Motorcycle accidents in Richmond, VA, can have serious consequences for all those involved.
Motorcycle accidents are 30 times as likely to cause fatalities since a motorcycle does not protect the rider from impact, and motorcyclists are often thrown from their vehicles.
Death or serious injury can result in far too many situations.
If you or someone that you love was hurt or killed in a motorcycle accident, it’s important to understand your rights under Virginia laws and to take steps to try to get compensation.
Monge & Associates is committed to helping crash victims and we have been since 1993.
Our firm has extensive experience with motorcycle accident claims and will represent you in the aftermath of your accident, helping every step of the way from gathering evidence to standing up to the insurance company on your behalf to pursuing litigation when necessary to help you collect compensation for your damages.
Give us a call today to schedule your free consultation with a Richmond, VA motorcycle accident lawyer to learn more about how our firm can put our legal experience to work on your case.
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Why Choose Monge & Associates
Motorcycle accident lawyers in Virginia must:
- At Monge & Associates, we have recovered over a billion dollars on behalf of injured clients.
- We prioritize communication, keeping our clients informed at every step in the process.
- Our Richmond personal injury attorneys have a deep understanding of injury law and extensive experience in the claims process as well as in trial.
- We handle all cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning we never charge a fee for our service unless we successfully resolve your case.
Our team has been honored with numerous awards, has extensive testimonials from past motorcycle accident victims, and has recovered millions of dollars in compensation for motorcycle crash victims.
We are also committed to offering compassionate representation.
While we can go toe-to-toe with the biggest insurance companies during the negotiation process, we will also offer you the support and help you need during a dark time in your life.
That means being there to answer your questions, keep you informed of your case progress, and prove to you that you’re more than just another client.
We don’t charge legal fees unless we win compensation from you for the at-fault driver, so you don’t have to worry about whether your case is in good hands.
You can reach out at any time to talk with our legal team for a personalized case assessment and learn exactly what we will do in your situation to help you get justice.
Common Causes of Richmond Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle crashes often happen because of bad decisions made by drivers on the road. Here are some of the most common causes of Richmond motorcycle accidents.
- Driver Negligence: If a driver is less careful than a hypothetical reasonable motorist would be, the driver is considered negligent in the eyes of the law. A driver is also considered negligent if they violate a safety rule. When this negligence causes a crash, the careless driver should compensate you for the resulting harm.
- Dangerous Driving Behaviors: Driving erratically or recklessly, speeding, driving drunk, driving while fatigued, and failing to follow traffic laws are just some of the many types of high-risk behaviors drivers engage in that can result in a motorcycle crash occurring. The driver who takes unnecessary risks is responsible for the damage done.
- Road and Environmental Factors: Sometimes, road conditions or factors in the environment contribute to a crash. When that happens, Monge & Associates can help you determine if there is a defendant to blame. For example, if a road was poorly designed or maintained and that caused a crash, you may have a claim against those responsible for the failure to ensure the road was safe.
Virginia Motorcycle Laws and Your Rights
There are a few key laws that you need to know about in Virginia that can affect your motorcycle accident claim. For example:
- There is a two-year statute of limitations for most personal injury cases, including cases arising from motorcycle crashes
- Contributory negligence rules prevent motorcyclists or drivers from pursuing a claim for damages if they were partly at fault for the accident, so it becomes important to show why the defendant was ultimately the one who had the last clear chance to stop the crash but who behaved negligently instead.
Monge & Associates can work within these rules to help you maximize your chances of a successful claim. We also know the laws well that affect how motorcyclists and drivers interact on Virginia’s roads so we can determine if a safety law was violated. If it was, this creates a presumption of negligence that can be used to help you win your claim for damages.
Types of Motorcycle Accidents in Richmond
Richmond motorcycle accidents happen in all different circumstances, but certain types of crashes are much more common than others.
Here are some of the most common types of motorcycle crashes that occur within the Richmond area:
- Left-turn collisions at intersections
- Rear-end accidents
- Head-on collisions
- Lane change accidents
- Single-vehicle crashes
- Hit-and-run accidents
- Multi-vehicle pile-ups on highways
These accidents commonly happen when either a car or truck hit the motorcycle causing catastrophic damage to the rider.
Monge & Associates has represented clients in all of these types of crashes.
We’ll help you to prove the cause of your accident by gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, and bringing in experts.
The goal is always to identify all defendants who are to blame to maximize your chances of getting fully compensated for the harm that was done to you.
Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries
A Richmond motorcycle accident lawyer will also help you to demonstrate the types of injuries that you suffered in your motorcycle accident.
The more severe the injuries, the greater the compensation you should be entitled to.
Here are some of the most common types of injuries that crash victims suffer:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Spinal cord damage and paralysis
- Multiple fractures and broken bones
- Road rash and severe lacerations
- Internal organ damage
- Amputations
- Permanent disability
- Chronic pain
- Psychological trauma and PTSD
You’ll always want to make sure that your doctor documents your injuries so you can prove that they occurred as a direct result of the motorcycle accident.
You should keep track of the medical treatments you receive, and also consider keeping a pain diary so you can showcase how your injuries impact your life.
Steps to Take After a Richmond Motorcycle Accident
When a Richmond motorcycle accident happens, there are a few key steps to take to make sure that you are gathering the necessary evidence and building the strongest possible claim. S
ome things to do in the aftermath of your accident include:
- Obtaining the contact details of the other driver
- Getting information from witnesses at the crash scene
- Taking pictures of the crash scene, the debris, and the surrounding areas
- Obtaining police reports, witness testimony, security camera footage and other evidence from the scene to show how the crash happened
- Seeing a doctor right away, ensuring that a thorough report of your injuries is prepared, and tracking all treatment you receive
- Making sure the crash is reported to your insurer and the insurer of the other driver
- Finding a committed legal advocate with motorcycle accident experience who knows Richmond laws and who can help you to work within the justice system to get the compensation that you deserve
Monge & Associates will be there to help you take these and other steps, including sending a demand letter to the other driver’s insurer to start the process of negotiating a settlement.
At each step, we’ll be working to help you get justice.
Proving Fault in Your Motorcycle Accident Case
After a motorcycle accident case, it is up to you to prove that the other driver was to blame if you want to recover compensation.
You must show:
- The driver had a duty. All drivers have a duty or obligation to be safe on the roads and avoid carelessness that puts motorcycle riders at risk
- The driver breached the duty. Behaving unreasonably carelessly or violating safety laws is proof of a breach
- Your accident happened because of the breach. The other driver’s negligent actions must have caused the accident
- You suffered harm. You should show how badly you were hurt.
Compensation Available for Motorcycle Accident Victims
The compensation that you can collect after a Richmond motorcycle accident includes payment for medical bills and lost wages.
You should also recover for non-economic harm, including pain and suffering and emotional distress.
In rare cases, punitive damages designed to punish the defendant may also be available.
Contact Our Richmond Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Today
Monge & Associates is here and ready to help you in the aftermath of your collision. Contact our Richmond motorcycle accident lawyers today to schedule a free consultation and pursue your claim for damages so you can rebuild your future.