Gainesville, VA Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Gainesville, VA has many roads that motorcycle riders like to ride on: Glenkirk Road; Linton Hall Road; Wellington Road; and even Lee Hwy. Unfortunately, people in Gainesville, VA don’t always respect motorcyclists. If you’ve been hurt in a Gainesville motorcycle accident, you could be entitled to compensation. Find out now by calling Olmstead & Olmstead at 703-361-1555.
Yes, You Do Need a Motorcycle Accident Attorney—Here’s Why
Getting fair compensation is always challenging after a crash, but motorcyclists face even more struggles than the average driver. To start, riding a motorcycle is inherently more dangerous than being in a car.
Some insurance companies use that to claim that motorcyclists should take some blame in a crash since they accepted the risk simply by riding. This doesn’t make sense, of course. Just because a motorcyclist knows that an accident could happen doesn’t mean that drivers can drive with complete disregard for others on the road.
Second, the societal bias against motorcyclists is real. When you hear about a crash in the media, there’s often an implication that the motorcyclist is obviously at fault. It doesn’t matter if the other driver was texting, driving while impaired, or falling asleep at the wheel—many people just automatically assume that the biker did something wrong.
That’s a lot to go up against when you just want fair compensation. Insurance companies are already notorious for their unwillingness to pay a fair settlement, and when you combine that with their bias against motorcyclists, you have a lot of work to do.
Our Gainesville motorcycle accident attorneys can help you overcome these issues. Our team is ready to uncover the facts of your accident, build a case against the liable party, and fight for the compensation you’re owed.
What You Need to Know About Motorcycle Accidents in Virginia
Statistics from the Virginia Highway Safety Office confirm that motorcyclists are at greater risk of an accident than passenger vehicle drivers. In 2021, there were 2,048 motorcycle crashes. This was just 1.7% of all traffic collisions in the state. However, motorcycle crashes accounted for 10.5% of all traffic deaths and 10% of all serious injuries. When crashes happen, bikers are more likely than passenger vehicle occupants to suffer serious injuries or death.
Some of the most common causes of motorcycle collisions in Virginia include improper lane changes, following too closely, driving too fast for weather conditions, and unsafe passing. However, in nearly 40% of accidents, the involved motorcyclist did not do anything wrong to cause or worsen the collision.
Furthermore, nearly 92% of bikers were not under the influence of alcohol at the time of the collision. This is slightly higher than the percentage of passenger vehicle drivers who were not under the influence at the time of their crash.
While crashes are reported everywhere in Virginia, most are clustered in the southeast corner and in the northeast region where Gainesville can be found.
Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries
The injuries you suffer in a car accident depend a lot on what type of car you’re in, the speed of the crash, and how much protective gear you have on. Some of the most commonly reported injuries include:
- Broken bones
- Bruises and cuts
- Infections caused by road rash
- Soft tissue injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord damage
- Amputations
- Internal bleeding
Obviously, these types of injuries often come with enormous price tags. While protective gear can help minimize the severity of injuries, there’s no denying the fact that motorcycles simply offer far less protection than standard passenger vehicles. That’s why it’s so important to seek prompt medical care after a crash.
Even if you only have some scrapes and bruises, you really don’t know what is happening internally. A checkup at a local facility like Gainesville Medical Center or Gainesville Urgent Medical can give you peace of mind and help you quickly identify any injuries that need prompt treatment.
Damages for Your Injuries
How do you seek compensation for your injuries after an accident? When you work with our team, we will work directly with your insurance provider in an attempt to negotiate a fair and full settlement. By looking into your crash, getting a better understanding of your injuries, and calculating your current and future losses, we’ll get a rough idea of how much your case is worth.
We’ll use that information to start negotiations. While most personal injury claims do settle out of court, we may need to take your case to court to fight for the compensation you’re owed. A fair settlement generally includes compensation for:
- Medical bills and all related expenses
- Lost wages
- Property damage
- Disability and/or disfigurement
- Pain and suffering
In some circumstances, you may also receive compensation for future medical bills and future lost income. This is generally reserved for those who are so severely injured that they will require long-term care and never be able to work again. These types of claims are quite complicated, as you have to estimate and calculate the cost of future services and look at what your career trajectory would have been if you had not been injured.
Damages associated with motorcycle accidents tend to be quite high, due to the likelihood of severe injuries. Do not simply accept the insurance company’s first offer and assume that their offer is made in good faith. In fact, avoid talking to the other party’s insurance company at all.
Any information you give them about your driving history, your past injuries, or the accident itself can be used against you as they prepare your settlement offers. Instead, contact an attorney as early as possible after a collision.
Choose Olmstead & Olmstead for Your Claim
If you’ve been injured in a Gainesville motorcycle crash, it’s time to talk to an attorney and find out if you are entitled to compensation. Let’s set up a time to talk more about your injuries and what comes next. Call us at 703-361-1555 or reach out online.
