Washington Motorcycle Accident Attorneys » Motorcycle Accident

Kirk Bernard Reviews Five Motorcycle Safe Driving Tips

Washington Motorcycle Accident Attorney — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 23:40:42 +0000

You cannot be careful enough when you are riding a motorcycle. As a skilled personal injury attorney, Kirk Bernard knows that Washington motorcycle accidents can result in extremely serious injuries. When a motorcycle collides with another vehicle, it is usually the motorcycle rider who sustains severe injury. Here are the top five tips about what to watch out for and avoid when you are riding your motorcycle:

Watch drivers’ heads and mirrors: This really helps anticipate when drivers will make sudden moves. Most drivers will move their heads one way or the other before making a sudden movement to the left or right – something that can be lethal to a motorcyclist.
Make sure you are seen: Be positive that drivers and pedestrians can see you even from a distance. It would be a good idea to ride with your high beam on during the day and wear brightly colored gear so you are noticeable on the road.
Be aware of your environment: Always scan your environment while riding. That allows you to anticipate and react to the unexpected.
Be extra careful when making left turns: Statistics show that a lot of motorcycle accidents occur when the other vehicle is making a left turn. So, when you approach an oncoming car about to turn left, be prepared. Turn your high beam on. Keep your eye on the driver’s hands on the steering wheel. If you see movement, be ready to brake, swerve or accelerate. Do what seems best, given your situation.
Be wary of treacherous roadways: Be on the lookout for debris spilled on the roadway, which has the potential to cause fatal motorcycle accidents.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident, please contact the experienced Washington motorcycle accident lawyers at The Bernard Group for a FREE consultation and evaluation of your motorcycle accident case. Call us at 1-800-418-8282 or info@bernardlawgroup.com for our FREE informational brochure, which has useful educational information about Washington motorcycle accident cases to help you understand your legal rights and options. Get in touch with Kirk Bernard and his skilled legal team today.

Source:http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/howto/122_0504_motorcycle_riding_tips/index.html

Always Use a DOT-Approved Motorcycle Helmet

Washington Motorcycle Accident Attorney — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 15:00:59 +0000

When it comes to motorcycle accidents, there is no question that helmets save lives. In Washington State, wearing a helmet for motorcycle riders isn’t an option or a choice. Here, it’s the law. The law also requires riders to wear a helmet that has been certified by the manufacturer as meeting the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) safety standards. A helmet meeting these standards set by DOT will have a sticker on the back and inside labeling indicating the name, helmet model, size and other manufacturing information. In addition, a certified helmet has an inner foam lining usually about an inch thick. These certified helmets do not flex as easily as novelty helmets which are made with plastic and offer very little protection in the event of a crash.

It’s important to note that legal helmets are designed to save lives and prevent catastrophic or fatal head injuries which are extremely common in motorcycle accidents. The other helmets are sold only as novelty items and are never intended to be used on the road. During a motorcycle collision, these novelty helmets provide zero protection to the rider. Unfortunately, not many motorcycle riders in Washington State know the difference between DOT-approved helmets and novelty helmets.

If you ride a motorcycle in Washington State, it will be worth your time to research these important facts about your helmet. It could save your life one day. For more information about how to identify these bogus or novelty helmets, please visit the Washington Safety Patrol’s Web site (http://www.wsp.wa.gov/traveler/docs/equipmt/helmet.pdf).

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a motorcycle accident, please contact the experienced Seattle personal injury lawyers with The Bernard Law Firm for a free and comprehensive consultation. Call us at 1-800-418-8282 or info@bernardlawgroup.com for our FREE informational brochure, which has useful educational information about Washington motorcycle accident cases to help you understand your legal rights and options. Get in touch with Kirk Bernard and his skilled legal team today.

Motorcycle Accident Causes Spinal Cord Injuries

Washington Motorcycle Accident Attorney — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 15:00:05 +0000

A 64-year-old man suffered serious spinal cord injuries in a Washington motorcycle accident after he struck a vehicle while attempting to make a left turn at an intersection, the Tri City Herald reports. The motorcyclist was riding a Honda ST1300 west on Columbia Drive, in Spokane, and was attempting to turn left onto Washington Street when his motorcycle collided with a 2005 Dodge Caravan minivan. The motorcycle rider was thrown several feet by the impact of the collision. The injured motorcyclist was wearing a helmet. The driver of the minivan suffered bruises when the airbag deployed.

In any such accident that occurs at an intersection, the investigation will usually focus on who had the right-of-way at the intersection. According to the Revised Code of Washington 46.61.185: “The driver of a vehicle intending to turn to the left within an intersection or into an alley, private road, or driveway shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction which is within the intersection or so close thereto as to constitute an immediate hazard.”

