Since 1948, CCD Law has helped motorcycle accident victims in Spokane. Like any accident, a motorcycle accident caused by an illegal U-turn can leave you with serious injuries. Still, they’re one of the more dangerous types of collisions riders can face. If you or someone you care about has been involved in a U-turn motorcycle accident, it’s important to know your legal options. Contact us today for a free consultation to talk about your legal options.
Do You Need Our Lawyers After a Motorcycle Accident?
If you’ve been in a U-turn motorcycle accident, you might wonder if you need a lawyer. While you can file a claim on your own, handling everything while injured can be hard. There’s paperwork, insurance negotiations, and a lot of details that you need to take care of. That’s where our team comes in. Here’s how we can help:
- Explaining your rights and legal options
- Helping you gather evidence and other important information
- Figuring out who’s responsible for the accident
- Negotiating and talking with insurance companies
- Filing a lawsuit, if needed
Our goal is to take the stress off you so you can focus on getting better. Motorcycle accidents often lead to major medical care and other things that disrupt your life, and we’ll handle the legal side so you can focus on your health.
What Are Your Legal Options After a U-Turn Motorcycle Accident?
At least in legal terms, it doesn’t matter whether you’re in a U-turn accident or any other type of motorcycle collision: your options remain the same–you get to file an injury claim to recover damages. What makes your case unique are the specific details of your situation. Once you decide you want to take action, you can either:
- File an insurance claim – This is an informal way of requesting financial support from the at-fault party’s insurance company for your costs.
- File a lawsuit – This is a formal legal process where you take the at-fault party to court to seek financial support to be decided by a judge or jury.
Both approaches aim to help you recover “damages,” which may include things like:
- Medical expenses and ongoing care needs
- Lost income from missed work or lost earning potential if you can’t work anymore
- Repair/replacement costs for your motorcycle or any other damaged property (like your clothes or equipment)
- Costs relating to your physical pain and emotional trauma
- Costs relating to any reduced quality of life or companionship because of the accident
- Wrongful death expenses if your injuries end up being fatal
Keep in mind that in Washington, you generally have three years from the date of the accident to file a claim. If you miss this deadline, you lose the right to even file a claim, let alone recover damages. But with this process, it raises a key point: who pays for your damages?
Who Pays For Your Damages After a U-Turn Motorcycle Accident?
An illegal U-turn is a pretty clear example of a driver being negligent. And while every accident and subsequent claim unfolds differently, negligence is the determining factor in telling you who pays for your damages.
In most U-turn motorcycle accidents, the driver who hit you is mainly at fault. But other people could also be responsible, like:
- Another driver, if there’s more than one vehicle involved.
- Passengers or pedestrians, if their actions caused the accident.
- Parts manufacturers, if a defective part caused the crash.
- Motorcycle manufacturers, if something wrong with your bike contributed.
- Local government, if bad road conditions played a role in the accident.
To protect yourself, always wear a helmet and safety gear while riding. Stay alert and cautious, but if an accident happens, it’s important to know what you can do to protect and strengthen your claim.
What Can Be Done to Strengthen Your Claim?
Recovering damages in a claim doesn’t happen automatically. You actually have to provide strong evidence and other information that really shows what happened, and how the accident has impacted you in a negative way.
But, even if you’re an experienced rider, a U-turn motorcycle accident can happen unexpectedly. With so many drivers on the road in the Spokane area, it’s important to be prepared in case an accident occurs. Here’s what you should do to strengthen your injury claim:
- Call 911 for an ambulance – Check for injuries and call 911 right away. Getting medical help at the scene is critical for your health and will link your injuries to the accident.
- Report the accident to police – Have 911 inform the Spokane Police Department (SPD). While a police report isn’t used in court, it’s vital for your insurance claim.
- Exchange information – If possible, get the other driver’s contact and insurance details. If they leave the scene, tell the police so they can look for the driver.
- Collect evidence – If you’re able, take photos and videos of the scene. Document any details that might have led to the accident, like the driver’s actions and road conditions. This evidence will be key to supporting your claim.
While it’s best to avoid an accident, these steps will help protect your rights if it happens. U-turn accidents can happen quickly, but being prepared can make a difference in your claim.
How Do U-Turn Motorcycle Accidents Happen in Spokane?
Even though it’s not as crowded as other areas of Washington, Spokane is still a pretty busy place. But at the same time, a U-turn motorcycle accident usually only happens when a driver does something they’re not supposed to do. In that context, they can happen anytime you’re riding your motorcycle in the city or area, regardless of the situation.
Even still, you need to be prepared by looking at how these accidents happen:
- Drivers not seeing motorcycles – Drivers may not spot a motorcycle when making a U-turn, especially if it’s in their blind spot. This can cause a crash since the motorcyclist has less time to react.
- Misjudging speed or distance – Drivers sometimes misjudge how fast or close a motorcycle is, making a U-turn too soon and causing an accident.
- Illegal U-turns – Some drivers make U-turns in unsafe or illegal places, like busy streets or areas with poor visibility, which increases the risk of a collision.
- Distracted driving – Drivers who are distracted by their phones or other things may not fully focus on the road, making U-turn accidents with motorcycles more likely.
- Bad road conditions – Issues like uneven pavement, debris, or poor visibility in Spokane can make U-turns riskier for both drivers and motorcyclists, leading to accidents.
Unfortunately, even if you’re paying attention, you can’t always account for the actions of drivers, particularly when they do one of these things. This, then, leads to accidents and leaves you injured. It’s not ideal, but it does give you certain legal options that our lawyers can help you with.
Contact CCD Law After a U-Turn Motorcycle Accident in Spokane
When you’re hurt in a U-turn motorcycle accident, it’s extremely painful and frustrating. But at the end of the day, you’re going to have to deal with losses from the accident. You don’t have to go through this alone. Our team at CCD Law will be there to support your claim from beginning to end. Contact us today for a free consultation.
