There are 85 million bicycle riders in the United States and the number is growing.

Under Washington State law, when riding on a roadway, a bicyclist has all rights and responsibilities of the driver of a car. (RCW 46.61.755). When a bicyclist is crossing within in a marked or unmarked crosswalk, all vehicles must stop and allow the bicyclist to cross. (RCW 46.61.235).

There is no state law requiring bicyclists to wear a helmet. However, some cities and counties do require helmets, including: Snohomish, Pierce and King Counties; Seattle and Tacoma.

Last year, about 540,000 bicyclists visited emergency rooms. Of those injured, approximately 67,000 had head injuries. More than 700 bicyclists died in accidents last year, two-thirds were from traumatic brain injury.

A bicycle-car accident can result in serious injuries, such as:

• Broken or fractured bones
• Head injuries
• Brain injuries
• Disfigurement
• Mental distress
• Death

Bicyclists injured in an accident with a car may be entitled to compensation for injuries and damages caused by the accident. You could be entitled to compensation for:

• Medical bills
• Lost wages, past and future
• Pain and suffering
• Permanent disability or disfigurement
• Household help while you are incapacitated
• Property damage
• And other items of damages.

If you or a loved one is injured in a bicycle accident, please contact The Farber Law Group immediately. You pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.