Experienced Mt. Vernon Motorcycle Accident Attorneys Ready To Serve You
Our office in Mount Vernon, WA
- Address: 720 S Main St #213, Mt Vernon, WA 98273
- Open hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30am – 5:00pm
- Phone number: 360-395-2135
- Map Directions
Many people enjoy the freedom of motorcycle riding in Mt. Vernon and Skagit County, where you can enjoy scenery ranging from snow-capped mountains to the tulip fields of the Skagit Valley. Motorcycles are dangerous vehicles, however, with frequent accidents on major thoroughfares such as Interstate 5, SR 9, and SR 20, as well as on lonely country roads. Unfortunately, injuries from motorcycle accidents tend to be serious. If a motorcycle accident happens to you or your loved ones, our trusted Mt. Vernon motorcycle accident lawyers will fight for you.
What We Have to Offer
Brett McCandlis Brown & Conner
has handled over 2,500 personal injury cases since its founding in 1972. The following is a brief rundown of some of the typical services we provide:
- We help arrange for the best medical care that is available. We have done this many times before for a multitude of personal injury clients.
- We calculate future damages, so that our clients know exactly how much to demand. This calculation can be tricky if your injuries left you with a long-term or permanent disability.
- We collect evidence and make sure that it is admissible in court under the rules of evidence.
- We negotiate with insurance adjusters and defendants for the highest possible settlement. Ultimately, however, as our client, only you are authorized to approve any settlement offer.
- We file complaints with the appropriate courts to initiate lawsuits against stubborn defendants. This doesn’t necessarily mean that there will be a trial. It does, however, allow us to demand evidence from the other side that might otherwise be unavailable. If the other side refuses to provide it, we can seek a court order compelling them to provide it to us.
- We fight at trial, if necessary. In most cases, this is not necessary because a settlement is usually reached before trial. Some defendants, however, are too stubborn to offer a fair settlement.
Practice Areas
The following is an incomplete list of some of the types of cases we frequently handle:
- Wrongful Death
- Car Accidents
- DUI Accidents
- Truck Accidents
- Bicycle Accidents
- Pedestrian Accidents
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
- Medical Negligence
- Sexual Abuse
- Products Liability
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are the most common injuries suffered by motorcycle accident victims?
Although any part of the body can be affected by a motorcycle accident. Some types of motorcycle accident injuries are more common than others. Here is a list of some of the most common injuries:
- Broken bones,
- Concussions,
- Internal organ damage,
- Neck and soft tissue injury (whiplash, for example),
- “Road rash” (skin abrasions),
- Spinal cord injury,
- Tissue damage, and
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Unfortunately, fatalities involving motorcycles are on the rise. According to the National Safety Council, motorcycle accident statistics indicate fatalities involving motorcycle riders or their passengers increased by 11% from 2019 to 2020. In the last ten years, deaths have increased by 20%.
What kinds of damages might I be eligible for?
As a general principle, you are entitled to compensation for all of your losses, both tangible and intangible, including:
- Medical expenses, including anticipated future medical expenses
- Lost earnings from work, including future lost earnings
- Out-of-pocket expenses related to the accident, such as childcare while you are hospitalized; and
- Intangible psychological damages such as pain and suffering and PTSD.
A serious motorcycle accident can result in permanent damage and the need for lifelong medical treatment. Determining how much future medical treatment will cost and your loss of earning capacity is complex. Your attorney might need to contact an expert who can help determine an appropriate amount of compensation. Otherwise, you might not be demanding enough compensation from the at-fault parties.
Wrongful death damages may be available to surviving loved ones if the injury turns out to be fatal.
It’s essential to contact our Mt. Vernon motorcycle accident lawyers if a family member died from motorcycle-accident-related injuries. Pursuing a wrongful death claim is complicated. You need a legal advocate on your side who understands how to build a strong case.
What are the most common causes of motorcycle accidents?
Numerous actions can lead to a motorcycle accident. Some of the most common causes we see include:
- Distracted driving, such as when a driver is texting or looking at their GPS device;
- Backing out of a parking spot or driveway without looking;
- Opening a car door on a motorcycle;
- Driving while fatigued;
- Drinking and driving;
- Making a turn in front of a motorcycle;
- Speeding;
- Running a stop sign or red light;
- Changing lanes without looking; and
- Following too closely.
These actions can be classified into several types of motorcycle accidents, including:
- Rear-end collisions,
- Lane-splitting and lane-sharing accidents,
- Intersection accidents, and
- Left-turn collisions.
As the above lists show, motorcyclists face many different types of threats when they are out for a ride. These are just a few examples of common causes of motorcycle accidents. A motorcycle accident attorney can help you determine if you should pursue a claim for injuries you suffered in an accident.
I was riding without a motorcycle license at the time of the accident. Am I barred from damages?
No. Although you could potentially be prosecuted for driving without a license, your lack of a license is not relevant to whose fault the accident was. If the accident was not your fault, you should be entitled to damages with or without a license.
Are motorcycle riders required to wear helmets?
Yes, Washington has a helmet law. The law says motorcycle riders and their passengers must wear helmets at all times. The helmet must comply with federal standards and conform to Washington helmet guidelines. Not following the helmet law could affect a victim’s compensation. The defendant’s insurance company will argue this is proof of negligence. That means someone who sustained a traumatic brain injury in a motorcycle accident could receive less money for their injuries for contributing to their own injury.
Should I sue or settle?
Settlement is the preferred means of dispute resolution for just about anyone, because it is usually much easier and quicker than courtroom litigation. Your best bet will probably be to open settlement negotiations, file a lawsuit if the defendant turns out to be stubborn, and then resume negotiating and try to reach a settlement before the trial date arrives. Over 90 percent of all claims are settled before trial.
How long do I have to file a lawsuit?
Like other types of personal injury accidents, you have only a certain amount of time to file a lawsuit. Failure to file within the deadline means the judge could dismiss your case entirely. Under Washington law, you typically have three years from the accident date to file a lawsuit for a motorcycle accident.
Courts are not forgiving when you miss a deadline, especially a deadline as important as the statute of limitations. It doesn’t matter if you’re in the middle of negotiations when the statute of limitations deadline passes. You must show the insurance company proof that you filed in time before the adjuster will continue settlement negotiations.
Surviving family members have three years from the date of death to bring a lawsuit for wrongful death. However, there are some exceptions, so do not assume the statute of limitations is always three years. Family members who miss the filing deadline could also be barred from recovery. That is one reason why speaking with an attorney early on is crucial.
Decisive Action Can Make It Happen
The longer you wait to seek professional assistance enforcing your rights, the weaker your claim will become. Evidence deteriorates, witnesses move out of town and, the statute of limitations deadline starts to become important. From the moment we take your case, we will begin creating a strategy that is tailor-made to the specific facts of your individual case.
If you have suffered a serious injury in a motorcycle accident that you believe may have been someone else’s fault, contact our skilled Mt. Vernon motorcycle accident attorney at Brett McCandlis Brown & Conner immediately. Please call or complete our online intake form, so that we can contact you to schedule a free consultation and evaluate your options. We deal with clients from Highland Greens, Pine Creek Estates, Woodside, and elsewhere in Mt. Vernon.
