Bicycle Accident Claims in Washington
Bicycle rules in Washington (passing distance, helmets, riding rules), how fault is shared after a bike crash, and the deadline to sue.
Short answer: A bicyclist on a roadway has the rights and duties of a vehicle driver, and on a sidewalk or crosswalk has the rights and duties of a pedestrian. Rev. Code Wash. §§ 46.61.755, 46.61.110(2)
| Bicycle laws | A bicyclist on a roadway has the rights and duties of a vehicle driver, and on a sidewalk or crosswalk has the rights and duties of a pedestrian. A driver passing a bicyclist in the right lane, shoulder or bike lane must, on a road with two or more lanes in that direction, move completely into the lane to the left when safe; on a road with one lane in that direction, slow down and pass at a safe distance of at least three feet where practicable, or move into the oncoming lane when safe if there is not enough room. |
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| Fault rule (comparative negligence) | Pure comparative fault. An injured person's own fault reduces their damages proportionately but does not bar recovery, no matter how large their share of fault. Source: Rev. Code Wash. § 4.22.005 |
| Minimum car insurance | Drivers must carry liability insurance (or another approved form of financial responsibility) of at least $25,000 for bodily injury or death of one person, $50,000 for bodily injury or death of two or more people in one accident, and $10,000 for property damage. |
| Deadline to sue for an injury | Three years for any injury to the person or rights of another not otherwise listed in the limitations statutes. Source: Rev. Code Wash. § 4.16.080(2) |
More Washington personal injury & wrongful death
- Deadlines to File an Injury Lawsuit in Washington
- Wrongful Death Lawsuits in Washington
- Medical Malpractice Rules in Washington
- Car Accident Claims in Washington
- Dog Bite Liability in Washington
- Motorcycle Accident Claims in Washington
- Pedestrian Accident Claims in Washington
- Uber and Lyft Accident Claims in Washington
- Truck Accident Claims in Washington
- Construction Site Injuries in Washington
- All Washington personal injury & wrongful death rules
FAQ
What are the bicycle laws in Washington?
A bicyclist on a roadway has the rights and duties of a vehicle driver, and on a sidewalk or crosswalk has the rights and duties of a pedestrian. A driver passing a bicyclist in the right lane, shoulder or bike lane must, on a road with two or more lanes in that direction, move completely into the lane to the left when safe; on a road with one lane in that direction, slow down and pass at a safe distance of at least three feet where practicable, or move into the oncoming lane when safe if there is not enough room.
Can you recover damages if you were partly at fault in Washington?
Pure comparative fault. An injured person's own fault reduces their damages proportionately but does not bar recovery, no matter how large their share of fault.
What is the minimum car insurance required in Washington?
Drivers must carry liability insurance (or another approved form of financial responsibility) of at least $25,000 for bodily injury or death of one person, $50,000 for bodily injury or death of two or more people in one accident, and $10,000 for property damage.
What is the statute of limitations for personal injury in Washington?
Three years for any injury to the person or rights of another not otherwise listed in the limitations statutes.
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.