Motorcycle Accident

Injured as a Passenger on Someone Else’s Motorcycle? You May Be Eligible for Compensation.

by admin@gotechark.com | September 12th, 2022

Unlike being a passenger in a car, truck, or SUV, being a passenger on a motorcycle is an active experience. It requires you to hold on to the driver or bike itself tightly, to lean during turns, and to brace for acceleration and braking. In addition to being a much more demanding role, it’s also a much more dangerous role. Just like motorcycle drivers, motorcycle passengers are often severely injured in crashes.

If you or someone you love was recently injured while riding as a passenger on someone else’s motorcycle, it’s important to review all of your options for getting compensation. Your medical bills may be significant, and you may be facing weeks or months out of work while you recover. Filing a compensation claim can help you get the money you need to move forward with your life, and as an injured passenger, you may have multiple sources of compensation.

If another driver hit you, you may be able to sue him or her for your accident-related expenses. If the operator of the motorcycle you were riding on was negligent and caused the crash, you may be able to get compensation through his or her insurance. And if both another driver AND the driver of the motorcycle were negligent, you may be able to sue both.

The Virginia motorcycle accident lawyers at Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers have decades of experience handling motorcycle crash claims, and we want to help you, too. Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your options.

We Protect Injured Motorcyclists’ Rights

by admin@gotechark.com | July 18th, 2022

When people see motorcyclists on the road, they often have preconceived notions about them. Some drivers see motorcyclists and assume that they’re daredevils who put themselves and others in danger. Sadly, many insurance adjusters make that same assumption when they see motorcyclists—and that’s reflected in the way they treat their claims after accidents.

It’s incredibly common for motorcyclists to have their claims reduced or denied for no reason other than the insurance adjusters think they’re partially or fully at fault for their accidents. No matter how much evidence shows otherwise, biased adjusters often refuse to pay injured riders fair compensation, and that means thousands of innocent people end up paying for their crash-related expenses out of pocket.

At Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers, we’ve helped many injured riders get the money they’re owed, and we know how to stay one step ahead of biased insurance adjusters. We know that facts and evidence aren’t always enough to get them to do the right thing, and that’s why we count on our aggressive approach to force uncooperative insurers to pay our clients every penny they deserve.

After a motorcycle accident that wasn’t your fault, don’t count on getting a fair shake from the insurance company—including your own insurer. Instead, count on the experienced Virginia motorcycle accident lawyers at Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers to help you win your claim.

We’re available to speak with you about what happened 24/7, and our consultations are always free. Contact us today.

Motorcyclists, Protect Yourself on the Road and After a Crash

by admin@gotechark.com | April 4th, 2022

Although the popular image of motorcyclists paints them as being fiercely independent and strong, the reality is that they are very vulnerable on the road and after accidents.

When motorcyclists are involved in crashes, they are much more likely to be injured than people in cars, trucks, and SUVs. And when those same motorcyclists seek compensation for their damages, they’re also more likely to be denied or lowballed by the insurance companies.

At Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers, we believe that motorcyclists should do everything in their power to protect themselves both before and after accidents. That includes:

  • Always wearing full safety gear on every ride, no matter how short it is or what type of road you’ll be traveling on
  • Riding with the expectation that other drivers don’t see you and never assuming they do
  • Being especially cautious when encountering drivers who are turning left, which is one of the biggest risk factors for crashes
  • Never accepting the insurance company’s settlement offer after a crash without speaking to a lawyer first
  • Calling a lawyer right away after an accident to begin protecting your rights to full compensation

Unfortunately, just as almost all drivers will eventually be involved in an accident, so too will almost all motorcyclists. In fact, there’s a common saying that breaks down motorcyclists into two groups: those who have had accidents and those who will.

If you or someone you love gets hurt on a motorcycle because of someone else’s negligence, we want to help. Contact our Virginia motorcycle accident lawyers today for a free consultation to find out how we can help you get maximum compensation.

Why It’s So Important for Motorcyclists to Follow All Traffic Laws

by admin@gotechark.com | February 14th, 2022

There’s a common image of motorcyclists being speed demons and adrenaline junkies. And while those labels may accurately describe some riders, they certainly don’t describe all. Unfortunately, motorcyclists tend to get lumped in together, and after crashes, it’s common for police, other drivers, and insurance companies to assume that riders were at fault.

In Virginia, that can be a double whammy. First, Virginia uses a contributory negligence system for awarding compensation after crashes. It means that people who are assigned even 1% of fault are ineligible for compensation. And second, insurance companies are extremely reluctant to give motorcyclists compensation even when they were following all traffic laws to a “tee.”

