Riders don’t get the benefit of the doubt. After a crash, the other driver says they never saw you. The insurer says you were going too fast. Rich Martin is a Seattle motorcycle accident lawyer who has handled more than 2,000 injury cases in 28 years. We look at the evidence, not the stereotypes.
Seattle: local facts
- County
- King County
- Court
- King County Superior Court, King County Courthouse, 516 Third Avenue, Seattle (crashes in the Seattle case area)
- Major roads
- I-5, I-90, SR 520, SR 99 (Aurora Avenue North), Mercer Street
- Hospitals
- Harborview Medical Center (Level I trauma center for adults and children)
- Population
- 823,400 (Washington OFM estimate, April 1, 2026)
- Our office
- Our Bellevue office is about 11 miles away (about 17 minutes without traffic).
Hurt in a motorcycle crash in Seattle?
Motorcycle crashes cause serious injuries, even at city speeds. You may be facing surgery, weeks off work, and a bike that’s totaled.
We take the calls from the insurance company. We gather the proof. We figure out what your case is worth. Then we fight for it while you heal.
Washington motorcycle deaths by the numbers
Motorcyclists killed on Washington roads
Deaths are going down. But riders have far less protection than people in cars. Many more are badly hurt and survive.
Why riders get blamed, and how we push back
Some adjusters assume every rider was speeding or weaving. That’s not evidence. Here’s what we use instead.
| What the insurer says | What we look at |
|---|---|
| “You came out of nowhere.” | Sight lines, lighting, and where the driver was looking |
| “You were speeding.” | Skid marks, damage, crash data, and video |
| “You were splitting lanes.” | Witnesses, video, and where the bike ended up |
| “You weren’t wearing the right gear.” | Whether it actually changed your injuries |
Washington motorcycle laws that can affect your case
- Helmets are required. Riders and passengers must wear a motorcycle helmet with the strap fastened (RCW 46.37.530).
- Lane splitting is not legal. Riding between lanes or rows of cars is against the law in Washington (RCW 46.61.608).
- You need a motorcycle endorsement on your license to ride (RCW 46.20.500).
- Shared fault doesn’t end your case. Even if you broke a rule, you can still recover. Your payment goes down by your share (RCW 4.22.005).
Didn’t have your endorsement, or weren’t wearing a helmet? Call us anyway. Those facts don’t automatically end a case.
Insurance after a motorcycle crash
Here’s something many riders don’t know. Washington requires insurers to offer PIP on car policies, but not on motorcycle policies (RCW 48.22.085). The law’s definition of a car leaves out motorcycles (RCW 46.04.382).
| Coverage | Who has it | What it does for you |
|---|---|---|
| The driver’s liability insurance | The driver who hit you | Pays for your injuries when the case settles |
| Your UIM coverage | You, if you bought it | Pays when the driver has no insurance or not enough |
| Medical payments coverage | You, if your policy has it | Helps pay medical bills early |
| Your health insurance | You | Pays for care now. It may ask to be paid back later |
Where Seattle motorcycle crashes happen
- I-5 and I-90, where sudden stops and merges catch riders.
- SR 99 and SR 520, busy routes in and out of the city.
- Busy intersections, where drivers turn left without seeing a bike.
- Wet roads, painted lines, and metal plates that get slick in the rain.
A rough road or a missing sign can also cause a crash. If a city road was the problem, a claim against the city has its own rules and deadlines (RCW 4.96.020).
Common motorcycle crash injuries
- Head and brain injuries, even with a helmet. Read about brain injuries from crashes.
- Broken legs, wrists, and collarbones.
- Road rash, which can need skin grafts.
- Spine injuries that may change how you live and work.
- Damaged gear and a damaged bike, which are part of your claim too.
What to do after a motorcycle crash
- Get medical care, even if you rode away.
- Call police so there’s a report.
- Take photos of your bike, the car, your gear, the road, and your injuries.
- Keep your helmet and gear. Don’t throw anything away.
- Don’t give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurer.
- Call a lawyer before you sign anything.
More tips: what to do after a motorcycle accident.
What your Seattle motorcycle accident case may be worth
It depends on your injuries, the proof of fault, and the insurance available. Here’s what it usually includes.
