Many Spokane cyclists can point to one intersection or stretch of road that always makes their heart rate jump. Maybe it is the turn where cars cut across the bike lane, the bridge where the shoulder disappears, or the hill where drivers fly past at freeway speeds. Those gut feelings are not just nerves; they often match up with very real patterns in local bicycle crashes.
Across Spokane, serious bicycle accidents tend to happen in the same kinds of places and for the same kinds of reasons. Cyclists and families usually only see the aftermath: a broken bike, an ambulance, or a brief news story. When we pull back and look at Spokane bicycle accident trends, we can see how road design, driver behavior, weather, and infrastructure gaps create predictable risks that riders should know about.
At Maxey Law Office PLLC, we have represented injured people in Spokane since 1980, and we keep seeing the same bicycle crash scenarios repeat on our roads. Over decades of reviewing collision reports, medical records, and scene photos, certain patterns stand out. In this article, we share what those patterns look like in Spokane, how they affect fault and insurance claims under Washington law, and what cyclists and families can do to protect both safety and legal rights.
How Spokane Bicycle Accident Trends Affect Everyday Riders
For most riders, the immediate question is simple. How risky is it to bike in Spokane, and what does that risk look like in real life? Trends are not abstract when you rely on your bike to commute downtown, get to class, or ride for fitness on evenings and weekends. If crashes are clustering at certain types of intersections or along particular corridors, that affects the routes you choose and how you ride them.
When we look across Spokane bicycle accident files, we do not see random chaos. We see patterns. Crashes often happen where traffic moves quickly, but drivers still make frequent turns, where bike facilities start and stop without warning, and where drivers do not expect to see cyclists. These patterns shape which situations are more dangerous and which details matter most when a crash does happen.
Our goal is to translate those patterns into clear, usable information. In the sections that follow, we talk about where Spokane bicycle crashes most often occur, the most common collision types, how weather and infrastructure play a role, and how Washington’s comparative fault rules apply. Because our firm has worked in Spokane since 1980, we are drawing not only from general traffic safety principles but from what we actually see on local streets and in local courtrooms.
Where Spokane Bicycle Crashes Happen Most Often
When a cyclist goes down in Spokane, it is rarely on a quiet residential street with calm traffic and good sight lines. More often, crashes show up on the busy connectors where bikes and cars are squeezed together. These can include multi-lane arterials that feed into downtown, roads that cross major commercial areas, and corridors where traffic volumes and speeds are both high.
High-speed arterials increase risk because drivers have less time to react to a cyclist in their path. Even if a rider is in a marked bike lane, fast-moving cars that are changing lanes or preparing to turn may not scan properly for someone on two wheels. Add multiple driveways, bus stops, and side streets, and you get more conflict points, places where a driver and cyclist can cross paths unexpectedly.
Intersections are another common crash location, especially where turning traffic crosses a bike lane or shoulder. In these settings, the pattern often looks the same. A rider is traveling straight when a driver turns right across their path, turns left in front of them, or pulls out from a side street without a clear view. When complex signal phases, odd angles, or poorly marked crosswalks are involved, drivers can misjudge where cyclists will be or how fast they are traveling.
Areas where bike lanes or shoulders suddenly end also show up repeatedly in injury files. Cyclists may be forced to merge into fast-moving traffic, often right as lanes narrow or curves limit visibility. Drivers behind them may not understand why a cyclist is in the travel lane and attempt unsafe passes. Spokane’s mix of older streets and newer traffic volumes means these pinch points are still common, particularly on routes that were not originally designed with bikes in mind.
Time of day plays a role as well. Many serious crashes involve commuters on their way to or from work or school during peak traffic. During the darker months, dusk and dawn bring extra risk because low sun angles, wet pavement, and headlight glare reduce contrast. In our Spokane cases, we often see notes about “did not see cyclist” that line up exactly with these visibility challenges at busy hours.
Common Spokane Bicycle Crash Types And Why They Happen
When we examine individual collisions in Spokane, the same crash types come up again and again. Understanding how they unfold helps riders recognize risky situations and also helps families understand what might really have happened when a police report feels incomplete or tilted against the cyclist.
