A 36 year-old man from Everett was tragically killed on Sunday at about 3 pm while riding his motorcycle northbound in the 4900 block of Everett Way. The motorcyclist was transported by ambulance to Providence Regional Medical Center in Everett, where he died from the injuries sustained.
A car traveling southbound on Everett Way turned left in front of the motorcyclist and the collision ensured. The Everett Police responded to the scene and shut down lanes of traffic to secure the scene and gather evidence as part of the investigation.
Failure to Yield
Under Washington law, drivers can be cited and fined for failure to yield the right of way at an intersection or when making a turn. While this accident is under investigation, what is clear is that failure to yield is a major cause of accidents.
Each year, thousands of Washington drivers, motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians, are seriously injured or killed in left hand turn collisions. This accident comes on the heels of another fatal motorcycle accident in Silverdale last month, which had similar circumstances.
If a driver is found to have failed to yield the right of way, he or she would be liable for all victim damages sustained in civil court, including a wrongful death action.
A Leading Cause of Motorcyclist Deaths
The Motorcycle Safety Foundation has found that failure to yield and left turns in front of riders are one of the leading causes of fatal motorcycle crashes in the U.S. As the cost of operating a vehicle rises, roads become more congested, and people seek out healthier and more eco-friendly lifestyles, the trend may continue.
In fact, vulnerable road user (motorcyclist, bicyclist, and pedestrian) accidents account for nearly half of all traffic fatalities worldwide and their percentage is increasing.
Stay Safe Riding
As the weather warms, more motorcyclists take to the roads. This comes with risks. It’s important for motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians alike to take all the precautions possible to avoid being a victim. Being alert and vigilant at all times, following the rules of the road, keeping your distance, wearing highly visible clothing, and using lights at all times are just a few things you can do help reduce the risk of a vehicular collision.
Please read our blog post on motorcycle safety tips for more information. If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a motorcycle crash, please contact our motorcycle accident attorneys. We seek the maximum possible financial compensation for victim damages.
