Virginia Motorcycle Accident Laws and Statistics
At Proner & Proner, our motorcycle accident attorneys know that statistics for Virginia crash-related injuries and deaths are more than just numbers. The figures represent traumatic crashes experienced by victims and their families and victims’ subsequent struggle to recover financially, physically, and emotionally from their injuries. Our team is dedicated to helping clients understand their rights as accident victims as well as how the law may impact their potential claims. Our lawyers provide the aggressive legal counsel necessary to obtain compensation for a motorcycle accident injury or death – a crucial component in the successful recovery from a crash.
Motorcycle Accident Law
When a motorcyclist is injured in a motorcycle accident caused by another party’s actions or negligence, the motorcyclist (the plaintiff) may seek financial compensation for his or her injuries by filing a motorcycle accident lawsuit against the negligent party (the defendant). Depending on the circumstances of the accident and on state law, a number of parties may be held liable for a motorcycle accident injury. When the plaintiff can prove the defendant’s (at least partial) fault, the victim may obtain a motorcycle accident settlement.
Types of Injuries
The severity of a motorcycle accident injury depends on several factors, including the object(s) with which the motorcyclist collided (i.e. a motor vehicle versus a street light), the road and weather conditions at the time of the accident, and whether or not the victim was wearing a helmet. Although relatively minor injuries are possible (i.e. road rash, and broken bones), injuries tend to be catastrophic, including spinal cord, back, burn, and brain injury, and wrongful death.
Motorcycle Accident Compensation
A motorcycle accident settlement may include compensation for a victim’s medical bills, rehabilitation, the costs of maintaining his or her household during recovery, lost income, decreased earning potential, pain and suffering, and additional losses incurred because of the accident. The size of the settlement depends on several factors, including the severity of the victim’s injuries, motorcycle accident laws in the state in which the accident occurred, and on the skill of the victim’s lawyer.
Filing a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit
The process of pressing charges for a motorcycle accident involves a number of steps, including determining whether the client has a case, gathering evidence, submitting the proper legal documents, and meeting the state’s statute of limitations (time limit) for filing suit. Filing a lawsuit is a process best undertaken by an experienced motorcycle accident attorney, like those at Proner & Proner. Our attorneys have years of combined experienced handling motorcycle accident claims, which enhances the services we provide our clients.
If you or a loved one has suffered personal injury in a motorcycle collision, contact Proner & Proner to schedule a free case evaluation with one of our motorcycle accident attorneys. Our law firm serves clients throughout Virginia.
Learn more about Virginia motorcycle accident laws.
Motorcycle Accident Statistics
The following motorcycle accident statistics reflect accident trends in Virginia and throughout the U.S. since 1998*:
- In 1998, there were 2,294 motorcyclist fatalities in the U.S. – a 6 percent fatality rate per 10,000 registered motorcycles.
- The number of motorcycle accident deaths in Virginia increased from 57 to 69 per year between 2004 and 2006, as did the number of motorcycle registrations. The number of total motor vehicle accident fatalities also increased, from 922 to 963, from 2004 to 2006.
- There were approximately 69 motorcycle accident deaths in Virginia in 2005 – 7 percent of the state’s total motor vehicle fatalities and 2 percent of motorcycle registrations that year.
- There were 947 highway traffic deaths in Virginia in 2005 – 30 percent of which (284 deaths) involved driver impairment. Of these fatalities, 69 were motorcyclists – 86 percent of whom were helmeted, 22 of whom had a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) of .01 or higher, and 47 of whom had no BAC.
- In 2007, there were 126 motorcyclist fatalities in Virginia. Of these victims, 29 percent were not helmeted, 39 percent of which had a BAC of 0.01 or higher and 29 percent were driving with a BAC of .08 or higher.
- Virginia is one of 20 states with a universal helmet law; 21 that include motorcycles in their highway engineering plans; and 28 where the Highway Safety Office is the lead agency for motorcycle safety.
Contact Our Motorcycle Accident Attorneys
If you have sustained an injury in a motorcycle crash, you need representation by an experienced and dedicated attorney. Contact Proner & Proner to schedule a free case evaluation. You are not just one of the state’s motorcycle accident statistics. Our attorneys serve clients throughout Virginia, handling each client’s case with compassion and respect. When you secure our services, we will provide the aggressive legal counsel you need and deserve.
*Motorcycle accident statistic references: the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation Bureau of Transportation Statistics, and Governors Highway Safety Association websites.
We serve motorcycle accident victims throughout Virginia, including the following cities:
- Virginia Beach
- Norfolk
- Chesapeake
- Richmond
- Newport News
- Alexandria
- Hampton
- Roanoke
- Portsmouth
- Suffolk
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