Bellingham Motorcycle Accident Lawyers

In 2017, there were 372 fatalities stemming from motorcycle accidents, with 18 of these crashes occurring in Whatcom County; this accounts for more than 15% of fatal traffic accidents in Whatcom County. Most fatal motor vehicle accidents in Washington occur between the spring and summer due to more bikers being on the roads during these seasons. Because motorcyclists lack surrounding protection on their vehicles, they are more susceptible to suffering serious injuries or death when involved in an accident.

At Brett McCandlis Brown & Conner PLLC,  we have worked closely with accident victims and their families to recover fair compensation after being injured by the negligent acts of others. Contact our Bellingham motorcycle accident lawyers to position a zealous legal advocate on your side.

Bellingham motorcycle accident helper

What Type of Bellingham Motorcycle Crash Were You In?

Motorcycle crashes often turn on small but important details, like lane position, visibility, road surface, and whether another driver failed to see the rider.

Left-Turn Crash Unsafe Lane Change Car Door Accident Road Hazard Commercial Vehicle Motorcycle Defect

Left-turn motorcycle crashes often depend on visibility and right-of-way.

These crashes may happen when a driver turns across the rider’s path without seeing the motorcycle or misjudges its speed.

• Save the exact intersection, lane position, and direction of travel.
• Look for dashcam, traffic camera, business camera, or witness evidence.
• Photograph damage patterns, skid marks, traffic signals, and final vehicle positions.

Motorcycle crash evidence can disappear quickly. Photos, witness details, road conditions, and camera footage may be critical to proving fault.

Ask About My Motorcycle Crash

Protect your motorcycle claim

Have You Taken the Steps That Can Strengthen Your Bellingham Motorcycle Accident Claim?

Motorcycle injuries are often serious, and insurance companies may try to shift blame onto the rider. Use this checklist to organize the evidence early.

Claim protection progress 0/9

Review My Next Step Call 360-714-0900

Sought immediate medical care and followed treatment instructions Saved ER records, imaging, prescriptions, referrals, and follow-up notes Requested or saved the police report or collision report number Took photos of the motorcycle, vehicle damage, road surface, skid marks, and injuries Saved helmet, jacket, gloves, boots, damaged gear, and motorcycle parts Collected witness names, phone numbers, or nearby camera locations Saved towing, storage, repair estimates, rental costs, and wage-loss records Saved insurance letters, claim numbers, and adjuster contact details Avoided recorded statements before getting legal guidance

Start with medical care, the police report, crash photos, damaged gear, and witness details.

Bellingham local rider guide

Where Did Your Bellingham Motorcycle Crash Happen?

Local roads, intersections, weather, traffic, and camera locations can affect what evidence should be preserved.

I-5, Guide Meridian, or Lakeway Drive High-speed crash, merging issue, lane change, or sudden stop. Downtown, State Street, or parking lane crash Dooring, visibility, turning vehicles, and pedestrian-heavy areas. Whatcom County road or rural route Road debris, gravel, potholes, curves, speed, or limited lighting. Need local Bellingham help? The firm’s Bellingham office is at 200 W Chestnut St.

High-speed corridors need fast scene and camera evidence.

If the crash happened on I-5, Guide Meridian, Lakeway Drive, or another busy Bellingham roadway, the investigation may focus on lane position, speed, braking, merging, and whether another driver failed to see the motorcycle.

• Save the exact roadway, mile marker or intersection, lane, and direction of travel.
• Look for nearby business cameras, dashcams, bus cameras, or traffic footage.
• Keep damaged gear, repair estimates, medical records, towing receipts, and insurer letters.

Review My Bellingham Motorcycle Crash

Insurance pressure helper

Is Insurance Trying to Blame You Because You Ride?

Motorcyclists can face unfair assumptions about speed, risk-taking, lane position, or visibility. Choose what insurance is saying now.

They say I was speeding They say the driver could not see me They are questioning lane position They are minimizing my injuries

Speed accusations should be challenged with evidence.

Skid marks, crash damage, witness statements, black box data from other vehicles, traffic cameras, and the police report may help push back against unsupported blame.

Challenge the Blame

$2.2M Motorcyclist killed by a commercial vehicle

$1.75M Closed head injury in a rollover accident

$750K Recovery for a man injured in a car accident

Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.

