What You Should Know About Motorcycle Accidents

Although many motorcycle riders are more cautious and skilled than other drivers on the road, they remain at greater risk of injury and death. Sadly, the small size of these vehicles makes them less visible and more prone to being involved in catastrophic crashes.

At the Pack Law Group, our personal injury attorneys in Bedford County, Virginia, understand the unique elements of these crashes, and we will tirelessly fight for the compensation you deserve. We understand the enormous physical, emotional and financial pain accident injury victims and their families endure. We do everything possible to make the legal process smooth and stress-free.

Safety Tips For Motorcyclists

If you have been in a motorcycle accident, your case is more likely to progress in your favor if you can show that you followed safety rules and laws and were proactive about mitigating possible damages, as described below.

• Wear a helmet: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that motorcycle helmets save hundreds of lives each year. Experts say that the use of helmets greatly reduces a rider’s risk of head injury or death. Virginia’s traffic safety program also states that riders must wear approved helmets that meet federal Department of Transportation safety standards.
• Follow other safety laws: The commonwealth of Virginia also mandates the following:
  • A motorcycle must have a headlight, brake lights, a horn and a rearview mirror.
  • If you have a passenger on your bike, your motorcycle must have a seat designed for two people or two seats.
  • You are required to wear eye protection while using your motorcycle.
• Act to avoid crashes and mitigate possible damages: It may affect your case outcome if you have made efforts to mitigate potential damages, as follows:
  • Motorcycles may legally use high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes. Doing this to avoid traffic congestion may become an argument in your favor in case of a crash.
  • Virginia’s laws state that you must mitigate potential harm in a motorcycle crash by wearing a helmet and practicing defensive driving. When you choose not to wear a helmet, your legal opponent could argue that you failed in your duty to mitigate damage.
  • If an insurance adjuster finds out that you failed to take actions that might have prevented a crash or mitigated damages, they will likely use such facts to dispute liability and either decrease your settlement amount or refuse to settle at all.

Understanding these laws is important for bikers who care about staying safe. If you are involved in an accident, it is helpful to be able to say that you complied with all applicable laws. This could prove invaluable when determining liability and fault in a motorcycle crash case.

Why Should You File A Motorcycle Accident Claim?

Motorcycle crashes are rarely minor events for motorcyclists. They often cause very serious and catastrophic injuries. Without the protection of an enclosed vehicle, a motorcyclist may suffer from a traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, muscle damage, road rash, biker’s arm and/or internal injuries.

When a crash between a motorcycle and passenger vehicle happens, it is often because the driver of the car or truck wasn’t paying attention or was otherwise negligent. Prime examples include the following:

• About 40 percent of motorcycle crashes occur when cars or trucks turn left directly into the path of motorcycles that are going straight, overtaking larger vehicles, or passing, per the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
• Drivers often say that they “didn’t see” the motorcycle before a crash.
• In today’s society, cellphone use and other forms of distracted driving are often true reasons for motorists’ failure to see motorcycles.
• Car drivers’ simple carelessness – not a valid legal defense – is often the explanation for a crash.

Your medical care after a motorcycle crash may be very costly. You may also be unable to return to work for a length of time, limiting your ability to pay your bills. Determining whether another motorist was at fault is essential if you suffered a catastrophic injury in a motorcycle crash.

Our experienced personal injury attorneys are ready to investigate your case vigorously. As we present a compelling claim on your behalf to claims adjusters or a judge and jury, we aspire for you to recover the resources you need to move forward.

Speak With An Experienced Attorney

We will put our legal skills to work on your behalf to ensure that you receive the compensation you need and deserve. A motorcycle accident can be traumatic, and we want you to have peace of mind knowing that we are taking care of business while you concentrate on your recovery.

Reach out to us online or call 540-586-7225 to schedule your free consultation to discuss your motorcycle accident case.