Recreational Vehicle Accident Claims

Vehicle TypesWhat Counts as a Recreational Vehicle Accident Claim

Recreational vehicle accident claims cover a wide range of vehicles and settings — each with its own applicable laws and insurance considerations:

• ATVs and off-road vehicles (ORVs/OHVs) — rollovers, collisions, and crashes on trails, private land, or during events. Washington's off-road vehicle statutes (RCW 46.09) govern operation, registration, and equipment requirements for these vehicles.
• Dirt bikes and motocross motorcycles — crashes at tracks, on trails, or on roads where the bike may or may not be street-legal.
• RVs, motorhomes, and camper vans — on-road accidents that follow standard vehicle liability rules, but with the added complexity of a larger vehicle and potentially a rental or shared-ownership situation.
• Golf carts and low-speed vehicles — collisions on golf courses, in retirement communities, or on shared paths and roadways where they're permitted.
• Snowmobiles — crashes on designated trails or private land in the mountain areas accessible from Pierce County.
• Boats and personal watercraft — collisions, wake injuries, and operator negligence on area waterways.

The Key QuestionSingle-Vehicle Crash Doesn't Mean No One Else Is Responsible

This is the insight most people don't know to ask about — and it's where recreational vehicle claims most often have more legal options than they first appear.

InsuranceRecreational Vehicles and the Coverage Gap

One of the most common problems in recreational vehicle claims is discovering that the vehicle wasn't covered by any applicable insurance — or that the coverage is far smaller than expected.

• Standard auto policies usually don't cover off-road vehicles. An ATV, dirt bike, or snowmobile used off-road is typically excluded from a homeowner's or standard auto policy — a separate recreational vehicle policy or rider is needed, and many people don't have one.
• Homeowners policies sometimes provide limited coverage for recreational vehicles on the insured property — but that coverage rarely extends off-premises.
• Rental vehicle situations add another layer: whose insurance applies — the renter's, the rental company's, or a credit card's travel protection — depends on the specific facts and agreements.
• Event and track insurance may cover participants at organized events or motocross tracks, and that coverage should be identified and examined.

Identifying every applicable policy — including uninsured motorist coverage where relevant — is one of the first and most important things we do on a recreational vehicle claim.

Right AwaySteps to Take After a Recreational Vehicle Accident

1. Get medical care immediately. Recreational vehicle crashes often cause serious orthopedic, spinal, and head injuries. Many Pierce County residents go to MultiCare Good Samaritan in Puyallup — go there even if you feel okay at the scene, since adrenaline masks pain.
2. Preserve the vehicle. Don't repair or return the vehicle before it can be inspected. If a defect caused the crash, the vehicle itself is the primary evidence — and it can be lost permanently if repaired, returned, or disposed of.
3. Document the scene. Photos of the vehicle, the crash site, any trail or road hazard, the conditions, and your injuries before anything is moved or changed.
4. Identify all parties and insurance. The owner, the operator, and the vehicle's registration and insurance information — recreational vehicle ownership is sometimes informal, which makes this step more complicated than a standard car crash.
5. Contact an attorney before you talk to any insurer — including the vehicle owner's or operator's insurance company.

Washington LawComparative Fault, the Deadline & Equipment Rules

We handle recreational vehicle accident claims on a contingency-fee basis — no attorney fee upfront, a fee only if we recover for you. You work directly with Rob Lloyd and Tim Greene throughout.

This page provides general information about Washington law and is not legal advice. The specific rules, equipment requirements, and deadlines that apply depend on the vehicle type, location, and facts of your situation; contact us to discuss your case.