- Medical bills, now and in the future
- Lost pay, and lost earning power if you can’t go back to the same work
- Pain, stress, and the things you can’t do anymore
- Your bike, your gear, and other property
Read about how motorcycle claims are paid in Washington and how shared fault works for riders.
Common types of motorcycle crashes
- Left-turn crashes. A driver turns across your lane at an intersection.
- Lane-change crashes. A driver moves over without checking the blind spot.
- Rear-end crashes. A driver following too close can’t stop in time.
- Door crashes. A parked driver opens a door into your path.
- Road hazards. Potholes, gravel, oil, and uneven pavement.
- Debris crashes. Something falls off a truck or trailer ahead of you.
In many of these, the rider did everything right. The other driver just didn’t look. Our job is to prove that with evidence.
Your bike and gear are part of the claim
A motorcycle claim isn’t only about your injuries. Your bike, helmet, jacket, boots, and other gear can be part of what the at-fault driver owes. Custom parts and upgrades count too.
- Photograph everything before repairs.
- Keep receipts for the bike, parts, and gear.
- Don’t let the bike be scrapped until we’ve looked at it.
- Get a repair estimate from a motorcycle shop you trust.
Were you a passenger?
Passengers get hurt too, and they’re almost never at fault. A passenger may be able to make a claim against the driver of the car, the rider, or both. That can mean more insurance available. This isn’t about blaming a friend. It’s about using the insurance that exists for this.
How long a motorcycle case takes
Simple cases can settle in a few months. Cases with surgery or long recovery take longer, because we wait until your doctors know your full recovery. Settling too early can leave you paying for future care yourself.
If the insurer won’t make a fair offer, we file a lawsuit. In Seattle, that’s usually at the King County Courthouse. Most cases still settle before trial.
Getting back on the bike
Many riders want to know if they’ll ride again. Some do, after a long recovery. Others can’t. If your injuries keep you from riding, or change how you live, that loss is part of your claim too. We’ll make sure it’s counted.
Why riders choose Rich Martin
- He handles your case himself. You won’t be passed to a case manager.
- He’s ready for trial. More than 30 jury trials. Insurers know he’ll go to court.
- He understands how crashes happen. Rich studied mechanical engineering at the University of Washington.
- No Win, No Fee. If we don’t win, you owe us nothing. Not even the case costs.
Meet Rich Martin, read client reviews, or see our Washington motorcycle accident guide.
Talk to a Seattle motorcycle accident lawyer today
The call is free. Call (425) 635-2000 or send us a message. For other injuries, see our Seattle personal injury lawyer page.
Motorcycle Accidents: results for our clients
Past results don't guarantee future results. Every case is different. See all results →
Your attorney: Rich Martin
28 years. More than 2,000 injury cases. More than 30 jury trials. When you call, you talk to Rich, and he handles your case himself.
About Rich Martin →Questions about Seattle motorcycle accidents
What does No Win, No Fee mean?
You pay nothing up front. Our fee comes out of the money we win for you. No hourly bills. No retainer. If we don't win, you owe us nothing. Not even the case costs.
Can I still get paid if I wasn't wearing a helmet?
Possibly. The insurer may argue it made your injuries worse. That's a question about how much, not whether, you can recover. Call us and we'll look at the facts.
Does my motorcycle insurance include PIP?
Not always. Washington doesn't require insurers to offer PIP on motorcycle policies. Check your policy for UIM and medical payments coverage.
Is lane splitting legal in Washington?
No. Riding between lanes of traffic is not allowed (RCW 46.61.608). But even if you were splitting lanes, the other driver may still share the blame.
The driver says they didn't see me. Does that matter?
Not seeing a motorcycle isn't an excuse. Drivers must look for all traffic. We use the evidence to show what they should have seen.
How long do I have to file a motorcycle claim?
Usually three years from the crash (RCW 4.16.080). Claims against a city or the state need a claim form first, so start sooner.
Should I fix my motorcycle right away?
Not yet. Take photos and let us document the damage first. The bike is evidence of how the crash happened.
What if a pothole caused my crash?
The city, county, or state may be responsible for the road. Those claims start with a claim form and a 60-day wait, so call us early.
Talk to a lawyer today. The call is free. Call (425) 635-2000.
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