You did everything right. You wore your gear. You watched the cars. And a driver still pulled out in front of you. Rich Martin has spent 28 years as an injury lawyer, with more than 2,000 cases, and riders across the Eastside call him as their Bellevue motorcycle accident lawyer. Our office is in Bellevue, close to the roads Eastside riders use every day.
Bellevue: 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-405, I-90, SR 520, Bellevue Way NE, NE 8th Street
- Hospitals
- Overlake Medical Center (Level III trauma center)
- Population
- 158,300 (Washington OFM estimate, April 1, 2026)
- Our office
- Our Bellevue office is in town, at 11811 NE 1st Street.
Injured on a motorcycle in Bellevue?
Motorcycle crashes are hard on the body and hard on the wallet. Surgery, therapy, missed work, and a damaged bike all add up. And riders often face an insurance company that assumes they were speeding.
We don’t accept that. We look at what actually happened, prove it, and push the insurer to pay what you’re owed.
Where Eastside riders get hurt
- I-405, where stop-and-go traffic and lane changes catch riders.
- SR 520 and I-90, busy routes to Seattle with tight merges.
- West Lake Sammamish Parkway and Coal Creek Parkway, curvy roads with blind corners.
- Downtown intersections, where a left-turning driver misjudges how close a rider is.
- Construction zones, with gravel, steel plates, and uneven pavement.
Statewide, 104 motorcyclists died in 2025 (preliminary), down from a record 142 in 2023, according to the Washington Traffic Safety Commission.
Bellevue is going the other way. In 2025, deaths and serious injuries among motorcycle riders on Bellevue streets were 291% above the city’s ten-year average, according to the city’s 2025 Vision Zero report.
How motorcycle crashes happen on the Eastside
- Left turns across a rider’s path at intersections.
- Lane changes by drivers who don’t check mirrors or blind spots.
- Rear-end impacts in stop-and-go freeway traffic.
- Opened doors on downtown streets.
- Road hazards like gravel, potholes, and construction plates.
In most of these, the rider did nothing wrong. The driver simply didn’t look. The evidence can prove it.
Washington motorcycle rules, and why they don’t end your case
| Rule | What it says | Does it end my case? |
|---|---|---|
| Helmet law (RCW 46.37.530) | Everyone on the bike needs a DOT-compliant helmet, strapped on | No. The insurer may argue about your injuries, but you can still recover |
| No lane splitting (RCW 46.61.608) | Riding between lanes of traffic isn’t allowed | No. A driver who pulled into your path can still carry most of the blame |
| Endorsement (RCW 46.20.500) | You need a motorcycle endorsement to ride | No. A missing endorsement doesn’t mean you caused the crash |
| Shared fault (RCW 4.22.005) | Any blame on you trims the award by that percentage | No. Partial fault reduces a claim but doesn’t end it |
Worried something you did will sink your case? Call us before you assume the worst. It usually doesn’t.
Insurance for riders: what’s different
Car owners in Washington get offered PIP. Motorcycle owners often don’t, because the PIP statute is written for passenger cars (RCW 48.22.085). Many riders learn this only after a crash. These are the other places money can come from:
- The insurer for the driver who hit you, usually at the end of the case.
- UIM on your own policy, for a driver with thin coverage or none at all (RCW 48.22.030).
- Medical payments coverage on your motorcycle policy, if you bought it.
- Your health insurance, for care right now.
Send us your policy. We’ll go through it with you and find every source of coverage.
How insurers try to pay riders less
| What they say | What we do |
|---|---|
| “You were speeding.” | Use crash data, damage, and video to show your real speed |
| “The driver couldn’t see you.” | Show what the driver should have seen with proper attention |
| “Your gear wasn’t enough.” | Separate the gear question from who caused the crash |
| A quick, low offer | Hold off until treatment shows the true cost |
Common motorcycle injuries
- Head and brain injuries. Read about brain injuries.
- Broken legs, ankles, and wrists.
- Road rash and scarring.
- Spine injuries. See spinal injury claims.
Many riders need months of therapy. We work with your doctors to understand your full recovery before we talk numbers.
