Tuckahoe Motorcycle Accident Attorneys
Helping injured motorcycle riders in Virgina obtain the compensation they deserve after a crash
Tuckahoe is a lovely place to ride a motorcycle. Unfortunately, riding a motorcycle is dangerous. The machine cannot protect the rider in the event of a crash, and many car and truck drivers don’t respect motorcycle operators. At Phelan Petty Injury Lawyers, we are skilled at showing why motorcycle crashes happen and who’s responsible. Our Tuckahoe motorcycle accident lawyers understand the unique issues involved in handling motorcycle accidents, and how to successfully build a case on your behalf.
In one illustrative case, we obtained $700,000 for a motorcycle accident victim, a police officer, who suffered a traumatic brain injury. We’re ready to fight for all the compensation you deserve today.
How can we help?
- How dangerous are motorcycle accidents?
- What types of motorcycle accidents do you handle?
- Why do motorcycle accidents happen in Tuckahoe?
- How can your Tuckahoe motorcycle accident lawyers help me?
- Who is responsible for a Tuckahoe motorcycle accident?
- What injuries are common in Tuckahoe motorcycle accidents?
- What rules and regulations govern motorcycle riding in Virginia?
- What is the value of my Tuckahoe motorcycle accident claim?
- How does contributory negligence affect my Tuckahoe motorcycle accident claim?
How dangerous are motorcycle accidents?
Motorcycle accidents are extremely dangerous. Many accidents are fatal. Many survivors live with catastrophic injuries. When a motorcycle crash happens, the rider suffers at least two impacts: one with the other vehicle and one with the hard ground, which increases the chance of permanent or fatal injury. According to the National Safety Council (NSC), “Although motorcycles make up only 3% of all registered vehicles and 0.6% of all vehicle miles traveled in the United States, motorcyclists accounted for 14% of all traffic fatalities, 17% of all occupant fatalities, and 3% of all occupant injuries in 2021.”
In 2022, there were more than 2,000 motorcycle accidents in Virginia. In 113 accidents, at least one person died. In 1,573 (about three-quarters of all motorcycle accidents), someone was injured. Nationwide, nearly 6,000 people died in motorcycle accidents in 2021. More than 82,000 people were injured.
What types of motorcycle accidents do you handle?
At Phelan Petty Injury Lawyers, we represent motorcycle operators and passengers, families of deceased riders, and other injury victims. We handle all types of motorcycle accidents including:
- Head-on collisions. Head-on crashes between a motorcycle and a car or a motorcycle and a truck are often fatal.
- Left-hand turn accidents. While left-hand turns are always dangerous, they’re particularly dangerous when a motorcycle driver is going straight and a driver of a larger vehicle turns left – passing directly in front of or into the motorcycle driver.
- Lane splitting. Some motorcycle riders try to maneuver through traffic by splitting a lane with a car instead of waiting for traffic to slow down or passing when the motorcycle rider can do so in their own lane.
- Lane switching. Many motorcycle accidents happen because a car driver tries to pass and doesn’t see that there is a motorcycle already in the passing lane. The closer you are to the car that is trying to pass you, the more likely the car driver is to hit you.
- Sharp turns. Generally, motorcycle riders must have a great amount of experience to drive on sharply curved roads without tipping their motorcycle over.
- Rear-end accidents. Just like with car accidents, a motorcycle rider who is waiting at an intersection can be struck in the rear by a speeding driver or a driver who wasn’t paying attention.
- Single-vehicle accidents. While some accidents are caused by negligence, many motorcycle operators crash because of debris in the road, or unsafe road conditions.
- Car door accidents. These accidents happen when a driver opens the door of his/her car without checking to see if any motorcycles are driving by. The result is that the motorcycle crashes into the car door.
- Riding in pack accidents. Many motorcycle riding accidents occur when another motorcycle rider in your group of riders gets too close to your motorcycle.
- Hard braking. If your front brake locks, your motorcycle could flip over.
Why do motorcycle accidents happen in Tuckahoe?
Drivers are liable if they fail to use reasonable care while driving and cause your injuries as a result. Some of the many reasons another driver or others may be liable for your Tuckahoe motorcycle accident include:
- Driver intoxication. An intoxicated or impaired driver doesn’t have control of his/her vehicle. A motorcycle rider can’t even drive defensively because there’s no way of knowing which way a drunk or drugged driver will move.
- Driver distraction. Drivers who are texting while driving, talking on a smartphone, eating, or drinking are not looking out for any other vehicles on the road, especially smaller vehicles like motorcycles.
- Driver fatigue. Many drivers try to soldier through with coffee and open windows when they should get off the road immediately and take whatever steps they need to be awake enough to drive.
- Failing to respect the right of motorcycle drivers to be on the road. Throughout Virginia, many car and truck drivers don’t look for motorcycles, and don’t know how to share the road with them. They either assume they, as drivers, have “more” rights, or they become anxious around them, which can lead to mistakes.
- Speeding. Fast drivers are dangerous drivers, no matter what vehicle they’re operating. Speed can be especially dangerous around blind curves.
- Failing to yield the right of way. Car and truck drivers should yield the right of way to motorcycles just like they would any other vehicle.
- Poor weather conditions. Driving on wet or slippery roads is especially dangerous for motorcycle riders because there are only two wheels to gain traction on the road. Visibility is also much rougher because the raindrops fall right on a motorcycle operator’s head instead of a windshield.
- Heavy traffic. Many cars and trucks are focused on other large vehicles and often don’t see a motorcycle in heavy traffic. Some motorcyclists may try to scurry through traffic instead of staying patient and waiting for the traffic to clear.
- Poor road conditions. Any object on the road other than smooth asphalt is an invitation to a motorcycle accident. Motorcycle operators need to be wary of the road conditions when they drive.
