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Bicyclist Recovers Over $209,000 in Collision Case. Read more.

Bicycle Accidents

We ride, we care, and we work for justice. 

Our attorneys are dedicated commuters and recreational cyclists who have ridden tens of thousands of miles.  We are also highly-qualified and experienced litigators and problem solvers.  We welcome inquiries from cyclists and their families with questions about cyclists’ rights, and options for dealing with insurance problems, injuries or death.  For a free consultation, call Jamie at 503-595-4131 or toll free at 1-800-800-1004.

The Numbers

With as many as 85 million people in the United States who ride bicycles, cycling is one of the most popular forms of recreation and transportation.  Around 750 people are killed each year in bicycle accidents in the United States.  Another 500,000 are injured.  Over 90 percent of bicycling deaths are caused by collisions with motor vehicles.  Many of those are children, and most involve brain injuries.  Despite these tragic facts, careful cycling compares favorably to car travel hour per hour:  a recent study indicates that travelers in passenger cars are almost twice as likely to die in an hour on the road compared to bicyclists. 

Preventing Bicycling Injuries

The single most important thing you can do to bicycle more safely is wear a helmet.  Studies show that helmets can reduce the chance of a brain injury by up to 88 percent. 

Helmet Basics

Take some time—plan on 10 to 15 minutes—to adjust your helmet straps carefully.  Follow the instructions that came with your helmet.  Generally, the ear and chin straps should meet right below your ear, as shown in the picture to the lower left.  The helmet should cover your forehead, but not be so low as to get in your eyes.  If the helmet has a plastic band around the inside, adjust it so that i t is snug but not uncomfortable, as directed in the helme t instructions.  The chin strap should be snug but not uncomfortable under your chin.  When you are done adjusting the straps, the helmet should not wobble when you shake or turn your head.  It should not move back or forward more than about an inch if you push and pull and jostle it with moderate pressure.  If you have trouble, take your helmet to a bicycle shop and ask if they have an employee who is experienced with helmet adjustments who can assist you.  If careful strap adjustment doesn’t give a proper fit, get a new helmet.  Choose white or another bright color for visibility.  Again, follow the instructions and warnings that come with the helmet.

Visibility Matters

When choosing your bicycle, helmet, clothes and other accessories, choose white or another bright color for visibility to help motorists see you.  In the event of a collision, the visibility of the colors you were wearing may affect your legal rights.  Similarly, if you failed to use reflectors and lights in low-visibility conditions, you may be less able to recover for injuries, even if the vehicle driver is otherwise at fault.  Reflectors should be clean and pointed to reflect straight back at the cars that need to see them.  Similarly, lights should be bright, and pointed so that cars can see them, not down or up.  New white-LED headlamps and taillights that flash greatly improve visibility at night, in the rain, and other low-visibility situations.  Although laws vary, most states require a white light in front and a red light in back, as well as reflectors, for riding at night.  Pedal and wheel reflectors greatly improve night visibility, and may be required in your state.  Some states require a solid (not flashing) headlight in front, which can be used in combination with a flashing light for even better visibility and safety. 

If you have been injured in a bicycle accident

Attorneys at Vangelisti Kocher LLP have assisted injured bicyclists in recovering hundreds of thousands of dollars.  We believe we are able to represent cyclists better because we are cyclists ourselves.  Attorney Richard J. Vangelisti is a regular bicycle commuter.  Attorney Scott F. Kocher has logged over 30,000 miles as a longtime commuter and former mountain bike racer.  His experience includes an unsupported ride from Boston to Los Angeles.  In addition, Scott has served as the governor’s appointee to the Oregon Bicycle Advisory Committee, advocating for bike lanes and other improvements needed to make bicycling safer. 

If you have been injured, it is important to have a Washington lawyer evaluate any claim you may have.  The law provides strict deadlines for bringing personal injury, insurance and wrongful death claims.  

We welcome calls, and provide free initial consultations on cyclist rights, as well as injury and fatality accidents.  Even if you are not intending to sue, we urge you to call or email so that we can help you understand insurance processes and evaluate your options.  You may call 503-595-4131 or toll free 1-800-800-1004.  You can also contact us using our web form.

If we are not able to speak with you immediately, we will return your inquiry as soon as we can. Read more about our attorneys.

Cities Served:

