What should you know about motorcycle accidents in Washington?
Routes like the North Cascades Highway (SR-20), Chuckanut Drive and roads around Mount Rainier draw riders, while Seattle-area riders face heavy traffic and lane changes on I-5 and I-405. Washington allows a limited form of lane filtering in some conditions, which may affect fault arguments.
Washington tip: Keep your helmet and gear unrepaired — they can show the force and direction of impact.
Who may be responsible for a motorcycle accident in Washington?
The driver who caused the crash is usually responsible, but road agencies and manufacturers can also be liable. In Washington, that can include another driver, a government agency, a manufacturer — depending on who caused the crash.
Under Washington's pure comparative fault rule, a share of blame for the motorcycle accident lowers what you can recover but never bars the claim outright. Read Washington car accident laws for the full rule.
How long do you have to file a motorcycle accident claim in Washington?
Generally three years for a lawsuit, counted from the date of the motorcycle accident. Claims involving Washington cities, counties or transit agencies can require written notice much sooner.