Motorcycle Accident Attorney Olympia

Someone causes a motorcycle accident, and you suffer injuries. What you do next has long-lasting implications. Do nothing, and you take responsibility for your accident losses. Or you can hire our motorcycle accident attorney Olympia WA and take legal action against the liable party. 

Putnam Lieb Potvin Dailey has a deep commitment to our clientele. We are a trusted motorcycle accident attorney Olympia law firm that values compassion, integrity, innovation, respect, and dedication. Since 1980, we have been helping motorcycle accident victims and many others get compensation after major crashes. Let us put our decades of experience to work for you. Contact us today. 

Trust Putnam Lieb Potvin Dailey to Handle All Aspects of Your Motorcycle Accident Case

As you search for personal injury law firms near me, consider what we offer. Our motorcycle accident attorneys ask you questions and learn about your case. We can identify anyone liable for your motorcycle collision. From here, we can explain your legal options.

Your lawyer advocates for you and protects your legal rights and best interests. Ideally, they can get you compensation through insurance settlement negotiations. However, if these negotiations are unsuccessful, your attorney is unafraid to bring your case to trial. 

No matter what happens during your case proceedings, we remain on your side. We can share resources with you as the legal process moves forward. If you ever have legal concerns or questions, we will address them promptly. 

To date, our personal injury law firm has earned awards from US News, Thomson Reuters, and other organizations. We give your motorcycle collision case our full attention. Our team makes sure you feel safe, comfortable, and heard. Schedule a consultation with us to learn more about how we can help you with your case. 

Do Not Wait Too Long After Your Motorcycling Accident to File a Claim

The Revised Code of Washington (RCW) gives you a brief window to seek compensation from anyone responsible for your motorcycling crash. Per RCW 4.16.080, you typically have three years from the date of a motorcycle collision to submit a claim. 

Sadly, some motorcycle accidents are fatal. If you lose a family member in a motorcycle crash, you may have grounds for a claim against the party liable for the incident. According to RCW 4.20.010, you can submit a wrongful death claim if you are a personal representative of a deceased person (decedent). You may have three years from the date of someone’s death to file a claim. 

Our motorcycle accident lawyers in Olympia understand the challenges you will face during the claims process. Our attorneys will submit your claim in alignment with Washington State law. We can negotiate a settlement with the at-fault party’s insurance company.

Motorcycle Accident Settlement Negotiations Offer No Guarantees 

Following a motorcycle crash in South Puget Sound, Thurston County, or elsewhere in Washington State, it is in your best interests to treat your injuries and take care of yourself to the best of your ability. As you do, a motorcycle accident lawyer can discuss a settlement with the insurance company of the party liable for your crash. 

Our attorneys account for Washington State’s mandatory auto and motorcycle insurance law and how it applies to your case. If you ride a motorcycle or drive a car in Washington, you must have insurance coverage. This coverage protects you financially if you are responsible for a motorcycle collision. 

If a motorist is liable for your motorcycle crash, inform your insurance carrier about the incident. This opens the claims process. Your insurance company works with the insurer of the driver involved in your accident. The businesses investigate the incident and determine who is at fault. 

Unfortunately, even if a motorist is responsible for your accident, this individual’s insurance company is likely to contest your claim or offer a lowball settlement. Thankfully, you can partner with an Olympia motorcycle accident attorney who guides you through the claims process and settlement negotiations. 

Our attorneys know how to build a solid personal injury case. We want you to get money for your accident losses right away. At the same time, our lawyers will advise you to decline a settlement offer if it falls short of what you want. If warranted, our attorneys can proceed with a lawsuit. If you do, you can count on our lawyers to argue your case to a judge or jury. 

Economic and Non-Economic Damages Are Available to Motorcycle Accident Victims and Their Families

When it comes to understanding personal injury cases, you want information about how much money you can receive for your motorcycle collision losses. In your lawsuit, your lawyer can request economic and non-economic damages.

Reasons a judge or jury will award damages include:

• Medical bills
• Pain and suffering
• Lost wages
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Loss of consortium
• Loss of companionship
• Motorcycle repair or replacement costs
• Burial and funeral expenses

Securing damages can be incredibly difficult, depending on what happened during your motorcycle accident. Our lawyers develop arguments designed to show a judge or jury that you are in no way to blame for your motorcycle collision. If this argument resonates with the court, you can get damages that cover your quantifiable and subjective losses.

Negligence Can Make or Break Your Motorcycle Accident Case

It is not enough to tell a judge or jury that you should be compensated for your motorcycle collision losses. Our lawyer will discuss the importance of negligence and its potential impact in your motorcycle accident lawsuit. We can craft an argument designed to show a judge or jury that the following elements of negligence were present at the time of your accident:

• Duty of Care: The defendant has a legal obligation to avoid any acts that could put you or others in danger.

• Breach of Duty of Care: They violated their duty of care by committing a careless or reckless act. 

• Causation: The defendant’s actions led to your motorcycling collision. 

