What Is a Right Hook Accident?

Colburn Law

Posted in Bicycle Safety on March 16, 2022

If you ride a bike in Washington, it is important to stay vigilant. Many types of accidents can occur between a driver and a cyclist, including rear-end accidents, left-cross collisions, and right-hook accidents.

Right-hook bicycle accidents can be particularly devastating. In this type of collision, a motorist strikes a cyclist while making a right turn, leading to serious and sometimes fatal injuries. If you or a loved one are involved in a right-hook accident, you may be eligible for financial compensation.

What Causes a Right-Hook Accident?

Motor vehicle drivers have a responsibility to follow all traffic laws and operate their vehicles carefully. This includes being aware of cyclists on the road and ensuring that their actions do not cause a bicycle accident. 

When a bicycle and a motor vehicle are traveling in the same direction and approaching an intersection at the same time, a driver may turn right while a cyclist rides straight. When the driver makes a right turn, he or she then collides with the cyclist. 

Many factors can lead to a right-hook accident. Drivers often underestimate cyclists’ speed or forget to watch out for them on the road. When a driver turns right, he or she can miscalculate the cyclist’s distance or miss the cyclist altogether, leading to a collision. Driver distraction, fatigue, and intoxication may also lead to these collisions.

Right-Hook Accident Injuries

Because a motor vehicle is substantively larger and heavier than the average cyclist, severe accidents can occur during a right-hook accident. Examples of cyclist injuries include the following.

• Broken bones
• Brain injuries
• Organ damage
• Internal bleeding
• Spinal cord injuries
• Road rash
• Neck and back injuries
• Lacerations
• Damaged limbs

Recovering Compensation After a Right-Hook Accident 

If you are injured in a right-hook accident, you may be eligible for financial compensation. Like many states, Washington follows a fault-based standard when it comes to motor vehicle collisions. According to state law, drivers who cause accidents are liable for the damages of their victims, including cyclists.

By filing an insurance claim or lawsuit, you could hold the driver accountable for the losses that you experienced in the right-hook collision. You can recover compensation for economic or financial damages, as well as the pain and suffering that you endured.

The following are common examples of damages in right-hook accident claims.

• Medical expenses
• Property damage
• Lost wages
• Chronic pain
• Permanent disability
• Loss of quality of life
• Depression and anxiety
• Emotional distress

Proving a Right-Hook Accident Claim in Washington

Being involved in a right-hook accident is not enough to win an insurance claim or lawsuit. To secure a settlement in your claim, you will need to prove that the driver was at fault for the accident and your resulting injuries.

In these situations, you need a Washington bicycle accident lawyer on your side. Hiring an attorney can provide several benefits to your claim, such as the following.

• Your lawyer can represent you in insurance negotiations and advocate for the highest possible settlement.
• An attorney can investigate your accident and gather several pieces of important evidence, such as witness statements, surveillance footage, and police reports. 
• If your case needs additional support, your lawyer can also contact expert witnesses who can testify on your behalf. 
• Your attorney can take your case to trial if necessary and craft a compelling case for the courtroom.

As soon as possible after your right-hook accident, contact our attorney to discuss your next steps.