As a rider, you must do everything in your power to not give the insurance company any wiggle room to deny you compensation. That means not only avoiding legitimate fault for a crash—even 1% of it—but also not even giving them room to make up their own idea of fault.

You can achieve this by never speeding, always signaling before turning or changing lanes, coming to a complete stop at stop signs and red lights, and never following vehicles too closely, just to name a few. Unfortunately, safe riding can’t always prevent crashes, and when they occur, riders frequently find themselves in uphill battles for compensation.

The Virginia motorcycle accident lawyers at know the unique challenges riders face after crashes, and we’re here to help if you get hurt in a crash that wasn’t your fault. Contact Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers today for a free consultation.

After a Motorcycle Crash, Don’t Accept the Insurance Company’s Offer Without a Lawyer on Your Side

by admin@gotechark.com | November 22nd, 2021

If you’re hurt in a motorcycle crash, the only thing protecting you is the equipment you’re wearing. Even the best helmets and riding gear can only do so much to reduce the severity of your injuries when you’re thrown from your bike. And the injuries you suffer aren’t just painful and disabling, but they’re also expensive.

For many motorcycle accident victims, getting compensation after their crashes is their top priority after receiving medical care. Insurance companies know that, and they take full advantage of it. A common cost-saving measure is for them to contact victims in the days or weeks after their accidents and offer them settlements for their medical bills and lost wages.

Because many victims need money right away, they may jump at the chance to obtain a big lump-sum payment that can replace their lost wages, begin paying down their medical bills, and help them afford their day-to-day expenses. But reality sets in once their full prognosis is revealed, which includes how much treatment they’ll need and how long they’ll be out of work.

Compensation after an accident or injury is a one-shot opportunity. After you’ve accepted a settlement, you’re locked out of pursuing more money down the road. That’s why it’s so important to have an experienced law firm on your side right away—especially if the insurance company is offering you a settlement.

At Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers, our Virginia motorcycle accident attorneys can review any offer you receive to determine if it’s enough money for you and your family. If it isn’t, we’ll work hard to ensure you get fair compensation. Contact us today for a free consultation.

We Don’t Let Biased Insurers Mistreat Injured Motorcyclists

by admin@gotechark.com | July 26th, 2021

When motorcyclists are involved in crashes, they face two huge problems. First, they’re almost always dealing with serious injuries. Motorcycles have no built-in safety features, and even the most well-equipped riders are still susceptible to serious injuries. Second, they face uncooperative insurance companies that often blame them for their crashes—even when evidence shows otherwise!

Motorcyclists are often helpless against these greedy and biased insurance companies and adjusters, especially when they’re seriously injured. It can be impossible to plead your case effectively when all you want to do is recover from your injuries, which may be extremely painful and even disabling. That’s where we come in.

At Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers, our Virginia motorcycle accident lawyers know the uphill battles that injured riders face. It’s hard enough for personal injury victims to get compensation from insurance companies already, and it’s even worse when those insurance companies have preconceived notions about them.

When we build claims for injured riders, we work hard to gather evidence that insurance companies can’t deny. Then, we aggressively pursue compensation for all of their losses, including their medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. And if they still refuse to pay what our clients are owed, we don’t hesitate to take them to court.

It’s important to have an experienced legal advocate in your corner after a crash that wasn’t your fault. Contact us today for a free consultation. We’ll work hard on getting you a fair settlement while you focus on getting better.

Why You Should Ride Wearing Full Gear, Even During the Summer

by admin@gotechark.com | May 31st, 2021

Summer is a great time to take your motorcycle out for a spin, but because the temperature can reach the 90s from June to September in Virginia, some riders opt to wear only a helmet to protect themselves. Although riding with less gear can keep you cooler, it also significantly increases your risk of suffering a serious injury during an accident.

Regardless of how far you’re going, how much traffic you’ll encounter, or even how hot it is outside, you should always wear all the gear, all the time. Here’s how your equipment protects you when you ride:

  • Your helmet—The most important piece of safety equipment protects you from head and brain injuries. Full-face helmets can also protect your eyes, mouth, and face during a crash.
  • Your jacket—Whether it’s made of leather, nylon, Kevlar, or another material, your jacket protects your torso and arms.
  • Your gloves—Your hands and fingers are highly vulnerable during a crash, and heavy-duty gloves protect them.
  • Your pants—Road rash can be severe on the legs and thighs, and thick riding pants can reduce or even eliminate it during crashes.
  • Your boots—Some motorcyclists crash feet-first, and without boots, they may suffer severe injuries to their ankles, feet, and toes.

