As a motorcyclist, your main concern is usually sharing the road with reckless or otherwise careless drivers in cars. But that’s not the only thing that you need to worry about–there’s also other motorcyclists.
According to a story from KHQ, a man and a woman on a motorcycle were sent to a local hospital with serious injuries on Saturday, May 11, 2024. Washington State Patrol (WSP) deputies responded to the call of a group of motorcyclists driving erratically on Interstate 90 at Milepost 296 near Argonne and Hamilton Street. Multiple motorcyclists were involved in the crash, and all fled the scene afterward. One even jumped off his motorcycle and took off on foot, according to witnesses.
WSP is still investigating the crash, with detectives requesting that anyone with any information contact them.
Who’s Liable in a Motorcycle Versus Motorcycle Crash?
Accidents like the one above raise certain questions about liability and what you can recover in an injury claim. Under normal circumstances, you would file your claim against the driver that caused your accident. You obviously don’t have this option when the other vehicles involved are motorcycles, but it doesn’t change your options.
You first need to figure out who’s liable. That means figuring out who acted carelessly or negligently and caused the accident. This could happen if the other motorcyclist was:
- Speeding
- Weaving erratically in and out of traffic
- Driving under the influence
- Distracted
You still have the right to file an injury claim, it’s just a bit more difficult in this situation. Usually, though, it’s going to involve:
- Filing against the other motorcyclists homeowner’s or renter’s insurance.
- Filing a claim with your own insurance provider, especially when the other motorcyclist doesn’t have insurance or flees the scene.
Even with these options, it’s vital to do a few things to make sure you have the particulars of your claim lined up:
- Get medical attention right away by calling an ambulance
- Call the Spokane Police Department, WSP, or Sheriff’s Office to report the accident to police
- Gather evidence at the scene, especially pictures or videos of any injuries and damage to your motorcycle
- Contact your own insurance carrier to start their claims process
- Avoid admitting fault, and don’t post about it on social media
Again, these steps are important in any accident situation, but especially when the other person is also on a motorcycle. In order to make sure your legal options are protected, you should also reach out to our team of Spokane motorcycle accident lawyers for further guidance.
Experienced Spokane Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
At CCD Law, we’ve helped injury victims in Spokane since 1948. When you get hurt in any type of motorcycle accident, you’ll probably need a lot of assistance. Whether you have to deal with injuries, missed work, or changes to your quality of life, a motorcycle accident can be incredibly damaging. But with our team on your side, you can go through the legal process with confidence. We’ll guide you through your claim, and make sure you can recover things like:
- Medical expenses
- Lost income
- Repair/replacement costs for damaged property
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of quality of life or companionship
- Wrongful death damages, if your accident ends up being fatal
Working with our team can make everything easier. To get started, contact us today for a free consultation to talk about your options.
