The Seattle Times reported on June 8, 2019 that the Washington State Patrol (@wastatepatrol) tweeted that day about “#Alarming” three motorcycle collisions in just a few days in King County, where two riders were killed and one critically injured. The Patrol noted that due to weather, riders in Western Washington are not year round users of their machines, and when the weather gets nice, bikes head out. Drivers may be a bit rusty with their bike skills, and car drivers are not used to seeing bikes on the road, so collisions occur with more frequency. The Times cites a 2016 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration study that noted motorcycle riders are 28 times more likely to be killed in a collision than drivers of cars. The full Times article is here:
The Washington State Patrol has a great YouTube video with tips for drivers and riders to stay safe this summer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_SUgnyylaA
Bike riders – please remember to check your insurance before you head out. You have to buy specific liability, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, and personal injury protection insurance for your bike. Make sure you have full coverage and don’t get just minimal limits! Don’t wait until a collision happens to find out you don’t have enough insurance.
Contact one of our attorneys in you have questions, or need legal advice regarding any motorcycle collision.