Yakima Bicycle Accident Attorneys

We Represent Injured Bicyclists

Were you riding your bicycle through Yakima when a negligent driver hit you? Or did a pedestrian swing a door directly into your path? In either situation, you might be able to use legal action to demand compensation from the party that hurt you.

For all the guidance you need while pursuing an injury claim, come to Carpenter & Zuckerman and speak with our Yakima bicycle accident lawyers. We are here to provide counsel and representation from start to finish, including investigating your accident, filing a claim, and even standing up for our rights in court if needed. With an office located on Yakima Avenue, we make it simple to schedule a free consultation with our team whenever you would like to know more about your legal options after a bicycle accident.

Talk to a Yakima bicycle accident lawyer. Call (509) 978-6287 now.

Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents

After being in a bicycle accident, you shouldn’t be surprised if the party that hurt you tries to avoid liability. People do not like being blamed for hurting someone, even by accident, and they like even less being held financially liable for that harm. Part of our role when handling your case will be to look for convincing evidence that proves the cause of your bicycle accident was someone else’s mistake, not yours.

With an investigation, we may be able to prove that your bicycle accident was caused by:

• Distracted driving
• Unsafe passing (not leaving at least 3 feet between the vehicle and a cyclist)
• Dooring (opening a car door or building door in front of an approaching cyclist)
• Drunk driving
• Ignoring traffic signals
• Failure to yield or share the road

Our law firm has the experience needed to also handle bicycle accident claims caused by unsafe road conditions. For example, if you hit a pothole while cycling and crash, suffering a serious injury, you might be able to file a claim against the municipal agency in charge of road maintenance.

Washington Bicycle Laws You Should Know

Washington uses a comparative fault rule when evaluating liability in a bicycle accident claim. Under this rule, the more liable you are for your own injuries and losses, the less compensation you can demand from the other involved parties. As such, it is important to keep your liability as low as possible, which often involves demonstrating that you know Washington State’s important bicycle laws and were obeying them at the time of the accident.

Washington bicycle laws that might impact your case include:

• Helmet use: Cyclists under the age of 16 must wear a helmet while riding a bicycle.
• Sharing the road: Cyclists may use the road like larger vehicles but must ride in the same direction of traffic. Whenever possible, cyclists are instructed to use the right-most lane.
• Signals: Cyclists must use hand signals to indicate when they intend to turn, stop, or change lanes.
• Traffic signals: Cyclists are required to obey traffic signals and stop signs like any other vehicle on the road.

Compensation in a Bicycle Accident Claim

Monetary compensation cannot undo the harm you have suffered in a bicycle accident, but it can help you find financial stability in your life again. If you have been seriously injured in a bicycle accident that someone else caused, it is always worth exploring your legal options to see what types of compensation might be owed to you. Remember: very few – if any – liable parties willingly provide compensation to injured bicyclists, so you should plan on pursuing it through an injury claim with our help.

We can help you seek compensation that helps pay for:

• Past and future medical treatment costs
• Past and future lost wages and income
• Costs related to a permanent disability
• Lessened enjoyment of life
• Pain and suffering
• Property damage (bicycle replacement)

Talk with an Attorney from Our Firm Today

Every client who comes to Carpenter & Zuckerman is first seen as a local friend in need. Our Yakima bicycle accident attorneys are genuinely invested in your well-being and recovery, and we’re ready to fight in court to prove it.

Dial (509) 978-6287 to schedule a no-cost case evaluation with our firm.