Injured in a Tacoma Bicycle Accident?
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According to the NHTSA, there were 846 bicyclists killed in traffic crashes in 2019. Regardless of the season, bicyclist deaths occurred most often between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. Bicyclist deaths occur most often in urban areas (78 percent) as compared to rural areas (22 percent). Males are six times more likely to be involved in a fatal bicycle accident than females. Bicycling is becoming much more prevalent, which, in turn, can lead to more bicycle accidents. A bicyclist is extremely vulnerable in a car accident. While the driver is surrounded by a steel and glass “cage,” along with a safety belt and airbags, the bicyclist has only a bicycle helmet for protection. A bicyclist hit by a vehicle is extremely likely to suffer serious, even catastrophic injuries, or death and may need the assistance of a Tacoma bicycle accident attorney.
If you are the victim of a Tacoma bicycle accident, attorney Blake Kremer wants to help you through this difficult time. Blake’s goal is to always stand up for those who need advocacy and might not otherwise receive justice. Blake believes every client has the right to be heard and treated with respect and dignity. With an ongoing dedication to social justice issues as well as justice for the individual, Blake Kremer listens carefully to his clients, always putting their needs first. No matter the challenge, attorney Blake Kremer knows which questions to ask and the best way to answer your questions. The Law Office of Blake Kremer will fight for you and for your future.
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Overview of Bicycling in Tacoma
Bicycling plays a key role in the transportation system in the state of Washington and was even named the nation’s number one “Bicycle Friendly State,” by the League of American Bicyclists for seven years in a row. This was due in part to the many places that are bike-friendly in the state of Washington and in Tacoma. In fact, bike racks have been popping up across the city of Tacoma.
The City of Tacoma has a program that provides free racks for businesses or employers. Tacoma Washington Bicycle Club provides Tacoma residents with “Cycling for Fun, Fitness, and Livable Communities.” Velo Femmes is a group of women focused on getting more women on bikes, and 2nd Cycle is a community cycle center that supports, educates, and advocates for new cyclists. Kidical Mass Tacoma is a safe, fun series of bike rides for Tacoma’s younger generation.
Tacoma Bicycle Accident Laws and Sharing the Road with Cars (biking trends)
Bicyclists in the city of Tacoma must have a front white light and a rear red reflector when riding at night. While helmets are no longer legally required for bicyclists, the City of Tacoma strongly encourages all bicyclists to wear a helmet. Bicyclists must ride as far to the right as is safe or practicable, except when turning or passing. Bicycles are allowed to right on the left, with the flow of traffic, on one-way streets.
What are the Most Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents?
Generally speaking, bicycle accidents are generally the result of either a motorist who simply does not see the bicyclist, or, in rarer instances, a motorist who does not want to share the road with bicyclists, despite the law. Some of the more common causes of bicycle accidents include:
- Distracted drivers—Distracted drivers are quickly moving up the list to become the most common cause of any type of auto accident. We are a nation of multi-taskers who eat, talk on our phones, fiddle with car controls, text, talk to passengers, and turn around to see what the children are doing in the back seat while driving. These dangerous, distracted behaviors can result in a motorist hitting a bicyclist.
- Low visibility—Bicycles are much smaller than vehicles, resulting in some motorists failing to see them.
- Failure to yield—Motorists must yield to bicyclists and pedestrians and must pay attention to their driving, watching for these vulnerable travelers.
- Dangerous road conditions—In some areas, roadways may not be properly maintained, or could suffer from poor design or dangerous construction, leading to a bicycle accident.
If You are Hit by a Car While on Your Bicycle, Can You Sue?
If you were hit by a car while on a bicycle in Tacoma, you may be eligible for compensation from the at-fault driver. It is important that you speak to an experienced Tacoma bicycle accident attorney who can help you get the compensation you are entitled to receive. Insurance companies are not necessarily interested in your injuries or your future, which is why you need a solid legal advocate by your side from start to finish. The steps you take following your bicycle accident could have a direct impact on your future claim. You should always seek medical attention as quickly as possible, keeping all medical bills that will later support your claim when you are asked to demonstrate the extent of your injuries.
If you are able, following the accident, take photos of the scene of the accident, including the car that hit you. Write down the other driver’s contact information and any other relevant documentation. While you might want to reach out to friends and family members by posting about your accident on social media—don’t. The insurance company will almost certainly be scrolling through your social media profile in search of information that will discredit your injuries. Depending on the extent of your injuries, you could be entitled to:
- Past, present, and future medical expenses
- The cost of ongoing physical therapy
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma
- Property damage
- Loss of consortium
Your Tacoma bicycle accident attorney will help you achieve a favorable outcome for your case by interviewing professionals (such as accident reconstruction experts), estimating the value of your claim, negotiating with your insurance company, filing all necessary paperwork, meeting all deadlines, and gathering, preserving, and presenting evidence.
What is the Average Settlement for Bicyclists Who Were Hit by a Car?
It is virtually impossible to accurately determine your exact settlement because it will depend on a number of factors regarding your bicycle accident. That being said, bicycle accident settlements are generally on the higher side due to the nature of the injuries to the bicyclist, which are usually severe. Catastrophic injuries that may alter the bicyclist’s life forever will result in a higher settlement amount.
How Tacoma Bicycle Accident Attorney Blake Kremer Can Help You
Attorney Blake Kremer can handle bicycle accident cases from King, Pierce, Snohomish, and Thurston Counties, including Seattle, Tacoma, Everett, and Olympia, Puget Sound, South Sound, and all of Western Washington, as well as virtually. As a third-generation attorney, Blake opened his law firm in 1992. The history of the Law Office of Blake Kremer shows a clear pattern of service to the community as Blake represents causes and people who otherwise would not have found justice.
Blake is a successful activist attorney, often winning against immense odds. At the Law Office of Blake Kremer, Blake sees litigation as a tool to get justice for our clients, knowing many insurance companies will not make a serious offer until a lawsuit is filed. To name only a few, Blake obtained a $2,000,000 wrongful death settlement as a result of drowning, a $950,000 settlement for a client who was run over in a crosswalk, and a $250,000 settlement for a student injured on a school campus. Contact the Law Office of Blake Kremer today. Call (253) 830-5844 today to speak with attorney Blake Kremer, or (253) 368-4382 to speak with Kate, Blake’s paralegal.
