Fatal Motorcycle Accidents in Seattle

Riding motorcycles is a beloved pastime of many Seattle residents. However, this hobby can prove extremely dangerous, with thousands of bikers getting into fatal motorcycle accidents every year. Unfortunately, a majority of these accidents are caused by the careless actions of other people.

If you lost a spouse, parent, or child in a fatal motorcycle accident in Seattle, you might be eligible to pursue legal action against those responsible. An attorney at our firm could review your unique case and advise you of your options today.

During this difficult time, allow a motorcycle accident attorney to handle the legal aspects of your case while you focus on healing from your losses. They could help you prove that another party’s conduct led to your loved one’s death and, if successful, could help you recover financial compensation for what happened. Money will not fill the hole left by the absence of your loved one, but it could offer your family the resources to cover the costs related to the accident. Call today to get started.

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

Although the perception exists that motorcyclists often cause their own collisions, most motorcycle accidents result from another driver’s negligence. This is largely due to the fact that many motorists are distracted, impaired, or do not respect motorcyclists’ right to share the roads. Crashes could happen when other vehicles merge into a biker’s path, do not yield the right of way, rear-end a bike in stopped traffic, or sideswipe a motorcycle in their blind spot.

Additionally, the local government may be held responsible if a malfunctioning stop light, vandalized stop sign, unclear lane marking, or poor road conditions cause a fatal Seattle motorcycle accident. An attorney could help a family identify parties that may be partially or wholly responsible for their loved one’s death.

Determining Fault for a Motorcycle Accident

In many motorcycle accident cases, involved parties may attempt to assign fault for an incident to the motorcyclist. They do this to discount the damages they may be required to pay to the motorcyclist’s family.

Washington Revised Code §4.22.005 says that each party involved in an accident is responsible for the damages they cause. When the party seeking damages bears partial responsibility for an accident, their damages are reduced by a percentage equal to their degree of fault. If the motorcyclist was 10 percent responsible for the crash, their family could collect 90 percent of their damages.

A Seattle attorney could investigate a fatal motorcycle crash and collect evidence demonstrating other parties’ negligent conduct. They could present that evidence to ensure that a motorcycle crash victim’s family collects all the damages they are entitled to receive.

Family Members Could Seek Damages

According to the Washington Revised Code §4.20-010, the personal representative of a deceased Seattle motorcyclist could bring an action against the parties whose misconduct caused the fatal accident. The personal representative is the person a Probate Court has appointed to settle the deceased person’s estate. A family member often fulfills this role, but this is not a requirement.

A family could receive compensation for funeral expenses, the earnings the deceased would have contributed to the household if they had lived, and the value of services they contributed to the household. The money from a wrongful death action typically goes to a surviving spouse, a registered domestic partner, or any children or stepchildren. If no spouse, domestic partner, child, or stepchild survives, the deceased’s parents and siblings could benefit from the lawsuit.

If the motorcyclist lived for some time before succumbing to their injuries, the personal representative might initiate an action seeking damages on behalf of the estate. The estate could seek damages for the motorcyclist’s medical bills, wages lost between the accident date and date of death, and their pain and suffering. Any money the estate collects through this action is applied to the motorcyclist’s debts. The balance is paid to the decedent’s heirs.

Work With an Attorney After a Fatal Motorcycle Accident in Seattle

Losing a loved one in a motorcycle accident is an overwhelming, life-altering event. If someone else’s careless actions caused this fatal collision, matters become even more devastating. When faced with this situation, it is important to know that you have legal options.

If you are grieving a loved one’s death in a fatal motorcycle accident in Seattle, it is vital to contact a local lawyer as soon as you can. An attorney could explain your options and help you decide if pursuing legal action is right for your family. Call our firm today to set up a confidential consultation.