Bike crashes are rarely minor. A car door, a right turn, or a driver who passes too close can put you in the hospital. Rich Martin is a Seattle bicycle accident lawyer with 28 years of experience. His results include a $9.25 million settlement for a cyclist with a spinal injury.
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).
Hit while riding in Seattle?
You might be facing surgery, physical therapy, and time off work. Your bike may be wrecked. And the driver’s insurer may be saying you came out of nowhere.
We hear that a lot. Our job is to find out what really happened and make the driver’s insurance pay for it. You focus on healing.
Washington lost 12 bicyclists in traffic crashes in 2024, and 12 more in 2025, according to the Washington Traffic Safety Commission. Many more riders were hurt.
Washington bike laws that matter after a crash
Knowing the rules helps you push back when the insurer blames you. Here are the ones that come up most.
| Rule | What it means | Law |
|---|---|---|
| Drivers must give you room | On multi-lane roads, drivers must move fully into the next lane to pass. On two-lane roads, they must slow down and leave at least 3 feet where they can | RCW 46.61.110 |
| No dooring | No one may open a car door into traffic until it’s safe | RCW 46.61.620 |
| Stop signs can be treated as yield signs | Since October 2020, cyclists may slow and yield at a stop sign instead of a full stop, if it’s safe | RCW 46.61.190 |
| Drivers must stop for you in crosswalks | The crosswalk rule protects people on bikes as well as on foot | RCW 46.61.235 |
| Shared fault | If you made a mistake too, you can still recover. Your payment goes down by your share | RCW 4.22.005 |
Since 2025, a driver who kills a cyclist or pedestrian through careless driving can face a gross misdemeanor charge (RCW 46.61.5259). A criminal case and your injury claim are separate, but the police findings can help us.
Helmets in Seattle and King County
King County used to require bike helmets for all riders. The King County Board of Health repealed that rule in 2022, though it still strongly recommends helmets.
Not wearing a helmet doesn’t mean you can’t bring a claim. Call us and we’ll look at your case.
If you were wearing one, keep it. A cracked helmet can show how hard you were hit.
How bike crashes happen in Seattle
Lots of people ride in Seattle, on everything from the Burke-Gilman Trail to downtown bike lanes. The same crash types happen over and over.
- The right hook. A driver passes you, then turns right across your path.
- The left cross. An oncoming driver turns left into you.
- Dooring. A parked driver opens a door into the bike lane.
- Passing too close. A driver squeezes by without moving over.
- Driveways and parking lots. A driver pulls out without looking.
- Road hazards. Potholes, rail tracks, and broken pavement.
If a pothole or a bad road caused your fall, the city or county may be responsible. Those claims start with a claim form and a 60-day wait (RCW 4.96.020).
Common bike crash injuries
- Head and brain injuries, even with a helmet. Read about brain injuries.
- Spine and back injuries. Our largest bike result was for a spinal injury.
- Broken wrists, collarbones, and hips from landing hard.
- Knee and shoulder injuries that need surgery or months of therapy.
- Hearing damage, like tinnitus. We won an $850,000 jury verdict for a cyclist with tinnitus.
- Road rash and scars.
Who pays after a bike crash
- Your own PIP may help first, if you have it on a car policy. Check with us.
- Your health insurance pays for care now.
- The driver’s liability insurance pays when your case settles.
- Your UIM coverage can pay if the driver had too little insurance or drove off (RCW 48.22.030).
Don’t forget your bike and gear. Repairs or replacement are part of your claim, so keep receipts and photos.
What to do after a bike crash
- Call 911 and get checked, even if you feel okay.
- Get the driver’s name, plate, and insurance.
- Take photos of the scene, your bike, the car, and your injuries.
- Don’t fix your bike yet. The damage is evidence.
- Save your ride data. GPS apps and bike computers can show your speed and route.
- Don’t talk to the driver’s insurer before you talk to us.
Read more: dealing with the aftermath of a bike accident and bike safety in Washington.
What your Seattle bicycle accident case may be worth
It depends on your injuries, the evidence, and the insurance. Here’s what a claim usually covers: medical bills, lost pay, future care, pain and suffering, and your bike and gear.
- $9.25 million for a cyclist with a spinal injury. The case settled during trial.
- $850,000 jury verdict for a cyclist left with tinnitus.
Past results don’t guarantee future results. See all results and our bike vs. car crash statistics.
Trail and path crashes
Not every bike crash involves a car. Collisions with other riders, e-scooters, or dogs happen on trails too. And a poorly kept path can cause a bad fall. Who’s responsible depends on who caused the crash and who owns the trail. We can sort that out.
