Bicycle accidents can happen in seconds, but change your life for months or even years. If you've been hurt while riding your bike in Bellevue, you need to know what caused the crash and who might be responsible. Understanding your legal rights helps you get the compensation you deserve for medical bills, lost wages, and pain.
Understanding Bicycle Accident Statistics
The numbers tell a serious story. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 846 cyclists died in traffic accidents across the United States in 2019. Many more suffered injuries that required medical treatment and time away from work.
Most bicycle crashes happen on city streets rather than rural roads. Intersections create particularly dangerous situations for cyclists. Drivers making turns often don't see bikes, and traffic signals don't always give cyclists enough time to cross safely. Urban areas like Bellevue see higher accident rates because of the mix of cars, bikes, pedestrians, and parked vehicles all sharing limited space.
Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents
Distracted Driving
Drivers looking at their phones or messing with the radio don't see cyclists until it's too late. A car moving at 30 miles per hour travels 44 feet every second. If a driver glances down for just three seconds, their car covers more than 130 feet without them watching the road. Cyclists can appear in that distance, especially near intersections or driveways.
Failing to Give Cyclists Enough Room
State law requires drivers to give bikes at least three feet of space when passing. Some drivers ignore this rule or don't understand it. When cars squeeze past cyclists without leaving room, even a small bump can knock a rider into traffic or off the road. Side mirrors can also hit cyclists when drivers pass too close.
Speeding
Speed limits exist for good reasons. Drivers going too fast can't react in time when a cyclist appears. Higher speeds also mean worse injuries when crashes happen. A bike rider hit by a car going 20 miles per hour has a much better chance of survival than one hit at 40 miles per hour.
Unsafe Lane Changes
Drivers who change lanes without checking blind spots put cyclists at serious risk. Bikes are smaller than cars and easier to miss in mirrors. When a driver suddenly moves into a bike lane or crosses into a cyclist's path, the rider may have nowhere to go.
Running Red Lights and Stop Signs
Some drivers roll through stop signs or speed up to beat red lights. Cyclists who follow traffic rules and enter intersections legally can get hit by these rule-breakers. These crashes often cause severe injuries because the cyclist has no warning and no time to avoid the collision.
Dogs Running Into the Road
Loose dogs can cause serious accidents. When a dog runs at a cyclist, the rider might swerve into traffic or hit the brakes hard and go over the handlebars. Dog owners have a legal duty to keep their animals under control.
Road Hazards
Potholes, gravel, debris, and poorly maintained surfaces create dangers for cyclists. A car can roll over a pothole without much trouble, but the same hole can throw a cyclist off balance or damage the bike. Construction zones with blocked lanes or unclear markings add to the risk.
Turning Without Looking
Right and left turn collisions happen when drivers focus on other cars and forget to check for bikes. A driver turning right might cut off a cyclist going straight. A driver turning left across traffic might not see a bike coming from the opposite direction.
Poor Visibility
Bad weather, darkness, and inadequate street lighting make it harder for drivers to see cyclists. Drivers also create visibility problems when they don't clean their windows or adjust their mirrors properly. Some intersections have signs, trees, or parked cars that block the view of bike lanes.
Weaving Through Traffic
When drivers dart between lanes or make aggressive moves in heavy traffic, cyclists get caught in dangerous situations. The driver weaving through cars might not realize a bike lane runs alongside the traffic or that a cyclist is trying to maintain a steady path.
Door Collisions
Parked cars create a specific hazard called "dooring." A driver or passenger opens their door without looking, and a passing cyclist crashes into it. These accidents can throw riders into moving traffic or cause serious head and shoulder injuries.
What Types of Bicycle Crashes Happen Most Often
Getting Hit by a Car
Vehicle collisions account for the majority of serious bicycle accidents. These crashes happen when drivers don't yield to cyclists who have the right of way. The impact can throw riders several feet and cause multiple injuries.
Right and Left Cross Crashes
Cross collisions occur at intersections. A right cross happens when a car turns right in front of a cyclist going straight. A left cross happens when a car turning left crosses the cyclist's path. Both types often result from drivers not checking carefully before turning.
Riding Against Traffic
Some cyclists make the mistake of riding against the flow of traffic. This confuses drivers who don't expect to see bikes coming from that direction. It also makes it harder for everyone to judge speed and distance.
