The aftermath of a motorcycle crash can leave a rider anxious and overwhelmed, especially if you were injured or lost a loved one. While you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and other losses, you may be unsure how to get what you need. That is where a personal injury lawyer in Alexandria can step in and help.
The Parrish Law Firm, PLLC aggressively protects the rights of motorcycle accident victims and their families. You do not have to feel overrun by bills, responsibilities, health problems, insurance claims, or fear of what the future holds. Take some pressure off yourself and let us take care of the difficult work.
Call the Parrish Law Firm, PLLC for a free consultation.
Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries to Sue for in Alexandria
When you have been involved in a motorcycle accident in Alexandria, you may be wondering whether your injuries are severe enough to warrant legal action. It is important to keep in mind that the type of injury you were diagnosed with will not determine whether you have grounds for a motorcycle accident claim. What matters is the impact your injuries have had on your life.
Some types of injuries are seen more frequently in Alexandria motorcycle accident claims than others. They include:
- Traumatic brain damage
- Spinal cord injuries
- Head injuries
- Concussions
- Road rash
- Back injuries
- Herniated discs
- Neck injuries
- Whiplash
- Soft tissue injuries
- Broken and fractured bones
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
If you suffered another type of injury that is not listed above, you may still have the right to financial compensation. The best way to find out what legal options are available to you is by contacting a motorcycle accident attorney in Alexandria for help.
Do You Have Grounds for an Alexandria Motorcycle Accident Claim?
If you are lying in your Alexandria hospital bed, wondering whether you have the right to pursue legal action, consider the following questions:
- Is someone else responsible for causing your motorcycle accident?
- Could another party be at fault for your motorcycle accident?
- Have your injuries significantly impacted your life?
- Are your injuries likely to have a significant impact on your life in the future?
If the answer to one or more of these questions is yes, it may be worth your while to contact a motorcycle accident attorney in Alexandria. Your attorney could analyze the details of your case to determine whether you have grounds for legal action against the culpable party.
Alexandria Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Near Me 571-229-1800
We Help Motorcycle Accident Victims Prove Liability
Some right-of-way rules are nearly automatic, and the other driver’s actions or omissions provide clear evidence of guilt from the other driver. This clears the way for a finding of negligence (assuming those actions or omissions caused damage).
In most cases, traffic law compliance and motor vehicle regulations are not as clear. To recover the compensation you need, we must first make a compelling case of how and why another party was at fault.
By increasing the likelihood that a jury will find another party liable, we may be able to increase the settlement value of your case.
How We Establish Liability in Your Motorcycle Accident Case
Establishing liability requires:
- A legal duty on the part of another party
- Breach of that duty
- Proximate causation
Violating a statute or local ordinance may be a breach of a legal duty. If the only reason for the injuries was that breach, then the next matter to argue is the severity of injuries and property damage.
At the Parrish Law Firm, PLLC we do not limit our investigation to the other driver. We also delve into whether any other factors could have contributed to the accident as it unfolded.
Did a neglected cargo spill or other debris play a role? Was a large pothole a factor? Did your brakes function as they should have? What about your helmet and other personal protective equipment? These are some of the many questions we ask when we investigate claims.
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now
Fault for Motorcycle Accidents in Alexandria
One of the most important responsibilities your attorney will have is establishing liability. The only way your lawyer can recover compensation for your damages is by proving that someone else is responsible for causing your injuries. After carefully examining how your motorcycle accident occurred, your lawyer will have a better idea of who could be at fault.
For example, if hazards in the roadways caused your accident, then government agencies, municipalities, safety inspectors, and other third parties could all share liability. If your accident was caused by defective auto parts, then parts manufacturers, safety inspectors, and motorcycle dealerships could all be partially at fault.
Your motorcycle accident lawyer will need to conduct an in-depth investigation to ensure all liable parties are held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.
How Helmet Laws Can Affect Your Claim
Speaking of helmets, a common question following a motorcycle accident is whether the injured operator or passenger should have been wearing one.
Virginia law does require motorcycle operators and their passengers to wear DOT-approved helmets. The law further requires riders to wear goggles or safety glasses unless the motorcycle contains a windshield or safety glass.
While the law does require riders and passengers to wear helmets, the same statute [Code of Virginia §46.2-910] also states that not wearing a helmet does not constitute negligence per se. This means the at-fault party cannot necessarily claim that your helmet use was an act of negligence that contributed to the accident, thus jeopardizing your settlement.
Compensation to Which You May Be Entitled for Your Motorcycle Accident
The accident has most likely threatened your financial stability as well as your health. You may be relying on health insurance to keep up with your medical bills, but this does not mean that you cannot still file a claim for medical expenses.
You may have exhausted your sick leave or used vacation or other paid time off (PTO) to attend doctor’s appointments or recover from these injuries. You are entitled to compensation for those days and any others you took off because of your accident. In addition to medical expenses and lost wages, we help clients recover the following compensation:
- Loss of future earnings (if permanent injuries prevent you from earning at the same level as before the accident)
- Future medical expenses
- Any durable medical equipment (e.g., hospital bed, crutches, walker, etc.)
- Home health care
- Value of household services you can no longer provide
- “Pain and suffering”
- Inconvenience
- Loss of enjoyment of life (including loss of interest in motorcycle riding)
- Funeral, burial, and cremation expenses
- Survivor benefits (in the event of a wrongful death claim)
- Repair or replacement of motorcycle and accessories
- Replacement of other personal property lost in the accident
Using Evidence to Prove Negligence in Motorcycle Accident Cases
The evidence we gather and how we present it can affect whether you recover compensation for your motorcycle accident. We gather quality evidence that not only proves your case but that the court will deem admissible. We will also notify all parties in possession of evidence that they must preserve anything related to the accident.
We will use all available technology and information to your advantage in the prosecution of your case. This includes interviewing witnesses, arranging depositions, and scrutinizing medical records.
Our work could also include expert witnesses where having them on board will bolster your case with a skeptical insurance adjuster or help the jury understand a complicated concept. If there is possible video surveillance or an electronic data recorder (EDR), we will work to obtain that as well.
What to Expect from the Insurance Company
Insurance companies have been known to take advantage of motorcyclists in their greatest time of need. It is more common than you might think for insurance adjusters to try to paint motorcyclists as being dangerous drivers who have no regard for their own safety or other drivers on the roadways.
If they can argue that you are partially at fault for your injuries, you may find that you are barred from financial recovery. It is important to have a motorcycle accident lawyer handling all insurance company communications if you hope to avoid being taken advantage of.
Call Now for a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Alexandria
A motorcycle accident can stop your life on a dime. We can help you get it back on track. To discuss your case with a motorcycle accident attorney in Alexandria, VA, and learn more about how we can help you, call The Parrish Law Firm, PLLC for a free consultation today.
Call or Text 571-229-1800 or Complete a Free Case Evaluation form