The open and scenic roads, the mountain passes that twist and turn, and mostly because there’s a feeling you just don’t get behind the wheel of a car. That’s why so many motorcyclists ride across the state of Washington every year.

But that same openness leaves riders exposed. When a car and a biker collide, it’s almost always the rider who ends up in the hospital. Oftentimes, it’s not because of anything the rider did wrong.

Paying out of pocket for a motorcycle accident lawyer to figure out what your stance is should be the last thing you should worry about. At Abeyta Nelson Injury Law, we work on contingency, so you owe us nothing unless we win your case.

Here’s the 5 Causes, So You Know What to Watch For

In more than 45 years representing injured riders across Yakima, Ellensburg, and Sunnyside, our motorcycle accident attorneys have come to know the same handful of causes behind nearly every serious crash we handle.

1. Impaired & Distracted Driving

According to the NHTA,  about 30% of fatal crashes in Washington involve alcohol or drugs, and it’s the leading cause of rider deaths in the state. Even a small amount of alcohol slows reaction time and throws off the kind of balance and coordination riding demands, and the same is true for the drivers sharing the road with them. When either person behind the controls is impaired, the motorcyclist is the one who pays for it.

Distracted riding or driving is a societal problem, resulting in some serious traffic accidents.  While talking or texting on mobile phones is a primary culprit, people are distracted from safely operating a vehicle in many ways.  Other forms of distraction while driving may include:

  • eating
  • smoking
  • talking to passengers
  • scrolling through social media
  • sending emails   

Distracted driving is a risk for anyone on the roadway, leaving motorcyclists particularly vulnerable. According to the RGA Reinsurance Company, up to 80% of accidents involve distracted or inattentive driving.

2. Speeding & Left-Turn Collisions

Not surprisingly, speeding is a common riding risk factor that accounts for more than a third of all fatal motorcycle accidents, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Speed shows up in roughly a quarter of fatal motorcycle collisions statewide in Washington, and it’s easy to see why. The faster everyone’s moving, the less time there is to react when something goes wrong, and the worse the outcome tends to be. 

A driver who’s only ten miles over the limit might not think twice about it, but for the rider next to them, that extra speed can be the difference between a close call and a catastrophic injury or wrongful death.

Additionally, after riding for a while, you understand how dicey intersections can get, some more than others. Left-turn crashes make up about a fifth of Washington’s fatal motorcycle wrecks. What happens is a driver turns left without seeing the rider coming, or misjudges how fast they’re actually moving. The accident happens without warning, usually at a busy intersection where everyone’s attention is split a dozen different ways.

3. Motorcycle Mechanical Failures

Like any vehicle, motorcycles perform best when regularly maintained and serviced, but mechanical issues are bound to happen from time to time. Completing a routine bike inspection is imperative before setting out, especially on a long journey. Common trouble spots to watch for include:

  • Tires: check air pressure and tread wear, since worn or balding tires can significantly affect grip and control
  • Engine issues: oil leaks, overheating, and contaminated fuel can all have devastating effects on how the engine functions
  • Brakes and electrical systems: faults here can leave a rider stranded on the side of the road, or skidding into unsafe areas

Riders should carry a toolbox with them at all times, and it’s critical that either the rider or a knowledgeable mechanic service the bike regularly, according to a set maintenance schedule.

4. Unsafe Lane Changes and Lane-Splitting

About 15% of fatal crashes come down to a driver merging without checking their mirrors, missing a motorcycle in their blind spot, or changing lanes into space a rider is already occupying. Motorcycles are small and can fit into tight spaces, that’s part of their appeal, but it also means drivers genuinely don’t see them the way they’d see another car. When a driver moves without looking twice, the rider doesn’t have room to escape.

Lane-splitting, riding between lanes of moving traffic, adds another layer of risk on top of this. It’s currently illegal in Washington under RCW 46.61.608, and getting into a crash while doing it can complicate a claim, since fault may shift partly or entirely onto the rider. Riders looking to stay visible and reduce risk without lane-splitting can:

  • Wear high-visibility gear so drivers can spot them sooner
  • Avoid lingering in a car’s blind spot
  • Leave a buffer of space in case traffic shifts suddenly
  • Take a motorcycle safety course to sharpen defensive riding skills

Whether a rider was lane-splitting or not, a car that changes lanes without checking is still the one that failed to look.

5. Road & Weather Hazards

Around 10% of motorcycle accidents in Washington come down to the condition of the road itself. Things a car would roll right over without noticing can be enough to bring a rider down on two wheels, including:

  • Potholes
  • Loose gravel
  • Oil patches or wet leaves
  • Uneven asphalt edges or grooved pavement

These are just a few of the hazards every rider has to watch for. Even the most careful motorcyclist can run into conditions beyond their control, so when possible, check ahead for construction zones or rough stretches before you head out.

Many people assume bad weather causes more motorcycle accidents, but it’s actually the opposite. Riders tend to avoid cold, rainy conditions simply because they’re less fun to ride in, so fewer accidents happen when the weather turns rough. 

Weather isn’t always predictable, a clear, sunny day can quickly shift to fog, wind, rain, or ice, making it harder to stop and easier to skid. When conditions change, slowing down, turning on your lights, and riding cautiously go a long way. If you must stop somewhere, do so for your own safety.

What to Do If You’ve Been Hurt

Washington law gives injured riders and their families three years from the date of the crash to file a claim. That might sound like a long time, but evidence has a way of disappearing quickly, and insurance companies use every week you wait to build a case against you. The earlier you talk to an attorney, the better positioned you’ll be.

Depending on what happened, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, or, in the most tragic cases, wrongful death damages for the family left behind. The team at Abeyta Nelson has helped riders secure results like a $260,000 settlement for a young man who suffered a spinal injury in a car-versus-motorcycle collision, and a $245,000 settlement for a 76-year-old man hurt in a car-versus-scooter crash. 

Every case is different, and past results never guarantee a future outcome, but they reflect what’s possible when you have the right team in your corner.

Talk to a Washington Motorcycle Accident Attorney Today

Healing takes everything you’ve got. Let us deal with the insurance companies so you can focus on getting better. Call Abeyta Nelson Injury Law today at 509-575-1588 or send us a message for a free, no-obligation consultation.

No fee unless we win.