One of the most common patterns is the right hook. A cyclist is moving straight along the right side of the roadway, sometimes in a bike lane, when a driver passes them, then immediately turns right across their path. The driver focuses on making the turn and looking for gaps in car traffic, and forgets the cyclist they just passed. The physics here are simple. The cyclist has far less time and space to brake or swerve than the driver expects, especially if speeds are high or the road is slick.
The left hook is similar but involves a driver turning left across an oncoming cyclist’s path. In Spokane, this often happens at intersections where a cyclist is traveling straight and at a decent pace, sometimes downhill. Drivers waiting to turn left may misjudge the cyclist’s speed or fail to notice them at all because they are scanning primarily for cars. When the driver finally moves, the cyclist has only a split second to react, and a collision can happen in the space of a few feet.
Dooring crashes are also familiar on streets with on-street parking. A driver or passenger opens a door into the path of a passing cyclist, forcing a sudden stop or swerve into traffic. These collisions show how even a parked vehicle can create a live hazard when people do not check mirrors or surroundings. In narrow lanes, riders are trapped between the door zone and moving traffic, a structural risk that has little to do with rider carelessness and everything to do with street design and driver habits.
Rear-end and side-swipe impacts round out the list. Rear-end crashes can happen when a driver follows too closely behind a cyclist, underestimates how quickly the cyclist will slow for a turn or obstacle, or is distracted. Side-swipes often occur where lanes narrow or where a cyclist is forced out of a shoulder, for example, where debris or snow pushes them into the travel lane. If a driver does not leave sufficient lateral space, even a small drift can put them into contact with the cyclist.
In our Spokane cases, initial reports sometimes frame these incidents as “the cyclist came out of nowhere.” When we dig deeper, we often find that visibility was limited, speeds were too high for conditions, or the driver did not look where a cyclist was reasonably expected to be. These are not random freak events. They follow predictable patterns that usually point back to driver decision-making, road design, or both, rather than pure cyclist error.
How Spokane Weather, Visibility, And Infrastructure Shape Risk
Spokane’s climate plays a big role in when and how bicycle crashes occur. In winter, snow, ice, and slush can cover bike lanes and push cyclists further into the travel lane. Sand and gravel used for traction can linger long after a storm, turning shoulders and bike lanes into loose, unstable surfaces that make sudden braking or swerving more dangerous for both new and experienced riders.
On slick pavement, both cars and bikes take longer to stop. A cyclist who brakes hard on ice may lose traction and slide, while a driver who slams on the brakes needs extra distance to come to a stop. When these two realities collide, for example, a driver turning too quickly on a snowy corner while a cyclist approaches, the margin for error shrinks dramatically. We often see crash photos where tire marks, ruts, or plowed snowbanks tell this story more clearly than the brief narrative in the report.
Visibility varies by season as well. During fall and winter commutes, low sun angles can blind drivers to what is directly in front of them, and twilight hours extend into the times when people are still commuting by bike. Wet pavement can mirror headlights and streetlights, reducing contrast and making it harder to spot a cyclist even with lights and reflective gear. Crashes that occur with comments like “I never saw them” often line up with these low-visibility periods during peak traffic.
Infrastructure plays its own part. In some parts of Spokane, bike lanes are continuous and clearly marked. In others, paint is faded, lanes are interrupted, or facilities end right before busy intersections. Trail connections can feed riders into fast-moving roads with few markings to tell drivers to expect bikes. These ambiguous zones create confusion about where a cyclist should ride and where drivers should look for them as they turn or merge.
We regularly see cases where a lack of clear markings or poor maintenance becomes a quiet factor in how the crash unfolded. Gravel pushed into a bike lane, pooled water that hides potholes, or a missing sign at a trail crossing can all increase risk. When we investigate these incidents, photographs and site visits help show how infrastructure and weather combined to create conditions that were far more dangerous than they appear on paper.
