When you get on your motorcycle, you never think about the dangers inherent in your mode of transportation, but crashes happen to even the most experienced riders, and when they do, their effects can be catastrophic.
Whether you survived a motorcycle crash or are seeking answers in the wake of a loved one’s fatal crash, a motorcycle accident lawyer in Fairfax, VA can help you determine your next steps. The Virginia motorcycle accident lawyer at Parrish Law Firm, PLLC has helped many victims and their families establish and pursue their legal rights in the aftermath of an accident.
Damages in a Fairfax Motorcycle Accident Case
While posting an exhaustive list is nearly impossible, the following are examples of the most common types of damages that the Parrish Law Firm, PLLC seeks in court and/or pursues in settlement negotiations with insurance companies:
Medical Bills
The court and/or insurance company must recognize both past and future medical care the accident necessitates. This care can include therapeutic and rehabilitative care, whether inpatient, outpatient, short-term, or long-term. Some victims can resume living at home provided they make physical modifications to their home. Such accommodations are another measure of damages.
Lost Earnings
Lost earnings are a serious component of your damages. If someone else’s negligence caused your inability to generate an income, you could recover that income. This includes past income and any impact the accident will have on your future wages.
Property Damage
We would also consider all property-related losses and damages. These could include replacement or repairs to your motorcycle, accessories, and equipment, as well as replacement of any destroyed apparel. If the motorcycle was your primary method of transportation, costs of alternative transport factor into your damages award as well.
Non-Economic Damages
Bodily injuries can cause physical pain as well as suffering. Disfiguring injuries or those that cause permanent scarring can create additional suffering. These damages, while not “economic” in nature, are nevertheless a very important part of a motorcycle accident claim.
The disruption of an accident can cause great hardship to victims and their families. Also available to accident victims are damages for “inconvenience.”
Compensation for Psychological Trauma After a Motorcycle Accident in Fairfax
Because we know that injuries are not purely physical in nature, we assist clients in recovering compensation for the psychological trauma following a motorcycle accident. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can involve persistent fearfulness, sleeping difficulties, invasive thoughts of the accident, breathing difficulties, mood swings, and other symptoms.
Punitive Damages
In relatively few cases, a court can award punitive damages. Judges reserve punitive damages for only the most egregious of wrongdoers. In drunk driving cases, for example, where a drunk driver’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) exceeded an enhanced concentration, a judge could instruct a jury to consider awarding punitive damages to the victim.
Fairfax Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Near Me 571-229-1800
Preparing for Your Claim Review
The most important thing you can do following an accident is to acquire medical care for your injuries. You nevertheless do not have to wait until you have fully assessed your condition or until you have recovered to schedule your claim review.
If you can, note the details of involved persons and any witnesses while your recollection is fresh. If you have trouble remembering, family members can also note the details from their perspective. Be sure to date all notes.
Taking photographs of the accident scene, if you can, is helpful. A responding law enforcement officer may have provided you with instructions on how to obtain police or crash reports. We can help you obtain this if you have not already done so.
We Will Manage Your Motorcycle Accident Case Negotiations
Most motorcycle accidents are settled through insurance negotiations. Therefore, you’ll likely need to communicate with an insurer to receive compensation for your injuries.
This process is inherently risky. Insurers want you to settle quickly and typically for the lowest amount. Saying the wrong thing could jeopardize your case. To reduce the value of your settlement, the insurer may:
- Investigate your social media
- Use your recorded statements against you
- Employ available evidence to suggest that you were at fault
James R. Parrish, our founding attorney, knows how insurance companies work. Prior to starting the Parrish Law Firm, PLLC, he worked as a legal representative for insurers. He will put his knowledge and experience to work for you by:
- Communicating with insurers
- Demanding the best settlement possible
- Advising you on what you should or shouldn’t say to insurers
- Giving you time to recover from your injuries
- Filing a lawsuit if the result of insurance negotiations isn’t satisfactory
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We’re Here for Our Injured Motorcycle Accident Clients
We know what you’re going through – the medical bills, the aggressive insurance companies, sometimes it can feel overwhelming. Our team will put you at ease. We’ll provide you with:
- Thorough representation
- Extensive experience
- In-depth knowledge
The proof is in our previous client testimonials, where they recognize our commitment to obtaining the best possible outcome for their case:
- “Mr. Parrish (Jim) was more than helpful. Not only does he know the law, he is a nice guy who cares. He always takes the time to answer questions, return calls, and respond to emails. I was relaxed throughout my case knowing that Jim and his team were on my side.” – Patrick S.
- “I’m truly grateful for the excellent service Mr. Parrish has provided. He simplified the process and provided the guidance necessary for my case to conclude in the best way possible.” – Andrew M.
Can I Afford a Lawyer?
Lawyers offer a range of payment plans. Some offices require hourly fees, whereas others ask for a single up-front payment.
We understand that motorcycle accident victims may struggle to make ends meet. Between the time you miss from work and the cost of medical procedures, adding legal fees can seem daunting. At the Parrish Law Firm, PLLC, we work on contingency, which means:
- You don’t need to pay us any upfront fees or retainers
- We don’t get paid unless we secure a settlement or court award for you
Don’t Wait to Get Started on Your Motorcycle Accident Case
Virginia has a statute of limitations on personal injury cases. You typically have two years from the date of your injury to file a lawsuit, per Va. Code § 8.01-243.
As noted earlier, most motorcycle accident cases won’t end in court. However, if insurance negotiations fall through, filing a lawsuit may be your next best option. When you start on your case too late, you risk forfeiting your chance to seek compensation.
Our team will ensure that you meet your case deadlines. In addition, the more time you give us to gather evidence, the better. Motorcycle accident cases hinge on strong evidence. We encourage you get started as soon as possible.
The Parrish Law Firm’s Approach to Negligence
Unfortunately, there is much bias toward motorcycles in our society. Most of this bias toward motorcyclists is wrong.
Other drivers cause accidents through their lack of awareness. There are nevertheless other causes of serious motorcycle accidents.
Road surface issues are one such example. Potholes or uneven surfaces due to lack of road maintenance can lead to accidents, as can unattended spillages or debris. Sometimes safety components such as brakes or helmets malfunction due to faulty manufacturing.
In every single motorcycle accident case, reviewing the cause from every angle is vital. Scrutiny of every possible contributing factor ensures you do not overlook any potentially liable person or company.
As a matter of Virginia law, a motorcycle victim must prove a duty between another person and the injured motorcyclist, that the other person breached such a duty, and that the breach was the proximate cause of the victim’s damages.
In some cases, other drivers violate published traffic laws when they crash into motorcyclists. It is possible, however, that a driver breached a duty of care to a law-abiding motorcyclist without necessarily breaking the law. In some cases, a driver had actual knowledge of impending peril to a motorcyclist (and thus potentially the last chance to avoid the accident), while the motorcyclist had no such opportunity.
The Parrish Law Firm, PLLC employs a team of strategists, technology, and expert testimony, if needed, to cover all bases to establish another party or parties was/were negligent. What this means to you is the peace of mind that you did everything you could to maximize your compensation.
Talk to a Motorcycle Accident Team Member in Fairfax, VA Today
The Parrish Law Firm, PLLC is happy to talk to you about your motorcycle accident claim at no charge. Call our firm for a case evaluation today.
Call or Text 571-229-1800 or Complete a Free Case Evaluation form
