The fatal Washington bicycle accident happened about one mile before the intersection of Hwy 2 & 97.  According to the police report Randal was riding southbound on the shoulder of Highway 2.  The tow truck was also southbound on Hwy 2.  Randal attempted to make a left hand turn and was hit by the tow truck. 

The police report appears to blame Randal for the accident, which it often the case when the bicyclist is not able to speak for himself.  There is a bias against bicyclists in many Washington bike accidents.  Without additional witnesses statements we may never know Randal’s side of the story and whether he truly was at fault for causing the collision that killed him.   

I encourage anyone who may have witnessed this tragic accident to contact Leavenworth Sheriff at 509-663-9911.

Stevenson in my opinion got what he deserved.  If you chase down a car in anger for tailgating you as a bicycle rider, you are the assailant and aggressor and should not be surprised when you receive similar treatment in response.  Was it right for the car to grab and drag him 150 feet down the road, of course not.  Do two wrongs make a right, no.  Both bicycle rider and car driver were in the wrong and someone got seriously hurt.  Had Stevenson exercised a little patience and forgiveness he may have avoided injury.

As a Washington Bicycle Accident Lawyer I can tell you that Stevenson may be tempted to bring an injury claim against the car.  If he walked in my office, I would show him the door soon thereafter.  This one falls into the category of are you kidding me, you started the fight!  No juror is ever going to excuse Stevenson for his aggression and will in all likelihood punish him for wasting their time in bringing what would no doubt be considered a frivolous claim.

Bicyclist have a hard enough time getting cars to share the road with them.  This type of conduct by a bicyclist does nothing but reinforce the bias against bicyclists that many vehicle drivers already have.  Do as my grandfather always taught…follow the Golden rule, treat others how you would want them to treat you!

Ride safe and share the road!

Max Meyers, Esq.

As a Kirkland Washington Bicycle Accident Attorney I often hear about bicyclists being shot with paintballs, garbage thrown at them out windows, drivers yelling at them as they go by, or even cars swerving at them.  But being hunted with a dangerous weapon is another matter.

In my practice I see how many people hold a bias against bike riders and don’t feel they should have to share the road regardless of Washington law requiring it.  If your an avid cyclist in western Washington you no doubt have your own story to tell about some crazy idiot who almost killed you.  Some people take this bias too far and try to hurt innocent bicycle riders.  It’s a real shame, and it needs to stop.

A few years back some friends and I were riding our road bikes on a back road heading into Monroe, Washington.  There were four of us riding in a single file pace line.  A pick-up truck raced by us driving dangerously close to us, and the passenger yelled and threw something at us.  After one of my friends comminicated his objection to being hit with something with a one finger salute the truck decided to pull over ahead of us on a side street, so he and his passenger could yell at us some more.  These guys were crazy lunatics for sure.  of course, flipping them off didn’t help matters but I couldn’t blame him.  Luckily, the truck decided to drive off when we got close enough to read its license plate.  We were doing nothing but enjoying a nice bicycle ride, when we were attacked simply because we were bicyclists.

If you’re a person who doesn’t particularly like sharing the road with bikers please be patient with them.  I know they may go too slow for you and there are some bikers who don’t stop at all the stop signs and blow through red lights, but there are car drivers who do the same.  It doesn’t mean all bikers are bad news scofflaws.  Things can get out of hand and crazy if we all don’t look out for each other.

Ride and drive safe!

Max J. Meyers, Esq.

As a Washington bicycle rider and Kirkland Bicycle Accident Attorney I repeatedly see how the media and police have a bias against bicycle riders. Whenever I read a police report  of a client hit by a car or read a newspaper story or hear a TV news report about a bicycle v. car accident more often than not the report is slanted against the bicycle rider.

The report often states facts in a way that implies the bicycle rider was at-fault or at-least partially at fault for the bicycle v. car collision. Here’s a quote from The Wenatchee World newspaper report on 4/14/09 what do you think after reading it?

