Bellingham Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Bicycling should be a safe way to commute and enjoy the outdoors. However, when accidents occur, the consequences can be life-altering. At Narwal Injury Law, our compassionate personal injury attorneys are dedicated to protecting the rights of cyclists injured by driver negligence, unsafe road conditions, or municipal failures to maintain a safe biking infrastructure. Call a Bellingham bicycle accident lawyer today when you or your loved one has been hurt in a wreck.

The Rights of Bicyclists

Bicyclists generally have the same rights to use the roadway as motor vehicle drivers, per RCW 46.61.755. This means they are entitled to safely use public roads, protected bike lanes, and designated shared paths.

Additionally, bicyclists can usually ride on sidewalks, meaning government entities are legally required to maintain both streets and sidewalks for bike use. WAC 308-330-555.

Government Responsibilities

Poor roadway design can contribute to accidents, making it difficult for both cyclists and drivers to navigate safely. The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) and city and county transportation departments can be held liable if their failure to properly design, construct, maintain, or repair streets and sidewalks results in injuries to bicyclists.

In Bellingham, these government entities have a legal duty to maintain both streets and sidewalks for bicycle use. If they neglect these responsibilities, they may be held accountable for resulting injuries (See Washington Pattern Jury Instructions 140.01). WSDOT, cities, and counties are responsible for designing and maintaining infrastructure that supports safe bicycle travel, including the following:

• Repairing known hazards such as potholes, damaged asphalt, uneven pavement, standing water, debris, and cracked or buckled sidewalk panels.
• Addressing poor design issues such as confusing bike lanes, limited sightlines, improper traffic signals or signage, and inherently dangerous intersections.

Washington courts have consistently held that bicycling is considered a mode of “ordinary travel,” meaning roads must be safe for both vehicles and bicycles, and sidewalks must be safe for both pedestrians and cyclists. While a road defect may not affect a car or truck, it can cause a serious accident for a bicyclist.

In such cases, the responsible city, county, or WSDOT entity could be held liable. See O’Neill v. City of Port Orchard, 194 Wn.App. 759, 772, 375 P.3d 709 (2016) and Camicia v. Howard S. Wright Const. Co., 179 Wn.2d 684, 317 P.3d 987 (2014)).

Government agencies can and should be held accountable when they fail to meet their obligations. Our Bellingham bicycle accident attorneys can help you seek justice.

Bicycle Accidents Caused by Negligent Drivers

Bicycle accidents involving motor vehicles are often caused by driver negligence, distraction, or a general lack of attention to bicyclists. One of the most common causes is a driver failing to yield the right of way at intersections, making abrupt turns without checking for approaching cyclists.

Left-turn accidents frequently occur when a driver misjudges a cyclist’s speed, cutting them off and causing a collision. Right-hook accidents happen when a vehicle passes a cyclist and turns right directly in front of them, leaving the cyclist with no time or space to react. Additionally, distracted driving, such as texting, can lead to drivers drifting into bike lanes or failing to notice cyclists in their path until it is too late.

Another significant danger arises when drivers fail to provide adequate space while passing a cyclist, increasing the risk of sideswipe accidents that can force the cyclist off the road or into traffic. Parked vehicles also pose a threat, as “dooring” accidents occur when a driver or passenger opens a car door without checking for an approaching cyclist, leading to a crash.

These types of errors and negligence by drivers make bicycling significantly more dangerous, often resulting in severe or even fatal injuries. Additionally, when municipalities fail to maintain safe roads and bike lanes, injured cyclists may have grounds to file a claim against the responsible government entity. Call a bicycle collision lawyer in Bellingham today for help with your case.

Learn How A Bellingham Bicycle Accident Attorney Can Help You

Bicycle accident claims can be overwhelming, involving both driver liability and potential claims against municipalities for unsafe road conditions. We are here to handle every aspect of your case so that you can focus on healing.

Call us or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation. Let our Bellingham bicycle accident lawyers take on the legal burden while you focus on your recovery.