Meet your legal team

Meet Your Bellingham Motorcycle Accident Attorneys

Motorcycle injury claims often involve serious injuries, rider-bias, insurance pressure, and evidence that must be preserved early.

Schedule a Free Consultation

David Brown

Helps injured riders and families understand fault, insurance coverage, evidence, and recovery options after serious crashes.

Paula McCandlis

Supports injury victims through claim preparation, medical documentation, insurance negotiations, and legal strategy.

Matt Conner

Works with accident victims facing injury claims, settlement questions, fault disputes, and litigation concerns.

Client reviews

See What Clients Say About Washington Injury Law

Reviews can help riders and families feel more confident before contacting the firm.

Factors that Contribute to Washington Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle crash accidents in Bellingham, and throughout Washington, may be caused by a number of contributing factors, including:

• Speeding – Speeding is a leading cause of all types of auto accidents, but is particularly dangerous to motorcyclists who lack protection.
• Impairment – Drivers who drink or do drugs while driving place other motorists at extreme risk.
• Illegal moves – Some accidents are caused by illegal driving maneuvers, either by the driver in the passenger vehicle or the motorcyclist; examples include lane sharing and failing to yield the right-of-way.
• Inexperience – Riding a motorcycle requires a different set of skills than driving a traditional motor vehicle. Motorcyclists who do not know how to turn into the direction they are traveling or avoid slick roads and other road hazards may make mistakes and be more prone to injury.
• Unsafe lane changes – Motorists may often change lanes without signaling and quickly drift in and out of the lane without incident. However, unsafe drivers who do not check their surroundings before changing lanes may sideswipe a motorcyclist.
• Car doors – Motorists who open their car doors into traffic can place unsuspecting motorcyclists at risk.
• Sudden stops – A vehicle that suddenly stops in front of a motorcyclist, or that rams into a motorcycle that stops in front of it, can cause a deadly collision.
• Left turns – Many motorcycle collision accidents are caused when a driver turns in front of a motorcyclist because the driver failed to look out for these lower-profile vehicles.
• Motorcycle defects – Defects in the motorcycle itself, or its parts, can cause an accident.
• Dangerous road conditions – Dangerous road conditions like potholes, debris on the roadway, or crumbling pavement can pose a deadly hazard to motorcyclists who can be flung from their vehicles.

Our knowledgeable Bellingham motorcycle accident lawyers will thoroughly investigate the evidence involved in your case and determine the parties responsible for your injuries.

What an Experienced Bellingham Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Can Do for You

Our experienced Bellingham motorcycle accident attorneys can take immediate steps to guide you through the personal injury process.

We recommend that you seek immediate medical attention after a motorcycle crash accident in order to protect your health and your claim. Keep all original copies of your medical records, as this information will be very important to your claim.

Our dedicated attorneys will also take prompt steps to preserve important evidence in your case so that it is not lost. This evidence may help show how the accident happened and who is at fault for it.  By compiling your medical records and thoroughly investigating your claim, we can negotiate from a position of strength with the insurance company.

We can handle communications with the insurance company so that you can focus on your recovery. If the insurance company does not offer a fair settlement that fully compensates you for the damages you have sustained, we can proceed to trial with your case. We will fight for every dollar you deserve after being harmed by a negligent driver.

Contact the Bellingham Motorcycle Accident Attorneys at Brett McCandlis Brown & Conner PLLC for Help with Your Claim

After a serious motorcycle accident impacts your life, it is critical to have a dedicated Bellingham motorcycle accident attorney on your side. Brett McCandlis Brown & Conner PLLC has helped victims in Bellingham and Whatcom County recover significant settlements and verdicts after being harmed in a motorcycle accident. We have successfully represented thousands of clients and have recovered compensation in 97% of the cases we have handled, so we can offer you a contingency fee arrangement in which our payment comes from your award.

Our highly-skilled attorneys in the Bellingham area also handles other legal services for people seriously injured in a variety of ways, including auto accidents, semi-truck accidents, medical errors, wrongful death, and others.

We can discuss your legal rights and all available options during a free case consultation. Contact our Bellingham motorcycle crash lawyers today.

Experienced Bellingham Motorcycle Accident Attorneys Ready To Serve You

Our office in Bellingham, WA

• Address: 200 W Chestnut St, Bellingham, WA 98225
• Open hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30am – 5:00pm
• Phone number: 360-714-0900
• Map Directions