Bothell Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Were you injured in a bicycle accident in Bothell, WA?

At Deno Millikan Law Firm, PLLC, we are trusted bicycle accident lawyers serving clients across Bothell and the surrounding area.

If you were struck by a vehicle while riding a bicycle in Bothell, Washington law allows you to seek compensation from a driver whose negligence caused the collision. A Bothell, WA bicycle accident lawyer manages the insurance claim and gathers the supporting evidence during your medical treatment.

Deno Millikan Law Firm, PLLC has represented injured clients in Washington for more than 50 years. Our attorneys pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost income, and the lasting effects of an injury. Call us to discuss your bicycle accident with an attorney.

Bicycle Accident Lawyer Bothell, WA

A bicycle accident lawyer represents riders who were injured through the negligence of a driver or another party. That representation includes investigating the collision, establishing fault, and negotiating with the insurance company on the client’s behalf. Our attorneys file a lawsuit when an insurer declines to pay the full value of a claim.

Bothell recorded 20 crashes involving a bicycle between January 2016 and July 2021, according to the city’s Citywide Bike Plan, which is an average of roughly four crashes per year. SR 522 and 228th Street SE were the only corridors with more than one crash during that period. Our Bothell bicycle accident attorneys represent riders injured on these corridors and throughout the city.

Types of Bicycle Accident Cases We Handle in Bothell

Most bicycle injury claims in Bothell arise from a collision with a motor vehicle. Our attorneys represent injured cyclists in claims against drivers, employers, and insurance companies. We handle the following types of cases.

• Car accidents. Collisions with passenger vehicles are a frequent source of bicycle injury claims. Common causes include a driver’s failure to yield, an unsafe pass, and inattention. We pursue these claims against the driver’s insurer and document each injury the collision caused.
• Truck accidents. Commercial trucks have large blind spots and require additional room to turn, which places a rider alongside the truck at risk. Liability in these cases often extends beyond the driver to the company that owns or operates the truck. We identify each responsible party before presenting a demand.
• Left-turn collisions. These collisions occur when a driver turns left across the path of an oncoming cyclist, usually within an intersection. The driver often misjudges the rider’s speed or fails to see the rider. Witness statements and the final position of the vehicles help establish that the cyclist had the right of way.
• Right-hook collisions. A right hook occurs when a driver overtakes a cyclist and then turns right across the rider’s path. These collisions happen where a bike lane continues through an intersection or past a driveway. We rely on photographs, vehicle damage, and available video to establish the sequence of the turn.
• Dooring. Dooring occurs when a vehicle occupant opens a door into the path of an approaching cyclist. The resulting claim is generally made against the auto insurance policy that covers the parked vehicle.
• Trail crossing collisions. The Sammamish River Trail, the Burke-Gilman Trail, and the North Creek Trail all pass through Bothell. These trails intersect streets and driveways, where riders come into conflict with vehicle traffic. Liability in these cases depends on signage, sight lines, and the driver’s conduct at the crossing.
• Hit-and-run crashes. Witness accounts, nearby cameras, and vehicle debris sometimes allow a driver who left the scene to be identified. A cyclist’s own uninsured motorist coverage can provide a source of compensation when the driver cannot be found.

Why Choose Deno Millikan Law Firm, PLLC as My Bicycle Accident Lawyer in Bothell, WA?

Experience in King and Snohomish County Courts

Bothell lies partly in King County and partly in Snohomish County, and the location of a collision can determine which superior court hears a resulting lawsuit. Our attorneys have practiced in the courts of western Washington for decades. Stephanie Petersen has been licensed in Washington since 1995 and serves as an arbitrator in Snohomish County Superior Court. The Snohomish County Bar Association named her Attorney of the Year in 2013. Joel P. Nichols has represented Washington clients since 1993 and is an Eagle member of the Washington State Association for Justice.

Results for Injured Clients

We have recovered millions of dollars for injured clients. Each bicycle claim receives the same level of preparation, whether it resolves through settlement or proceeds to trial. We gather evidence early and document the full cost of the injury before presenting a written demand to the insurer. A claim supported by complete records leaves an insurer with fewer grounds for dispute. That preparation is what an injured rider needs from a personal injury lawyer in Bothell, WA.