Falling Off the Bike
Riders can fall for many reasons. Wet leaves, oil spots, uneven pavement, or hitting a curb can all cause falls. While these accidents might not involve a car, they can still cause broken bones, head injuries, and road rash.
Rear End Collisions
Getting hit from behind is particularly dangerous because the cyclist doesn't see it coming. These accidents often happen when drivers follow too closely or don't notice that a bike has slowed down or stopped.
Uncontrolled Intersection Accidents
Intersections without traffic signals or stop signs require drivers and cyclists to make judgment calls about who goes first. Confusion about right of way rules can lead to crashes.
Bicycle Defects and Equipment Failure
Sometimes the bike itself causes the accident. Brake failures, worn tires, or broken chains can make it impossible to stop or steer safely. Manufacturing defects in new bikes or parts can also lead to accidents.
Determining Who Is Liable for a Bicycle Accident
Figuring out who caused an accident determines who pays for damages. In many cases, the driver of a vehicle bears responsibility. If the driver was texting, speeding, or breaking traffic laws, liability usually falls on them and their insurance company.
Sometimes local governments share blame for accidents caused by dangerous road conditions. Cities and counties must maintain safe streets. If a known pothole or missing bike lane marking contributed to your crash, the government entity responsible for that road might be liable.
Bike manufacturers can be held responsible when defective equipment causes accidents. If your brakes failed because of a design flaw or manufacturing error, you might have a product liability claim.
Other cyclists or pedestrians might share fault if their actions contributed to the collision. Washington State uses comparative fault rules, which means multiple parties can be responsible for one accident. Even if you were partly at fault, you can still recover compensation. Your award gets reduced by your percentage of fault, but partial responsibility doesn't eliminate your rights.
Gathering Evidence After Your Accident
Strong evidence makes the difference between a successful claim and a denied one. Start collecting proof as soon as possible after the crash.
- Take photos of everything. Get pictures of your injuries, damage to your bike, the accident scene, road conditions, traffic signs, and any vehicles involved. Photographs capture details that memories can forget and reports might miss.
- Get contact information from witnesses. People who saw what happened can provide statements that support your version of events. Witness accounts often carry significant weight with insurance companies and in court.
- Call the police and get a copy of the accident report. Police reports document the official record of what happened, including any traffic citations issued. These reports often contain the officer's opinion about who caused the accident.
- Keep all medical records. Doctor visits, emergency room treatment, physical therapy, and medication receipts all document your injuries and treatment. This medical evidence connects your injuries directly to the accident.
- Preserve your damaged bicycle and gear. Don't repair or throw away your bike, helmet, or clothing until after your claim is settled. These items serve as physical evidence of the crash's severity.
Write down what you remember about the accident while the details are fresh. Include the time, location, weather conditions, what you were doing, what the driver did, and how the crash happened. Your written account helps you stay consistent when telling your story later.
Insurance Coverage for Bicycle Accidents
Several types of insurance might apply to your bicycle accident claim.
- The at-fault driver's auto insurance should cover your damages. Washington requires drivers to carry liability insurance, which pays for injuries and property damage they cause. You file a claim against the driver's policy for medical bills, lost income, bike repair or replacement, and pain and suffering.
- Your own auto insurance might help even though you were on a bike. Uninsured motorist coverage protects you if the driver who hit you had no insurance. Underinsured motorist coverage kicks in when the at-fault driver's policy limits don't cover all your damages. Personal injury protection or medical payments coverage can pay your medical bills regardless of who caused the accident.
- Health insurance covers treatment costs, though your health insurer might seek reimbursement from any settlement you receive. Understanding how this reimbursement works helps you plan for what you'll actually keep from a settlement.
- Homeowner's or renter's insurance sometimes provides liability coverage that applies to bicycle accidents. If someone in your household caused the accident, their homeowner's policy might respond.
Some cyclists carry specialized bicycle insurance that covers theft, damage, and accidents. Check your policies to see what coverage you have.
Common Injuries from Bicycle Accidents
Bicycle crashes cause a wide range of injuries. Some seem minor at first but develop into serious problems later.
- Head injuries and concussions happen even when cyclists wear helmets. Brain injuries can affect memory, concentration, mood, and physical abilities. Some symptoms don't appear until days after the accident.