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates motorcyclists are 37 times more likely than passenger car occupants to die in a crash per vehicle mile traveled in 2007 and nine times more likely to be injured. In 2008, motorcyclists accounted for 14 percent of all traffic fatalities, 17 percent of all occupant fatalities and 4 percent of all occupants injured.

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a motorcycle accident as a result of a distracted driver, please contact the experienced Seattle injury lawyers with The Bernard Law Firm for a free and comprehensive consultation. Contact us at 1-800-418-8282 or info@bernardlawgroup.com for our FREE brochure, which has useful and educational information about Washington motorcycle accident cases to help you better understand your legal rights and options. Get in touch with Kirk Bernard and his aggressive legal team today.

Source:http://www.tri-cityherald.com/945/story/839616.html

Motorist Making Left Turn Proves Almost Deadly for Motorcyclist

Washington Motorcycle Accident Attorney — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 12:00:17 +0000

A number of Washington motorcycle accidents occur as a result of drivers turning left in front of the motorcyclist. This typically happens because the driver is not paying attention to the traffic situation. He or she is not consciously looking for motorcyclists coming from the other direction. Drivers of bigger vehicles often tend to forget that they share the road with bicycles, motorcycles and pedestrians.

A recent news report details an accident, which occurred exactly the same way. A motorcyclist was traveling south on a roadway, when a car in the turn lane facing north tried to make a left turn and struck the motorcyclist. The motorcyclist, who was unfortunately not wearing a helmet or other protective gear was critically injured. He sustained a fractured skull and shattered ankle, but is expected to survive. The 83-year-old driver told officials that she never saw the motorcycle as she began turning. The motorcyclist was traveling at 35 mph, well within the speed limit. The driver was given a citation for failure to yield when making a left turn.

There are a couple of important lessons for all of us, to be learned here. First of all, when you make a left turn, Washington State Law requires drivers to yield right-of-way to oncoming traffic. Secondly, if you are riding a motorcycle, please make sure that you are wearing a full-faced helmet and protective gear. A full-faced helmet is the only kind of helmet that can prevent fatal head injuries, catastrophic brain injuries or severe facial injuries, which can all occur in a motorcycle accident.

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a Washington motorcycle accident, please contact the Seattle personal injury lawyers with The Bernard Law Group for a free and comprehensive consultation. Call us at 1-800-418-8282 or e-mail us at info@bernardlawgroup.com for our FREE informational brochure with useful, educational information about Washington motorcycle accident cases, which will help you understand your legal rights and options. Get in touch with Kirk Bernard and his experienced legal team today.

Source:http://www.eacourier.com/articles/2009/12/09/news/doc4b1f075ae9aba834542342.txt

Motorcycle Accidents Involving Deer Collisions Can be Deadly

Washington Motorcycle Accident Attorney — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 14:00:44 +0000

Deer versus motorcycle collisions have caused some serious injuries in Washington State. In fact, a recent King5 news report states that deer versus vehicle collisions have increased 15 percent just in the last five years. According to the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety, there are about 1.5 million deer versus vehicle collisions every year in the United States. These types of collisions cause more than 150 deaths each year and occur most frequently during the months of October, November and December. State Farm Insurance estimates that the chances of a vehicle – be it a car or a motorcycle – colliding with a deer is 1 in 516. This estimate is based on their deer claims data from the last half of 2007 and the first half of 2008.

Deer can cause significant damage to a car, truck or SUV. But if you are a motorcyclist who strikes a deer, then you are looking at serious personal injuries or death. Here are some important tips motorcyclists and motorists should bear in mind as they pass active deer crossing areas. Always be aware of deer crossing signs that are usually placed in active deer areas. Remember that deer are most active between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. When you ride your motorcycle at night, use the high beam of the headlamp to illuminate the road ahead. Deer generally tend to travel in herds, so if you see one, it is very possible that there are more deer close by.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident as a result of negligence on the part of another individual, please contact the experienced Seattle personal injury lawyers at The Bernard Group for a FREE consultation and evaluation of your motorcycle accident case. Call us at 1-800-418-8282 or e-mail us at info@bernardlawgroup.com for our FREE informational brochure, which has useful educational information about Washington motorcycle accident cases, which will help you understand your legal rights and options. Get in touch with Kirk Bernard and his skilled legal team today.

Source:http://www.nwcn.com/archive/61499512.html

Seattle Motorcycle Accident Injures Police Officer

Washington Motorcycle Accident Attorney — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 14:00:20 +0000

A Seattle police officer was injured in a motorcycle accident after a driver turned in front of him. According to a KOMO News report, the officer was getting off the southbound Interstate 5 Express Lane at Eastlake Avenue East and Stewart Street in downtown Seattle when the collision occurred. The officer reportedly had the green light. Officials said the driver of the other vehicle made a left turn in front of the officer’s motorcycle. The officer got thrown off his motorcycle and was injured. He was transported shortly after the crash to a local hospital. His injuries are not believed to be life-threatening. The driver has not been cited or arrested pending an ongoing investigation.