Understanding Bicycle Accident Cases

What Are Important Aspects of a Bicycle Accident Case?

The outcome of a bicycle claim depends primarily on fault, the severity of the injury, and the insurance coverage available. A bicycle accident attorney in Bothell, WA evaluates each of these issues before presenting a demand.

• Fault is established through the police report, witness statements, and photographs of the scene.
• The value of a claim depends on medical documentation that connects each injury to the collision.
• The at-fault driver’s liability policy is the primary source of payment, and its limits affect the amount that insurer will pay.
• A cyclist’s own auto policy can provide PIP coverage for medical expenses following a collision with a motor vehicle.
• Insurers use statements given to an adjuster when they evaluate and dispute a claim.

Damages, Liability, and Compensation for Bicycle Accident Cases

Liability in a bicycle case rests on negligence. A driver is negligent when the driver fails to exercise reasonable care and that failure causes an injury. Washington applies a comparative fault rule, under which a cyclist who bears part of the responsibility for a collision remains entitled to compensation. The award is reduced in proportion to the cyclist’s percentage of fault.

Compensation in a bicycle claim includes the following categories of damages.

• Economic damages cover medical expenses, lost income, and the repair or replacement of the bicycle.
• Noneconomic damages cover pain and suffering, disability, and loss of enjoyment of life.
• Future damages cover medical treatment and lost earnings that continue after the claim is resolved.

Washington law gives an injured cyclist three years to file a personal injury lawsuit. A court can dismiss a lawsuit filed after that deadline, so a claim should be evaluated well before the three-year period ends.

Most Dangerous Locations for Bicycle Accidents in Bothell, WA

City planning documents identify a small number of corridors that account for the highest collision frequency in Bothell. The city’s Transportation Safety Plan addresses crash reduction on these and other roads.

The following streets present an elevated risk for cyclists.

• 228th Street SE. This street was one of two corridors with more than one reported bicycle crash between 2016 and 2021.
• Bothell Way NE. Bothell Way NE is a principal north-south route through the city and carries heavy traffic.
• NE 195th Street and Beardslee Boulevard. This corridor connects to Interstate 405 and has a high frequency of collisions.

The following highways present an elevated risk for cyclists.

• SR 522. SR 522 was the other corridor with more than one reported bicycle crash during the same period.
• SR 527. The Bothell-Everett Highway places bike lanes beside high traffic volumes.
• Interstate 405 interchanges. Riders on NE 195th Street and SR 527 cross ramp traffic entering and leaving the interstate.

What Is the Bicycle Accident Case Timeline?

The duration of a bicycle claim depends on the severity of the injury and the insurer’s position on fault. Claims involving minor injuries generally resolve within months, while claims involving surgery or permanent injury often take more than a year because the full cost of treatment must be established first. Our Bothell bicycle accident lawyer follows the same general sequence in each case.

1. Medical treatment continues until the injury has stabilized.
2. We investigate the collision and identify every applicable insurance policy.
3. We submit a written demand to the insurer with supporting records.
4. Negotiation follows, and many claims are resolved at this stage.
5. We file a lawsuit when the insurer does not make a reasonable offer.

What Should You Bring to Your Bicycle Accident Consultation?

The following documents allow an attorney to evaluate a claim during the first meeting. We can request any records that you don’t have yet.

• The police report or its report number identifies the driver and records the officer’s findings. A collision report is available by request from the Washington State Patrol.
• Photographs of the scene, the bicycle, and the injuries provide a visual record of the collision.
• Medical bills and records document the treatment received to date.
• Insurance information should include the cyclist’s own auto policy, where one exists.
• The damaged bicycle, helmet, and clothing should be preserved in their current condition.

During the consultation, an attorney reviews these materials and explains whether the facts support a claim. We also outline the next steps and answer questions about the process.

Reach Out to Deno Millikan Law Firm, PLLC to Schedule a Consultation

A successful bicycle claim requires evidence of fault, complete medical records, and a clear accounting of the losses. Deno Millikan Law Firm, PLLC represents injured riders throughout Bothell. During a consultation, a Bothell bicycle accident attorney reviews the collision and explains the legal options available to you. Our office is open Monday through Friday. Contact us to schedule a consultation about your bicycle accident claim.