“William Lemke, 41, of East Wenatchee, identified himself as the driver of the Toyota Tundra pickup at the scene. He said he had stopped on Marr Street at the stop sign and looked both ways before attempting to turn right onto South Mission Street. He struck the boy in or near the crosswalk on Marr Street. The man said he did not see the boy until he hit him.

Smith said the boy did not have a light on his bike and was wearing dark clothing.

She said Lemke did not see the bicycle, which was just entering the street. The driver was not cited.”

Sure seems to point the finger at least partially at the bicyclist. We don’t know if it was daytime or night, but it appears from a photo in the paper that it was at best dusk. It is a good idea to wear brightly color clothing but not required. Bike lights are required at dusk and night under Washington law, but again we have no idea of the time of the bike v. car accident happened.

Plus this is a kid at or in a crosswalk. Bicyclists or pedestrians at crosswalks have the right of way over stopped vehicles, and drivers must use extra caution when a kid is present. The truck driver had a duty to see all that could be seen, did he even look for a pedestrian or bicyclist waiting to cross the street in the crosswalk before turning?

You may disagree with me, but if you’re a bicyclist injured in a bike v. car accident this is the common bias that you will face. 

That’s why it’s a good idea to get some legal advice as soon after the bicycle accident as possible, at the very least start educating yourself on the injury claim process. If you or a loved one has been injured in a bicycle v. car accident and want to speak with an attorney please call me at (425) 822-5700 or email me at max@scottmcdonaldlaw.com.

Safe riding!

Max Meyers, Esq.

King County maintain the road and advertised it as a bike route for use by the public but failed to maintain it in a safe manner. Despite wearing a helmet Jeffrey was still severely injured in the Redmond, WA bicycle crash. King County agreed to pay Jeffrey $3.5 million in a settlement that will ensure Jeffrey has the care he needs for the rest of his life.

When Jeffrey’s front tire hit that hole his bike stopped and he was thrown head first over the handlebars.  Jeffrey suffered a severe brain injury causing permanent disabling brain damage as a result of the road defect bicycle accident.  Formerly a high endurance athlete who did triathlons and participated in long distance biking, Jeffrey has been left in a childlike state as a result of his brain injury.

Danielle Totten, Jeffrey’s wife, as been left in many ways a widow.  Jeffrey has lost most of his  memory of the nine years he shared with his wife and doesn’t always understand why he can no longer live with her. He will never work again and needs round the clock medical care. Jeffrey currently lives in an adult family home in Skagit Valley.

Tragedies like this give you an opportunity to reflect on how your life is blessed and to not take anything for granted, less you find yourself in Jeffrey or Danielle’s shoes. My prayers are with the Totten family as they move forward.

Here is a link to my prior post with 10 Tips for Safe Bicycle Riding in Washington.

Max Meyers, Esq.

Source:

Seattle Times, 4/16/09

1. Always wear a helmet! It can save your life, period.

2. Do routine maintenance so your bike is safe to ride. Inflate tires to proper air pressure, lubricate the chain, make sure brakes are working correctly. I like to change the handlebar tape each year so I have a fresh soft spot for my hands at the beginning of each year, not generally needed but it make me happy.

3. When approaching parked cars make sure to give yourself a good three feet or more clearance from the car, just in case a car door opens suddenly.

4. Make eye contact with other drivers at intersections. Stop at red lights and stop signs. Use hand signals when making turns. You must follow the rules of the road just like cars. This is pet peeve #1 for car drivers, so do your part to set a good example and improve your bicyclist relationship with other vehicle drivers.

5. When riding at night you must have a front light and taillight. Lights that blink are great because they make you stand out more, thus decreasing your chance of getting hit by a car.

6. Wear brightly colored clothing. This also increases your chance of being seen by cars.

7. Ride predictably when in traffic. Making sudden and unforeseeable lane movements or changes can result in a car hitting you.

8. Urban trail riding is different from the road. Pedestrians have the right of way and bicycles must yield to pedestrians. In Seattle a good urban trial is the Burke-Gilman trial. Use a bell or your voice when passing pedestrian on the trial. A friendly “on your left” can go a long way towards avoiding bike v. pedestrian collisions.

