Washington’s Motorcycle Laws
The State of Washington has numerous laws regarding what constitutes a motorcycle, who may ride a motorcycle, and how motorcycles may be operated in public. The Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 46.20.500 requires you to obtain an endorsement to legally operate a two- or three-wheeled motorcycle, excluding mopeds and certain scooters or bikes. This endorsement is in addition to your regular driver’s license.
To obtain a motorcycle endorsement in Washington, you can either take and pass the knowledge and riding skills test offered by the Department of Licensing, or you must complete an approved motorcycle rider course which has the knowledge and skills test. If you take a course, you will obtain a Certificate of Completion that you can present to the DOL within 180 days.
If you own a motorcycle and obtain your endorsement, make sure you can lawfully take your bike out on the road. Washington law requires all motorcycles to display a valid license plate and to be registered with the state. You are not required to carry automobile insurance while on a bike, but it is safer if you do.
A motorcycle law that often comes up in Seattle motorcycle accident claims is Washington’s requirement that you wear a helmet. Under RCW 46.37.530, it is illegal for you to operate a motorcycle without a helmet. It must have a neck or chin strap that is fastened while you operate the bike.
If you were hurt in a motorcycle crash, you should speak with a King County motorcycle accident attorney. If you were the rider, whether or not you adhered to all relevant state laws will be of great interest to the other party. If the other driver or rider finds you violated one or more motorcycle laws, then you may face allegations of contributory negligence.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Washington
Similar to car accidents, motorcycle wrecks occur for a wide variety of reasons. Crashes can be caused by motorcycle riders, vehicle drivers, truckers, pedestrians, and others. Unfortunately, many motorcycle accidents are caused by drivers who are not used to sharing the road with smaller vehicles.
Some common reasons leading to motorcycle accidents include:
- Motorcycle operator or vehicle driver speeding
- Driving or riding while under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or both
- Unsafe lane changes, particularly drivers changing lanes into motorcyclists
- Car doors opening in the path of a motorcycle
- Other vehicle’s sudden stops
- Left-turn accidents, particularly drivers making left turns into motorcyclists
- Failure to yield the right of way to a motorcycle or vehicle
- Dangerous road conditions, including potholes, gravel, debris, snow, ice, and standing water
The reason for the incident that led to your motorcycle injuries can be essential in proving the other party’s liability. Following a crash, you should work with our Seattle motorcycle accident lawyers. We will conduct a thorough and independent review of the accident, gathering evidence and analyzing fault. If there is evidence that another person’s careless or reckless behavior caused the crash, then we can guide you through pursuing compensation in a personal injury claim.
Common Motorcycle-Related Injuries
At Emerald City Law Group, we handle claims with moderate-to-significant motorcycle injuries, including:
- Road rash, including scarring and soft tissue injuries
- Limb and extremity injuries, including broken bones and dislocated joints
- Chest and abdominal injuries
- Paralysis
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Concussions and more serious traumatic brain injuries
Whatever injuries you suffered after a crash, it is best to speak with an attorney regarding your legal options. You may have a strong case and receive an insurance settlement quickly. However, you also may need to fight hard for fair compensation. Many motorcycle accident victims face claims of contributory negligence and require experienced legal representation to resolve their cases fairly.
