Personal Injury

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), studies show that the head, arms and legs are the most frequently injured body parts during a motorcycle accident. Protective clothing and equipment serve a three-fold purpose for motorcyclists. First, they offer comfort and protection from the elements. Secondly, they offer injury protection. And thirdly, the use of colorful or reflective material makes the motorcyclist more visible to other motorists on the roadway. Here is a short list provided by experienced WA injury attorney Kirk Bernard regarding some of the gear and equipment you may be well-advised to use if you are a motorcycle rider:

1. Helmet: This is the most important piece of equipment you need. In Washington State, if you are riding a motorcycle, it is mandatory to wear a Department of Transportation approved helmet. When you choose a helmet, look for the DOT label on the helmet. There are several novelty helmets in the market. Stay away from them. They offer no protection in the event of a crash.
2. Eye protection: Most motorcycles do not have windshields. So it is important that riders protect their eyes against insects, dirt or other airborne matter. Choose good quality goggles, glasses with plastic or safety lenses or a helmet with a face shield. Whatever you use for eye protection must be scratch free, shatter-proof and well-ventilated to prevent fogging up.
3. Clothing: What you wear should provide some degree of protection from abrasion and road rash in the event you fall off the motorcycle. Clothing should be made with durable material such as synthetic material or leather. Jackets should have long sleeves. Trousers should be full-length. Avoid baggy or flared pants to prevent entanglement with the chain, kick starter, foot pegs or other motorcycle parts.
4. Gloves: It is recommended that you wear gloves that are durable and non-slip. Leather gloves are perfectly suited.
5. Footwear: You need footwear that protects your feet, ankles and lower parts of the legs. Leather boots are ideal. Sandals or sneakers should not be used since they offer no protection from abrasion or a crushing impact.
6. Colorful or reflective clothing: It is always good to be seen on the roadway. Some riders use reflective orange or yellow vests to cover their jackets. Reflective material may also be used on clothing, the helmet and the motorcycle. Remember, that a majority of motorcycle crashes occur because the driver of the other vehicle failed to see the motorcyclist in time to avoid the collision.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a Washington 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 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.

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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Be aware of your environment: Always scan your environment while riding. That allows you to anticipate and react to the unexpected.
4. 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.
5. 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

A Washington motorcycle accident severely injured two people after a pickup truck attempted to make a left turn in front of them. According to a news report in the Seattle Press Intelligencer the major injury crash occurred when the driver of a 1994 Toyota pickup truck turned into a parking lot from the center southbound lane of Highway 20. Both the motorcyclist and his female passenger were transported to a local hospital with broken bones and other injuries. The driver of the pickup may be cited for failure to yield right-of-way to an oncoming vehicle. Alcohol was not a factor.

A number of motorcycle accidents in Washington State and elsewhere in the country occur when a motorist turns left ahead of the motorcycle. In some cases, the driver fails to yield because of a distraction or the involvement of alcohol or drugs. In some cases, it may just be erroneous judgment on the part of the driver. In either case, the at-fault driver could be held liable for injuries caused to the victims. These incidents act as constant reminders to us that drivers should be looking for smaller vehicles and pedestrians at intersections too. In such cases, motorcycle accident victims could seek compensation for medical expenses, cost of hospitalization, surgeries, therapy and other related expenses.

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.seattlepi.com/sound/414115_sound81148292.html

A man and a woman sustained serious injuries in a Washington motorcycle accident after they were struck by a vehicle on the Highway 20. According to a news report in the Whidbey News Times Reporter, the man and woman were riding a Harley-Davidson motorcycle when the collision occurred. Both were airlifted to a Seattle hospital.

This news report provides very few details about this motorcycle accident. However, the article states that the accident was a collision – it involved another vehicle. So there are several questions here. Who was at fault for this accident? How did the collision occur? Was the driver of the other vehicle distracted, inattentive, driving under the influence or negligent in any other way? In any motorcycle accident, it is critical to determine the exact cause of the accident, which would then lead us to who was at fault.

Just like any vehicular accident, it is critical that accident reconstruction experts get to the scene of the accident right away to gather any available physical evidence. These important bits and pieces of evidence disappear within a few hours. So it is crucial that you get an experienced Seattle personal injury lawyer on your side right away. A knowledgeable and resourceful motorcycle accident law firm will send their own experts to the scene as soon as possible so that vital evidence is not lost. It is also important to preserve the vehicle involved in the accident so it can be thoroughly examined by an expert for evidence of defects, malfunctions or other issues.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident as a result of negligence on the part another individual, 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.pnwlocalnews.com/whidbey/wnt/news/81148292.html

Motorcycles are just tougher to spot than cars because of their smaller profiles. As drivers of cars, trucks, vans or SUVs, we are more conditioned to look out for other cars, not motorcyclists. As a Seattle personal injury attorney, I have directly seen how important it is that we as drivers always be aware of our surroundings. It’s important to remember that you could become involved in a motorcycle accident when you make a left turn in front of a rider or when a motorcyclist is in your blind spot. Sometimes, you could also have an obstructed line of sight. Large vehicles such as big rigs or vans may block motorcyclists from your view.

