Motorcycle Accident

Motorcyclists: Are You Wearing the Right Gear When You Ride?

As a motorcyclist, you face increased risks compared to people in passenger vehicles. They’re protected by airbags and seatbelts during crashes—you’re not. It’s up to you to take your safety into your own hands, and that means wearing all the right gear when you ride your motorcycle.

What does it mean to wear the right gear? It involves always wearing the following equipment:

• Full-face helmet—Wearing a helmet is the single most important thing you can do to protect yourself as a rider. But just any helmet isn’t enough. Make sure your helmet is full-faced, fits you properly, and is certified by DOT, ECE 22.05, and Snell.
• Riding jacket and pants—Asphalt and bare skin aren’t a good combination, especially at high speeds. If you want to avoid road rash, infection, and possible skin grafts, always wear a thick riding jacket and pants.
• Gloves and boots—Your fingers, hands, feet, and toes aren’t just susceptible to road rash—they’re also susceptible to amputation during crashes. Wearing high-quality, protective gloves and boots not only protect your skin, but they also reduce the risk of catastrophic injuries.

You can further improve your safety by ensuring that your gear is brightly colored and reflective. One of the biggest causes of motorcycle crashes is drivers not seeing riders, regardless of time of day or weather.

At Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers, our Virginia motorcycle accident attorneys strongly believe in the importance of safety equipment, but we also know that even the most well-protected and safety-conscious riders still get hurt in accidents. If you were injured by a negligent driver while riding, we want to help you get compensation. Contact us today for a free consultation.

Be Careful on Your Motorcycle this Spring

Spring hasn’t officially arrived just yet, but temperatures are already warming throughout the Commonwealth. The arrival of warm weather is a welcome change for many, especially motorcyclists. If you’re planning on taking your bike out for your daily commute or just for a weekend ride, it’s important to prioritize safety from the moment you pull out of your driveway until the moment you return home.

Motorcyclists face serious risks on Virginia’s roadways, but you can reduce your chances of being involved in a crash by keeping these tips in mind:

• Scan the road ahead—One of the biggest dangers that motorcyclists face is roadway hazards. They can include everything from potholes and wet leaves to loose gravel and fallen tree limbs. Staying alert for these hazards can keep you safer on your bike.
• Watch for left-turning vehicles—Drivers don’t always look out for motorcyclists. Inattentive left-turning motorists is one of the biggest risk factors motorcyclists face when it comes to roadway collisions, but you can reduce your risks by anticipating when drivers might turn in front of you.
• Reduce your speed—The torque and horsepower to weight ratio of motorcycles is unrivaled by even some of the fastest production vehicles. However, speeding on a motorcycle is significantly more dangerous than speeding in a vehicle. Always drive at the speed limit, and don’t forget to reduce your speed during inclement weather.

At Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers, we know that simply representing injured motorcyclists after crashes isn’t always enough.  Because insurance companies are biased against them, they need aggressive representation from experienced Roanoke motorcycle accident attorneys, and that’s exactly what we provide. Contact us today for a free consultation if you were hurt on your bike.

3 Common Injuries Associated with Motorcycle Accidents

Every rider knows they’re taking a risk when they get on their motorcycles. Wearing all your gear every time you ride is the best way to reduce the risks of suffering serious injuries, but even the sturdiest and thickest helmet, jacket, pants, boots, and gloves can’t protect motorcyclists during crashes the same way seat belts, airbags, and crumple zones can protect vehicle occupants.

When motorcyclists are involved in crashes, they’re likely to suffer three common types of injuries:

1. Head injuries—Helmets are highly effective at reducing the risk of death and traumatic brain injury during motorcycle crashes, but they don’t lower that risk to zero. People wearing even the most high-tech and safe helmets are still at risk of suffering serious head injuries that have the potential to be fatal or result in lifelong disability.
2. Soft tissue injuries—Motorcycle accidents can cause victims to suffer serious injuries to their skin, as well as the muscles, ligaments, tendons, and even nerves underneath. Riders with exposed skin or who wear non-riding clothing are the most at risk for these types of injuries, but they can happen to even the most well-equipped riders.
3. Broken bones—When motorcyclists are involved in crashes, they’re almost always thrown from their bikes. Whether they strike a vehicle, the road, or another object, the forces generated by a crash can result in simple or compound bone fractures, which can lead to prolonged disability and even be life-threatening.

If you or someone you love was hurt in a motorcycle crash that wasn’t your fault, the Virginia motorcycle accident lawyers at Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers want to help. Contact us today for a free consultation.

