1. Stritmatter Law
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car and motorcycle collisions, left-turn accidents involving motorcycles, intersection motorcycle accidents, highway motorcycle accidents, wrongful death from motorcycle accidents, catastrophic injuries from motorcycle collisions, traumatic brain injuries from motorcycle crashes, spinal cord injuries from motorcycle accidents, road rash injuries, dangerous road conditions affecting motorcyclists
Case Types Handled: Left-turn accidents, lane change accidents, rear-end collisions with motorcycles, head-on motorcycle collisions, multi-vehicle motorcycle accidents, road hazard accidents, pothole accidents, gravel on road accidents, pavement edge drop-off accidents, defective highway design cases, wrongful death motorcycle accidents, motorcycle passenger injury claims
Legal Services: Negligence investigation, motorcycle accident reconstruction, witness interviews, police report analysis, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical lien resolution, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims, government liability claims
Background: Paul Stritmatter has practiced since 1969 and served as President of the Washington State Bar Association (1993-1994). WSBA Bar No. 4532. Willamette University College of Law graduate. Former clerk to Washington State Supreme Court Justices Matthew Hill and Charles Stafford. Recipient of WSBA Award of Merit (1995), WSAJ Trial Lawyer of the Year (1987), and Lifetime Achievement Award (2009). Karen Koehler is a partner who graduated from Seattle University School of Law in 1985 and served as President of Washington State Association for Justice. The firm secured a $44.7 million verdict in a motorcycle versus car crash in 2022, representing the largest motorcycle crash verdict in Washington State history.
Location: 3600 15th Ave W, Suite 300, Seattle, WA 98119
Contact: (206) 448-1777 | [email protected] | https://www.stritmatter.com
Consultation: Free initial consultation available. Contingency fee arrangement.
2. Swanson Gardner Meyers Cohon PLLC (SGMC Law)
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, commercial truck versus motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, personal injury, wrongful death, medical malpractice, traumatic brain injury, catastrophic injury cases involving motorcyclists
Case Types Handled: Cars making left turns in front of oncoming motorcyclists, drivers changing lanes without checking blind spots, motorists following motorcyclists too closely, reckless driving accidents, distracted driving motorcycle accidents, drunk or drugged driving motorcycle collisions, multi-party liability cases
Legal Services: Accident investigation, evidence gathering, witness interviews, accident reconstruction consultation, insurance company negotiation, trial representation, settlement negotiation, medical expense documentation, lost wage calculation, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims, employer liability claims, government entity claims
Background: The firm works with accident reconstructionists, medical professionals, and economic experts. They have recovered millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for motorcycle accident victims. The firm handles cases throughout Washington State and maintains resources to invest in complex motorcycle accident litigation.
Location: 4512 Talbot Road South, Renton, WA 98055
Contact: (425) 226-7920 | https://sgmc-law.com
Consultation: Free, no-obligation consultations. Contingency fee basis with no upfront fees.
3. Brumley Law Firm
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, wrongful death, uninsured and underinsured motorist accidents, catastrophic injuries, personal injury throughout Western Washington
Case Types Handled: Driver inattention motorcycle accidents, speeding accidents, alcohol and drug impairment accidents, weather-related motorcycle crashes, intersection accidents, highway motorcycle collisions, uninsured motorist claims, underinsured motorist claims
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, personal injury litigation, evidence gathering, police report analysis, medical record compilation, witness interviews, trial representation, settlement negotiation, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering documentation
Background: Joshua R. Brumley is the founder and lead attorney. WSBA Bar No. 49851, admitted October 2015. University of Washington graduate with MBA from Jacksonville University and JD from Florida Coastal School of Law. Recognized as Super Lawyers Rising Star for multiple consecutive years (2020-2023). Received Avvo Clients Choice Award. Former president of the Young Lawyers Division of Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association. Serves on the board of directors for the Pierce County Center for Dispute Resolution. Member of Puyallup Tribal Bar, Tulalip Tribal Bar, South King County Bar Association, and Federal Bar Association. Previously worked for insurance companies, providing insight into insurer tactics.
Location: 701 5th Ave, Suite 4200, Seattle, WA 98104 (Columbia Tower office)
Contact: (833) 832-2727 | [email protected] | https://www.brumleylawfirm.com
Consultation: Free consultations available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Contingency fee basis.
4. Fang Law Firm
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, personal injury, insurance claims, uninsured motorist accidents throughout King County and Washington State
Case Types Handled: Left-turn motorcycle accidents, lane change accidents, rear-end motorcycle collisions, failure to yield accidents, distracted driving motorcycle crashes, uninsured motorist claims, underinsured motorist claims
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, civil lawsuit filing, trial preparation and representation, settlement negotiation, uninsured motorist insurance claims, medical bill documentation, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims
Background: The firm has over ten years of experience in accident litigation. Attorneys handle motorcycle collision cases throughout King County, Washington. The firm emphasizes knowledge of Washington motorcycle laws and insurance company tactics.
Location: Seattle, WA (King County)
Contact: (206) 489-5140 | https://www.fanglawfirm.com
Consultation: Free case consultation available. Contingency fee arrangement.
