seattle personal injury attorneys
Always Use a DOT-Approved Motorcycle Helmet
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.
Motorist Making Left Turn Proves Almost Deadly for Motorcyclist
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
Washington Motorcyclist Injured Due to Driver’s Inattention
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.
Motorcycle Rules Different from Car Rules in Washington State
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.
Kirk Bernard’s Six Valuable Tips to Prevent Motorcycle Accidents
Riding a motorcycle has its inherent risks, like almost everything we do in life. If you enjoy riding a motorcycle, there is no reason to give it up just because you may get injured. What’s important is that you equip yourself with the knowledge and the information you need to prevent a motorcycle accident and protect yourself from injuries in the event of a motorcycle accident. Here are some tips that will hopefully help you:
- Wear personal protective equipment. The most important protective gear for a motorcycle rider is a helmet with a full-face shield. Head injuries are the number one cause of death in motorcycle accidents. Wearing leather boots and a full-sleeved jacket can also protect you from painful road rash and abrasions, which are common motorcycle accident injuries.
- Get proper training before you start riding motorcycles. In Washington, motorcycle riders are required to pass a knowledge test and motorcycle riding test before they can start riding on the state’s roadways. It also helps to get additional safety training programs to be fully prepared.
- Never ride under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. Alcohol and other controlled substances can impair your judgment, your reaction and your ability to control the motorcycle. Never drink and ride.
- Keep your distance from other vehicles. Follow other vehicles at a safe distance. If a driver in front of you suddenly slams on his brakes, you want plenty of time to stop. If someone is following too close or tailgating you, it’s always better to let them pass.
- Follow local traffic laws. In Washington State, motorcycle riders are expected to follow the rules of the road just like other drivers. That includes staying within the speed limit and following posted signs.
- Common sense rules. Trust your instincts and use common sense. Don’t drive when you’re sick or feeling drowsy. Don’t drive in the dark or at night if you’re not comfortable doing so. Remain visible to other drivers by wearing a reflective vest and keeping your headlights on – whether you are driving your motorcycle in the afternoon or the evening.
However, motorcycle accidents do happen for reasons beyond the rider’s control. If you have been injured in a Seattle motorcycle accident as a result of someone else’s negligence, please contact the experienced Seattle personal injury attorneys at The Bernard Law Group to learn how we can help protect your rights as an injury victim. If you are injured you need to get immediate medical attention and also, seek the counsel of a motorcycle accident attorney like Kirk Bernard who will secure compensation to cover your damages and help rebuild your life.
