash and injuries.
- And fourth, lay out all the ways their negligence harmed your health, finances, and quality of life.
Common Causes of Bellingham Motorcycle Accidents
There are lots of reasons motorcycle accidents happen in Bellingham, but some of the most common ones we see are:
Drivers not yielding right of way at intersections or turns- Tailgating or following motorcycles too closely
- Distracted driving, like texting or talking on the phone
- Speeding or driving dangerously
- Drunk or drugged driving
- Unsafe lane changes or merging
- Road hazards like potholes, debris, or loose gravel
No matter what caused your motorcycle accident, if a negligent driver is to blame, you likely can recover significant damages. We’ll help you investigate, figure out who’s liable, and build a strong case.
What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident
After a motorcycle crash, here are some key things to do:
- Get to a safe spot and call 911 to report what happened.
- See a doctor right away, even if you think your injuries are minor.
- Take photos of injuries, bike damage, and the other vehicle if you can.
- Exchange contact and insurance info with the other driver.
- Get names and numbers of any witnesses.
- Don’t admit fault or give statements to insurance companies.
- Call a Bellingham motorcycle accident attorney ASAP.
We offer free consultations at Walton Law to explain your rights and options after a crash. The earlier you call us, the sooner we can start building your case and fighting for your recovery.
Get Help from Our Bellingham Motorcycle Accident Attorneys Now
Christopher C. Walton, Bellingham Motorcycle Accident Attorney
If you’ve been hurt in a Bellingham motorcycle accident, don’t hesitate to get legal help right away. The motorcycle accident attorneys at Walton Law have the knowledge, resources, and drive to take on the insurance companies and get you the money you deserve. We offer free consultations to listen to your story, answer questions, and advise you on the next steps.
Call (360) 543-1010 today to get started on the path to justice and recovery. We’re here for you every step of the way.
Walton Law, A.P.C. – Bellingham Office Location
2219 Rimland Dr Suite 301,
Bellingham, WA 98226
Phone: (360) 543-1010