West Virginia Motorcycle Accident Laws and Statistics
As motorcycle accident statistics on West Virginia crashes and injuries underscore, riding a motorcycle can cause catastrophic injury and even wrongful death. In 2007 alone, there were 38 motorcycle accident deaths in West Virginia, 83 percent of which were wearing helmets, and 33 percent of which were intoxicated, at the time of the crash*. If you are among those who have been injured or lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident, you need an experienced attorney on your side. A skilled lawyer, like those at Proner & Proner, can help you obtain financial compensation for your injuries, pain, and suffering. An established law firm with motorcycle accident attorneys serving clients throughout West Virginia and the rest of the nation, we provide the outstanding legal counsel necessary to obtaining the damages to which a client is entitled. When you secure our services, we will provide the caliber of legal representation for which the firm is known.
Protecting the Rights of Motorcycle Accident Victims
When a motorcyclist suffers personal injury or is killed in an accident caused by another party’s actions or negligence – whether that party be a reckless motorist, manufacturer of a defective automotive or motorcycle part (or another type of defective product), or another party – the victim may seek compensation for his or her injuries by filing a motorcycle accident lawsuit. (In cases of wrongful death, the victim’s family may seek damages.) The types of injuries that typically occur in motorcycle accidents, components of a motorcycle accident settlement, and process of filing suit are as follows:
Types of Injuries
Since motorcycles offer little protection to riders in the event of a crash, motorcycle accident injuries tend to be catastrophic (e.g., burn, spinal cord, back, and brain injury) or fatal. Relatively minor injuries (e.g., “road rash” and broken bones) are also possible. Whatever the severity of a motorcycle accident injury, victims may be entitled to damages and should seek legal counsel.
Motorcycle Accident Compensation
A motorcycle accident settlement includes compensation for the financial losses a victim suffers because of his or her injuries. For example, the settlement may include recompense for the victim’s medical expenses, rehabilitative care, lost wages, decreased earning potential, household expenses during recovery, and loss of enjoyment of life. The size of the settlement depends on a number of factors, including state laws, the severity of the victim’s injuries, and the skill of his or her lawyer.
Learn more about West Virginia motorcycle accident laws.
Filing a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit
Once it is determined that a motorcycle accident victim has a case, he or she may begin the process of filing suit. The process involves a number of steps, including investigating the circumstances of the crash and filing the appropriate paperwork within the statute of limitations (time limit for filing suit). Handling motorcycle accident claims can be complex and overwhelming without the help of a seasoned lawyer – a professional with a background representing motorcycle accident victims.
At Proner & Proner, our motorcycle accident attorneys fight for the rights of West Virginia bikers, bringing years of combined experience and an intimate knowledge of state law to their claims. If you have suffered personal injury or the tragic loss of a loved one in a crash, contact our firm to learn more about how we can help.
Motorcycle Accident Statistics
Motorcycle accident statistics in West Virginia and throughout the U.S. since 1998 are as follows*:
- In 1998, there were 2,294 motorcycle accident fatalities and 3,879,450 registered motorcycles in the U.S. – a fatality rate of 6 percent per 10,000 registered vehicles.
- In 2004, there were 27 motorcycle accident deaths in West Virginia – 7 percent of the 410 motor vehicle accident fatalities in the state that year.
- In 2005, there were 4,553 motorcycle accident deaths in the U.S., 34 of which occurred in West Virginia. Eighty-eight percent of the 34 motorcycle accident death victims were wearing helmets, while 10 victims had a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) of .01 or more, at the time of the crash. (In 2005, there were 374 motor vehicle fatalities in West Virginia, 31 percent of which [118 deaths] involved driver impairment.)
- In 2006, there were 38 motorcycle accident deaths in West Virginia – 9 percent of the 410 motor vehicle accident fatalities in the state that year.
- West Virginia is one of 20 states with a universal helmet law, 27 with anti-impaired riding education programs, and 17 with anti-impaired riding enforcement efforts.
Contact Our Motorcycle Accident Attorneys
If you have been injured or lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident, you need complete information about your rights. Contact Proner & Proner to learn more about those rights, motorcycle accident statistics, and other information. Our motorcycle accident attorneys serve clients throughout West Virginia.
*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 West Virginia, including the following cities:
- Charleston
- Huntington
- Parkersburg
- Wheeling
- Morgantown
- Weirton
- Fairmont
- Beckley
- Clarksburg
- Martinsburg
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