Serious motorcycle accidents often leave victims struggling both physically and financially. Medical expenses, missed wages, high costs to repair or replace bikes, and additional unexpected costs and losses can quickly add up. Fortunately, the motorcycle accident attorneys at the Pendleton Law Team serve Petersburg, VA, and the surrounding areas.
If the negligence of another driver, poor road conditions, or a defective bike part caused your motorcycle crash, you may be entitled to recover compensation. A personal injury lawyer in Petersburg can help you hold the at-fault party liable and demand appropriate payment for your injuries and related expenses.
A Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Petersburg Can Help You Recover a Number of Damages
As a motorcycle accident victim, the best way to get back on your feet is to seek compensation for your losses and severe injuries. However, attempting to do so without the assistance of expert legal counsel is virtually impossible.
Luckily, a motor vehicle collision attorney in Pinellas County near Petersburg, VA, can help you recover the following economic losses or non-economic damages:
- Pain and suffering
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Property damage
- Reduced earning capacity
- Emotional distress
- Reduced quality of life
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Our Petersburg Motorcycle Accident Attorneys Have Experience Fighting for a Variety of Injuries
A motorcycle accident can leave victims with a wide array of injuries and permanent disabilities. If you’ve sustained injuries due to another party breaching their duty of care, you shouldn’t have to go uncompensated. That’s why our motorcycle accident lawyers near Petersburg are dedicated to winning fair payment for victims, no matter how mild or severe their injuries are.
Our attorneys have extensive experience building claims for almost every injury imaginable, so you can be sure they’ll have the combined experience and knowledge to effectively litigate your claim. Here are some of the injuries our lawyers have won hefty settlements for in the past:
- Broken bones
- Traumatic brain injury
- Cuts
- Chronic pain
- Lacerations
- Nerve damage
- Burns or road rash
- Internal injury
- Spinal cord injury
- Neck, back, and chest injuries
Since most motorcycle accident injuries can be catastrophic and require longer recovery periods, it is recommended to seek legal help to expedite your legal process. Virginia sets a strict time limit on how long you have to collect compensation, so an attorney can file quickly on your behalf.
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A Lawyer Can Conduct an Investigation into Your Motorcycle Accident
After an accident, it’s important to start gathering evidence for your case as soon as possible. Not only are there legal deadlines for filing accident claims, but if there were any witnesses to the incident, you’ll want to call on them soon to ensure their memories are accurate.
Once you hire a personal injury lawyer, they’ll immediately begin to investigate the incident in which you were injured. They’ll use their legal expertise and call on accident experts to build a strong case on your behalf.
Here are some of the documents and accounts they’ll gather to bolster your claim:
- Video evidence. If there’s any video surveillance footage of the accident you were injured in, your lawyer will be able to locate it and use it to build your claim. If you end up taking your case to trial, footage of the incident can help show the jury who is truly at fault.
- Witness testimony. If there were any eyewitnesses present at the scene of your accident, your attorney will record their account of the event and possibly call them to the stand if your case goes to court.
- Accident experts. Your lawyer has access to experts who specialize in decoding accident scenes. They’ll use evidence like tire marks and vehicle damage to determine who caused the crash.
- Police report. If law enforcement responded to your accident, they likely recorded a report of what transpired. Their account can lend credibility to your claim if you end up taking the at-fault driver to court.
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Wrongful Death Motorcycle Accident in Petersburg, VA
If your spouse or loved one has passed away due to injuries sustained in a motorcycle crash, we offer our sincerest condolences. We know how hard it is to lose someone you love, which is why our compassionate lawyers will be by your side through every stage of your wrongful death claim.
They’ll be able to secure the following damages so that you can focus on grieving:
- Loss of financial support
- Mental anguish
- Loss of companionship
- Punitive damages
Let Us Be The Heavy Hitters® For Your Case Speak To An Attorney Now
Factors that Could Jeopardize the Success of Your Petersburg Motorcycle Accident Claim
Since Virginia follows a contributory negligence standard, it’s important that you follow all the rules of the road. If it’s found that you were partially responsible for the accident, the other driver’s insurance company and the court could deny you compensation.