- Broken bones are common in bike crashes. Arms, wrists, collarbones, and legs often break when riders try to catch themselves during a fall or take direct impact from a vehicle. Some fractures heal quickly, but others require surgery and months of recovery.
- Road rash occurs when skin scrapes across pavement. Severe road rash goes deep into muscle tissue and can require skin grafts. These wounds are painful and prone to infection.
- Soft tissue injuries affect muscles, ligaments, and tendons. Sprains, strains, and tears might not show up on X-rays but can cause chronic pain and limit movement.
- Spinal cord injuries are among the most serious outcomes of bicycle accidents. Damage to the spine can cause partial or complete paralysis, changing every aspect of a victim's life.
- Internal injuries happen when the force of impact damages organs inside the body. Broken ribs can puncture lungs. Abdominal impacts can injure the liver, spleen, or kidneys. These injuries might not be obvious right away but can be life-threatening.
- Dental and facial injuries occur when riders hit their face on the ground or a vehicle. Broken teeth, jaw fractures, and facial lacerations often require multiple surgeries and ongoing dental work.
Your Legal Rights After a Bicycle Accident in Bellevue
Washington State law gives injured cyclists the right to recover compensation from those who caused their injuries. This compensation covers economic damages like medical bills and lost wages. It also includes non-economic damages like pain, suffering, and reduced quality of life.
You have the right to hire an attorney to represent your interests. Insurance companies employ teams of adjusters and lawyers working to minimize payouts. Having your own attorney levels the playing field.
The law sets time limits for filing claims. In Washington, you generally have three years from the accident date to file a personal injury lawsuit. Claims against government entities have much shorter deadlines, sometimes as little as 60 days to file a notice of claim. Missing these deadlines can eliminate your right to compensation.
You have the right to refuse quick settlement offers from insurance companies. Early offers often come before you know the full extent of your injuries. Once you accept a settlement and sign a release, you typically cannot ask for more money later, even if your injuries turn out to be worse than expected.
Washington's comparative fault rule protects your right to compensation even if you share some blame for the accident. If you were 20 percent at fault and your total damages equal $100,000, you can still recover $80,000.
Safety Tips to Prevent Bicycle Accidents
While you can't control everything that happens on the road, following safety practices reduces your risk of being in an accident.
- Always wear a properly fitted helmet. Helmets reduce the risk of head injury by up to 70 percent. Replace your helmet after any crash, even if it looks undamaged.
- Make yourself visible. Wear bright colors during the day and reflective gear at night. Use front and rear lights when riding in low-light conditions. Flashing lights attract more attention than steady ones.
- Follow all traffic laws. Stop at stop signs and red lights. Signal your turns. Ride in the same direction as traffic. Use bike lanes when available.
- Stay alert and avoid distractions. Don't wear headphones that block out traffic sounds. Keep your phone in your pocket. Watch for cars pulling out of driveways or parking spaces.
- Maintain your bicycle. Check your brakes, tires, and chain regularly. Fix problems before they cause accidents. Make sure your bike fits you properly and that you can reach the brakes and handlebars comfortably.
- Be predictable. Ride in a straight line. Don't swerve between parked cars. Make eye contact with drivers when possible so you know they see you.
- Watch for road hazards. Look ahead for potholes, gravel, wet leaves, and other dangers. Slow down on unfamiliar roads.
- Take extra care at intersections. Most accidents happen at intersections, so approach them with caution. Never assume drivers see you or will yield the right of way.
Get Help with Your Bicycle Accident Claim
Dealing with injuries is hard enough without also fighting with insurance companies. If you've been hurt in a bicycle accident in Bellevue, you don't have to handle everything alone. McNeese & Trotsky, PLLC, helps injured cyclists recover the compensation they need to pay medical bills, replace lost income, and move forward with their lives.
You need someone on your side who knows how to investigate accidents, deal with insurance companies, and prove the full value of your claim. The sooner you get legal help, the better protected your rights will be. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget details, and insurance companies look for any reason to reduce what they pay.
Don't accept a quick settlement before you know the full cost of your injuries. Call McNeese & Trotsky, PLLC, at (206) 332-1918 to discuss your case. The consultation is free, and you won't pay any attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you.