• Damages: You have incurred losses due to the defendant’s actions. 

How Partial Fault Can Affect Damages in Your Motorcycle Accident Case

Washington State has a contributory fault rule that can dictate how much money you receive in your motorcycling crash case. This rule states that you can be found partly liable for your accident losses. If this happens, a judge or jury can reduce your damages by your degree of fault. 

To understand how contributory fault works, consider an example. A driver slams their car into you while you are riding your motorcycle on Interstate 5. You file a lawsuit, and the court says you are 20% liable for the accident. At this point, the motorist may be responsible for 80% of your losses. 

Following Washington State’s Motorcycle Laws Can Make a World of Difference in Your Case

If you ride your motorcycle and follow the rules of the road carefully, you could boost your chances of getting the results you want in your personal injury case. Below are key rules that motorcyclists must follow in Washington State:

• Wearing a helmet that meets Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 218
• Having a valid two-wheel motorcycle permit or endorsement
• Not riding a motorcycle between lanes of traffic or on the shoulder of a road (lane splitting)
• Not riding with passengers under five years of age
• Riding a motorcycle with functioning headlights and taillights, a left and right mirror, and turn signals

Breaking these or other motorcycle laws opens the door for a liable party or their insurance company to dispute your case. When you work with our experienced motorcycle accident lawyers, you can get the help you need to defend yourself. As part of our efforts, your attorney can gather evidence from a wide range of sources. 

Strong Evidence Can Compel a Judge or Jury to Rule in Your Favor

Evidence collection is one of the many vital services to expect from good motorcycle accident attorneys. Leading up to your motorcycle collision trial, our Olympia lawyers will search for compelling evidence. Here are some of the types of proof that your attorney may use in their argument.

Photos and Videos from the Scene of Your Accident

The photos and videos you took of skid marks, road conditions, damage to your motorcycle, and other elements of the accident scene can play a role in your case. Our lawyers can utilize this visual evidence to establish liability. 

Police Report 

You call 911 at the accident scene or notify the police about your motorcycle collision in the days after it happens. Generally, you can get a police report for your accident within five days of sharing information about the incident with the police.

Request a police report from the Olympia Police Department (OPD) online, in person, or through the mail. This report includes information about the people involved in your motorcycling crash, the date, time, and location of the accident, observations from police officers at the scene, and other relevant details about the incident. 

Witness Statements

The people who saw your accident can provide statements relating to the incident. These statements can strengthen your lawyer’s argument, as they can help you prove to a judge or jury that the claims you are making are accurate and true. 

Medical Records

Our lawyers want you to care for your accident injuries for as long as your doctor recommends. Meanwhile, we may use your medical records to show a judge or jury the severity of your injuries and how they may affect you in the years to come. 

Outside of these forms of evidence, our lawyers may incorporate your pay stubs and other financial documents into your body of proof. If you have an abundance of evidence, it becomes exceedingly difficult for a liable party to get the court to rule in their favor. 

One or More Parties Can Be Held Responsible for Your Motorcycling Accident

If you think you are responsible for your motorcycling crash, think again. Someone may try to blame you for your accident in the hopes that you will take accountability for the incident and that they will not have to cover your losses. Ultimately, several parties can be at fault for your accident. These include:

Another Motorist

It is dangerous to engage in distracted driving or other acts of carelessness or recklessness behind the wheel. Regardless, a driver may ignore the rules of the road, which can lead to your motorcycling accident. This motorist may have to compensate you for the harm you suffer due to their actions.

The Motorcycle Manufacturer 

You expect a motorcycle manufacturer to do everything within its power to make sure its vehicles are safe. There are times when motorcycle defects contribute to accidents. If your motorcycle crash is the result of a vehicle defect, you may have a case for damages from the vehicle manufacturer. 

A Motorcycle Mechanic

You bring your motorcycle to a mechanic, and they say your vehicle is working properly. In the days afterward, you ride your bike but get into an accident due to a mechanical error. Talk with our lawyers about the incident. Our attorneys will let you know if you can sue the mechanic who worked on your motorcycle. 

A Government Entity

Riding the open road is one of your favorite pastimes. It becomes challenging to travel from point A to point B on a motorcycle if a road has potholes or other hazards are present. Depending on the circumstances of your case and the road hazards that contributed to your motorcycling accident, you could seek damages from a government entity that ignored such issues. 

The steps you take to prove that a liable party was negligent can determine the outcome of your motorcycle collision case. Rather than face the legal process alone, work with our experienced motorcycle accident lawyers. Together, we can build a strong case against any liable parties. 

Contact Our Experienced Motorcycle Accident Attorney Olympia WA Law firm

At Putnam Lieb Potvin Dailey, we understand the financial and emotional toll you face after a motorcycling accident. Our team fights tirelessly for you and puts you in a position to secure compensation from anyone who caused this incident. Allow us to get you the justice and damages you deserve. For more information, contact us today.