Above all else, you need all of this gear to protect you from negligent and careless drivers. Although motorcyclists are plentiful during the summer, drivers aren’t always looking out for them. That puts riders at significant risk of being struck by vehicles.

If you or someone you love is injured while riding by a negligent driver, our Virginia motorcycle accident lawyers want to help. Contact Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers today for a free consultation.

Why Springtime is Crash Season for Motorcyclists

by admin@gotechark.com | April 5th, 2021

Everyone loves a beautiful spring day, but they are heaven sent for motorcyclists, especially after a long winter. There’s nothing better than suiting up and hitting the open road on one of the first nice days of the year. But when you dust off your bike after several months of storage, it’s important to remember that your risks may be higher during the first few weeks of riding than at any other time of year.

Why? Because other drivers aren’t used to being around motorcyclists, and they may be even less likely to look out for you while you’re riding. The biggest risk factor for all riders is inattentive and distracted drivers. When drivers don’t see riders, those riders face enormous risks. All it takes is making a left turn into the path of a biker, drifting into their lane, or failing to slow down or stop to seriously injure or even kill a motorcyclist.

Whether you’ve already started riding again or are planning on doing so soon, be sure to focus on safety. That means wearing full riding gear, including a helmet, jacket, pants, boots, and gloves. Cover every square inch of your body in protective gear, and ride cautiously and defensively. Although you can’t control the movements and behaviors of other drivers, you can reduce your risks of being involved in a preventable crash and reduce the severity of any injuries you might suffer.

And because the injuries associated with motorcycle accidents can be so expensive, our Virginia motorcycle accident lawyers are here to help if you do get hurt. Contact the legal team at Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers today for a free consultation.

Recent Motorcycle Accident? It’s Not Too Late to Call a Lawyer!

by admin@gotechark.com | January 25th, 2021

It’s the dead of winter and few people are out riding their motorcycles in Virginia these days. But if you were hurt in a motorcycle accident in the spring, summer, or fall of last year, it’s not too late to pursue compensation for your medical bills and lost wages. In fact, you can even go back to 2019 and still be eligible.

That’s because the statute of limitations for injury claims in Virginia is two years from the date they happened. That means crashes that occurred in spring 2019 can still be pursued for full compensation. However, getting compensation is often more difficult when more time has passed. That’s because evidence may be harder to find, witnesses may be more difficult to track down, and the insurance company may be even less likely to believe your story.

But those factors don’t automatically rule out victims from pursuing compensation, especially when there’s plenty of evidence in their accident reports or their medical records. At Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers, our Virginia motorcycle accident lawyers always recommend that victims get legal representation immediately after crashes, but we know that’s not always possible.

Simply put—as long as the statute of limitations hasn’t expired on a claim, there’s always a chance to get compensation. So, if your family is hurting financially because of a crash that happened 6 months ago, a year ago, or even 18 months ago, it’s always worth a shot to speak with a lawyer about your options. Contact us today for a free consultation—we’ll review your claim and give you honest advice on what to do next.

Is It Safe to Ride a Motorcycle During the Winter?

by admin@gotechark.com | October 5th, 2020

Virginians enjoy three seasons of “outdoor” weather: spring, summer, and fall. And while spring and fall can have frosty mornings and evenings, the daytime hours are typically pleasant. Winter, on the other hand, can range from chilly to downright freezing. Because of the cold temperatures, many motorcyclists prefer to leave their bikes in storage, but others brave the cold weather.

Riding a motorcycle at any time of year can be an economical choice due to their excellent MPG, but is riding one during the winter safe? Here are a few things to consider:

  • It’s easier to tolerate full gear during the winter—When you ride, you should wear all the gear, all the time. But for many riders, suiting up can be unbearably hot in the summer. Wearing a thick riding jacket and pants during the winter can be a bonus, however, as they can keep you warm.
  • There are more road hazards—Unfortunately, the tradeoff for being more comfortable in your gear is facing more dangers on the road. Ice is extremely hazardous for riders. All it takes is driving over a small patch of ice to lose control of your bike. In addition, potholes are more likely to form in the winter, and even small ones can be life-threatening hazards.
  • You get fewer daylight hours—Staying safe as a motorcyclist is all about being seen, and that typically means riding during the day. When you ride at night, drivers can’t see you as easily. And unfortunately, winter has much fewer daylight hours than summer, limiting your riding time.

What’s the verdict? Winter riding can be as safe as you make it, but one thing is for sure: avoid riding when temperatures are near or below freezing, as ice is among the biggest risks you’ll face.

And if you’re ever hurt in an accident that wasn’t your fault, contact the Norfolk motorcycle accident lawyers at Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers today for a free consultation.