Were you involved in a bicycle accident in Puyallup, Washington? You may be entitled to compensation from the responsible party. The experienced Puyallup accident lawyers with Sears Injury Law are here to help you maximize the value of your claim.
We’re one of the most successful personal injury law firms in the state, with over 100 years of combined experience and hundreds of millions of dollars recovered for our clients. If you hire us for your case, we’ll treat you like family and make sure your case receives our full attention and resources.
Contact us today at (253) 286-7444 for a free consultation. Our experienced Puyallyup bicycle accident lawyers can review the facts of your case and provide you with some initial legal guidance at that time.
How Sears Injury Law Can Help After a Bicycle Accident in Puyallup, Washington
Being hit by a car while riding a bike is a scary and disorienting experience, leaving you with serious injuries and damages on top of immense uncertainty about what’s to come. Having an award-winning Puyallup personal injury lawyer in your corner can take a lot of that weight off your shoulders.
Sears Injury Law will make it our primary objective to secure maximum compensation on your behalf. When you choose our legal team to represent you, we can:
- Investigate your accident and gather the available evidence
- Identify every party who may be liable for your injuries
- Handle all communication with insurance companies on your behalf
- Bring in qualified experts to support your claim
- Negotiate aggressively for a full and fair settlement
- Take your case to trial if the other side won’t cooperate
Reach out to our bicycle accident lawyers in Puyallup, WA, today to get started. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you only pay attorney’s fees if we win compensation for you.
Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Puyallup, WA
Most bicycle accidents happen because a driver wasn’t paying enough attention to cyclists on the road. Puyallup’s mix of busy arterials and shared-use paths creates plenty of opportunities for dangerous encounters between bikes and motor vehicles. Some of the most frequent causes of these crashes include:
- Drivers failing to check for cyclists before turning
- Opening a car door into the path of an oncoming rider
- Running a stop sign or red light
- Distracted driving, particularly from cell phone use
- Passing a cyclist too closely
- Speeding through residential areas
Washington law gives bicycles the same rights as motor vehicles on the road. A driver who violates those rights and causes an accident can be held financially responsible for the harm they cause.
What Damages Can I Recover After a Puyallup Bicycle Accident?
Victims of bicycle accidents in Puyallup can recover both economic and non-economic damages. Taken together, these are meant to make you whole again as best as possible under state law.
Economic damages cover your financial losses, such as:
- Medical bills
- Future medical care
- Rehabilitation costs
- Lost wages
- Diminished earning capacity
- Property damage
Non-economic damages represent your:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of quality of life
- Disability
- Scarring/disfigurement
Punitive damages are almost never available in Washington State personal injury cases unless explicitly authorized by statute.
How Much Is My Puyallup Bicycle Accident Case Worth?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the value of your case will depend on a number of factors specific to your situation. Some of the things that can affect what your claim is ultimately worth include:
- The severity of your injuries and how long your recovery takes
- Whether you’ll make a full recovery or are facing permanent limitations
- The amount of income you’ve lost and may continue to lose
- The level of pain and disruption the accident has caused in your daily life
- The strength of the evidence supporting your version of events
- Whether the other side is trying to assign you a share of the blame
Having the right bike accident attorney on your side also makes a difference. A lawyer who knows how to build a compelling case and take things to court when needed is more likely to push your claim toward its full value. Sears Injury Law has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for accident victims to date because we don’t settle for less than what our clients need and deserve.
What if I’m Being Blamed for My Bicycle Accident in Washington State?
Washington follows a pure comparative negligence law. This means that you can still recover damages even if you share some of the fault for the accident, but your total compensation will be reduced by your percentage of responsibility. For example, sharing 25% of the blame would reduce your damages by 25%.
Our Puyallup bicycle accident attorneys can push back on these allegations and work to keep your share of fault as low as possible.
How Long Do I Have To File a Bicycle Accident Lawsuit in Washington?
Washington’s statute of limitations typically gives you three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you don’t file your claim on time, you could lose your right to pursue compensation from the at-fault party.
However, note that there are exceptions to this time limit in some cases, such as for those that involve taking action against a government entity. Working with a personal injury lawyer sooner rather than later is the best way to make sure you file your claim within the applicable deadline.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Experienced Puyallup Bicycle Accident Attorneys
If you were injured in a bicycle accident in Puyallup, WA, substantial compensation may be available to you through filing a personal injury claim. However, the insurance companies won’t make the process straightforward and will work hard to limit their liability.
Call Sears Injury Law for legal help and a free consultation at (253) 286-7444. Our Puyallup bicycle accident attorneys are confident that we can help you make the most of your claim and won’t hesitate to take your case to court if needed.
