There may be no better place to explore Virginia on two wheels than the scenic byways in and around Roanoke. However, motorcycle riding carries risks. All too often, safe and responsible motorcycle riders encounter motor vehicle drivers who don’t share the road safely with them.
The Roanoke motorcycle accident lawyers at Marks & Harrison understand the challenges that riders face when careless motorists hit and injure them. For over 100 years, we have dealt with insurance companies and fought for the compensation our clients need to move forward in life. To learn more about how we can help you, contact our office for a free consultation.
How Can a Roanoke Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Help You?
Motorcycle accident victims have unique needs and concerns that set them apart from other accident victims. For instance, riders often face insurance adjuster bias thanks to the motorcycle rider “bad boy” image popularized by TV and movies.
The law firm of Marks & Harrison helps motorcycle accident victims and their families throughout Virginia by taking steps such as:
- Thoroughly investigating the cause of the accident
- Gathering and preserving evidence before it is lost or destroyed
- Identifying all liable parties
- Providing legal advice and moral support
- Aggressively negotiating with insurance companies
- Preparing cases for trial.
When you work with a Roanoke motorcycle accident lawyer at Marks & Harrison, we will take the time to understand your unique challenges, know how to build a claim that challenges the insurance company’s assumptions with evidence, and seek maximum compensation for you.
What Are the Laws for Motorcycles in Roanoke?
As a motorcycle rider in Roanoke, you can avoid accidents and injuries and minimize your liability if a crash should ever occur by understanding Virginia’s motorcycle laws and requirements.
Virginia law treats motorcyclists like any other motorist on the road. They must abide by all state traffic laws. Virginia also requires motorcycle operators and passengers to wear a DOT-approved helmet. Eye protection, such as goggles or a face shield, is required unless the motorcycle has a windshield.
Riders in Virginia must also hold a valid driver’s license with a Class M, M2, or M3 designation.
What Are Common Causes of Roanoke Motorcycle Accidents?
Driver error often contributes to motorcycle accidents in Roanoke. Some of the leading driver mistakes that cause these severe and often fatal crashes include:
- Distracted driving
- Impaired driving
- Speeding
- Tailgating
- Aggressive driving
- Failing to yield
- Unsafe lane changes
- Left-hand turn accidents.
Although driver error may not occur as frequently, other causes of motorcycle accidents in Roanoke include poor visibility, adverse weather conditions, and mechanical failures.
Do Motorcycle Accidents Happen More Frequently In Certain Areas in Roanoke?
Statistics show that most motorcycle accidents occur in urban areas, specifically at intersections. Areas where motorcycle accidents tend to occur in Roanoke include:
- Melrose Avenue
- Hershberger Road NW
- Valley View Boulevard
- Peters Creek Road.
Riders should always be aware of their surroundings, as accidents can occur at any time. Roads with more traffic congestion and busy intersections tend to be the most hazardous.
What Injuries Can Happen in a Motorcycle Accident?
Due to their lack of structural protection, motorcycle riders face a higher risk of death and life-altering injuries than other drivers. Injuries that often occur in Roanoke motorcycle accidents include:
- Traumatic head injury (TBI)
- Paralysis
- Amputations
- Broken bones
- Dislocations
- Organ damage and internal bleeding
- Burns
- Road rash
- Lacerations
- Soft tissue injuries.
Traumatic brain injuries are one of the leading causes of death and significant impairment.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Roanoke Motorcycle Accident?
The person or party whose careless or reckless acts cause a motorcycle crash is the person who is liable, or legally responsible for compensating victims who suffer injuries as a result of the collision. Parties that can be wholly or partially liable in a motorcycle accident claim could include:
- A car driver who drove negligently, for instance, by texting while driving
- A negligent pedestrian who failed to use a marked crosswalk
- A motorcycle manufacturer or parts manufacturer that sold a defective product
- A government agency that was unable to design a safe road or properly maintain it.
Establishing liability requires evidence from a thorough investigation into the cause of the collision. An experienced personal injury lawyer at Marks & Harrison will know what to look for and have a firm grasp of how Virginia motorcycle laws apply to your case.
What Compensation Is Available After Motorcycle Crashes?
A claim’s value depends on factors such as the severity of the victim’s injuries, the impact of those injuries on the victim’s quality of life, and the nature of the accident. A victim may seek compensation for harm that includes:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Property damage
- Disfigurement
- Pain and suffering.
The circumstances of the crash influence a motorcycle accident claim’s value. You should discuss your situation with a skilled attorney before accepting an insurer’s settlement offer.
Could My Claim Be Affected If I Did Not Wear a Helmet?
Failing to wear a helmet can complicate a claim. Virginia requires all riders to wear a DOT-approved helmet while riding, but your failure to wear one cannot, by itself, be construed as negligence. You can still seek compensation when a careless driver causes your crash.
Still, an insurer or opposing attorney can argue that not wearing a helmet contributed to your injuries. In motorcycle accident lawsuits, Virginia follows the doctrine of contributory negligence. Under this strict rule, if a victim’s actions in any way contribute to their injuries, they cannot recover compensation. Insurance companies often use the rule to assess the offers they make in motorcycle accident insurance claims.
How Long Do You Have to File a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit in Virginia?
Virginia law gives injured accident victims two years from the injury date to file a motorcycle accident lawsuit. The last thing a rider wants to think about is mounting a legal case, but the sooner you speak with an attorney, the better chance you have of preserving your legal rights.
Contact a Roanoke Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Near You
Our experienced motorcycle accident lawyers understand the challenges that motorcycle accident victims in Roanoke encounter when seeking compensation after suffering serious injuries in a crash due to someone else’s negligence. We are here to protect your rights, explore all options available to you, and seek maximum compensation.
Contact our office now for a free consultation and learn more about how our legal team, including 32 attorneys and over 130 support staff, can get to work for you.