Washington Law, Fault, And What These Trends Mean For Your Rights
Spokane bicycle accident trends do not just matter for safety. They also matter for how fault is decided and what that means for your claim. Washington uses a comparative fault system. That means more than one person can share responsibility for a collision, and an injured cyclist can still pursue compensation even if they are found to be partially at fault. The key questions are who had what duties, and how each person’s choices and conditions on the road contributed to what happened.
Drivers in Washington owe specific duties to cyclists. They must yield when turning across a bike lane or shoulder, check blind spots and mirrors before changing lanes or opening doors, and pass at a safe distance when overtaking a cyclist. Many of the crash types we see in Spokane, such as right hooks, left hooks, and dooring incidents, involve drivers failing to uphold these duties. When a driver admits they did not see the cyclist, that often shows they did not look where traffic, including bikes, could reasonably be expected.
Cyclists also have responsibilities, such as obeying traffic signals and signs, using lighting at night, and riding with traffic. However, there is a common misconception that if a cyclist did not do something perfectly, like wearing a helmet or using a particular facility, they lose their rights entirely. In practice, fault decisions usually consider the entire context, including the driver’s speed, line of sight, and whether road design or weather played a role in creating a dangerous situation.
For example, if a cyclist is hit in a right hook crash while traveling straight and visible, a driver’s failure to yield before turning is often central. Even if someone later argues about the cyclist’s positioning in the lane or clothing color, Washington’s comparative fault system still requires examining how much each factor actually contributed. The trends we see in Spokane, repeated patterns of drivers turning across bike lanes or not scanning at trail crossings, often carry more weight than minor rider decisions.
Our firm has deep roots in civil rights advocacy, and we carry that commitment to equality and justice into bicycle cases. Cyclists are vulnerable road users and are sometimes treated as if they accept all risk by choosing to ride. We push back against that narrative with evidence, including photographs, scene measurements, and input from appropriate professionals when helpful, to show how driver behavior and environmental conditions aligned with known crash patterns, not just abstract assumptions about risky cycling.
Practical Safety Steps For Spokane Cyclists Based On Current Trends
No cyclist can control what every driver does, and riders should not be blamed for the choices of people operating much larger, heavier vehicles. That said, understanding Spokane bicycle accident trends can help you make choices that tilt the odds in your favor. The goal is not to put responsibility solely on cyclists, but to share strategies that respond realistically to the patterns we see on local roads.
First, route selection matters. When possible, choose streets with continuous bike lanes or lower speed limits, especially during peak traffic. If you know a particular intersection or stretch of road has frequent conflict points, such as multiple driveways or complex turn lanes, consider whether a slightly longer but calmer route is available. Riders who commute daily often develop an internal map of pressure points based on close calls. Paying attention to those feelings can be as important as any map app.
Second, adjust how you approach intersections and driveways. In areas where right hooks and left hooks are common, take a position that improves your visibility, such as moving slightly further into the lane before entering an intersection, and make eye contact with turning drivers when you can. Be cautious when passing to the right of long queues of traffic, especially where cars may turn across your path into driveways or side streets without signaling.
Third, prepare for Spokane’s visibility and weather challenges. Use front and rear lights even during the day in low-visibility seasons, and consider reflective elements on your bike or clothing. On snow, ice, or loose gravel, lower your speed and give yourself more room to brake and maneuver, especially near intersections and curves where drivers may also have trouble stopping. Think about how your line of travel interacts with plowed snowbanks, sand piles, and puddles that could hide hazards or force you into the lane.
These steps do not guarantee that a crash will not happen, and they do not erase a driver’s responsibility to operate safely. However, they do align with the mechanisms we see in Spokane crashes and can reduce the chance that you will be caught in a situation with no time or space to react. If a collision does occur, the fact that you were riding predictably and taking reasonable precautions can also matter in how insurers and courts evaluate fault under Washington law.
