Bellingham, Washington has been encouraging residents to ride their bikes in the city with additional bike lanes, including on major arterial road, Holly Street. While protected bike lanes decrease bicycle accidents by about 75%, not all cities have embraced them. About 45,000 people die in motor vehicle accidents every year in the U.S. and about 2% of those deaths are bicyclists. Data from iihs.org shows that 1,084 bicyclists were killed in bicycle accidents with motor vehicles in 2022, the highest number ever recorded. Bicyclist deaths have increased eight percent since 1975, though bicycle death rates among children dropped dramatically in that period.
Bike accidents often occur because of distracted driving, failure to yield, speeding, or other forms of negligence that can lead to devastating consequences, including fatal injuries from traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), internal bleeding, spinal cord trauma, and severe damage to vital organs. Even with proper safety gear, the sheer force of impact in a collision with a car, truck, or SUV can be catastrophic. These types of injuries often lead to rapid medical decline or death at the scene, leaving families with little time to prepare for the emotional and financial aftermath.
When bicyclists are killed due to someone else’s careless or reckless actions, surviving family members may have the right to file wrongful death claims for bicycle accidents. While no legal action can bring back the person who was lost, a wrongful death lawsuit can hold the at-fault party accountable and help families recover a financial settlement for their loss.
How a Wrongful Death Lawyer Can Provide Support After a Deadly Bike Accident
If your loved one was killed in a bicycle accident, you do not have to face the burden of a wrongful death claim on your own. An experienced, local wrongful death attorney can provide support through the claim process, gathering evidence and ensuring all paperwork is filed correctly and on time. They will work to negotiate the maximum settlement to compensate you for your loss, including medical bills, pain and suffering, funeral and burial costs, lost income and future earnings, loss of consortium, and more.
If a fair settlement cannot be negotiated out-of-court, your attorney will represent you in court, presenting a compelling case – often with the help of expert witness testimony – to pursue a jury award.
Top 5 Things Families Need to Know About Wrongful Death Claims for Bicycle Accidents
If you find yourself navigating the aftermath of a fatal bike accident, here are the top five things you should know about wrongful death claims:
- You must prove negligence
To pursue a wrongful death claim, you’ll need to show that the driver or another party was negligent and that their actions directly or at least partially caused your loved one’s death. - Only certain family members can file
In most states, including Washington, spouses, children (dependents), and sometimes parents of the deceased are eligible to file a wrongful death claim. Consult a bike accident attorney to discuss your legal rights. - There is a time limit to file
Wrongful death claims must be filed within a certain timeframe known as the statute of limitations. This period is usually 1–3 years from the date of death, depending on the state. In Washington State, the representative of the estate has three years to file a wrongful death claim, though a claim should never be left until the last minute. - Compensation should cover more than just medical bills
In addition to compensation for medical bills and pain and suffering incurred before their loved one’s passing, families may be entitled to damages for funeral costs, lost income and future earnings, and loss of companionship. - Insurance companies are not on your side
Insurers may offer quick settlements that don’t reflect the true value of your claim. An experienced wrongful death attorney can protect your rights and help you pursue full and fair compensation.
Bicycle Accidents Involving a Car
If you or your loved one was injured by a car while cycling, it is vital to report the accident to the police and to seek prompt medical treatment. Document and preserve the evidence from the accident scene if you can and keep receipts and transcripts from all resulting medical care. You should also notify your insurance company about the accident as soon as possible but do not provide any information to the at-fault insurance adjuster or accept a settlement without first speaking with a bike accident attorney.
It is not uncommon to receive a bike accident settlement that is five to ten times larger with the help of a personal injury lawyer. Call the caring, tireless, and experienced injury attorneys at Tario & Associates, P.S. in Bellingham, WA today for a FREE consultation! Since 1979, our personal injury law firm, Tario & Associates, P.S., has been dedicated to fighting for the rights of people injured throughout Washington State, with local offices in Bellingham and Mount Vernon to serve residents of Whatcom, Skagit, Island, and Snohomish counties. You will pay nothing up front and no attorney fees at all unless we recover damages for you!
