Last updated on March 6, 2024
A motorcycle accident is a traumatic event that can result in devastating injuries for riders and passengers alike. After the crash, the rider will exchange insurance information with any other drivers who were involved. But what’s the passenger supposed to do?
If you were a passenger who was injured in a motorcycle accident, it’s essential to find your own lawyer to represent you. Whether the motorcycle’s owner has filed his own claim or not, you will want to have someone working to make sure your needs are met. An experienced Seattle motorcycle accident attorney at Pendergast Law can improve your chances of getting the best settlement possible to cover the cost of your medical care and other expenses. Call 888-539-9211 to set up a free consultation.
How To Seek Compensation For Your Injuries
Let’s say that you have an injury such as an S1 joint injury from a car accident, and you need a settlement. No matter how many vehicles were involved in the crash, you have the right to seek compensation if your injuries were the result of someone else’s negligence. If another driver was responsible for the accident, you can file a claim with their insurance company. Even if the other vehicle didn’t collide with the motorcycle, it may have caused the accident by forcing the motorcycle to wipe out or crash into another object.
On the other hand, if the motorcycle you were riding on was the only vehicle involved in the crash, it’s still important to file a claim with the bike owner’s insurance company. Many people are reluctant to do this when the rider is a friend, but it’s necessary to establish a claim so the owner’s insurance company can give you a fair settlement.
In Washington, all motorcycle riders are required to have liability coverage and carry proof of insurance with them when riding their bikes. The minimum amount of liability coverage required is $10,000 for property damage, $25,000 for injuries or death to another person, and $50,000 for injuries or death to more than one person involved in an accident.
Who Can Be Held Liable For Your Injuries?
As a motorcycle passenger, you have the right to recover money from anyone whose negligence contributed to your injuries. But these cases can be complex. That’s why your personal injury lawyer will investigate the accident to determine fault. Your lawyer will also calculate the true cost of your injuries, including ambulance transport, surgery, doctor’s visits, hospital time and rehabilitation.
Once fault has been determined, your attorney will make sure a claim is submitted to one or more responsible parties, which may include:
- The motorcycle operator
- The driver of the vehicle that caused the accident
- A mechanic who failed to properly maintain safety equipment such as brakes
- The manufacturer of defective parts that caused the accident
- Public or private officials responsible for maintaining a safe roadway if debris, uneven pavement, missing traffic signs, faulty signals, or other hazardous conditions caused the crash
The Insurance Agent Is Not Your Friend
Insurance companies are in business to make money and they do this by paying out as little as possible in claims. They will often try to offer an accident victim a lowball settlement that won’t even cover the cost of medical care. An insurance agent might even call you on the phone and try to get you to say things that could damage your claim. That’s why you want to have a personal injury lawyer working for you.
We’re On Your Side
The Seattle injury lawyers at Pendergast Law know how to take on the insurance companies and win. We have former insurance adjusters working for us. Call 888-539-9211 today if you or a loved one was hurt or even killed as a passenger in a motorcycle accident. We work on a contingency fee basis, so we don’t get paid unless we win your case. We’ll be fighting for you every step of the way.