Here are some tips, which will hopefully help you avoid motorcycle accidents:

1. Be more aware of motorcycles and motorcyclists.
2. Remember that motorcyclists have the same rights and privileges as other drivers. Be aware especially at intersections and on highways.
3. Be ready to anticipate a motorcyclist’s maneuvers. A piece of road debris that poses no threat to a car may be deadly for a motorcyclist. Anticipate evasive moves that a motorcyclist might make.
4. Do not follow motorcycles too closely.
5. When you are at an intersection, watch for motorcyclists in addition to other larger vehicles.

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 motorcycle accident 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 skilled legal team today.

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.

A news report in King5 states that there may have been injuries in a Seattle motorcycle accident on the Interstate 5, which also involved a car. According to the report, the accident happened between Mercer Street and the State Route 520 interchange. The cause of the crash is still unknown as is the extent of the injuries.

In any accident involving a car and a motorcycle, it is very likely that a motorcyclist would suffer more serious injuries because motorcycle riders do not have the same level of protection as drivers of other larger vehicles. Motorcyclists are basically exposed to the elements and risk being thrown off their motorcycle. That is why it is extremely important for motorcyclists to be well-protected. If you ride a motorcycle in Seattle or Washington State, the law requires that you wear a helmet. You should be wearing a full-faced helmet to protect yourself from severe, potentially fatal, head injuries.

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a motorcycle accident as a result of a product defect, dangerous roadway condition or a negligent driver, please contact a skilled Seattle personal injury lawyer 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, 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.king5.com/news/Accident-blocks-I-5-traffic-in-Seattle-80362922.html

Seattle personal injury attorneys have always encouraged motorcycle riders to protect themselves as much as they possibly can. A full-faced helmet certainly helps shield motorcycle riders from traumatic brain injuries and other head injuries that can potentially turn fatal. A good pair of leather boots and other leather gear can protect you from foot injuries and road rash, which can be extremely painful.

I recently came across a news report in the San Gabriel Valley Tribune about The Defender Motorcycle Jean, which has Kevlar (the material used to make bulletproof vests) sewn in. The article talks about a female rider who fell off her motorcycle, hit the pavement and skidded across two lanes of traffic, but still got away with some bruises and a light scuff on her knee because of her special pair of jeans. She says: “You could mess up yourself royally if you’re not wearing the right gear.” That is 100 percent accurate when it comes to motorcycle accidents.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were 7.1 million motorcycles on the nation’s roads in 2007. With more people owning motorcycles in Washington State and elsewhere in the nation, we are also seeing an increase in the number of motorcycle accidents every year. It is not only important that motorcyclists wear protective gear, but they also need to undergo training to safely operate motorcycles. We have often observed that motorcyclists who have undergone training, ride carefully, follow all traffic rules and wear protective gear are looked at much more favorably by jurors in a personal injury case.

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a motorcycle accident, please contact the experienced Seattle motorcycle accident lawyers with The Bernard Law Firm for a free and comprehensive consultation. Call us at 1-800-418-8282 or e-mail us at info@bernardlawgroup.com for our FREE brochure, which has useful and 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.sgvtribune.com/living/ci_14060656

A 42-year-old man was critically injured in a Washington motorcycle accident. According to a news report, the man was going north on 132nd Avenue Southeast, on a 1998 Honda motorcycle, when he was struck from behind by a 1995 Mercedes 280 driven by a 30-year-old man. The driver, a Renton man, was uninjured. The motorcycle rider was wearing a helmet, but sustained critical injuries in the crash. He was transported to a Seattle hospital. Investigators believe excessive speed was a factor in this major injury motorcycle crash.

Rear-end collisions, especially when the affected vehicle is a motorcycle, can cause devastating injuries. In this particular case, officials believe that the driver of the other vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed, which apparently caused him to rear-end the motorcyclist. In auto accidents where speeding, reckless driving or other types of negligence are involved, the at-fault party can be held financially responsible for the injuries and damages caused.

If someone in your family has been seriously injured in a motorcycle accident, my advice would be to contact a Seattle personal injury lawyer right away. Do not delay contacting an injury attorney because critical accident scene evidence could be lost. Physical evidence obtained at the scene can make or break a Washington motorcycle accident case.

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 motorcycle accident 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, which will help you better understand your legal rights and options. Get in touch with Kirk Bernard and his skilled legal team today.

Source:http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/south_king/ken/news/48535637.html

On Thursday morning, a Seattle police motorcycle officer was injured in a collision with a car at the base of the Stewart Street exit from southbound Interstate 5.

Entering the intersection of Stewart and Eastlake Avenue, the officer hit the ground as he “laid down” the bike at a low speed. The officer suffered visible bumps and bruises, said Seattle police Lt. P. L. Davis. According to a police spokeswoman, the officer was in stable condition at Harborview Medical Center.
The I-5 off-ramp was closed that morning for an investigation that was expected lasted until later in the day. This information was provided by the state Department of Transportation. The closure caused slowdowns on the freeway nearby.

What caused the crash has not of yet been determine, Davis said. The intersection is a complicated one. Cars approach it from multiple angles and three directions.

If you are seriously injured in an accident, or someone you know is injured, call the Seattle personal injury attorneys at Bernard Law Group, 1-800-418-8282. Kirk Bernard and his skilled legal team can help you immediately. All e-mail and form submissions will be responded to by a qualified and knowledgeable member of our firm within 24 hours. Call our toll-free number 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and we promise to respond immediately.