9. Ride on right side of road as much as practical. I know if you’re riding a road bike the road shoulder can have all kinds of broken glass, nails, and other flat tire causing dangers. But it’s a safer place for you to be, assuming there’s a shoulder, and it’s less liking to frustrate cars that approach from behind you.

10. Remember: Bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as motor vehicles. Be courteous and share the road.

Have fun and Safe riding!

Max Meyers, Esq.

Max Meyers specializes in bicycle injury claims and litigation. If you have been hit by a car while riding your bike, and it was the car’s fault you have a bicycle injury claim. Contact Max via email or call 425-822-5700 for your FREE injury claim consultation.

Lance Armstrong suffered a broken collar bone in a crash today during a race in Europe, the Vuelta a Castillo y Leon. The injury may threaten his return to race the Tour de France in July and certainly he is out of the Giro D’Italia.

Serious injuries to the shoulder, collar bone, and wrist are common in bicycle crashes. This especially true when a bicyclist is hit by a car or other moving vehicle. If you or anyone you know is hit by a car while riding a bicycle it’s important to contact an experience Washington Bicycle Accident Attorney as soon after the crash as possible. There is a very real bias against Washington bicycle riders and it’s important to conduct a proper investigation of the crash before witnesses disappear and memories fade.

Safe riding!

Max Meyers, Esq.

Eventually you might want to know if other people have suffered the same fate and been injured by the defective or unrepaired bridge roadway. Mickey and his attorney have requested copies of past reports of crashes by bicycles on the Mountlake Bridge. Unfortunately, the Washington State Patrol and Washington Transportation Department refused to disclose any past reports of accidents on the bridge. 

The State patrol and Transportation Department claimed that federal law allowed them to deny such requests if the reports may be used in a civil lawsuit. Huh, any public record produced in regards to an accident has the possibility to be used in a lawsuit. As a Kirkland bicycle accident lawyer I have requested and received countless copies of accident reports in connection with cars hitting bikes or other cars. The State Patrol has never refused to produce an accident report I requested.

But in Mickey’s case the State of Washington itself is a potential defendant because the State built and/or maintained the bridge roadway. So they conveniently denied disclosing information that is routinely disclosed freely in other potential litigation scenarios.

Luckily, a Thurston County Judge saw through the State’s BS and determined that the past reports of crashes on the bridge are public information and subject to the disclosure requirements of Washington Public Disclosure Act. This means Mickey and his attorney have the right to the records of past crashes. Seems like a no brainer to me, but in my experience you never know what a judge will do until a ruling is in hand. If there have been multiple crashes and injuries on the bridge seam, which the State knew about but did nothing to repair the road, then the State should be held accountable.

Stayed tuned, as the State may appeal the decision to a higher court. I for one hope the State does. Some legal precedent on the matter could then be set and it will resolve the situation once and for all.

Best of luck Mickey!

Max Meyers, Esq.

Source:  Seattle PI, 2.4.09

By all accounts, Kevin was a super dedicated bicyclist who commuted to work almost daily. He was known to ride everywhere and his car was rarely used. Kevin even rode from Seattle to California for his high school reunion.

It’s unclear how the accident happened and is still being investigated. The stories in the media seem to paint a picture that implies Kevin was at fault, but I for one rarely believe such reports. As a Kirkland bicycle accident attorney I have seen how the police, media and the car driving public at large are quick to blame bicyclist for getting in the way of cars. We’ll have to wait and see on this one. Unfortunately, Kevin is not here to tells his side of the story.

Kevin left behind two daughters and many friends who will miss him terribly.

Please share the road and watch out for bicycles,

Max Meyers, Esq.

Source: Seattle PI, 2.4.09

The bicyclist was wearing reflective clothing and had lights on his bike, but the car still failed to yield right of way to the bike. One of the most common and dangerous situations for bicycles are cars turning left in front of them. The bicyclist is left with no safe escape route. The bike either turns into traffic by going left or runs head on into the car turning in front of it.

With the dark days in Washington this time of year please be extra cautious when driving. There are a lot on bicyclist and motorcyclist out there that can be difficult to see at dawn, dusk, and at night. A little extra caution just may save a life!