When a driver hits a cyclist, the injuries can be life changing. VanWa Legal PLLC helps injured bicyclists in Vancouver and Clark County pursue compensation from negligent drivers and insurance companies.
Serving Vancouver and Southwest Washington
$1.15M wrongful death settlement
No fee unless we win
Attorney led representation
A bicycle offers no protection at all against the weight and speed of a car. When a driver makes a mistake, a cyclist absorbs the full impact, and even a low speed collision can cause a serious injury.
Despite that, drivers and insurance companies are often quick to shift blame onto the cyclist, questioning lane position or visibility before any real investigation happens. That makes early evidence, from the scene, the bike, and any witnesses, critical to building a fair claim.
VanWa Legal PLLC represents injured cyclists across Vancouver and Clark County, from downtown intersections to residential streets without dedicated bike lanes. We offer a free consultation, and you pay nothing unless we recover for you.
Accident Causes
A driver who fails to yield to a cyclist at an intersection or driveway often leaves little room to avoid a collision.
A parked car door opened into a bike lane or roadway can throw a cyclist without warning, often causing serious injury even at low speed.
Cyclists can be harder to spot than a car, and an unsafe lane change can force a rider off the road or into traffic.
A driver checking a phone is less likely to notice a cyclist in time to react.
Impaired drivers react slower and misjudge distance, a serious danger to any cyclist sharing the road.
Higher speeds reduce a driver's reaction time and increase the severity of a collision with a cyclist.
A driver turning across a cyclist's path, either turning right into a bike lane or left across oncoming traffic, is one of the most common causes of serious bike crashes.
Potholes, debris, and poorly maintained bike lanes can contribute to a crash, and in some cases point to a separate claim against the party responsible for maintaining the road.
When a driver flees the scene, identifying who caused the crash becomes harder, and the case often shifts toward uninsured motorist coverage.
Common Injuries
Without a vehicle frame or airbags for protection, cyclists are especially vulnerable to serious, lasting injuries.
It is common for a driver, or their insurance company, to suggest a cyclist was riding outside the bike lane, ran a stop sign, or was hard to see. Under Washington's comparative fault rule, even a claim of shared fault does not eliminate your right to compensation, it simply requires evidence to show where the fault truly lies.
Helmet use often comes up as well, even when it had no bearing on how the crash happened. Bike lane position, visibility at the time of the crash, and the driver's own vantage point can all be challenged with photos, witness accounts, and a careful review of the scene. An unfair narrative is not the same as evidence, and it should not be treated as the final word on your claim.
Insurance Coverage
A bicycle accident claim can involve more than one source of coverage. The at fault driver's liability insurance is usually the primary source of recovery, though your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) may apply in some situations even though you were not driving a car.
If the driver fled the scene or did not carry enough insurance to cover your injuries, underinsured motorist coverage (UIM) may fill the gap. Health insurance often pays medical bills as treatment happens, and in limited cases, a driver's homeowner's or umbrella policy can come into play as well. Identifying every available source of coverage is one of the most important parts of building a full recovery, and it is rarely obvious without an attorney reviewing the details of the crash.
Compensation
*The compensation available depends on the facts of your case,
What to Do After
Why Choose us
Local Presence
Based in Vancouver, with firsthand knowledge of the roads and bike routes here.
Serious Injury Experience
Deep experience with the kinds of injuries bike crashes actually cause.
Insurance Negotiation
Skilled at pushing back when a driver or insurer tries to shift blame onto the cyclist.
Evidence Preservation
We move quickly to secure the bike, gear, and scene evidence before it's lost.
No Upfront Fees
You pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
Free Consultation
Start with a no cost, no obligation case review.
FAQ
In many cases, yes. Helmet use does not automatically bar your claim, though it may come up during negotiations, which is why it helps to have an attorney address it directly.
Got some more questions? Send us a message at contact@vanwalegal.com
Contact us
If you were hurt while riding, you do not have to face the driver's insurance company alone. Talk to an attorney about your case at no cost, and pay nothing unless we win.
