Operating a motorcycle is exhilarating. However, it can also be dangerous. If you or somebody you love has been injured in a motorcycle accident caused by the negligent actions of another driver, the team at Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp is standing by to help. Our Virginia Beach motorcycle accident attorneys have the resources necessary to handle complex injury claims. Our team will investigate every aspect of your motorcycle accident and help you recover full compensation for losses.
Why Choose Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp for a Motorcycle Accident Claim?
- At Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp, we focus solely on personal injury law. This means that we can devote our resources and experience to injury victims who need our help the most.
- Our firm has achieved more than $75 million in total jury verdicts and more than $100 million in combined settlements and verdicts for our clients.
- We take the time to listen to the goals and needs of every motorcycle accident victim that comes through our door so we can determine the best steps moving forward for their situation.
Our team has recovered significant settlements on behalf of those who have sustained severe injuries. This includes a $1,000,000 settlement for a Virginia client who sustained a motorcycle accident injury that left him permanently disabled.
How Will an Attorney Help a Virginia Beach Motorcycle Accident Case?
Motorcycle accident claims are often challenging, particularly because most parties involved tend to try to point the finger at the motorcyclist. This is not fair, and an attorney will push back vigorously against any unwarranted biases against their client. They will do this by fully investigating the incident in order to determine liability. An attorney will also ensure that their client is evaluated by trusted medical and economic professionals in order to determine their total expected losses.
Using all this information, a personal injury lawyer in Virginia Beach will vigorously negotiate with the insurance carriers involved while also preparing the case for trial.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Virginia Beach
When we examine data directly from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, we can see that there were 1,827 total motorcycle crashes across the Commonwealth of Virginia during the latest reporting year on file. Out of these incidents, there were 88 fatal crashes and 1,405 injury crashes. This data shows us that the vast majority of reported motorcycle accidents resulted in some sort of injury or fatality for those involved.
Motorcycle accidents can be caused by either the motorcyclist or other drivers on the roadway. The truth is that drivers inside traditional vehicles often disregard motorcyclists on the roadway, and this can be detrimental. Our Virginia Beach car accident lawyers have decades of experience in personal injury law. We can help. Some of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents in Virginia Beach include:
- Failing to yield the right of way
- Operating too fast for conditions
- Following a motorcyclist too closely
- Passing a motorcyclist too closely
- Operating while distracted by phones or other devices
- Operating while impaired by drugs or alcohol
- Changing lanes without using a turn signal
Type of Compensation Available for a Virginia Beach Motorcycle Accident
Motorcycle accident victims in Virginia Beach may be able to recover various types of compensation for their losses. The first thing we want to look at is the actual economic damages, often referred to as “special damages” after a motorcycle accident occurs. This includes calculable expenses, such as:
- All medical bills associated with the accident
- Lost income if a crash victim cannot work
- Property damage expenses
- General household out-of-pocket expenses
After determining all of the economic damages, we will turn to non-economic losses. This is often referred to as “general damages,” and these types of losses are more immeasurable after a motorcycle accident occurs. They are more immeasurable because we do not have direct bills or receipts that can be added up to measure a victim’s:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional and psychological distress
- Loss of quality of life
There are various methods that an attorney may use to properly calculate all economic and non-economic damages on behalf of their clients. The total amount of compensation awarded in these cases will depend on a variety of factors, including insurance limits, the severity of the injuries, the totality of pain and suffering, property damage expenses, and more. If there was a death in the accident, speak to a wrongful death lawyer in Virginia Beach today.
What Is The Limit for Filing a Motorcycle Accident Claim in Virginia?
Motorcycle crash victims in Virginia Beach have a limited amount of time to file a lawsuit in these cases. The personal injury statute of limitations in Virginia is two years from the date an injury occurs. Motorcycle crash victims have this two-year window with which to file a lawsuit against the allegedly negligent driver in their case. Failing to file a lawsuit within this time frame will result in the case being dismissed.
Additionally, vehicle accident and motorcycle accident insurance carriers are going to require that these claims be reported within a day or two after the accident occurs. Failing to promptly report a motorcycle accident to the insurance companies could result in a claim delay or denial.
Can I Afford A Motorcycle Accident Attorney In Virginia Beach?
At Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp, our team takes Virginia Beach motorcycle accident cases on a contingency fee basis. This means that clients will not have to pay any legal fees until after we successfully recover the compensation that they are entitled to. They will not have to pay any upfront or out-of-pocket costs while their case is ongoing so they can focus on recovering and spending time with their family.
Contact Virginia Beach Motorcycle Accident Attorney Today
If you or somebody you love has been injured in a motorcycle accident caused by the negligence of another driver in Virginia Beach or around the Hampton Roads region, you need to speak to a skilled personal injury lawyer immediately.
Our lawyers want to make sure that you recover full compensation for your injuries, medical bills, and property damage expenses. When you need a Virginia Beach motorcycle accident attorney, you can contact us for a free consultation by filling out the contact form or calling us at (833) 997-1774.