Motorcycle riders are at an increased risk for crash and injury compared to drivers of other motor vehicles and the numbers have been going up in recent years. In 2020, 5,579 motorcyclists died in crashes, which was the highest number recorded and an 11 percent increase over 2019. These fatal accidents were responsible for 14 percent of all motor vehicle accident fatalities in 2020 and were more than double the number of motorcyclist deaths in 1997.
If you or a loved one was injured in a motorcycle accident because of the negligence of another, contact an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible. The injury lawyer can discuss your legal rights and calculate the value of your claim.
Local single-vehicle motorcycle accident kills beloved business owner
As reported by skagitbreaking.com, the Washington State Patrol responded to a single vehicle motorcycle crash on State Route 525 near Houston Road in Island County about 10:58 p.m. on October 14, 2022. The motorcycle rider, who was wearing a USDOT Compliant Helmet at the time of the crash, was later pronounced dead at WhidbeyHealth Medical Center in Coupeville. The single-vehicle motorcycle accident occurred when the Burlington business owner’s motorcycle left the roadway to the right for an unknown reason and came to rest in the ditch.
Common causes of single-vehicle motorcycle accidents
A single-vehicle accident is a motor vehicle accident that involves only one vehicle. Often, this type of accident involves a vehicle that runs off the road and crashes into a ditch or power pole. Drivers of any type of motor vehicle are potentially at risk of being involved in a single vehicle accident, but today we will take a look at the most common causes of single-vehicle motorcycle accidents.
Common causes of single-vehicle motorcycle accidents:
- Being cut off by another vehicle
- Swerving around a road obstruction, pedestrian, or animal
- Crashing into permanent roadway equipment such as a stop sign, power pole, or guardrail
- Not slowing down enough when taking a turn
- Speeding
- Riding under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Riding too close to the vehicle in front of them and then braking abruptly
- Poor road conditions such as slippery pavement
- Riding too fast over bumpy pavement or loose gravel
- Motorcycle parts malfunctioning or breaking during the ride
Who is at fault in single-vehicle motorcycle accidents?
In many cases, a single-vehicle accident is caused by the person operating the motor vehicle but there are circumstances where another driver, the motorcycle manufacturer, the government entity responsible for the roads, or the mechanic who worked on your motorcycle could be responsible.
Here are some examples:
- If another driver causes your motorcycle to swerve off the road, they may be responsible for your accident.
- If the motorcycle manufacturer failed to issue a recall for a known issue with their parts or manufacturing process, they may be responsible for your accident.
- If the government entity responsible for road safety failed to fix a known road hazard in a timely manner and or/failed to post adequate warning signs of the hazard, they may be responsible for your accident.
- If the mechanic who worked on your motorcycle did negligent work that led to the motorcycle being unsafe to drive, they may be responsible for your accident.
A motorcycle accident lawyer will be able to determine fault by establishing negligence.
Seek the help of a car accident lawyer
If you or a loved one was injured in a collision because of the negligence of another, contact a personal injury lawyer to discuss your legal rights. Let an experienced motorcycle accident attorney fight for the full compensation that you deserve. It is not uncommon to receive a settlement from the insurance company that is five to ten times larger with the help of a lawyer. Call the personal injury lawyers at Tario & Associates, P.S. in Bellingham, WA today for a FREE consultation! We have been representing residents of Whatcom County, Skagit County, Island County and Snohomish County since 1979. You will pay nothing up front and no attorney fees at all unless we recover damages for you!
