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While every motorist must maintain certain safety precautions in order to look after their own well-being and the well-being of others who share the roads with them, motorcyclists must be extra vigilant, as they have relatively little protection against the hazards of the road. Despite this, motorcycle accidents happen at a higher rate than other motor vehicle accidents, partly because of the size and speed of their vehicles and the fact that other motorists are not always on the lookout for them.
Between 2008 and 2022, close to 1,400 people died in motorcycle crashes in Virginia. That’s nearly 100 motorcyclists per year. Statistically speaking, these numbers tend to surge in the warmer months of spring and summer as Virginians ride their bikes with more frequency. In 2022, there were 118 motorcycle accident fatalities, with nearly 57% of which occurred between April and August.
Not all motorcycle collisions result in fatalities. Catastrophic injuries are fairly common. If a motorcyclist is able to walk away from an accident with only minor injuries, they should consider themselves lucky.
If you have been in a motorcycle collision, it is highly recommended that you retain professional legal representation from experienced attorneys. Our law firm has years of experience in the legal profession and would be proud to offer our aggressive legal services in defense of your rights in pursuit of financial recovery. To learn more about our services, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our Richmond-based law office to schedule your free initial consultation today.
What Are Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Virginia?
In many motorcycle accidents, the motorcyclist does nothing wrong, but other drivers contribute to the cause of the accident. This can be unfortunate, as insurance companies and the public at large can sometimes be biased against motorcyclists in these matters.
Common causes of motorcycle accidents include:
- Speeding.
- Failure to yield.
- Dangerous weather conditions.
- Vehicle blind spots.
- Tailgating.
- Poor road conditions.
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- Improper lane changes or passing.
- Texting while driving.
- Aggressive driving and reckless driving.
- Distracted driving.
- Lane-splitting.
- Swerving to avoid other vehicles.
- Left-hand turns.
- Road debris.
Whatever the cause of your motorcycle accident, you have legal rights. We would be proud to represent those rights as you pursue compensation for your injuries and other losses.
Do More Serious Accidents Happen to Certain Types of Motorcycles?
Generally speaking, the faster a motor vehicle is moving, the more severe the injuries tend to be. This is true for car accidents, pedestrian accidents, truck accidents, and motorcycle accidents.
The main types of motorcycle designs include street motorcycles, off-road dirt bikes, dual-purpose motorcycles, standard motorcycles, and sports motorcycles.
Of the different types of motorcycles, sport motorcycles are the most likely to be involved in severe accidents. This is because they are the fastest make of motorcycle.
What Are Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries?
The type of injuries suffered in a motorcycle crash will vary depending on the circumstances of the wreck. For example, the speed at which you are going, the size of the other vehicle, and where the vehicles collided will play large roles in the severity of the crash and the resulting injuries.
Common injuries in motorcycle crashes include the following:
- Broken bones, particularly to the legs.
- Back and neck injuries.
- Loss of limbs.
- Burns.
- Spinal cord injuries, which sometimes result in paralysis.
- Facial disfigurement.
- Road rash.
- Crushing injuries.
- Internal bleeding and organ damage.
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI).
- Degloving injuries.
- And wrongful death.
Traumatic brain injuries are the most common cause of motorcycle wreck fatalities.
Do You Need to Hire a Richmond Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?
While you are not legally required to retain professional legal counsel for your personal injury claim, it is nonetheless highly encouraged that you do so. Statistics show that with personal injury, victims who retain legal representation often recover vastly more in terms of financial compensation than those who decide to go without the help of experienced lawyers.
Additionally, Virginia operates under contributory negligence laws, which many believe to be unfair to motorcycle accident victims. Under Virginia law, if you were even 1% responsible for causing the accident, you would be barred from recovering compensation for your injuries. That is why it is so vitally important to retain professional legal counsel when presenting your claim.
What Kind of Financial Recovery Is Possible for Your Motorcycle Accident Case?
With a strong personal injury claim, it is possible to recover financial compensation for your injuries and other losses. This settlement may come in the form of economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages may include:
- Past medical bills and future medical expenses.
- Property damage and motorcycle vehicle repairs.
- Lost wages and lost income earning capacity.
- Physical therapy expenses.
- Funeral, burial, and memorial expenses in the event of a fatal crash.
Non-economic damages may include the following:
- Emotional distress.
- Disfigurement, dismemberment, or disability.
- Loss of enjoyment of life.
- Mental anguish.
- Physical pain and suffering.
- Lost companionship or consortium.
- Wrongful death.
Contact Us to Schedule Your Free Consultation Today
If you have been in a motorcycle accident, it is highly recommended that you retain professional legal representation for your personal injury claim. Our law firm, led by former prosecutors, has extensive experience in this legal realm. To discuss your case in more detail, please get in touch with our law offices to schedule a free, no-obligation case evaluation today.
You may reach us at 804-531-5524.