When insurers blame the cyclist
Some adjusters treat every cyclist as a rule-breaker. They’ll say you rolled a stop, rode too fast, or weren’t visible. We answer with facts.
| What they say | What we check |
|---|---|
| “You ran the stop sign.” | Washington lets cyclists treat a stop sign as a yield sign when it’s safe (RCW 46.61.190) |
| “You were going too fast.” | Ride data from your GPS app, video, and crash damage |
| “No one could see you.” | Lights, reflective gear, street lighting, and the driver’s view |
| “You should have been in the bike lane.” | Where the bike lane was, and whether it was blocked |
Kids on bikes
When a child is hit, a parent usually brings the claim for them. Kids heal differently, and some injuries don’t show their full effect for years. A court often has to approve a settlement for a child. We make sure the settlement accounts for their future, not just today’s bills.
Long recoveries and hidden injuries
Some bike injuries take time to show up. A concussion can cause headaches, memory trouble, and mood changes for months. Shoulder and wrist injuries may need surgery when weeks of therapy don’t work.
That’s why we don’t rush to settle. We wait until your doctors understand your recovery. A quick offer may not cover the care you need later.
What to bring to your first call
- The police report number, if you have one.
- Photos of the scene, your bike, and your injuries.
- Names and numbers of witnesses.
- Your insurance policies: car, health, and any renters or homeowners policy.
- Ride data from Strava, Garmin, or another app.
- Receipts for your bike and gear.
Don’t have all of this? That’s okay. Call anyway. We can help you get what’s missing.
Bike lanes, trails, and shared streets
Where you were riding affects who had the right of way. On a bike lane, drivers must not block or cut across you without looking. On trails, riders and walkers share the space and everyone has to be careful. Washington also created rules for shared streets in 2025, where people walking, biking, and driving use the same space at slow speeds.
We look at the exact spot of your crash: the lane markings, signs, signals, and any recent construction. Small details can change who was at fault.
E-bikes and scooters
More people ride e-bikes and e-scooters in Seattle every year. If you were hurt on one, you may still have a claim against a careless driver, just like on a regular bike. If the e-bike or scooter itself failed, the maker or the rental company may share the blame. Keep the bike or scooter, and any app records of your ride.
The experts behind a strong bike case
- Crash reconstruction experts to show speed, angles, and who had the right of way.
- Your doctors to explain your injuries and what care you’ll need.
- Bike mechanics to document damage to your bike and parts.
You don’t pay for experts up front. If we don’t win, you owe us nothing. Not even the case costs.
Why riders choose Rich Martin
- Big results for cyclists. Including a $9.25 million settlement and an $850,000 jury verdict.
- He handles your case himself. Not a call center.
- He’s ready for trial. More than 30 jury trials.
- No Win, No Fee. If we don’t win, you owe us nothing. Not even the case costs.
Meet Rich Martin or read client reviews.
Talk to a Seattle bicycle accident lawyer today
The call is free. Call (425) 635-2000 or send us a message. See also our Seattle personal injury lawyer and Seattle pedestrian accident lawyer pages.
Bicycle 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 bicycle 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.
Do I need a helmet to bring a claim?
No. King County no longer requires bike helmets for adults. The insurer may argue about your injuries, but you can still bring a claim.
Can I treat a stop sign as a yield sign on a bike?
Yes. Since October 2020, Washington cyclists may slow and yield at stop signs when it's safe (RCW 46.61.190). It doesn't apply to red lights.
A driver opened a door into me. Who's at fault?
Usually the person who opened the door. Washington law says no one may open a door into traffic until it's safe (RCW 46.61.620).
Who pays for my bike?
The at-fault driver's insurer should pay for your bike and gear. Keep receipts and don't repair the bike until we've documented it.
How long do I have to file?
Usually three years from the crash (RCW 4.16.080). Claims against a city or county need a claim form first, so start sooner.
What if I was riding on the sidewalk?
Washington allows riding on many sidewalks, but you must yield to people walking. Riding on a sidewalk doesn't automatically make you at fault for a crash with a car.
The driver says they didn't see me. Does that matter?
Not seeing a cyclist isn't an excuse. Drivers must look for all traffic, including bikes. We use video and the scene to show what they should have seen.
Can I get paid for a bike I built up myself?
Yes. Upgrades, custom parts, and accessories can be part of your claim. Keep receipts and photos, and don't throw anything away.
How long will my bike case take?
Small 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.
Talk to a lawyer today. The call is free. Call (425) 635-2000.
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