Experienced Motorcycle Accident Attorney in Bellingham serving Whatcom County
Motorcycling – Fun and freedom tempered by increased risk of collision
For enthusiasts, motorcycling is the preferred mode of travel. A sense of freedom, a close connection to the road and nature, and the speed and maneuverability of a motorcycle are all reasons why there has been an increase in motorcycling in Bellingham and Whatcom County. However, given the vulnerability of a motorcyclist to the larger, heavier vehicles sharing the road, the danger in injury or death from a motorcycle accident is significantly greater.
Motorcycle Accidents Are Unique – and Auto Insurance Adjusters Try to Take Advantage
Bellingham accident attorney Bill Coats has handled many motorcycle accident claims in his 20 years of experience. Bill understands the unique laws and regulations related to motorcycling, and he has successfully negotiated with auto insurance adjusters who seek to reduce their liability by suggesting:
- that if the injured rider wasn’t wearing a helmet, they are partly to blame for the crash;
- that there were inadequate reflectors and safety features on the motorcycle;
- that the motorcycle driver was speeding or driving aggressively;
- that the act of driving a motorcycle itself, given the increased risk of injury, means that the driver should have known of the danger.
For anyone seriously injured in a motorcycle crash, or the family left behind after a motorcyclist is killed in a collision, it is crucial to find legal help from an experienced motorcycle accident attorney. Contact Bill Coats at 360-303-0601 or through this convenient contact form, to get your questions answered.
Bill Coats Handles the Legal Work So Injured Motorcyclists Can Focus on Recovery
GETTING THE COMPENSATION YOU DESERVE
When you have been seriously injured in an accident, the priority needs to be getting the medical treatment and therapies necessary. Since injuries from motorcycle crashes are often more severe, the recovery time is usually longer, and the medical bills higher.
Bill Coats works closely with the at-fault party’s insurance company, the motorcycle rider’s insurance company, and medical providers to get the bills paid so that the injured person can focus on healing.
Close Correlation Between Gatal Motorcycle Accidents and alcohol Impairment
DRUNK AND DRUGGED DRIVING CAN HAVE SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES FOR A MOTORCYCLIST WHO IS MUCH MORE VULNERABLE TO INJURY OR EVEN DEATH
Attorney Bill Coats knows how to dig deeper into the facts to find fairness for his clients, such as:
$200,000 to a motorcyclist deemed at-fault by the police. But on further discovery, Bill found had been hurt because the driver of the van who hit him was the one responsible for the collision.
If you have been injured, or if a loved one has died in a motorcycle accident, contact Bill Coats Law to get immediate assistance.
The Rate of Fatality Motorcycle Accidents is Increasing Year Over Year
Recent motorcycle accident statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) demonstrate the increased danger to motorcycle riders. For example:
Motorcycle rider fatalities increased for the third consecutive year in 2012, a 7.1% increase over 2011.
10 times as many riders died not wearing a helmet in states without a universal helmet law than in states with such laws.
1,390 fatality motorcycle accidents in 2012 involved drivers who were alcohol impaired.
Government statistics illustrate the strong connection between fatal crashes and alcohol impairment:
- Among motorcyclists killed in fatal crashes in 2010, 28% had BACs of 0.08% or higher.
- Almost half of the alcohol-impaired motorcyclists killed each year are age 40 or older, and motorcyclists ages 40-44 have the highest percentage of deaths with BACs of 0.08% or higher.
Motorcyclists who have some level of alcohol impairment still may have a strong claim and need to speak to an attorney to learn about their rights and options.
Bill Coats Law provides experienced counsel for motorcycle accident victims and their families. Contact us today by calling 360-303-0601 or by completing this simple contact form. We will get right back to you.
Other passengers, electronic devices, kids in the backseat… all these factors can contribute to distracted driving, which can have lethal consequences for a motorcycle rider. If you or someone you love have been hit by someone who may have been distracted, please contact Bill Coats immediately.