Fredericksburg, VA Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Fredericksburg, VA Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Driving a motorcycle can be an exhilarating experience. A lot of people view motorcycles as freeing, exciting, and reliable ways to get around town. While they can be a fun hobby, they can also be involved in horrific accidents. Motorcycles are small and fast, and they can be almost invisible on the highway, particularly if they are in drivers’ blind spots. If you are ever injured in a motorcycle accident, you should reach out to a Fredericksburg, VA motorcycle accident lawyer.

Filing a Motorcycle Accident Claim in Fredericksburg, VA

Motorcycle accidents are often unpredictable and can result in catastrophic injuries for all involved, particularly the motorcyclist. The details of your case are going to be unique, as every motorcycle accident case is different. You may want to prepare for multiple possibilities in your case.

You could even be dealing with personal injuries while you are pursuing compensation, but an experienced Fredericksburg personal injury lawyer can represent your interests and advocate for your due compensation.

Before you start developing your motorcycle accident case, you may want to consider the statute of limitations for personal injury cases in Virginia, which is two years.

You will have two years from the date of your accident to:

• Determine the grounds for a claim.
• Build up your case to its strongest form.
• Gather the evidence you need.
• Speak with a motorcycle accident lawyer.
• File a claim to seek compensation.

If you cannot file your claim before two years have passed, there is a good chance that your claim will be dismissed entirely, and your chance to pursue damages will completely end without any legal action. Building a substantial personal injury case takes time, so you may want to start building your case as soon as you can. If you are worried that you don’t have a strong case, a motorcycle accident lawyer can go over the evidence and evaluate the strength of your claim.

What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident in Fredericksburg, VA?

It is not rare for motorcycle accidents to result in tragic fatalities. When you manage to survive your accident, you may initially just be thankful for that. Of course, once the shock has worn off, you may wish to pursue legal action against the responsible party, if only for your own peace and well-being. Don’t forget that Virginia state law requires every person who rides a motorcycle to wear a protective helmet at all times. An accident without a helmet can be even worse.

Here are some important steps you can take after a motorcycle accident to protect yourself and your future claim:

• Check for Injuries: Once you have calmed yourself down and assessed your situation, you may want to start checking yourself for any obvious injuries. Depending on the protective gear you were wearing, if any, you may have significant injuries. Check for bloody spots, bruising, protrusions, broken bones, or any sprains. If you can’t find anything but you are still in pain, mention that to the EMTs.
• Call 911: If you are too injured to move, you should have somebody else call 911 for you. You are going to want police officers and EMTs on the scene as soon as possible. Having the authorities on the scene might make you feel a little calmer about the whole situation.
• Exchange Information: You and the other driver are going to have to exchange contact and insurance information to move forward on a claim. Be sure to get their name, address, phone number, driver’s license number, and insurance carrier. Give them the same information. If you are too injured to handle this, you can reach out to the police, who will likely gather this information for their report.
• Don’t Admit Fault: Throughout this process, it is vital to your future claim that you never admit any fault for the accident. Admitting fault can seriously hurt your case and prevent you from seeking compensation. Even apologizing can be misconstrued as admitting fault. Be civil to the police and the other driver, but don’t accept blame for anything.
• See a Lawyer: Once you have gathered enough evidence, spoken to your insurance company, and seen a doctor, you may want to take your case to a motorcycle accident lawyer. They can build a solid legal claim for compensatory damages.

Fredericksburg Motorcycle Accident FAQs

Q: Who Is Usually Responsible for a Motorcycle Accident?

A: Who is usually responsible for a motorcycle accident depends on the exact situation. In some cases, the driver of the large vehicle may be responsible. In others, the motorcyclist may bear fault for the accident if they were driving recklessly. A third party, such as a third vehicle, the manufacturer of either the car or the motorcycle, or the agency responsible for road maintenance, may be liable. An investigation will determine who was at fault for your accident.

Q: What Damages Can I Claim in a Motorcycle Accident?

A: When you are developing your claim after a motorcycle accident in Fredericksburg, VA, there are many different kinds of damages for which you can seek compensation. Some of the most common forms of damages are medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and future earning capacity, among others. You will have to decide what you feel is worth pursuing and go from there.

Q: Can I Pursue Compensation If I Wasn’t Wearing a Helmet?

A: Yes, you can pursue compensation for a motorcycle accident if you weren’t wearing a helmet. Even though it is illegal to ride a motorcycle without wearing a helmet in Virginia, doing so will not prevent you from trying to recoup damages from an accident. However, that won’t stop the other party’s lawyer from arguing that you might not be as injured if you were wearing a helmet, which might hurt your case.

Q: What Can a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Do to Help Me?

A: There are many different things that a motorcycle accident lawyer can do to help you and your case. Your lawyer can make sure you don’t miss any crucial filing deadlines for important paperwork. They can launch their own independent investigation into your case to determine the facts for themselves and even uncover additional evidence you may have missed. They can even negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf and represent you in court if necessary.

Reach Out Today

At Whitlock Law, LLC, we can recoup damages from your motorcycle accident on your behalf and make sure you receive what you deserve. Contact us to schedule a consultation with our firm today.