Aberdeen, Acme, Addy, Adna, Agnew, Ahtanum, Airway Heights, Albion, Alder, Alderwood Manor, Allen, Allyn, Almira, Aloha, Altoona, Amboy, Anacortes, Anatone, Ariel, Arlington, Asotin, Auburn, B Z Corner, Bainbridge Island, Bayview, Beaver, Belfair, Bellevue, Bellingham, Belmont, Benge, Benton City, Bickleton, Bingen, Birch Bay, Blaine, Blyn, Bothell, Bow, Boyds, Bremerton, Brewster, Bridgeport, Brinnon, Brownstown, Buckley, Bucoda, Buena, Burien, Burlington, Burton, Camas, Carhcart, Carlisle, Carlsborg, Carlton, Carnation, Carson, Cashmere, Castle Rock, Cathlamet, Cedonia, Centerville, Central Park, Centralia, Chehalis, Chelan, Cheney, Chesaw, Chewelah, Cinebar, Clallam Bay, Cle Elum, Clearlake, Clearwater, Cliffdell, Clinton, Clipper, Colbert, Colfax, College Place, Colton, Colville, Concrete, Connell, Conway, Copalia Crossing, Cosmopolis, Cougar, Coulee Dam, Coupeville, Crescent Bar, Crystal Mountain, Cunningham, Curlew, Curtis, Cusick, Custer, Dallesport, Danville, Darrington, Davenport, Dayton, Deer Harbor, Deer Park, Deming, Des Moines, Diamond, Disautel, Dishman, Dixie, Dodge, Dollar's Corner, Donald, Doty, Dryden, Du Pont, Duvall, East Wenatchee, Easton, Eastsound, Eatonville, Edison, Edmonds, Edwall, Elbe, Electric City, Elk, Ellensburg, Ellisford, Elma, Eltopis, Enumclaw, Ephrata, Ethel, Everett, Everson, Fall City, Ferndale, Fisher, Ford, Fords Prairie, Forks, Four Lakes, Frances, Freeman, Friday Harbor, Fruitland, Garfield, George, Glacier, Gleed, Glenoma, Glenwood, Gold Bar, Goldendale, Goose Prairie, Graham, Grandview, Granger, Grayland, Greenacres, Greenwater, Grisdale, Hansville, Harper, Harrington, Hay, Holly, Home Valley, Hoodsport, Hoquiam, Hyak, Liwaco, Index, Inglewood, Ione, Irby, Issaquah, Joyce, Kahlotus, Kalama, Kapowsin, Keller, Kelso, Kennewick, Kent, Kettle Falls, Keyport, Kingston, Kiona, Kirkland, Kooskooskie, La Center, La Corner, Lacey, Lacross, Lakebay, Lakeview Park, Lakewood, Lamona, Langley, Latah, Laurier, Leavenworth, Lebam, Leland, Liberty, Lincoln, Lind, Littlerock, Lofall, Long Beach, Longbrach, Longmire, Longview, Loomis, Loon Lake, Lopez, Lowden, Mabana, Mabton, Malaga, Malden, Malo, Malott, Maltby, Manson, Maple Valley, Marblemount, Marcus, Marlin, Marshall, Marysville, Matlock, Mattawa, Mazama, McCleary, McKenna, McMillin, Mead, Medical Lake, Menlo, Mesa, Metaline, Methow, Milan, Miles, Mill Creek, Mineral, Moclips, Mohler, Molson, Monitor, Monroe, Montesano, Morton, Moses Lake, Mossyrock, Mount Vernon, Mountlake Terrance, Mukilteo, Naches, Nahcotta, Naselle, Nespelem, Newhalem, Newport, North Bonneville, North Cove, Northport, Oak Harbor, Ocean City, Ocean Park, Ocean Shores, Okanogan, Olympia, Omak, Onalaska, Opportunity, Orcas, Orchards, Orin, Orondo, Oroville, Orting, Ostrander, othello, Outlook, Ozette, Pacific Beach, Packwood, Palisades, Palmer, Palouse, Park, Parker, Parkland, Pasco, Pateros, Paterson, Peshastin, Pine City, Plain, Plaza, Point Roberts, Pomeroy, Port Angeles, Port Gamble, Port Hadlock, Port Townsend, Porter, Poulsbo, Prairie, Prescott, Preston, Prosser, Pullman, Purdy, Puyallup, Quilcene, Quinault, Quincy, Rainer, Ralston, Randle, Ravensdale, Raymond, Reardan, Redmond, Renton, Republic, Rice, Richland, Ritzville, Robe, Roche Harbor, Rochester, Ronald, Roosevelt, Roseburg, Roy, Royal City, Ruff, Ruston, Ryderwood, St. John, Sawyer, Seabeck, Seattle, Seaview, Sedro Woolley, Selah, Sequim, Shelton, Shoreline, Silvana, Silver Lake, Skamania, Skamokawa, Snohomish, Soap Lake, South Bend, South Cle Elum, South Point, S. Wenatchee, Spanaway, Spangle, Spokane, Sprague, Stanwood, Startup, Stehekin, Steilacoom, Steptoe, Stevenson, Stratford, Sultan, Sumas, Sumner, Sunnyside, Tacoma, Taholah, Tahuya, Tampico, Telma, Tenino, Thorp, Tieton, Tiger, Toppenish, Touchet, Trout Lake, Tumtum, Tumwater, Tyler, Underwood, Union, Usk, Utsalady, Vader, Valley, alleyford, Vancouver, Vantage, Vashon, Vaughn, Waldron, Walla Walla, Wallula, Wapato, Warden, Washougal, Waverly, Wenatchee, Westport, W. Sound, White Salmon, Whites, Wickersham, Wilbur, Wilkeson, Winlock, Winona, Winthrop, Wishram, Winthrow, Yacolt, Yakima, Yale, Yelm, Zillah.

Counties Served in Washington:

Adams County, Asotin County, Benton County, Chelan County, Clark County, Columbia County, Cowlitz County, Douglas County, Ferry County, Franklin County, Garfield County, Grant County, Grays Harbor County, Island County, Jefferson County, King County, Kitsap County, Kittitas County, Klickitat County, Lewis County, Lincoln County, Mason County, Okanogan County, Pacific County, Pend Oreille County, Pierce County, San Juan County, Skagit County, Skamania County, Snohomish County, Spokane County, Stevens County, Thurston County, Wahkiakum County, Walla Walla County, Whatcom County, Whitman County, Yakima County.

Alternate Spellings:

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