Bergeron Law Firm – Serving all of Northern VA
Motorcyclists love the lure of the open road and the feel of the freedom a motorcycle offers. But, because motorcycles don’t offer the same protections as a car or other passenger vehicles, when an accident occurs, there is nothing to absorb the force of the impact except the rider. Riders face a much higher risk of serious and/or life-threatening injuries and even death. During an accident, injuries may be caused as a rider is struck by another vehicle, the subsequent impact with the road, road barriers, trees, telephone poles, etc., and the motorcycle itself may land on them.
Motor cycle injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI), head injuries, and skull fractures
- Spinal cord injuries which could lead to paralysis
- Fractures
- Limb amputation
- Lacerations and cuts
- Friction burns
- Permanent disfigurement
- Internal injuries
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Death
All motorcycle riders in the Commonwealth of Virginia are required to wear a helmet while riding. In addition, Virginia requires riders to have a face shield, safety glasses or goggles, or have a motorcycle equipped with safety glass or a windshield at all times while operating the vehicle.
Main causes for motorcycle accidents
Surprisingly, research shows that the majority of motorcycle crashes are not the fault of the rider, but of other motorists on the road. Common factors include:
- Vehicle driver distraction and inattention or not checking blind spots
- Left turn or left-hook crashes where a car driver does not yield to a motorcycle going through an intersection
- Sideswipe accidents where a car veers into the biker’s lane and/or doesn’t yield the right of way
- Rear-end collisions while a motorcycle is stopped at light or stop sign
- Parked car door collision where a driver opens a car door without looking
- Motorcycle pileup accidents when riders are traveling as a group
- Wipeout crashes because of loose gravel, potholes, wet conditions, etc.
- Drunk driving
Understanding your rights
If you have been injured in a motorcycle-vehicle accident through the recklessness or negligence of another driver, you may be entitled to monetary damages under Virginia law. Victims deserve fair compensation for their injuries. Damages may include compensation or reimbursement for:
- Cost of damages to your motorcycle
- Past, current and future medical costs
- Rehabilitation
- Lost wages and impaired earning capacity in the future
- Pain and suffering
- Disfigurement
- Punitive damages in cases where the at-fault party exhibited egregious behavior
The Bergeron Law Firm can help
A motorcycle-vehicle accident can change your life significantly, raising difficult questions and challenging problems. Steve Bergeron understands the challenges that motorcyclist accident victims and their families face and can explain your legal rights and the applicable law, and investigate your accident to determine if there is sufficient evidence to make a claim against the driver that caused your injury.
If a vehicle driver failed to respect your rights as a motorcyclist and caused injury to you, you have the right to take legal action against that driver and seek a full recovery for all the harm you have suffered. Steve Bergeron will work with your doctors, other medical providers, and insurance companies to understand and explain the nature and extent of your injuries and its impact on your life now and into the future. Steve will also investigate potential insurance coverages that might be available to reimburse you for your expenses and damages to help you solve the real-world problems caused by your accident, so you can focus on getting well and getting back to your life.
So, before you speak with an insurance company about your motorcycle accident and injuries, give Steve a call. He’ll give you his best advice on whether you have a personal injury claim against another and on how you can try to solve the problems caused by your injuries so that you can focus on your treatment and getting back to a meaningful life.