For motorcycle riders, there is nothing scarier than the possibility of getting into an accident. Not only would an accident likely put an end to your time on the road, but it could also result in serious injury or even death. If a loved one or family member has suffered injury or wrongful death in a motorcycle accident, it’s crucial to contact a Virginia motorcycle accident attorney for a consultation to help you get the compensation you deserve.
Unfortunately, motorcycle crashes are often even more dangerous than typical automobile accidents because motorcyclists don’t benefit from some of the same protections that cars and trucks have. Statistics paint a damning picture of this danger. Despite motorcycles making up a mere 3% of registered vehicles in the United States, motorcycle accidents accounted for 15.5% of traffic fatalities and 3.4% of traffic injuries in 2023. Additionally, spinal cord injuries, which can have severe, life-changing consequences, have been reported to be between 7 and 400 times higher in victims of motorcycle accidents than those involving traditional automobiles.
Understanding the dangers of Virginia motorcycle accidents
Another reason motorcycle accidents are so dangerous is that drivers rarely carry enough insurance to cover the cost of a severe motorcycle crash. Research found that the median motorcycle injury verdict was around $73,700; meanwhile, Virginia drivers are only required to carry minimum liability insurance of $50,000 and property damage coverage of $25,000.
Because many at-fault drivers carry only the minimum coverage, Virginia motorcyclists often need to rely on their own uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage to recover the full value of their injuries. This lower coverage is why it is vital for those involved in a motorcycle accident in Virginia to work with an experienced motorcycle accident attorney who will advocate for their needs.
A personal injury lawyer will attempt to get fair compensation from the insurance company for the damages motorcycle accident victims have suffered. This compensation includes both tangible expenses, such as damage to your vehicle and medical bills, as well as less tangible costs, including lost wages because of time missed at work, as well as pain and suffering.
“You shouldn’t have to suffer due to the negligence of another party,” asserts C. James Williams III, principal at leading law firm Burnett & Williams, which has law offices throughout Virginia, allowing them to serve clients with motorcycle accident cases across the Commonwealth. “Our attorneys can help get the payment you deserve for the injuries and inconveniences you have experienced.”
However, in Virginia, personal injury law is far from straightforward due to a law known as “contributory negligence.” Essentially, if the court finds that the victim was even 1% at fault for causing the accident, they might be denied compensation of any kind. As a result, the majority of what a motorcycle accident attorney does is to determine fault and liability, proving that someone else’s negligence was the cause of the accident and your injuries.
How motorcycle accident attorneys recover compensation for damages suffered due to someone else’s negligence
Your attorney will begin by conducting a thorough investigation of the accident, gathering any evidence that they need to construct a narrative of the incident, including medical records, witness statements, and expert testimony. As the victim, you can make this process more efficient by taking immediate steps at the time of the accident, including taking photos of the accident scene and your injuries (if it is safe and you are able to do so), and reporting the accident to file an accident report.
After they have collected evidence and built your case, your motorcycle accident lawyer will begin to negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf. Your lawyer will submit the initial demand package to the claims adjuster, who will review the evidence and determine the extent of liability. The adjuster will then contact your Virginia motorcycle injury attorney, who will attempt to negotiate a fair settlement on your behalf, keeping you in the loop on what is being offered by the insurance company at every step of the process.
“We often find that we can resolve many personal injury cases in the settlement stage, mostly because our reputation in the courtroom precedes us,” says Williams. “The insurance companies know that, if it comes to it, we are willing to fight tooth and nail for our clients. We have achieved several record-breaking jury awards in Virginia. Our proven track record of success shows that you can trust us inside the courtroom just as much as you can outside of it.”
Contact Burnett & Williams to be your motorcycle accident lawyer for personal injury claims in Virginia
Indeed, a big part of why Burnett & Williams is so renowned among clients and its peers alike is the firm’s commitment to providing quality service to clients at every step of the process. Filing an insurance claim is an incredibly dehumanizing experience, as claims adjusters assign victims a case number, and that becomes the victim’s “identity” to the insurance company, as this makes it easier for them to deny your motorcycle accident claim. Burnett & Williams’s goal is to bring humanity back to the process, making it harder for claims adjusters to lowball you and give you less than you deserve for your motorcycle accident lawsuit.
“If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, car accident, truck accident, slip and fall, or other accident that has resulted in catastrophic injuries, now is the time to act,” concludes Williams. “Contact us today for a free consultation and case review to determine if Burnett & Williams is the right attorney to fight for you and win your case.”