Here are several actions and behaviors that could decrease your chances of getting a settlement:
- Speeding
- Failing to yield
- Drunk driving
- Driving without a license
- Distracted driving
- Lane splitting
Additionally, denying or postponing medical care or physical therapy could prevent you from receiving full compensation for a motorcycle accident claim. An experienced motorcycle accident attorney near Petersburg can work with experts like accident reconstruction specialists to determine if you were at all responsible for the accident.
Deadline for Filing a Motorcycle Accident Claim in Virginia
If you’ve sustained injuries in a Petersburg motorcycle crash, seeking legal counsel soon after the accident dramatically increases your chances of receiving compensation for your losses. According to Virginia Code § 8.01-243, individuals injured in a motorcycle accident due to the negligence of another driver have two years from the date of the incident to file a claim.
Failing to file a claim within the statute of limitations can leave you drowning in medical bills. In addition, reduced earning capacity can make it hard for you to afford your current standard of living. A skilled law firm can ensure your personal injury claim is filed on time so that you receive every penny you’re entitled to.
Hiring a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Petersburg Is Affordable
If you’re worried about being able to afford a motorcycle accident lawyer, we’ve got good news for you. All our attorneys in Petersburg operate on a contingency-fee-basis. That means they work for a percentage of your overall compensation.
The advantage of contingency is that you won’t have to pay out-of-pocket for our legal services, even if you lose your case. In other words, you’ve got nothing to lose by reaching out to a motorcycle accident lawyer in Petersburg.
Prevent Serious Accidents By Taking Motorcycle Safety Precautions
The best way to prevent a motorcycle accident from happening is by following Virginia motorcycle laws. If an accident does occur, abiding by these rules can also help you avoid being held liable.
Wear a Helmet
Motorcycle operators and passengers must wear helmets. In addition, a form of eye protection, such as a face shield, safety glasses, or goggles, must be worn while riding (Code of Virginia § 46.2-910).
Keep your helmet and shield in good condition as well. If there’s evidence that you reused a helmet after a previous crash, you could be held liable.
Passengers
If you plan to carry passengers on your bike, both a seat and a footrest must be available (§ 46.2-909). They should also have a helmet and a way of communicating with you, whether through hand signals or a helmet radio.
Carrying passengers is always risky because it changes the weight distribution on a bike. Heavier bikes can handle extra weight better than light ones. If your passenger has never been on a bike before, teach them about weight transfer and how to stay on safely.
Turn Signals
Since riders can be seen giving hand and arm signals, motorcycles are not required to have turn signals (§ 46.2-1038). Nevertheless, we think it’s prudent to add them if you can. Bicyclists also use hand signals, and it’s common for drivers to claim that they didn’t see the signal.
Dead Light Rule
Motorcycles are allowed to drive through a red light if the signal has not registered their presence after two complete cycles or after two minutes (§ 46.2-833). This happens because your bike may not be heavy enough to trigger the signal.
Driving through a red light in this way, while legal, is extremely risky. Use your horn and treat it like a two-way stop. If you can do it safely, record the time before crossing. It may be possible to compare it to the light’s programming to prove it didn’t change.
Why a Petersburg Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Is an Invaluable Asset
If you or a loved one have been injured in a motorcycle crash, there are a number of reasons why hiring a Petersburg motorcycle accident attorney is a smart choice. If you’re looking for legal counsel in the wake of a serious motorcycle crash, here’s why choosing a lawyer is the clearest path to fair compensation:
We have the resources of a large personal injury law firm but also the ability to attend to each case with the personalized service it requires.
- Our attorneys use the latest technology to make sure your case runs as efficiently and quickly as possible.
- Predatory insurance companies will do everything in their power to downplay the severity of your injuries and ensure you receive the smallest amount of compensation possible. An experienced attorney can help you negotiate with insurers and get the payment you need to recover from your injuries.
Call for a Risk-Free Consultation Today
Even if the law is on your side, there is a great deal of prejudice against motorcycle riders. You need someone who can cut through the nonsense arguments that insurers will use to deny you compensation. Hiring a skilled accident attorney who handles Petersburg motorcycle wrecks is the best way to get the damages you need after a serious motorcycle crash.
Call us or fill out a contact form online to schedule a free consultation. Waiting to seek legal counsel can seriously decrease your chances of receiving a fair settlement for your losses. You’ll be glad you reached out to the attorneys at Christina Pendleton & Associates when you see how professional and skilled they are at litigating your case.
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