Essex County motorcycle accident attorneys

Representing injured riders in Essex County

Motorcyclists lack the protection of an enclosed vehicle. In a collision with a passenger vehicle or truck, they can easily be thrown from the bike and pinned under the vehicle. Motorcycles are not only far less crashworthy but also less visible and less stable than vehicles with four wheels. In a recent year, more than 5,000 motorcyclists died in traffic crashes, as reported by the Insurance Information Institute (III). Motorcyclists were 29 times more likely than passenger vehicle occupants to die in a crash.

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How are motorcyclists injured?

Inattentive and negligent drivers put motorcycle riders at risk. Common causes of motorcycle crashes include:

• Negligent left-hand turns: Drivers executing a left-hand turn against oncoming traffic may simply fail to register the motorcycle in the roadway and turn left directly into the path of the oncoming rider.
• Improper lane changes: Motorcycles are smaller and less visible than larger passenger vehicles. Drivers who fail to check their blind spots before changing lanes can side-swipe motorcyclists, causing serious injuries.
• Tailgating: Following too closely is risky driving behavior under any circumstances, but it is particularly dangerous when a driver is tailgating a motorcyclist. A rear-end collision in which a passenger vehicle slams into the back of motorcycle can have deadly consequences.
• Excessive speeding: When a vehicle is traveling way over the speed limit, the driver may not have enough time and distance to stop to avoid hitting a motorcyclist.
• DUI: Alcohol and drugs – even prescription or over-the-counter medications – can significantly impair driving ability and lead to a serious collision with a motorcycle.

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What are the common injuries in motorcycle crashes?

Because of the lack of protection for riders, motorcycle injuries can be serious, catastrophic, or fatal. Common injuries in motorcycle accidents include:

• Traumatic brain injury: Trauma to the head and brain accounts for a large percentage of motorcycle crash fatalities.
• Lower-extremity injuries: Leg and lower extremity injuries, particularly fractured bones in the legs, are among the most frequently sustained injuries in motorcycle accidents.
• Spinal cord injuries: The impact of a motorcycle collision can damage the spinal cord, leading to paraplegia or quadriplegia.
• Fractured bones: Motorcycles are not as stable as four-wheeled vehicles and often fall over in a crash. Bones can be fractured when a rider tries to break the fall with the hands and wrists or when the bike falls on a rider’s leg.
• Internal injuries: Blunt force trauma or penetrating trauma (such as broken glass or debris) in a collision can cause damage to internal organs and internal bleeding.
• Road rash: This severe type of abrasion occurs when a rider’s skin is scraped across the road or another surface in a crash. Road rash can range in severity from mild to requiring emergency medical attention.

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How do you recover compensation for serious motorcycle accident injuries?

If your motorcycle injuries were caused by the negligence of another driver, you might have a personal injury claim for compensation. Under Virginia’s pure contributory negligence laws, if you are found to have any degree of fault for the accident, you may be ineligible for compensation. As a first step, it is essential to speak with an Essex County personal injury attorney for the best chance of prevailing in your claim.

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Why choose us?

At GibsonSingleton Virginia Injury Attorneys, we bring you big city experience with small-town care. Our partners have worked as trial lawyers for large insurance companies in big cities, and we know how to deal with their tactics. We are proud to serve our neighbors in Virginia with our experience and expertise.

We work on a contingency fee basis, which means no fees unless we win a recovery. After a serious motorcycle crash that was someone else’s fault, call us at (804) 413-6777. We can tell you if you have a case and what damages you may be entitled to claim.

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