Very often, motorcycle accidents occur because motorists do not pay attention to the road while making a left turn. In this case, if both the motorist and the police officer had the green light, then the motorist should have yielded right-of-way to the oncoming officer before making a left.

Washington State Law requires motorists turning left to yield right-of-way to oncoming vehicles. The Revised Code of Washington Section 46.61.185 states: “The driver of a vehicle intending to turn to the left within an intersection or into an alley, private road, or driveway shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction which is within the intersection or so close thereto as to constitute an immediate hazard.”

In any motorcycle accident case, it is very important that victims retain the services of an experienced and knowledgeable Seattle personal injury lawyer immediately so that they have someone on their side investigating the case and gathering valuable evidence right away. If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident, please contact The Bernard Law Group today. Kirk Bernard and his skilled legal team will send you a free informational brochure about motorcycle accidents and schedule a free consultation so we can begin working on your case at once. Call us for a free evaluation of your Seattle motorcycle accident case.

Source:http://www.komonews.com/news/local/78435767.html

Washington Motorcyclist Injured Due to Driver’s Inattention

Washington Motorcycle Accident Attorney — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 21:23:15 +0000

A motorist in Yakima, Washington, is facing a negligent driving charge after she apparently caused a motorcycle accident that injured a man on the Interstate 82. The Yakima-Herald reports that the 18-year-old driver and the 45-year-old motorcyclist were traveling westbound when the teen driver went onto the right shoulder and then returned to the roadway, hitting the motorcycle. Washington State Patrol investigators said the crash occurred because of the young driver’s inattention. The motorcyclist was wearing a helmet and the driver was wearing a seatbelt. Alcohol and drugs did not play a part in this injury motorcycle accident, officials said.

It’s not clear what caused the young driver to go off the roadway and then come back and strike the motorcyclist. However, in such cases, if inattention or distraction is found to have played a part, the driver will likely face negligent driving charges. The at-fault motorists, in such cases, can also be held civilly liable for the injuries and damages caused to the victim. In these types of injury accidents, victims may seek compensation to cover medical expenses, lost wages, cost of hospitalization, physical therapy, rehabilitation and other related costs.

Victims would benefit from scheduling a consultation with a skilled motorcycle accident lawyer right away. The experienced Seattle personal injury attorneys at The Bernard Law Group have represented injured victims of all types of vehicular accidents successfully, for over 20 years. We have the resources and a team of talented, knowledgeable personal injury lawyers who can make a positive difference in your case. Call Kirk Bernard today for a free consultation and case evaluation. We will also send you a free brochure with comprehensive information to help answer some of the questions you may have on motorcycle accidents.

Source:http://www.yakima-herald.com/stories/2009/11/06/motorcycle-driver-injured-in-i-82-accident-in-richland

Motorcycle Rules Different from Car Rules in Washington State

Washington Motorcycle Accident Attorney — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 00:59:24 +0000

Riding a motorcycle can be a lot of fun, but it is without doubt, an activity that is extremely dangerous, especially for the inexperienced rider. It is true that motorcyclists sometimes break laws by popping wheelies, splitting lanes or riding on the shoulder. However, a lot of times, drivers don’t realize that motorcycle rules can be different from car rules, according to a KIRO 7 news report. For example, in Washington State, riding in the HOV lane as a single rider is perfectly legal as is riding next to each other in one lane. For motorcyclists, the biggest danger is that drivers of other vehicles do not pay attention to them or look out for them on the roadway when they change lanes or make a turn.

Also, in Washington State, insurance is not mandatory for motorcyclists. Given the high risk that is involved in motorcycle riding, I would certainly recommend that motorcyclists in Washington State have life insurance and motorcycle insurance. Motorcycle riders would also be well-advised to wear safety gear, especially a full-faced helmet to prevent serious head injuries or traumatic brain injuries that could be devastating. It would also be a good idea to wear gloves and leather apparel to prevent road rash, scrapes and burns, which can be extremely severe and painful.

Car drivers, for their part, need to remember that they share the road with other vehicles including motorcyclists. A motorist should also look for motorcyclists while changing lanes or making a turn. When a car hits a motorcycle, very often it is the motorcycle rider or passenger who suffers the most serious injuries.

If you have been injured in a Seattle motorcycle accident as a result of someone else’s negligence, please contact one of the skilled Seattle personal injury attorneys with The Bernard Law Group for a free and comprehensive consultation. Very often, motorcycle riders end up taking the blame for an accident because it is assumed that they were going too fast or weaving in and out of traffic. Our aggressive legal team led by Kirk Bernard will thoroughly investigate the motorcycle accident and make sure that your side of the story is heard. Call us today to discuss your Washington motorcycle accident claim.

Source:http://www.kirotv.com/traffic/21710172/detail.html