How Much Money Can I Get for a Left Turn Motorcycle Accident in Kent?
Posted Friday, December 30, 2022 by Chris Thayer
According to the landmark Hurt Report, left-turn collisions make up about two-thirds of all multi-vehicle collisions that involve motorcycles. In the wake of such wrecks, many tortfeasors (negligent drivers) say things like “He came out of nowhere” or “I never saw her.” These tortfeasors hope to shift the blame for these crashes to motorcycle riders. Instead, they are basically admitting that they didn’t maintain a proper lookout and were therefore negligent.
When driver negligence causes wrecks, a Kent personal injury attorney can obtain substantial compensation in court. These victims and survivors need and deserve this money so they can pay accident-related bills and move on with their lives. More importantly, legal actions force negligent drivers to take responsibility for their mistakes. We all make mistakes, and we should all face the music after we make mistakes. If tortfeasors shift the blame to victims, nothing changes, and nothing gets better.
*What Causes Left Turn Crashes?*Most left-turn wrecks happen as a tortfeasor waits to make an unprotected left turn against traffic, usually at a traffic light or while pulling out of a parking lot. Frequently, tortfeasors do not see small motorcycles in a sea of large vehicles, like pickup trucks and SUVs. When tortfeasors think they see traffic gaps, they quickly accelerate and turn, thus striking an oncoming raider at almost top speed.
Tortfeasors are not lying when they say they did not see approaching riders. The simple fact is that the tortfeasor was not looking. Specific reasons for not looking include:
- Driver Impairment: Substances, like alcohol, impair judgment. So, these tortfeasors often misjudge the distances between themselves and approaching motorcycles. Excessive fatigue has the same effect on people. Flus and other mild or moderate illnesses also reduce driving ability and, specifically, the ability to survey the road.
- Aggressive Driving: Many tortfeasors approach left turns with an “I can make it” attitude. This attitude surfaces when drivers foolishly try to out-race trains at railroad crossings. In those instances, this attitude often gets them killed. In left-turn motorcycle crashes, this attitude often kills someone else.
Some form of driver error causes over 98% of vehicle collisions in Washington. This error is usually negligence, or a lack of care.
Legal *Options*Drivers who fail to yield the right of way to other motorists, motorcycle riders, pedestrians, or anyone else on the road violate Washington traffic laws. This violation could mean the tortfeasor is liable for damages as a matter of law. The statute establishes the standard of care. An unexcused violation of this law means the driver clearly fell short of this standard, no ifs, ands, or buts.
However, for one reason or another, emergency responders often don’t cite drivers in these crashes, even after a fatal accident.
Therefore, most Kent personal injury lawyers use the ordinary negligence doctrine to obtain compensation and justice.
Most drivers have a duty of reasonable care. They must avoid accidents if at all possible. Impaired or aggressive driving clearly violates this standard of care. If that violation caused injury, the tortfeasor is liable for damages.
Especially in ordinary negligence cases, some defenses, such as comparative fault, could apply. Basically, comparative fault legally shifts blame for accidents the way tortfeasors try to shift blame with “I never saw you” comments.
Comparative fault is not a complete defense, at least in most cases. Instead, even if the victim was 99% responsible for the wreck, the tortfeasor must still pay a proportionate share of damages.
*Count on a Diligent King County Attorney* Injury victims are entitled to substantial compensation. For a free consultation with an experienced personal injury attorney in Kent, contact Pivotal Law Group, PLLC. Attorneys can connect victims with doctors, even if they have no insurance or money.