Bellevue, Washington – Motorcyclist Killed by a Wrong-Way Truck on State Route 520

Bellevue, Washington (October 18, 2019) – A motorcyclist was killed after getting struck by a wrong-way pickup truck on eastbound State Route 520 on Friday morning. The motorcyclist was instantly killed by the collision. The truck driver was taken to Overlake Hospital and was reported to be in satisfactory condition. No other injuries were reported in the incident.

According to the report, troopers from the Washington State Patrol received calls about a pickup truck driving the wrong way on State Route 520 around 11 a.m. The truck was able to avoid vehicles for some time, but struck a motorcycle just after 92nd Avenue East. The impact caused the motorcyclist to be ejected from his vehicle. The truck continued and came to rest on the shoulder around three-quarters of a mile from the incident. The truck driver is cooperating with the investigation and it is being determined what caused the driver to go the wrong way.

About Motorcycle Accidents

We offer our sympathies and compassion for the friends and loved ones of the victim. Unfortunately, this is not the only time a motorcycle accident has resulted in a fatality. Because of a motorcycle’s open nature, the risks of injuries are greater to a person on a motorcycle than a person in a car. Head injuries are common in motorcycle accidents of all kinds, as are limb injuries. Much like any other vehicle accidents, motorcycle accidents can easily come out of lapse of attention and careless maneuvers.  It is important to always observe proper driving and consideration for other vehicles, something which all motorcycle drivers should keep in mind as 3/4 of motorcycle accidents involve another vehicle. This is most likely due to a motorcycle’s overall visibility being less than most other vehicles, which means drivers of other vehicles tend not to see motorcycles in time.  This visibility problem makes motorcycle rides at night especially risky. Additionally, the stationary objects most often struck off-road are trees, utility poles, and traffic barriers, and driving in poor visibility conditions such as nighttime and unfavorable weather can increase the risks of collision with one of the objects mentioned above.

While motorcycles are a much-depended means of transportation, drivers should consider factors such as speed, number of other vehicles on the road, the road conditions and weather to ensure their safety while out and about. Be especially cautious when driving at night, as with any other vehicle. Any mistakes in judgement can lead to accidents, injuries and damage not only to your person, but on other people as well.

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