No Fees Unless We Win
If you suffered personal injuries and/or property damage in a recent bike crash in Seattle, learn your rights under Washington law and contact a Seattle Personal Injury Attorney. The other driver or another party may have been negligent, and therefore liable to compensate you for your damages. A Seattle bicycle accident lawyer can offer more than just sound legal advice and compensation, Greg Colburn is compassionate and dedicated to being active on community safety regulations and fights for clients rights. If you have been injured in a bike accident in Seattle, contact our bicycle injury lawyers today at Colburn Law for your free consultation. Bicycle accidents almost always result in greater harm to the cyclist than the motor vehicle driver. While a helmet is vital lifesaving safety gear, it will not protect bicyclists from broken bones, crush injuries, or traumatic head and brain injuries in serious collisions.
Greg Colburn’s path to personal injury law is rooted in personal experience. After a devastating fall left him in a wheelchair for two years, he took on insurance companies and legal obstacles to win his own case. That journey inspired him to fight for others facing similar challenges. Today, Greg is dedicated to helping injury victims hold negligent parties accountable and secure the justice they deserve.
Years of Experience: 20 years
Super Lawyers Profile: Greg Colburn
The steps you take directly after a bicycle crash in Seattle can affect the rest of your claims process. If you are seriously or catastrophically injured, getting emergency medical treatment is the first and most important thing to do. For every other instance, keep these steps in mind:
Once you’re on the mend, call our Seattle personal injury attorneys. We have handled dozens of bicycle collision cases in Seattle and can help you understand what to do next on the path toward damage compensation.
No Fees Unless We Win
If the police determine you’re partially at fault for your injuries, it may affect your settlement. In Washington, we have a law that’s referred to as “pure contributory negligence.” In simple terms, this means your settlement will be reduced by your degree of fault.
For instance, if you suffered extensive injuries and the courts awarded you $1 million in damages, but you were 10% at fault – the court would determine your percent of fault – then your award would be $900,000 by the rule of contributory negligence.
A settlement will help pay for injuries resulting from your bike crash. Generally, we lump them into two categories:
Cyclists have free rein to use most of the streets and major arterials in Seattle. They have the same rights and responsibilities on the road as motor vehicle drivers and can, therefore, travel on the road or in bike lanes, in most situations. The Washington State Department of Transportation (WDOT) has released the bicycle accident, injury, and fatality statistics for 2019, accessible via its online crash data portal. Analyzing the data can help Washington bicyclists understand how, why, when, and where most accidents occur, increasing the odds of avoiding collisions. Here is a closer look at the numbers for bicycle accidents in 2019, as well as what they tell us about bicyclist safety in Washington.
According to data, 2016 hit a 10 year high for bicycle and pedestrian-related accidents in Washington. While you’re cruising through town on your bicycle, recognizing the busiest areas and high-collision streets can help you avoid roads that pose higher threats. Here is information from the Seattle Department of Transportation:
If you’ve been hurt by someone’s carelessness, here’s what you need to know:
I will listen. I will believe you. I will make sure your story is heard — and I will fight with everything I have to help you get back on your feet.
I don’t pick cases by their dollar signs — only by whether they deserve to be fought for. I’ll come to your home, sit with you in a café, or visit you in your hospital room. I understand how hard recovery is — I’ve been there myself.
A total of 32,233 vehicle accidents occurred in King County, Washington, in 2019. Of these accidents, 10,353 caused injuries and 95 were fatal. In 2019, 47 collisions in King County involved bicyclists. Bicycle accidents caused 6 fatalities and 41 serious injuries in King County. Inattentive and distracted drivers caused 93 countywide bicycle accidents, while young drivers ages 16 to 25 caused 3. Two King County bike accidents involved heavy trucks. More than half (28) of all bicycle accidents in the county occurred at intersections.
Alcohol or drugs played a role in at least 6 injurious bicycle accidents in 2019. Luckily, alcohol impairment did not cause any serious bicyclist injuries or deaths (only minor and possible injuries) in King County. Common bicycle accident injuries include broken bones, road rash, head and brain injuries, crash-related injuries, internal injuries, and spinal cord injuries.
Vehicle collisions of all types (including bicycle accidents) have increased in the state of Washington in the last 10 years. The state saw a downward trend in total accidents from 2008 to 2011, with a 10-year low in 2011 at 98,946 total collisions. The total number of accidents increased steadily year by year, starting in 2012.
Bicycle crashes involving alcohol totaled 23 in 2019. Auto accidents involved 114 bicyclists throughout the state of Washington in 2019, across all roads. Of these bicycle accidents, 9 were fatal and 103 caused suspected serious injuries. More than half (66) of all Washington bike accidents in 2019 occurred at intersections. The number one cause of bicycle accidents was inattention/distraction (43 serious bicycle accidents). Young drivers were also a significant cause of Washington bicycle accidents, with 11 involving drivers ages 16 to 25.
The number of bicycle accidents throughout Washington has increased in recent years. Negligent and distracted drivers cause many of these accidents, as do unsafe roadways and dangerously designed intersections. Stay safe as a Washington or King County bicyclist by obeying roadway rules at all times. As a vulnerable road user in Seattle, it’s up to you to optimize your personal health and safety. Never assume a motorist will do the right thing. Instead, assume the motorist doesn’t see you and won’t yield the right-of-way. Contact Greg Colburn if you have any questions about a recent bicycle accident in Seattle.
There are a lot of bicyclists in Seattle and the surrounding area. Despite the weather, you’ll often find people commuting to work or running errands on their bikes. It’s not hard to see why: You don’t have to tend with the traffic congestion, you’re making less of an environmental impact, and you’re getting good exercise. Bicyclists must share the road with other drivers, which means they’re beholden to the same traffic laws. Despite sharing the same laws, bicyclists are in a much more vulnerable position than drivers in cars.
Bike crashes can happen in any form, but there are some scenarios that are more common than others. Statistically speaking, these are the most common causes of bike crashes:
If you’ve been injured while riding your bike, you likely have a lot of unanswered questions. My goal is to help you get rid of uncertainty and lead you to a more financially secure future. I know firsthand how a serious injury can diminish your quality of life – that’s why I am committed to helping you get back on your feet.
Your road to recovery begins with a free review of your legal options. If we decide to move forward with your case, I will work for you on a contingency-fee basis. While I can’t promise any outcome, I will work hard for the best possible resolution. Schedule your case evaluation today.
At Colburn Law Personal Injury Lawyers, PLLC, we represent Bicycle Accident victims across the Seattle area with dedication and experience. Visit us at IBM Building, 1200 5th Ave Suite 1400, Seattle, WA 98101, United States — GeoCoordinates: 47.60843898311899, -122.33309121349147
You may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and more. A trusted personal injury attorney near me can help you protect your rights and guide you through the process.
Contact us today to speak with an experienced attorney and get the support you need to move forward.
This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by attorney, Greg Colburn who has more than 20 years of legal experience as a Washington Personal Injury Attorney.
We will come to your home, a coffee shop, or your hospital room, whichever works best for you. We’ll discuss your legal options, and if we should decide to move forward, we will offer our services on a contingency-fee basis.