Seattle Motor Vehicle Accident Law Blog

The number of motorcyclists killed in traffic accidents declined last year, according to the latest figures from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The NHTSA found 4,985 people died in motorcycle accidents in 2018, a 4.7% drop from the 2017 totals.

This decline is welcome, of course, but the new number still means nearly 5,000 people needlessly lost their lives, many of them leaving behind families. Many of these families must now cope not only with their grief, but with the economic costs that come with losing a family member, including loss of income.

Four people were injured recently when a rental truck crashed into two cars on Interstate-5 in Seattle, police said. One of the injured was reported to be in serious condition.

According to a news report, the U-Haul truck ended up on its side after the collisions, trapping at one person underneath it. Rescue workers needed special airbags to raise the truck. Police said they don't know what caused the crash, and suspect the truck was stolen.

If you have been injured in a car accident caused by another driver's negligence, you can file a personal injury claim to hold the driver liable for your damages. But what if you can't find the driver who was responsible? What if you were injured by a hit-and-run driver?

Under Washington law, it is a crime for drivers to leave the scene of an accident involving personal injury or death without waiting to speak to police. Drivers who are involved in an accident causing injury or death, or even merely damage to an occupied vehicle, must provide their name, address, insurance company, insurance policy number, vehicle license number, and show their driver's license to the occupants of the other car. They must also assist in getting the other person medical attention, if necessary and possible. Under some conditions, failure to fulfill these requirements can be prosecuted and punished as a felony.

Riding a motorcycle comes with risks. Everyone who rides a motorcycle knows that. In Washington, before they can get an endorsement on their license allowing them to legally drive a motorcycle, riders have to go through special training, pass a written test and a riding skills test. Much of the training focuses on how to be a responsible motorcyclist and avoid road hazards.

All this is for the best. We all want motorcyclists to be safe. The shortcoming of this motorcyclist safety-education-based approach is that it doesn't always do enough to keep motorcyclists safe from the biggest hazards on the road: other drivers. When other drivers fail to see motorcyclists, and violate their right of way, the results can be deadly.