- Operator inexperience. Every driver needs to understand the basics of how to operate their motorcycle in common and uncommon traffic conditions, including with other riders, where there are sharp curves, steep inclines, high speeds, and multiple lanes of travel in each direction.
How can your Tuckahoe motorcycle accident lawyers help me?
Our Tuckahoe motorcycle accident attorneys have the experience and resources to handle your motorcycle accident claim. We’re respected by former clients, insurance companies, and defense lawyers for our impressive record of personal injury verdicts and settlements.
We work with investigators, the police, traffic reconstruction experts, and product safety experts (depending on how your accident happened) to help show how the accident happened and who is responsible. We also thoroughly question everyone involved and focus on every type of evidence that can support your claim. Our team works with your medical team to show just how serious and devastating your injuries are.
We fight aggressively for our clients, preparing every case for a potential trial. Often, this willingness to take a case to a jury puts us at an advantage, as insurance companies come to the negotiating table with a more just first offer. If that is not the case, or if the insurance company refuses to accept accountability, then we will file the lawsuit.
Who is responsible for a Tuckahoe motorcycle accident?
In many motorcycle cases, just the driver of the car, truck, or motorcycle who struck you is liable for your injuries or the death of your loved one. There are also cases where the following people and entities may be liable, in addition to the negligent driver:
- An employer of the driver
- The owner of the vehicle if the owner and the driver are not the same – such as when parents allow their children to drive their car
- A manufacturer of a defective vehicle part
- A state entity, such as the Virginia Department of Transportation, for failing to properly design or maintain the roadway where the accident occurred
What injuries are common in Tuckahoe motorcycle accidents?
Our Tuckahoe motorcycle accident lawyers represent victims of catastrophic injury, including:
- Traumatic brain injuries and other types of head trauma
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Fractured skulls, ribs, arms, legs, and other bones
- Internal organ damage and bleeding
- Traumatic amputation/loss of limb
- Burn injuries
- Neck, back, and shoulder injuries
- Nerve, ligament, tissue, and muscle damage
One type of injury that is fairly unique to motorcyclists is road rash. Road rash is an abrasion of the skin that occurs when a rider slides along the ground. Road rash can be especially serious if the rider isn’t wearing any protective clothing. Immediate symptoms include pain and swelling. An immediate concern is the risk of an infection. Flu-like symptoms, blood poisoning, and septic shock may occur, which is why immediate emergency care is required. A tetanus shot may be required. If deeper layers of the skin are damaged, skin grafting and plastic surgery may be required. Victims may need psychological help if there is scarring or disfigurement.
We work with your doctors and our network of doctors to determine what injuries you have, the medical care you’ll need, the cost of the care, and every way your injuries affect you physically and emotionally.
What rules and regulations govern motorcycle riding in Virginia?
The laws that govern motorcycle riding in Virginia include the following:
- You need a properly classified motorcycle license. The classification depends on the type of motorcycle you’re operating – two-wheel or three-wheel.
- The motorcycle must be registered in the same way a car is registered.
- Riders must wear a safety helmet that is approved by “the Snell Memorial Foundation, the American National Standards Institute, Inc., or the federal Department of Transportation.”
- Riders must have eye protection (such as safety goggles). Eye protection can be included in the helmet.
- Your motorcycle should have headlights, a horn, a rearview mirror, brake lights, a working exhaust system, and a windscreen or safety glass. Some exceptions may apply.
- There must be a separate seat for passengers and separate footrests for each passenger.
There are separate rules for mopeds and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs).
What is the value of my Tuckahoe motorcycle accident claim?
At Phelan Petty Injury Lawyers, we’ve obtained numerous high verdicts and settlements (more than 40 for one million dollars or higher) because we understand the full scope of harm that injuries cause. Patients with permanent and/or catastrophic injuries live with daily pain and often need daily medical care. Many complications can arise that need to be presented to juries and insurance companies.
Our seasoned personal injury lawyers demand compensation for each victim’s current and future:
- Economic damages. This part of your claim includes all your medical expenses, lost income and lost benefits, and property damage.
- Non-economic damages. This part of your claim, often the largest part of your claim, includes your daily pain and suffering, loss of bodily function, and loss of quality of life.
- Punitive damages. Our Tuckahoe motorcycle accident lawyers demand that the responsible driver pay punitive damages if their conduct is especially reckless – such as if the responsible driver had a high blood alcohol content (BAC) level.
If your loved one died in a Tuckahoe motorcycle crash, we file a wrongful death claim against the responsible party. Wrongful death lawsuits can seek additional damages for burial and funeral costs; loss of financial support; and loss of personal support including companionship, love, and guidance.
How does contributory negligence affect my Tuckahoe motorcycle accident claim?
Virginia has a strict contributory negligence law. This means that if you are even one percent responsible for the accident and the driver who struck you is 99% responsible, your personal injury claim will be denied. The need to prove you were not at fault is one reason why hiring a Tuckahoe motorcycle accident lawyer is in your best interest if you are harmed.
At Phelan Petty Injury Lawyers, we’re skilled at showing that motorcycle accident victims did not contribute to the accident that caused their injuries in any way, shape, or form.
Contact our Tuckahoe motorcycle accident lawyers now
At Phelan Petty Injury Lawyers, we understand the unique challenges involved in handling motorcycle accident claims. We’re skilled at showing how your crash happened, who is responsible, and the full scope of your damages. While we settle many cases, often for the policy limits, we’re always ready to try your case before a jury. Our Tuckahoe motorcycle accident attorneys answer all your questions and guide you through each step of the claims process. To schedule a free consultation, please call us or complete our contact form. Our Tuckahoe motorcycle accident lawyers handle personal injury and wrongful death claims on a contingency fee basis.