Motorcycle Accident Attorneys in Alexandria, Virginia

Motorcycle accidents can be terrifying and traumatic experiences for everyone involved. Unfortunately, these kinds of crashes can be extremely harmful due to the lack of protection offered by the bike itself, especially when the biker is hit by a large SUV or truck. Motorcycle accidents often often brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, or worse. You and your family need to contact a lawyer immediately to protect your rights.   

If you were in a motorcycle accident, it’s important to know what to do next to protect your health, your rights, and your finances. Reach out to Blaszkow Legal, PLLC to get aggressive, experienced representation from a law firm that has represented bikers for decades. Our personal injury attorneys in Alexandria, Virginia, represent all accident victims and their families in Alexandria and all of Northern Virginia, including Woodbridge, Fairfax, Manassas, and Arlington, as well as Maryland and DC.

Steps to Take If You Were in a Motorcycle Accident  

In Virginia, it is important to take certain steps following a motorcycle accident in order to ensure that your rights are protected and you receive the compensation you deserve. If you were involved in a motorcycle accident, take the following steps:  

1. Seek Medical Help 

The first and most important step is to seek medical help as soon as possible. Often, the adrenaline rush that follows an accident can suppress pain and mask the severity of injuries sustained in the collision. It’s crucial to get a thorough medical evaluation, even if you feel fine immediately after the accident. Remember that your health and well-being should always be the top priority.  Some injuries are not readily apparent with expert medical evaluation.

2. Document Everything  

As you are waiting for help to arrive, try to document the accident as accurately and thoroughly as possible, provided that you can do so safely. Take photographs or videos of your motorcycle, the other vehicles involved, the accident scene, and any visible injuries you may have sustained. Gather the contact and insurance information of any other drivers, as well as the contact information of any eyewitnesses.  Remember that the insurance card of the at-fault driver proves who insures their vehicle - but not who was driving it. Always get a picture of that driver's license!

3. Contact Your Insurance  

Call the experienced team at Blaszkow Legal. Most people think that they should call their own insurance first, and that is a mistake. Why? Because your insurance can very quickly become adversarial, if for example, the other driver turns out to be uninsured. In this instance, what you may say in the heat of the moment, they can - and will! - use against you later on. Call an Attorney to make sure that you are protected from everyone, such as insurance adjusters, insurance investigators, and even yourself!

It is our job to streamline this process for you, and intercept what is likely to become a barrage of telephone calls, emails, collection letters, interview requests, etc. We will take care of all of these stressful items, so that you can focus on the important thing: getting better!

4. Contact Your Insurance

Once you have called an attorney, then call your insurance. They will assist you in getting a rental vehicle, and in having your vehicle towed.  Some insurance companies may want to take a statement (beyond the mere facts of the collision), and this is when you need to call your attorney to do that - never give a statement without the benefit of counsel.

Common Types of Injuries in Motorcycle Accidents 

Motorcycle crashes are a common occurrence on the roads of Virginia. According to a report by the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles, between 2,000 and 2,400 motorcycle accidents occur across Virginia every year.  

When these crashes occur, motorcycle riders and their passengers are more likely to suffer injuries than passenger-car occupants. Some of the most common types of injuries suffered by victims of motorcycle accidents include:  

• Lacerations 

• Road rash 

• Muscle strains, sprains, tears, and contusions  

• Burns  

• Broken or fractured bones 

• Head and neck injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) 

• Spinal cord damage  

• Internal organ damage or internal bleeding  

• Loss of limbs  

• Paralysis 

• Psychological trauma, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)  

If you or a loved one suffered any injuries as the result of someone else’s negligence, you might be entitled to financial compensation. Speak with an experienced motorcycle accident attorney at Blaszkow Legal, PLLC to discuss your case.  

Virginia Motorcycle Laws  

Lane splitting – the practice of riding a motorcycle between two traffic lanes – is illegal in Virginia, though you might frequently see motorcycle riders splitting lanes in traffic jams. If a motorcycle accident occurs when the rider is riding between two lanes of traffic, the rider will most likely bear some responsibility for the crash, which can impede recovery.  

According to the Virginia Department of Transportation, all motorcycle riders and their passengers must wear approved helmets that meet the standards of one of the three institutions (USDOT, ANSI, or Snell). 

Although Virginia law does not specify a minimum age limit for motorcycle passengers, all passengers on bikes are legally required to wear helmets and eye protection, have their own seats, and use footrests or pegs. Additionally, state law requires that every motorcycle is equipped with rear-view mirrors, horns, and headlights.  

Determining Fault in Virginia  

Virginia follows an at-fault system when it comes to compensating victims of motorcycle accidents. This means that those responsible for causing an accident are required to provide financial compensation for damages caused by their negligence.   

Under Virginia’s contributory negligence doctrine, victims may not recover damages if they are found to be partially at fault for an accident or injury they suffered. This means that even if you are only 1% at fault for causing a motorcycle accident, you may still be barred from recovering any damages from the other party or parties involved in the crash.  

It is, therefore, important to hire a skilled motorcycle accident attorney in Alexandria, Virginia, who can help defend your right to financial compensation after being injured in an accident.   

Filing a Claim for a Loved One  

In some cases, family members may file personal injury or wrongful death claims on behalf of their loved ones who have been injured or killed due to another person’s negligence:  

1. Injured people may be unable to pursue legal action due to physical or mental disabilities; and  

2. Children may not have the capacity to bring a claim on their own. 

When appropriate, spouses/family members may need permission from their loved ones before pursuing a claim on their behalf. Also, persons without next-of-kin may need someone else appointed by the court before filing suit against another party to recover damages in a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit.