Have you been recently injured in a motorcycle accident in Seattle, WA? Seattle is a beautiful place for a motorcycle ride, but a negligent driver can quickly turn your experience into a nightmare. If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, you could be entitled to financial compensation for your injuries. Contact Darrell Cochran Law at (253) 948-0250 to schedule a free consultation.
Our Seattle motorcycle accident lawyers have 31 years of combined experience helping injury victims with their claims, and we have recovered tens of millions of dollars in compensation. Whether you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, car accident, or some other type of accident, we can help.
How Darrell Cochran Law Can Help After a Motorcycle Accident in Seattle
Motorcycle accidents in Seattle, Washington often leave victims with devastating injuries. You need to be focused on your health and recovery, but this can be difficult when that pile of medical bills is looming and you are unable to work. Let the team at Darrell Cochran Law worry about your legal claim while you focus on getting better.
After your accident, our team can help by:
- Thoroughly investigating your accident to determine who was at fault
- Gathering evidence from the scene and interviewing witnesses
- Obtaining copies of police reports and medical records to help prove your case
- Working with experts as needed to better understand your accident and injuries
- Handling communications with the insurance company and opposing counsel
- Negotiating a top-dollar settlement that compensates you for all your injuries
- Filing a lawsuit and arguing your case in front of a jury when the insurance company is not willing to pay what your case is worth
Members of our legal team have been recognized by Martindale-Hubbell, The National Trial Lawyers, and The Best Lawyers in America.
Your time to file a claim after a motorcycle accident is limited, so contact us today. Schedule your free consultation with one of our Seattle personal injury attorneys. We can help you hold the responsible parties accountable.
What Is My Motorcycle Accident Case Worth?
Every motorcycle accident case is unique, so the value of a case must be assessed based on the specifics of that case.
Cases involving severe or catastrophic injuries will typically be worth much more than those involving only minor injuries. Since motorcycle accidents often leave victims with devastating injuries, it is not uncommon for these cases to be worth more than $100,000. Some of the factors that will affect the value of your case include:
- The total amount of your medical bills
- The length of your recovery
- Whether you will be able to go back to work
- Whether you will be left with any permanent scarring or disabilities
- Your anticipated future medical care needs
- How your relationships with others have been affected
- How much insurance coverage is available
After a motorcycle accident, the best way to get an accurate estimate of your case’s value is by seeking the help of an experienced attorney. At Darrell Cochran Law, we can help you determine how much your case may be worth.
What Kind of Damages Are Available to Accident Victims?
Victims of motorcycle accidents are entitled to recover both economic and non-economic damages after their accident. This means that the responsible party can be held liable for both the victim’s financial losses as well as their physical and emotional trauma.
Economic damages are the financial losses a victim suffers because of the accident. Putting a value on these is usually quite easy because some bills or receipts show exactly how much the victim lost. Common examples of economic damages in these cases include:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Motorcycle repair costs
- Physical therapy
- Rehabilitation expenses
Non-economic damages are much more difficult to value because they are more subjective. These damages compensate victims for their physical and emotional pain. Some common examples include:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Diminished quality of life
- Anxiety
- Depression
- PTSD
- Loss of consortium
You can trust us to help you accurately value your damages and ensure the insurance company does not take advantage of you with a lowball settlement offer.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?
Many accident victims think about hiring an attorney to help them get compensation for their injuries, but they think the cost might prevent them from being able to do so. After all, the time after an accident is already financially stressful with all the medical bills and lost wages.
Hiring a motorcycle accident lawyer will not cost you anything on the front end. Most personal injury lawyers, including ours, work on a contingency fee basis. When using a contingency fee, the lawyer does not require an upfront payment. Instead, the fee is taken at the end of the case as a portion of any compensation awarded to the victim.
If the lawyer does not win the case, they do not receive a fee. Contingency fees in accident cases typically range anywhere from 30% to 40% of the total financial recovery. Some of the factors that can affect this percentage include:
- The lawyer’s experience level
- The lawyer’s track record
- Geographic location
- The complexity of the case
- Whether the case is settled or goes to trial
According to the rules in Washington, a contingency fee agreement must be in writing and signed by the client.
Can I Recover Compensation If I’m Being Blamed For a Motorcycle Accident in Washington?
There are times when a victim may share some fault for their accident. Insurance companies frequently try to blame the victim for the accident in order to minimize the claim or avoid paying it altogether. Thankfully, you may still be able to recover compensation in Washington, even if you are being blamed for your accident.
Washington follows a pure comparative negligence rule. Under this rule, the victim’s recovery will be reduced by their portion of the fault. However, there is no “fault limit” that bars them from obtaining a recovery. This means that a victim who is 99% at fault for an accident could technically still recover 1% of their damages from the other at-fault party.
We’ll Fight to Recover Compensation for All Of Your Motorcycle Accident Injuries
It is no secret that motorcycle accidents can result in catastrophic injuries. Motorcycle riders are often left dealing with the effects of an accident for years to come. Some of the common types of injuries that result from these accidents include:
- Concussions
- Spinal cord injuries
- Back injuries
- Broken bones
- Severe road rash
- Loss of limb
- Internal bleeding
- Severe bruising and soft tissue damage
- Wrongful death
Our experienced team will fight diligently to get you the compensation you are owed for all your injuries.
What Causes Most Motorcycle Accidents in Seattle, Washington?
Unfortunately, motor vehicle drivers often do not watch out for motorcycle riders as they should. Negligent drivers are responsible for most motorcycle accidents in Seattle, although that is not the only cause of these types of accidents. Some of the most common reasons behind motorcycle accidents include:
- Speeding
- Failure to yield
- Failure to look before changing lanes
- Driving under the influence
- Distracted driving
- Poor visibility
- Poor weather conditions
Our experienced motorcycle accident lawyers can help investigate the cause of your crash, and we will fight to hold the responsible party accountable.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Motorcycle Accident in Washington?
Your time to file a lawsuit after a motorcycle accident in Washington is generally limited to three years. Failure to file a lawsuit within three years of the date of your accident can cause you to lose all your rights to recover compensation. Keep in mind that some special situations can shorten or lengthen this timeframe. The best way to determine the filing deadline for your case is to seek the help of an experienced accident lawyer.
Contact Our Seattle Motorcycle Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation
If you have been hurt in a motorcycle accident in Seattle, Washington, contact Darrell Cochran Law today. Let our experienced team investigate your accident, assess the value of your damages, and get you the compensation you are owed. Call us now to schedule a free consultation with a Seattle motorcycle accident attorney, and let us go to work for you.