We Want to Protect Your Rights After a Motorcycle Accident

When injured motorcyclists call their own insurance providers or file claims against the insurers of the drivers who caused their crashes, they’re often automatically assumed to be at fault—even when there’s plenty of evidence suggesting the opposite.

That’s because insurance companies and their teams of adjusters are often biased against motorcyclists when reviewing accident claims. That bias means that injured motorcyclists often face an uphill battle when it comes to getting their claims taken seriously, let alone winning full compensation for their medical bills and injuries.

At Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers, we know that most motorcyclists are safety-conscious people who follow the rules of the road. We also know that many motorcycle accidents involving passenger vehicles occur when drivers aren’t looking for motorcyclists, run them off the road, or turn left into the path of motorcycles while distracted. When that happens, motorcyclists deserve maximum compensation, but it can be difficult to get that money, regardless of evidence and witness accounts.

Our Virginia motorcycle accident lawyers know the difficulties that motorcyclists face after crashes, even when they clearly weren’t their fault, and we work hard to help them get settlements. Don’t go it alone after your motorcycle accident, and don’t let the insurance company take advantage of you or deny you due to its bias. Call us today for a free consultation.

What Should You Do After a Motorcycle Accident?

Warm weather is here to stay in the Norfolk area, and that means motorcycle season has officially arrived. Whether you ride for pleasure or to get around town, you know that traveling on two wheels carries many risks. Wearing all the gear, all the time can help you reduce your chances of suffering serious injuries during an accident, but it can’t eliminate your risks.

Because serious injuries can occur to even the most well-protected and safety-conscious riders, it’s important to be ready in the event of an emergency. If you’re ever involved in a motorcycle accident, do your best to follow these important steps:

• Call 911—Dialing 911 accomplishes two things. First, it dispatches police officers who will create an accident report of what happened. Second, it dispatches emergency responders who can give you, your passenger, and any other victims immediate medical attention for your injuries.
• Collect information at the accident scene—If you’re capable of doing so, take pictures of the crash scene, including your motorcycle and the other vehicle. Get contact information from the other driver and witnesses, as their statements can help build your claim.
• Call a Norfolk motorcycle accident lawyer—Injured motorcyclists aren’t always treated fairly by insurance companies. The sooner you get a lawyer on your side, the stronger your claim may be, as there may be more evidence available to prove that you weren’t at fault for the accident.

Get in touch with Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers after your accident. We know motorcycle accidents, and we know how to help. Contact us today for a free consultation.

Motorcycle Accident Victims Deserve Experienced Legal Representation

Virginia is a great state to call home for motorcyclists. With mild weather year-round and countless scenic routes, taking in the sights and sounds of the Commonwealth on two wheels is an experience unlike any other. However, Virginia motorcyclists face increased risks when they ride—and most of those risks are due to drivers failing to look out for them.

At Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers, our Norfolk motorcycle accident lawyers have represented many motorcyclists who suffered serious, disabling, and even life-threatening injuries after they were struck by vehicles. Even the most cautious and defensive drivers primarily look for other cars, trucks, and SUVs when they’re behind the wheel. That means it’s easy for drivers to overlook or fail to recognize motorcycles.

Common negligence-based causes of motorcycle accidents include:

• Drivers turning left into the paths of motorcyclists—Left-turning vehicles cause a significant number of motorcycle accidents in the U.S. That’s because drivers often think they have clearance to complete turns, but they failed to recognized that motorcycles were heading in their direction.
• Drivers drifting into lanes occupied by motorcyclists—Although motorcycles are much smaller and lighter than passenger vehicles, they deserve respect and attention on the roadway. But some drivers fail to check for motorcyclists when they change lanes. When drivers drift or merge into lanes occupied by motorcyclists, they can collide with them or force them off the road.

The expenses associated with motorcycle accidents can be too much for many families to bear. If you or someone you love was hurt on a motorcycle, we want to help you get maximum compensation. Call us today for a free consultation.

Was Your Motorcycle Accident Caused by Another Driver? Let Us Prove It.

Insurance companies are always looking for ways to reduce or deny payments to innocent victims. That means they may hold biases against certain people, including people who they believe caused their own injuries. That group often includes motorcyclists.

At Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers, we know that most motorcyclists are safe and responsible when they ride. We also know that many accidents involving motorcycles and passenger vehicles are due to drivers failing to look for motorcyclists. However, insurance companies rarely see it that way, and they often give motorcyclists paltry settlements or deny them compensation altogether.

