When you are the victim of a motorcycle accident, you may consider meeting with a Virginia motorcycle accident lawyer. An attorney will give advice on how to seek compensation from the driver at-fault for motorcycle repairs, medical bills, and more. Being involved in a motorcycle accident can be painful, terrifying, and cause the victim to suffer financial devastation.
Even if the rider feels okay after impact, medical attention may be needed. Road hazards can be deadly for motorcyclists, so if you’ve been injured in this way, a motorcycle accident lawyer Charlottesville, VA bikers turn to for justice could help you collect compensatory damages. The MartinWren, P.C., Attorneys At Law offers a team of personal injury lawyers in Charlottesville who help fight on behalf of our clients to win the highest possible settlements and collect maximum benefits.
If you are a motorcycle rider who was injured in an accident at no fault of your own, do not hesitate to contact us at MartinWren, P.C., Attorneys At Law. Our legal team can meet with you in person to review your case and develop a legal strategy best suited for your accident claim. Put our combined 300 years of legal experience to work for you.
The following information about common road hazards that motorcyclists often encounter may be helpful to consider:
The Dangers of Road Hazards for Motorcyclists
Road hazards that are commonplace and not necessarily dangerous for those who drive trucks or cars may be disastrous for motorcyclists. Road hazards could cause a motorcyclist to lose control of their bike, whereas a four-wheeled vehicle may be able to safely drive over or around the obstacle. Bikers should avoid the following hazards whenever possible:
- Uneven Pavement. Roads with large cracks, potholes, and mixed surfaces might cause a rider to suddenly lose control of their bike. Additionally, when focusing on navigating poorly surfaced roads, the rider may lose awareness of other hazards such as vehicles running through lights or jaywalking pedestrians. If the government contractor responsible for the road’s maintenance was made aware of the offending hazard but did not address it, they may be held at least partially responsible for any resulting accidents. A motorcycle accident lawyer Charlottesville, VA riders turn to for legal assistance could help determine who is liable for causing your personal injury.
- Road Debris. It can come down to a split-second choice: risk running over debris that may cause you to lose control of your bike, or try to avoid it and risk losing control of your bike. Whether the debris consists of objects lost by other vehicles, roadkill, or trash, it may well be deadly for motorcyclists. A motorcycle accident lawyer in Charlottesville, VA bikers turn to could help determine who is responsible for hazardous road debris.
- Wildlife, Roadkill, and Pets. Generally speaking, larger hazards are more dangerous than smaller hazards. However, in trying to avoid hitting someone’s small pet running across the road, a motorcyclist could easily crash. The average Charlottesville, VA motorcycle accident lawyer is likely aware of how vulnerable a biker can be even when driving at relatively slow speeds.
- Slick Pavement. Motorcyclists have to be just as vigilant as auto drivers when it comes to icy, snowy, or wet roads. But they also have to be mindful of oil spills, sand or gravel, leaves, and sometimes painted surfaces. A motorcycle accident lawyer Charlottesville, VA residents respect will investigate the scene to determine the exact cause or causes of the accident.
- Standing Water. Any vehicle could hydroplane in less than an inch of standing water. But the water may be concealing an even greater hazard: a large and deadly pothole. Unfortunately, this road hazard is quite commonplace. A motorcycle accident lawyer Charlottesville, VA victims trust may be able to prove that the company responsible for maintaining that portion of the road was negligent in addressing what they knew was a dangerous hazard.
For a legal consultation with a personal injury lawyer, call (434) 817-3100
Frequently Asked Questions About Motorcycle Accidents
Here are some common questions Charlottesville motorcycle accident victims have for their motorcycle accident lawyer.
Do I have to hire an attorney for my motorcycle accident?
It is not required that you obtain legal representation regarding your motorcycle wreck, but it is encouraged that you do so. Motorcycle accidents can be incredibly complex, and many riders do not realize they may be entitled to significant compensation for the accident. An attorney from MartinWren, P.C., Attorneys At Law can provide insight and answer questions as you pursue a lawsuit against the driver who hit you.
What sort of proof may be important for my case?