5. Malcolm Law Firm PLLC
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, personal injury, motor vehicle collisions throughout Seattle and King County
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle versus car collisions, left-turn accidents, lane change accidents, rear-end collisions with motorcycles, intersection accidents, distracted driving motorcycle crashes
Legal Services: Negligence investigation, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiation, comparative negligence arguments, evidence gathering, medical expense documentation
Background: Sean Malcolm is the lead attorney. The firm handles motorcycle accident cases throughout the Seattle area with experience in Washington motorcycle laws and vehicular code requirements specific to motorcyclists.
Location: Seattle, WA
Contact: (206) 659-9514 | https://www.malcolmlawfirm.com
Consultation: Free consultation available.
Motorcycle Accident Laws and Regulations in Washington
Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims: Washington provides three years from the date of the motorcycle accident to file a personal injury lawsuit under RCW 4.16.080.
Statute of Limitations for Property Damage Claims: Three years from the date of the accident.
Fault System: Washington is an at-fault state for insurance claims. The party found negligent in causing the motorcycle accident is responsible for covering damages to the injured victim.
Comparative Negligence Rules: Washington follows a pure comparative negligence rule. Even if the motorcyclist is partially at fault for the crash, they may still recover compensation. The total compensation is reduced by the percentage of fault attributed to the motorcyclist. For example, if found 30% responsible and damages total $100,000, recovery would be $70,000.
Minimum Motorcycle Insurance Requirements: Washington requires minimum liability insurance of $25,000 for injuries or death to one person in one accident, $50,000 for injuries or death to two or more people in one accident, and $10,000 for property damage per accident. Alternatively, a $60,000 liability bond filed by an authorized surety bond company satisfies insurance requirements.
Mandatory Helmet Laws: Washington has a universal helmet law. All motorcycle riders and passengers must wear a DOT-approved helmet at all times under RCW 46.37.530. The helmet must have a neck or chin strap securely fastened while the motorcycle is in motion.
Eye Protection Requirements: All motorcycle riders must wear eye protection such as goggles or a face shield, unless the motorcycle is equipped with a windshield or windscreen that provides adequate eye protection.
Lane Splitting and Lane Filtering Laws: Lane splitting (riding between lanes of traffic) is illegal in Washington State. Motorcycles are entitled to full use of a lane. Two motorcycles may ride side by side in a single lane, but motorcyclists should avoid sharing lanes with other vehicle types.
Motorcycle Licensing Requirements: Washington requires a motorcycle endorsement on the driver’s license or a separate motorcycle license. Riders must complete a permit or endorsement class before operating on public roads.
Motorcycle Equipment Requirements: Motorcycles must have rearview mirrors on both sides offering a 200-foot rear view. Functional headlights, taillights, brake lights, and turn signals are required. Motorcycles designed to carry passengers must have footrests for passengers. Handlebar height cannot exceed the rider’s shoulder height when seated.
Passenger Requirements: Passengers on motorcycles must be at least 5 years old and able to reach foot pegs or floorboards. Children under age 5 cannot be transported on motorcycles.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage: Washington ranks fifth nationally for uninsured drivers at approximately 21.7%. Optional uninsured motorist insurance (UMI) is available to preserve recovery options if hit by an uninsured driver.
Damage Caps: Washington does not impose caps on economic or non-economic damages in personal injury cases.
Helmet Use as Evidence of Comparative Negligence: Not wearing a helmet does not automatically bar recovery. However, defense attorneys may argue injuries would have been less severe with helmet use.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the deadline for filing a motorcycle accident lawsuit in Washington State?
Washington law provides three years from the date of the motorcycle accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. This statute of limitations applies to claims for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. Evidence can disappear and witnesses become harder to reach over time, so consulting with an attorney promptly after an accident is advisable. Missing this deadline typically results in losing the right to pursue compensation through the court system.
How does Washington’s comparative negligence rule affect my motorcycle accident claim?
Washington follows pure comparative negligence, meaning you can recover compensation even if you share some fault for the accident. Your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. If you are found 25% responsible and your damages total $100,000, you would receive $75,000. Unlike some states that bar recovery if you are more than 50% at fault, Washington allows recovery regardless of your percentage of responsibility, though higher fault percentages significantly reduce compensation.
Is lane splitting legal in Washington, and what happens if I am involved in an accident while lane splitting?
Lane splitting is illegal in Washington State. If you are involved in an accident while riding between lanes of traffic, this violation could be used to establish comparative negligence on your part. Insurance companies and opposing attorneys may argue your illegal maneuver contributed to the accident, potentially reducing your compensation. However, the other driver’s negligence remains relevant, and you may still recover damages reduced by your assigned fault percentage.
What happens to my injury claim if I was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash?
Washington requires all motorcyclists to wear DOT-approved helmets. If you were not wearing a helmet when injured, defense attorneys may argue you failed to mitigate damages and that head injuries could have been prevented or reduced. This argument could increase your assigned fault percentage under comparative negligence. However, courts have ruled that not wearing a helmet does not mean a rider accepts all accident risks. An experienced attorney can counter these arguments and pursue compensation despite non-compliance with helmet laws.
What types of damages can I recover in a Washington motorcycle accident case?
Motorcycle accident victims in Washington can seek economic damages including past and future medical expenses, lost wages, loss of future earning potential, and property damage to the motorcycle. Non-economic damages include pain and suffering, emotional distress, mental anguish, disfigurement, disability, and loss of enjoyment of life. In wrongful death cases, surviving family members may recover compensation for funeral expenses, loss of financial support, and loss of consortium. Washington does not cap these damages in personal injury cases.