If you or someone you love was hurt in a motorcycle accident that was caused by another driver, our Norfolk motorcycle accident lawyers want to help you prove it. We know the common causes of motorcycle crashes, including:

• Drivers turning left into the paths of motorcyclists—One of the most common causes of motorcycle crashes is drivers turning left in front of motorcyclists. Drivers don’t always look for motorcyclists, and they may begin to turn even when motorcyclists are heading straight towards them.
• Distracted drivers—Drivers not being on the lookout for motorcyclists is bad enough, but the distracted driving epidemic increases motorcyclists’ risks. When drivers are looking at their phones, they aren’t looking at the road—and that can mean serious crashes for motorcyclists.
• Drifting into motorcyclists’ lanes—Whether they don’t see them or don’t respect them, many drivers put motorcyclists in danger by drifting into their lanes. That can cause motorcyclists to swerve to avoid a collision, which can ultimately result in an injury-causing crash.

We’re here to help you get the compensation you deserve after your motorcycle accident. Call today for a free consultation.

Motorcycle Accidents Can Lead to Severe Injuries and Expensive Medical Bills

When you head out on your motorcycle, you probably do everything you can to protect yourself. That means wearing all the gear, all the time, including a helmet, riding jacket and pants, gloves, and boots.

But even the most well-equipped rider still faces significant risks during accidents. That’s because motorcycles have no built-in protective equipment. When riders are thrown from their bikes, they can suffer disabling and life-threatening injuries when they contact the road, another vehicle, or nearby objects.

Motorcycle injuries can be devastating, and many riders suffer permanent disabilities and may be unable to work for long periods of time. Some are never able to resume their careers, putting themselves and their families in serious financial jeopardy.

At Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers, our Norfolk motorcycle accident attorneys fight for the rights of people who were hurt through no fault of their own, and it’s our goal to get victims like you the compensation they need to move forward with their lives.

When you call our legal team, you can count on us to collect evidence that proves you weren’t at fault. Then, we’ll negotiate with the insurance company to help you get maximum compensation. If the insurance company refuses to pay you what you deserve, we won’t hesitate to take your case to trial.

Don’t settle for just any law firm after your motorcycle accident. Get an attorney that knows what you’re going through and knows how to help. Call today for a free consultation.

Insurance Companies Don’t Always Treat Injured Motorcyclists Fairly

If you were recently injured while riding your motorcycle, you may be facing a long road to recovery. Motorcycle accident injuries can be devastating and disabling, and many victims suffer from long-term pain and reduced mobility.

Getting compensation for accidents that are caused by other people’s negligence is frequently difficult, but it can be even more challenging for motorcyclists. That’s because insurance companies often believe that motorcyclists are at fault for their own accidents—even when evidence suggests that other parties were to blame.

At Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers, our Norfolk motorcycle accident lawyers know how unfair this is, and we’ve seen many motorcyclists get the runaround from insurance companies because of stereotypes and stubborn beliefs.

When you get in touch with us, you can count on our legal team to provide the following services:

• Proving the accident wasn’t your fault—Insurance companies are notoriously tough on motorcyclists. We’ll collect enough evidence to leave no doubt about who caused your accident.
• Handling all communication with the insurance company—It’s not always enough to collect and submit evidence of who caused the crash. Insurance companies frequently use adjusters to find ways to reduce or deny claims. We’ll communicate with them on your behalf, so you can have peace of mind and focus on getting better.

Don’t be a victim for a second time after being in a motorcycle crash. Get an experienced legal team that knows how to win and that cares about your recovery. Call today for a free consultation.

How Can a Lawyer Help after a Motorcycle Accident?

Motorcycle accident victims often face uniquely challenging paths to recovery. Because motorcycles have no built-in safety features, riders are responsible for protecting themselves every time they head out on Virginia’s highways and interstates.

But even the safest, most well-equipped riders still face significant risks—especially when other drivers aren’t paying attention or aren’t used to looking out for people who travel on two wheels instead of four.

Motorcycle accidents can cause injuries to every part of the body, including the brain. That means many injured riders face recoveries than can take months, years, or even indefinite periods of time. And while they’re recovering, their medical bills are mounting, and they may be unable to work and earn the paychecks they and their families depend on.

At Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers, our Norfolk motorcycle accident attorneys help victims by:

• Proving the accident wasn’t their fault—Insurance companies are hesitant to accept claims if they believe victims were partially or fully responsible for accidents. Our legal team knows how to collect evidence that shows motorcycle accident victims were hurt by other negligent parties.
• Negotiating to get maximum compensation—When insurance companies know they can’t deny a claim, they often offer lowball settlements. We fight to help victims get full compensation for their current and future medical bills and lost wages.

If you or someone you love was hurt in a motorcycle accident, you need an experienced law firm on your side. Leave the paperwork and communication with the insurance company up to us while you focus on getting better.

Call today for a free consultation.