A motorcycle crash usually ends up causing serious personal injuries to the persons involved. In Seattle and Tacoma Washington metro areas, we have tens of thousands of resident and visiting motorcycle riders. Unfortunately, negligent and reckless drivers of cars and trucks often cause catastrophic injuries or death to bikers. Orlandini and Waldron has more than 50 years of combined experience representing victims of these avoidable accidents. Orlandini and Waldron has represented the estates of those wrongfully killed on motorcycles as well as those who survived but sustained life changing injuries.
The number and rate of motorcyclist deaths on U.S. roads are rising dramatically. Motorcycle rider fatalities rose 115 percent between 1997 and 2005. During the same time, fatality numbers and rates for passenger car crashes dropped. In just one year – 2005 – motorcycle crash-related fatalities increased by 13 percent (to 4553), making motorcycle rider fatalities a significant contributor to the slight overall increase that year in the national highway fatality rate.
Trends accompanying the rising motorcyclist death toll include a dramatic increase in motorcycle ownership, particularly by riders over 40, along with changes in other factors such as motorcycle size and rider experience. The rate of increase in fatalities has outpaced the rate of increase in motorcycle registrations, and the death and injury rates among middle-aged motorcycle riders have increased more rapidly. Per vehicle mile traveled in 2004, motorcyclists were about 34 times more likely than passenger car occupants to die in a motor vehicle traffic crash and 8 times more likely to be injured.
Motorcycle riders face more risks of crashing and being injured than passengers in four-wheeled vehicles. Two-wheeled motorcycles are more difficult to operate and more unstable than four-wheeled cars and trucks. Some roadway design and maintenance features add additional risks. Other vehicle drivers may not expect to see motorcycles on the road, may not watch for them, and may not know how to accommodate them in traffic. And when they crash, motorcycles provide almost no protection to their riders.
The Orlandini and Waldron Law Firm is located within Pierce County Washington in the city of Tacoma / University Place (Seattle Metro). Orlandini and Waldron serves clients throughout Pierce, Thurston and King Counties. This includes the cities of Seattle, Federal Way, Gig Harbor, Tacoma, Fife, Lakewood, Burien, Olympia and Tumwater. A substantial part of our practice is representing visitors to our area from other states.
To schedule a consultation with an experienced Tacoma accident attorney, contact the Orlandini and Waldron Law Firm today. We are dedicated to providing real solutions in tough personal injury and fatal accident cases. Telephone: 253-565-5800
