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Colburn Law

Seattle Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

In Seattle, a motorcycle away from the crowds can bring a welcome reprieve to the hustle and bustle of the city. Leave civilization behind, and you’ll be greeted by open pavement and winding roads. Biking can be a rewarding hobby, but most bikers know that it’s also a hazardous one. Motorcycle accidents have increased across the country, experiencing a 19% increase nationwide since 2017. Statistically speaking, a person is 22 times more likely to die in a motorcycle crash than in a car. If you or a loved one has been injured in a crash, a Seattle Motorcycle Accident Lawyer can fight for your rights and help you secure the compensation you deserve.

Why Choose our Motorcycle Accident Lawyers in Seattle?

• Personal Experience: Our founder, Greg Colburn, understands what it’s like to fight for justice after a life-changing injury — because he’s been there himself.
• Focused Practice: We handle only personal injury and wrongful death cases, so you get deep experience and focused representation.
• Selective Caseload: We limit the number of cases we take so every client gets personal attention and honest communication.
• Proven Results: We fight aggressively for fair settlements and verdicts, whether your case involves a car crash, construction injury, catastrophic harm, or wrongful death.
• Community Commitment: We give back by supporting families, local events, and community organizations throughout the Seattle area.
• You Come First: With Colburn Law, you’re not just a case — you’re a person with a story that deserves to be heard and protected.

Connect With A Seattle Motorcycle Crash Attorney

If you’ve been injured while riding your motorcycle, we’re here to help. Contact Colburn Law today for a free initial consultation. Since insurance companies associate motorcycle riding with rebellious behavior, victims of crashes often must fight to get fair compensation. If insurance companies are treating you like the guilty party instead of the victim, you may need to speak with an attorney. Motorcycle crashes don’t necessarily occur more often than other types of accidents, but they tend to result in more serious and fatal injuries. While it’s important to know your legal options in the event of a collision, it’s even more important to arm yourself with knowledge about how to prevent these incidents. Reviewing motorcycle facts, statistics, and laws in Seattle can help you stay safe on the Emerald City’s urban and rural roads.

What Do You Do After a Motorcycle Crash in Seattle?

If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle crash, there are steps you can take to protect yourself:

• See a Doctor. If an ambulance arrived, let the medic give you a once over, but also see your primary physician as soon as possible after the crash. Not only will it help you recover, it will prove your injuries were significant.
• Have someone take pictures of the accident scene. If you’ve been seriously injured, chances are you’re nonce-overg well enough to whip out your smartphone and take pictures. If possible, have a loved one take pictures of thbut it will alsoe to your vehicle, your injuries, and the accident scene. Don’t hurt yourself further trying to document the scene, however. You insurance company and the police will likely have pictures of their own.
• Don’t sign anything unless it’s been reviewed by an attorney. An insurance company may approach you with an offer. A word of caution: These are often less than what you deserve. Don’t sign any Young unless it’s been approved by your personal injury attorney. The exception to this rule is signing the police report.

Contact a Seattle Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Send Message Call Us: 206-919-3215

What Are My Legal Options After a Motorcycle Accident?

If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle crash, the most proactive step you can take is to hire a personal injury attorney in Seattle. While the state of Washington mandates minimum amounts of insurance coverage for motorists, these limits are often not enough to fully compensate for the extensive injuries of a motorcycle crash.

Fortunately, you may have other legal options. Victims of negligence may receive compensation for their injuries if:

• The other driver owed you a duty of care. All drivers must be reasonably careful on the road by following traffic laws, so anyone who collided with you owed you a duty of care.
• They breached their duty or committed negligence. Examples of neglectful behavior might be speeding or driving under the influence.
• Their negligence led directly to your injuries. If someone is texting while driving, it’s dangerous. It worsens your case if the person who hurt you was texting at the time of the injury.
• You incurred significant damages as a result. Any collision could mean serious medical bills and time missed from work, and this is especially true of a motorcycle injury.

A motorcycle injury settlement will not only compensate you for your tangible expenses, but it may also provide recourse for non-economic damages such as emotional distress and the pain of your injuries.

What If I Share Fault?

The state of Washington has its own rules regarding shared fault in motorcycle crashes. These are called pure contributory negligence rules.

For example: Say you were involved in a motorcycle crash and sustained $500,000 in damages. A police report – or a court ruling – finds you were 10% at fault for the accident (if you were hit by a distracted driver, but were driving over the speed limit). Your ultimate award will  be decreased by your degree of fault:

10% of $500,000 = $50,000 and $500,000-$50,000 = $450,000.

To collect compensation, you must be 50% at fault or less. If you’re 51% at fault for the accident, you won’t be eligible to seek damages under Washington’s shared-fault laws.

Washington Motorcycle Laws

Motorcyclists have duties and privileges on Seattle’s roadways. They must follow the regular rules of the ror less at less-at-fault statutes specifically geared toward motorcycles. Abiding by all applicable laws can help you avoid a crash and remove liability from yourself in a collision. Here are a few relevant laws to know while motorcycling in Seattle:

1. Licensure and training. The state of Washington makes license endorsement mandatory to ride a motorcycle in the state. Endorsed riders are statistically less likely to be involved in collisions. You may purchase and register a motorcycle without license endorsement, but may not operate them without license endorsement. Attending an approved motorcycle training school can also reduce the risk of accidents.
2. Helmet laws. Seattle motorcyclists must obey the statewide universal motorcycle helmet law. This law statea s that all motorcycle ridyou ers and passengeitust wear a helmets that meet the U.S. Department of Transportation standards. All riders, regardless of age, must comply with the helmet law. Failure to wear a helmet could affect your settlement in the event of an accident.
3. Driving under the influence. With a high rate of intoxicated motorcyclists getting into fatal collision in Washington, it’s important to recognize the laws relating to drinking and riding. It is illegal to operate a motorcycle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level of 0.08% or higher. Note that you can still get into trouble for driving under the influecollisionsa the lesser BAC, if you’re drunk enough to impair operation of the vehicle.