What to do after a motorcycle crash in Bellevue
- See a doctor that day, even if adrenaline says you’re fine.
- Call police for a report.
- Photograph everything: both vehicles, the pavement, and your helmet and jacket.
- Keep your helmet and gear. They’re evidence.
- Don’t repair the bike until it’s documented.
- Call us before you talk to the driver’s insurer.
More help: what to do after a motorcycle accident in Bellevue and your rights after a car and motorcycle crash.
What your Bellevue motorcycle case may be worth
Three things set the value: how badly you were hurt, how strong the proof is, and how much insurance exists. Most rider claims include treatment costs, future care, missed income, pain and suffering, and the bike and gear.
Read about motorcycle accident compensation in Washington and shared fault for riders.
Passengers can make a claim too
A passenger on the back seat rarely causes a crash. The claim can run against the other driver, the rider’s own policy, or both. Using the rider’s coverage isn’t turning on a friend. Insurance is there for exactly this.
Where your case would be filed
Most cases settle. If yours goes to court, a crash in Bellevue is heard in King County Superior Court in Seattle (LCR 82). The usual filing deadline is three years from the crash (RCW 4.16.080).
Bellevue’s rise in rider injuries
Bellevue’s 2025 numbers for motorcycle riders are a warning. When serious crashes rise this fast, insurers see more claims and push back harder. That’s one more reason to have a lawyer who knows how to prove what happened.
Your bike and gear count too
The motorcycle itself is part of the claim, along with your helmet, leathers, boots, and any custom parts. Save receipts and photos. And keep the bike out of the salvage yard until it has been inspected and photographed.
How long a motorcycle case takes
A rider with minor injuries may see a settlement within months. Surgery or a long rehab stretches the timeline, since the claim can’t be valued until treatment shows where you’ll end up. When an insurer stalls, we file suit.
Visit our Bellevue office
We’re at 11811 NE 1st Street, Suite 303, Bellevue. Call ahead and we’ll set a time. Or we can talk by phone.
Why riders choose Rich Martin
- He handles your case himself.
- Trial experience. He has tried more than 30 cases to a jury.
- He’s local. Our office is in Bellevue.
- No Win, No Fee. No recovery, no fee, and no bill for costs.
Meet Rich Martin, or see our Seattle motorcycle accident lawyer page.
Speak with a Bellevue motorcycle accident lawyer
Tell us about the crash. The conversation costs nothing. Phone (425) 635-2000 or write to us.
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 Bellevue 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.
Will PIP pay my medical bills after a motorcycle crash?
Maybe not. Motorcycle policies often leave PIP out, since the law is written for cars. Look for medical payments and UIM on your declarations page.
No helmet. Can I still recover?
Usually. The insurer may claim a helmet would have lessened a head injury. That fight is about the amount, not your right to a claim.
Was I breaking the law by riding between lanes?
Washington doesn't allow it (RCW 46.61.608). A driver who also made a mistake can still be partly or mostly at fault.
Can I repair my motorcycle now?
Wait. The damage tells the story of the crash, so it needs to be documented first.
Where would my case be filed?
If it goes to court, in King County Superior Court in Seattle. Most cases settle first.
What's my deadline?
Three years from the crash in most cases (RCW 4.16.080). A city or county requires a claim form before any lawsuit.
The driver's insurer wants a statement. Should I give one?
Talk to us first. Recorded statements and signed forms tend to help the insurer, not you.
Do I have to go to your office?
No. Many clients start with a phone call. If you'd like to meet, our office is at 11811 NE 1st Street in Bellevue. Call ahead to set a time.
What if I was hurt while working?
You may have an L&I claim and a separate claim against whoever caused the injury (RCW 51.24.030). The two affect each other, so tell us early.
The driver claims I was invisible. Is that a defense?
No. Every driver has to watch for motorcycles like any other vehicle. Missing a rider means the driver didn't look carefully enough.
Does my passenger have a claim?
Yes. Depending on fault, a passenger can claim against the other driver, the rider's coverage, or both.
Talk to a lawyer today. The call is free. Call (425) 635-2000.
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