Helpful evidence for your case may come in various forms. One type of evidence you will need deals with showing who was at fault for the crash. That evidence will consists of road markings, witness statements, video footage, damage to the bike and other vehicles, and similar evidence. You will also need evidence to show your damages, financial loss, and injuries. Influential evidence to show your damages can include receipts for medical bills, hospitalization records, motorcycle repair estimates, photographs of the scene, witness statements, police report, and anything else related to the incident.
What if I cannot afford medical treatment while my case is pending?
You may be in a difficult position if you do not have health insurance available to get treatment for your injuries. That can prevent you from obtaining the medical attention necessary for your injuries. That, in turn, can prevent you from building the evidence necessary to support your claim. We can help by negotiating with doctors or other healthcare providers so that you are able to receive medical treatment on a “lien” basis. This means that the doctors may give you the treatment you need in exchange for receiving payment from your pending case.
Have you handled commercial truck crash cases with motorcycles?
Our firm has deep experience helping motorists recover against commercial truckers and their companies. Our managing attorney, Bob Byrne, is the first and only attorney in Virginia to be board certified in truck accident law. That means he has extensive experience handling these claims. He also had to pass a specialized bar examination on trucking topics. Finally, he had to get recommendations from both judges and lawyers that he had the experience and ethical standards to handle these claims.
What makes your law firm different?
There are tons of personal injury lawyers out there. You will see plenty when you are looking for one. It is important to understand that not all personal injury lawyers are the same. First and foremost, some personal injury attorneys have a volume-based practice. They seek to sign up and resolve quickly as many cases as they can. Other firms, like MartinWren, P.C., are selective in the cases they handle. We find cases that we can work on to build value by showing the extent of your injuries and how this crash has impacted your life. This has resulted in noteworthy settlements and verdicts by our award-winning lawyers. So if you have a big case with big injuries and a lot depending on how your case turns out, call us. We focus on big cases and we can help.
Is it possible to negotiate for more money regarding the motorcycle accident?
An insurance company is supposed to be there to help you rebound after an accident. However, the at-fault driver’s insurance will be motivated to low-ball your offer in order to save the company money. Insurance companies will claim that the law disfavors your claim or prevents you from recovering more. Many victims of motorcycle accidents do not have information to counter those positions and are not aware of their right to ask for more money. Most riders may just accept the first offer due to wanting to get the process over with as quickly as possible. By accepting a low initial offer, a motorcycle victim may have to pay out of their own pocket down the line for care related to the accident injuries. You only have one chance to resolve your suit, so please be careful.
How much can I be awarded in a motorcycle accident lawsuit?
The amount a motorcyclist may receive in compensation when filing a lawsuit depends on several factors. Important factors include the severity of the accident and your injuries, the extent of your medical care and whether it will continue into the future, whether your injuries were temporary or permanent, and the amount of insurance coverage that is available. A motorcycle crash claim may be worth several thousand dollars or even millions of dollars. It depends on the facts of your case. It can help strengthen your case to have an Charlottesville motorcycle accident attorney fight for your behalf.
How long will it take to resolve my case?
The main thing that determines how long your case will take is your expectations, and that usually depends on how the crash has impacted your life. If your crash had little to no impact on your life, you might be able to resolve your case quickly for a small amount of money. If, on the other hand, your injuries are life-altering and permanent, you will need to focus on maximizing your financial recovery. This will typically take longer for the case to resolve. But we will advise our clients when they have a big claim that is worth waiting for. And we will still work hard to resolve that case as quickly as possible.
What details should I gather from the car driver?
Just as with any other type of vehicle accident, there are certain details that you should exchange with the other driver. For example, it is important to gather the person’s full name, license plate number, address, phone number, driver’s license number, vehicle make/model/year, and insurance policy number. If the motorcyclist needed to be rushed to the hospital due to serious injuries, the officer at the scene is likely to include this information in the official police report.
Contact Us Today
The law firm of MartinWren, P.C., Attorneys At Law is able to fight hard for the rights of motorcycle riders. Our attorneys have the experience and legal knowledge to help you recover the maximum amount of damages possible from your accident. When you need a top notch motorcycle accident lawyer Charlottesville, VA residents believe in, contact MartinWren, P.C., Attorneys At Law without delay.
Call (434) 817-3100 or complete a Case Evaluation form
