Motorcycle Accident Attorney in Charlottesville, VA

Motorcyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as other motorists on the roads of Virginia. However, motorcyclists are more likely to be injured in accidents because of the lack of protection that motorcycles afford riders.

Motorcycle accidents are often caused by other motorists’ inattention or failure to see a motorcycle in traffic. Any motorist who is negligent and causes an injury accident may be held accountable for the harm they cause.

If you were hurt in a motorcycle accident caused by another driver’s negligence, you may be entitled to significant compensation. Our skilled motorcycle accident lawyers at Kendall Law Firm have more than 30 years of experience helping accident victims and their families across Charlottesville, Winchester, Harrisonburg, and the surrounding areas.

Founding partner David Kendall served as Judge Advocate General in the U.S. Marine Corps and has handled as many personal injury cases as anyone. Our entire team is dedicated to providing personalized legal services. As you can see from testimonials from our past clients and our case results, we truly care about our clients’ future and helping them pursue the best outcome possible.

Contact Kendall Law Firm for your free, no-obligation consultation to learn how we can help you get on the road to recovery. Call us today at (434) 326-4350 or contact us online.

How Can A Motorcycle Accident Attorney Help Me?

Motorcycles represent a small portion of vehicles on the roads in Virginia. But motorcyclists account for close to 11% of the people killed, and nearly 9% of the people seriously injured in these accidents, according to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles.

The aftermath of motorcycle accidents is traumatizing. It’s often challenging for accident victims to deal with uncooperative insurance companies and fight for compensation and justice. An experienced attorney can handle the paperwork and negotiations with the insurance company, so you can focus on recovering from your injuries.

A knowledgeable motorcycle accident attorney can handle all aspects of your claim and help improve your chances of getting full compensation for your medical bills and related expenses.

A motorcycle injury attorney at Kendall Law Firm can launch a full investigation into your accident and gather the evidence needed to prove who was responsible for the accident and the extent of your losses because of another party’s negligent actions. We can gather your medical records and consult with your doctors about your long-term prognosis and how the injuries will affect your life. Using that information, we can develop an estimate of how much money your case might be worth and fight for the full compensation you’re owed.

We will negotiate on your behalf with the insurance company and demand compensation that reflects the full extent of your losses. Our motorcycle collision lawyers have extensive experience handling these cases.

If the insurance company won’t agree to a reasonable motorcycle accident settlement, then our motorcycle accident attorneys will be ready to file a lawsuit and fight for your rights in a Virginia courtroom.

We can review your case, help answer any questions you might have about your case, and help you understand your legal options.

Common Causes Of Motorcycle Accidents

From human error to hazardous road conditions, many different events can lead to motorcycle accidents.

Some of the most common causes of motorcycle crashes include:

• Speeding
• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Unsafe lane changes
• Left-turn accidents, where vehicles suddenly turn in front of a motorcyclist
• Rear-end collisions caused by a motorist following a motorcycle too closely
• Inexperienced drivers
• Driving while fatigued
• Distracted driving
• Car dooring, where a driver opens a car door in front of an oncoming motorcycle
• Manufacturer defects or mechanical errors
• Dangerous road conditions, such as potholes, debris in the road, and uneven pavement
• Hazardous weather conditions
• Poorly maintained vehicles

The various causes of accidents can lead to a range of injuries, often severe and sometimes fatal.

Common Injuries Caused By Motorcycle Accidents

Injuries in motorcycle accidents are often more severe than other types of wrecks since motorcycles are smaller than other vehicles on the road and they lack the safety equipment that automobiles have, such as safety belts and airbags.

Motorcycle accidents may cause the following types of injuries:

In addition to serious physical injuries, motorcycle accidents can lead to emotional and psychological trauma, such as PTSD, anxiety disorders, and depression.

Can I File A Lawsuit For A Motorcycle Accident In Charlottesville?

Any person who is injured in Charlottesville in a motorcycle accident caused by someone else’s recklessness or wrongful actions may have a legal right to file a lawsuit seeking compensation for their losses. However, there are some limitations on the right to file a personal injury lawsuit.

For instance, under Virginia’s statute of limitations, victims typically have only two years from the date of their accident to file a motorcycle accident lawsuit. Once this deadline has passed, you may no longer have a legal right to pursue a legal claim. There are many exceptions to these rules that might extend the amount of time you have to file, depending on the specific details of your case. An experienced Charlottesville motorcycle accident attorney can review the specifics of your accident and discuss your legal options.

Do I Have Legal Rights To Motorcycle Accident Compensation?

If you are suffering from injuries after a motorcycle accident caused by someone else’s negligent actions, then you might be entitled to compensation to cover losses, such as:

• Wages lost while recovering from the accident
• Medical bills, such as medication, surgeries, medical tests and exams, hospitalization, ambulance transportation, treatment, and doctor appointments
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Future medical expenses, including rehabilitation, follow-up visits, therapies, in-home care, medical devices or equipment, and disability accommodations
• Lost ability to earn future income
• Emotional distress
• Lost companionship or consortium

The amount of money you might be able to recover will depend on the details of your case, as well as Virginia state laws that might limit your compensation. If the defendant can prove that you were at least partially to blame for the accident or your injuries, then the courts might deny your right to compensation.

Virginia applies a legal doctrine called pure contributory negligence to personal injury cases. That means that if you were even 1% responsible for your accident, then you cannot recover compensation at all. Virginia’s strict laws on liability make it critical for victims to work with a knowledgeable motorcycle accident attorney after a collision.

Your personal injury lawyer can help gather the evidence necessary to show that another party was responsible for your accident. They also can also help protect you against insurance companies, who will typically do anything they can to deflect responsibility and avoid paying victims.

Insurance adjusters often show up at accident scenes or call victims shortly after collisions. This is to take advantage of them when they are in shock after an accident. The adjuster may try to trick them into saying something they can use to claim the victim actually caused the accident. However, your attorney can speak with the insurance company on your behalf and help avoid the possibility that you’ll mistakenly say something that jeopardizes your rights to compensation.

Talk to a Skilled Motorcycle Accident Attorney Today

If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle collision, the compassionate and experienced Charlottesville motorcycle crash attorneys at Kendall Law Firm are here to help. We understand the benefits and complications of living in the Charlottesville metro area. We’re prepared to tackle even the toughest cases that emerge from this region.

With the beauty of the Shenandoah Valley, the area’s convenient location near D.C., and the economic opportunities through the universities and other industries, the region is an excellent place for residents and visitors alike. The area is a wonderful place to live, work, and play, but unfortunately, serious and life-threatening motorcycle crashes do occur. They’re often caused by other motorists.

At Kendall Law Firm, we’re committed to providing injured motorcyclists with personalized attention in the midst of tragic accidents, in addition to the legal skills they need to help them recover the compensation they’re owed. When you work with us, you can have peace of mind that we are dedicated to helping you make the best choices for you and your family. We are also dedicated to aggressively fight for the best outcome for your case.

To get started on the road to recovery, contact Kendall Law Firm today at (434) 326-4350 or online to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation.