Motorcycle Accident Injuries

Motorcyclists who are injured in Virginia often experience problems with state insurance regulations and dishonest insurance companies when trying to get compensation for their injuries.  This is why it’s so important for injured riders, or their loved ones, to talk to a lawyer who has experience handling motorcycle claims.

The attorneys at the Ritchie Law Firm have a successful history of handling claims against insurance companies for motorcycle riders.  Our attorneys are committed to helping motorcyclists get compensation for their injuries.  This includes recovery for medical bills, property damage and pain and suffering.

If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident, we may be able to help you. To learn more about how our attorneys may be able to help, please fill out our free case evaluation form NOW.

Why Should I Contact a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?

Riders may find it difficult to get adequate compensation for their injuries after a crash, especially if they are trying to handle their own claims.  Riders involved in accidents may struggle to pay for costly medical bills caused by the accident, especially if the injury prevents them from working.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle crash, the attorneys at the Ritchie Law Firm can explain your options for pursuing compensation for medical bills and other losses. If you contact the Ritchie Law Firm immediately after the accident, we can begin to collect information and evidence to support your claim for compensation. This is not an exhaustive list, but some of the steps we will take as soon as possible if our firm handles your case:

• Collect scene and police reports
• Gather witness statements
• Photograph the scene
• Investigate the other motorist’s driving history
• Reconstruct the accident scene
• Recreate the accident
• Review medical records
• Consult experts
• Contact insurance companies on your behalf

Why Ritchie Law Firm for Your Motorcycle Accident?

At the Ritchie Law Firm, our motorcycle accident attorneys are familiar with laws governing motorcycles — which differ significantly from those pertaining to car accidents — and have extensive experience dealing with insurance companies. We have access to the top experts, including accident reconstructionists and medical experts. By working with these individuals, our attorneys have established a successful track record of results in recovering compensation for injured motorcyclists.

Motorcycle Accident Injury Claims Process

Insurance Negotiations

After an accident, our team of attorneys will contact the at-fault party’s insurance company to attempt to negotiate a settlement. Your team will use the information we’ve collected as leverage to negotiate a proper settlement amount. If negotiations with insurance companies are not successful, our litigation attorneys take the appropriate cases to court to secure a verdict against the driver who caused the crash.

Negligence

As our team handles your motorcycle accident case, your attorney will have to prove that the other driver in the accident was at fault because he or she failed to take the proper care or precautions necessary. To do this, our team will investigate the crash to determine whether the other driver followed traffic laws, paid attention to his or her surroundings, was driving under the influence etc.

Product Liability

In some cases, a defect in your motorcycle may have played a role in the accident. In these cases, you may be able to file a lawsuit against the manufacturer of the motorcycle or its parts to get compensation for your injuries. In these circumstances, our team will investigate to determine whether the motorcycle had any defects prior to the accident.  We will also work with forensic experts to determine whether:

• The defective motorcycle or part was “unreasonably dangerous”
• The motorcycle was being operated as intended
• The motorcycle’s performance had changed since its initial purchase

Frequent Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle accidents can occur for many reasons, including driver negligence. Negligent acts that can result in an accident include:

• Swerving in front of a cyclist
• Cutting off motorcyclists at intersections
• Failing to follow posted speed limits
• Failing to yield when appropriate
• Failing to leave sufficient room between vehicles
• Failure to see a motorcyclist changing or entering lanes
• Neglecting to pay appropriate attention to other drivers
• Driving under the influence

Left-turn accidents are also frequent causes of motorcycle crashes. Frequently, vehicle drivers will make a left-turn in front of a motorcyclist.  Left-turn accidents are commonly caused by drivers who:

• Misjudge the motorcyclist’s speed or distance
• Fail to see the motorcyclist
• Panic and stop in the motorcyclist’s path
• Rely on the judgment of another driver, who also fails to see the motorcyclist

Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries

Motorcyclists have little protection from the elements and other vehicles; therefore, injuries sustained in an accident can be serious and life-threatening and may include the following:

• Bone fractures
• Severe head trauma
• Spinal cord injuries
• Neck injuries
• Brain damage
• Disfigurement
• Loss of limbs
• Paralysis
• Death

If you were injured, or lost a loved one, in a motorcycle accident, the Ritchie Law Firm may be able to help you.  Fill out the form below and we’ll evaluate your case for free.