Washington Bicycle Accident Lawyers
You Had No Steel Cage Around You Either
Riding a bicycle means accepting a level of vulnerability drivers don't have to think about — no airbags, no seatbelt, sometimes not even a helmet. When a driver fails to see you, or simply doesn't give you the space the law requires, the injuries are rarely minor.
You may be wondering:
- Will the driver just say they didn't see me, and get away with it?
- Was it my fault for being in the road at all?
- Who's going to pay for the surgeries and rehab I might need?
- Will anyone actually call me back?
Palace Law has represented injured clients across Washington since 1995, recovering more than $175 million for our clients. Call (253) 544-5935 for a free, 24/7 consultation.
Why Clients Trust Palace Law With a Bicycle Accident Claim
Bicycle cases often come down to proving what a driver should have seen or done — and countering the instinct to blame the cyclist by default.
- We know how these accidents actually happen. Drivers switching lanes improperly, opening car doors without checking, backing out of driveways without looking, or making illegal turns — we build cases around the specific failure that caused your crash, not a generic "accident happened" narrative.
- A dedicated team, not a solo attorney. Every client gets a lead attorney, paralegal, and case manager, so you're never waiting on one person to call back.
- $175M+ recovered for clients since 1995, including a $16 million wrongful death settlement.
- 1,500+ positive client reviews and 30+ years of Washington-specific experience.
- A client-first fee philosophy — contingency-based, with no upfront costs.
Why Bicycle Accidents Happen
Drivers are conditioned to watch for other vehicles, and often overlook a cyclist entirely — in a mirror, at an intersection, or backing out of a driveway or parking space. Because bicyclists have little to no protection, even a low-speed collision can cause catastrophic injury, sometimes leading to months, years, or a lifetime of surgery and rehabilitation.
Was My Accident Caused by Driver Negligence or a Faulty Bicycle Part?
Most bicycle accidents come down to determining who had the right-of-way and whether the driver breached their duty to drive safely — improper lane changes, failing to yield sufficient space, opening a car door into traffic, or making an illegal turn. In some cases, the accident wasn't caused by a driver at all — a defective bicycle part or the bicycle itself may have been unreasonably dangerous due to a design flaw or manufacturing defect, giving rise to a claim against the manufacturer instead.
What to Do Immediately After Being Hit
Always get checked out medically, even if you feel "okay" — adrenaline commonly masks injuries that turn out to be serious. If you're able, photograph the scene and get the driver's insurance information, license plate, and contact details for any witnesses. If the driver fled the scene, write down every detail you can remember about the vehicle as soon as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a bicycle accident claim in Washington?
Generally three years from the date of the accident, under Washington's standard personal injury statute of limitations (RCW 4.16.080).
What if the driver says they didn't see me?
That's not automatically a defense — drivers have a legal duty to watch for cyclists, and "I didn't see them" is often evidence of inattention rather than an excuse. We investigate the specific circumstances (lighting, driver distraction, sightlines) to establish what the driver should have seen.
Can I recover damages if I wasn't wearing a helmet?
This can be a factor insurers raise, but it does not automatically bar your claim. Washington's fault rule allows you to recover damages reduced by your percentage of fault rather than losing your claim entirely. (Same attorney-confirmation flag as our other pages applies here.)
How Palace Law Can Help With Your Washington Bicycle Accident Claim
Our Washington attorneys have over 100 years of collective legal experience in personal injury claims, and we handle every aspect of your case — from gathering witness statements to identifying whether a defective part played a role — so you're not left facing medical bills and lost income alone.
Contact us today for a comprehensive evaluation of your bicycle accident claim in Washington.
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- Natalie S.
I had an outstanding experience working with Ciana on a personal injury matter. Without her expertise, I would have never realized that I even had a case. Ciana’s attention to detail and deep understanding of personal injury law were invaluable. She guided me through every step with professionalism and care, ensuring I understood the process and felt supported. Thanks to her diligence and expertise, what could have been overlooked became a well-handled case. I highly recommend Ciana to anyone needing a knowledgeable and dedicated legal professional.
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- Jay R.
Hailey was super helpful and communication was always prompt and professional. Thank you for all your hard work Hailey and the rest of the team at Palace law.
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- Former Client
They are an amazing team and made my case an easy process to cope with. They stayed in great communication with me every step of the way and fought to maximize my profit. Palace Law is hands down THE BEST law firm I’ve dealt with. Attorney John H and assistant Hailey make an amazing team.
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- Sharon R.
I highly recommend Palace Law for your work place injury. I would definitely use them again but hopefully I won’t have to.
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- John A.
I’ve spent the last 7 years working with them and it hasn’t been a easy ride but they work very hard to get the best outcome for there clients. Sandra has done an outstanding job keeping me informed of the process and keeping me feel safe and secure with my future. I couldn’t of asked for a better person and team to help me during this stressful time and working hard to get me what I deserved.
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- Chad F.
Exceptional legal representation! My experience with Kim was outstanding. She was incredibly knowledgeable, professional, and dedicated to ensuring I received the outcome I deserved. Kim’s communication throughout the process was clear and timely, providing me with peace of mind during a challenging time.
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- Kelly Y.
Aria has been working with me and she is very thorough. I don’t get good sleep at night because of my injury but knowing that Palace Law is on the job gives me peace of mind specially, when they have employees like Aria thanks for letting me give my feedback and putting me in a position to give feedback.
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- Jacob H.
They have been entirely helpful since they accepted my case. Thorough and informative every step of the way. When I had an IME and no gas in my car they arranged for a ride to and from. After fighting tooth and nail myself with little to no results Palace Law stepped in and immediately Sedgwick stopped dragging me through the mud.