From July 29 to August 14 every year, the state of Washington will increase the number of motorcycle safety patrols on the roadways in King County. Since motorcycle collision rates rise during the summer, extra patrols during this time will hothe pefully increase safety. The patrols will watch for illegal behaviors that put motorcyclists at risk, handing out fines and citations as necessary for traffic infractions. Motorcycling safety precautions can keep you safe and out of legal trouble in Seattle.

How Much Are Most Motorcycle Accident Settlements?

When recovering from a motorcycle accident in Seattle, determining the potential settlement amount is a key consideration. Most motorcycle accident settlements vary widely depending on medical expenses, property damage, lost wages, and pain and suffering. However, it’s essential to understand that every case is unique. Factors like the severity of injuries, the circumstances of the accident, and the degree of fault can significantly impact the settlement. Consulting with an experienced attorney can help you navigate the process and ensure you receive fair compensation for your losses. Understanding your rights is crucial to achieving the best possible outcome.

Factors That Affect Settlement Amounts 

1. Extent of Injuries: Settlements often increase with the severity of injuries. For example, accidents involving spinal cord injuries or traumatic brain injuries typically result in higher compensation due to extensive medical bills and rehabilitation costs.
2. Comparative Fault: Washington follows a pure comparative fault system, according to RCW 4.22.005. This means your compensation may be reduced based on your share of fault. Even if you’re partially responsible, you can still recover damages.
3. Economic vs. Non-Economic Damages: Economic damages cover tangible costs like medical bills and lost wages, while non-economic damages compensate for pain and suffering or emotional distress.

At Colburn Law – Accident and Injury Lawyers, we advocate for fair and complete settlements for our clients. Factors such as reliable legal representation and thorough evidence collection significantly impact your final settlement offer. If you’ve been involved in a motorcycle accident, reaching out for legal assistance can make a difference in obtaining the compensation you deserve.

Motorcycle Fatalities in the United States 2025

The most recent data from the NHTSA 2025 Motorcycle Resource Guide shows that 6,218 motorcyclists were killed in traffic crashes across the United States, accounting for 15% of all yearly highway fatalities. This figure reflects a 1% increase from 2021, underscoring the persistent and growing risks motorcyclists face on U.S. roads. Despite representing a small share of total vehicle traffic, motorcycles remain one of the most dangerous modes of transportation. Per 100 million vehicle miles traveled, motorcyclists were approximately 22 times more likely than passenger car occupants to be killed in a crash, and four times more likely to suffer injuries

2025 Washington Motorcycle Facts and Statistics

Seattle is home to thousands of registered motorcyclists. It’s a beautiful, peaceful, and scenic place for motorcycle enthusiasts, attracting locals and tourists. Unfortunately, not every motorcyclist gets to enjoy the ride. Some end in tragedy. Throughout Washington, the most recent statistics show that there were 109 motorcyclist deaths, according to the Washington Traffic Safety Commission. This represents 16.17% of total traffic fatalities for the state. The majority of these fatalities can be traced to three primary contributing factors:

• Rider error. Many motorcycle accidents trace back to the rider’s fault. Motorcyclists might not have enough experience or training to safely control their bikes, especially in poor weather conditions or in the face of roadway hazards. Operators may also engage in dangerous practices such as speeding, lane splitting, and drinking and driving. The WTSC shows that 56% of motorcyclists involved in fatal crashes were under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol.
• Driver error. Motorcyclists aren’t the only ones to blame for collisions. Negligent and careless motor vehicle drivers cause a large percentage of these crashes. Motorcycles are more difficult to see and require driver vigilance. Drivers who are texting, eating, chatting, or otherwise driving distracted can easily miss motorcycles, turning into them on top of motorbikes. Other drivers’ errors can seriously injure and kill unsuspecting motorcyclists in Seattle.
• Unsafe roadways. Seattle’s roads can pose significant threats to riders. Potholes, loose gravel, construction site equipment, debris, fallen trees, rain, and ice can all cause serious motorcycle crashes. These single-vehicle crashes may come down to city liability for unsafe roads. Pursuing a claim against the city requires special filing deadlines and requirements, since you’re suing a governmental body.

Contact a Seattle Motorcycle Accident Attorney Today

Speak with a Motorcycle Accident Attorney no matter what caused your recent motorcycle collision. Depending on the circumstances, you could be eligible for compensation from one or more parties. You could have a case based on negligence, premises liability, or product liability (if your bike had a defective part that contributed to your injuries). A good lawyer can make all the difference in complicated motorcycle accident cases.

Client Testimonial: 5/5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Greg guided me through a stressful process involving a car accident and the insurance company. Not only did he put me at ease, but he was truly an advocate for me and my family. I am truly thankful for his help, and would highly recommend him to any of my friends or family. 

-Jeff P.
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Personal Injury Attorneys Near Me in Washington State

Injured in an accident? 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.

Send Message Call Us: 206-289-9877

Colburn Law Motorcycle Accident Lawyers, PLLC – Location

At Colburn Law Personal Injury Lawyers, PLLC, we represent Motorcycle 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