What To Do After A Spokane Bicycle Accident
Even with careful riding, a serious bicycle accident can happen in an instant. In the immediate aftermath, your first priority is your health. Call 911 if you can or ask someone nearby to do so. Many injuries, particularly to the head, neck, or internal organs, are not obvious at the scene. Getting evaluated promptly at a Spokane medical facility helps protect your health and creates medical records that can later link your injuries to the crash.
If you are able, or if a friend or family member can assist, gather basic information at the scene. This includes the driver’s name, contact details, and insurance information, license plate numbers, and contact information for any witnesses. Take photographs of the vehicles, your bike, your injuries, and the surrounding area. Pay attention to details that reflect the trends we have discussed, such as the position of turn lanes, visibility of signs and markings, parked cars that might have created a blind spot, or weather and lighting conditions.
Tell the responding officer what you experienced, but avoid guessing about speeds or distances if you are unsure. If the officer seems to assume you are at fault simply because you were on a bike, remember that the initial report is not the final word. We have handled cases where a deeper look at the scene, including sight lines, skid marks, or video from nearby businesses, showed that the driver’s account left out critical facts that matched known crash patterns.
In the days after the crash, follow your medical provider’s recommendations and keep copies of all records and bills. Notify your own auto insurer if you have coverage, including underinsured motorist coverage, since that can sometimes apply even if you were biking. Be careful about giving detailed recorded statements to the driver’s insurance company before you understand your rights, especially if questions seem focused on blaming clothing, helmet use, or your choice of route instead of the driver’s actions.
We know that many injured cyclists cannot easily travel across town to meet an attorney. Our practice includes meeting clients at home or in the hospital when needed, as well as maintaining regular communication so they know what is happening with their case. Early legal guidance can help preserve evidence tied to Spokane crash trends, such as photographs before road conditions change, and can make it easier to challenge an insurer’s attempt to pin all or most of the blame on the cyclist.
How Maxey Law Office PLLC Approaches Spokane Bicycle Accident Cases
Handling a Spokane bicycle accident case well means paying attention to both the big picture and the smallest details. On the big-picture side, we look at the broader patterns that shape your crash, including the type of roadway, known conflict points, weather, and the common collision mechanisms we see throughout Spokane. On the detail side, we review police reports, medical records, scene photos, and witness statements to build a timeline of what actually happened, second by second.
Our firm’s roots go back to Carl Maxey, a decorated trial lawyer and civil rights leader who built his practice on the principles of integrity, equality, and justice. That legacy informs how we approach bicycle cases. Cyclists are often the most vulnerable people on the road, and they can face skepticism from drivers, insurers, and sometimes even investigators. We take that bias seriously and work to counter it with clear, concrete evidence.
In a typical Spokane bicycle case, our work may include visiting the crash scene, studying sight lines from the driver’s perspective and the cyclist’s path, reviewing any available video, and consulting with appropriate professionals when helpful. We also look at how roadway design, signage, or maintenance may have contributed. These factors often align closely with the Spokane bicycle accident trends we see across many files, which helps us spot issues that might otherwise be overlooked.
Throughout the process, we keep our focus on you. That means communicating in plain language, explaining options before decisions are made, and being accessible when questions or worries come up. Serious bike injuries can affect every part of a person’s life, from work to family responsibilities to long-term health. Our team works across Spokane, North Idaho, and surrounding communities to help injured cyclists and families seek accountability and fair compensation without losing sight of their well-being.
Talk With A Spokane Bicycle Accident Lawyer About Your Situation
Spokane bicycle accident trends show that crashes rarely happen in a vacuum. They follow patterns linked to speeding traffic, complex intersections, infrastructure gaps, and driver choices. Understanding those patterns can help you ride more safely, and if you or someone you love has been hurt, it can also help you see that you are not alone and that your case deserves a careful, fair look.
If you are dealing with the aftermath of a Spokane bicycle accident, you do not have to sort through fault questions and insurance tactics on your own. We have been representing injured people in this community for decades, and we bring that local experience and our commitment to justice to every case. Contact us today. We are ready to talk with you about what happened, what your options are, and how we can help you move forward.
Call (509) 652-3330 to speak with our team at Maxey Law Office PLLC.