Motorcycle Accident
by actuate | July 3rd, 2017
If you think being an at-fault driver in an auto accident is stressful, imagine the panic that drivers feel at the scene of a motorcycle accident. The right thing to do would be to own up to it, but not everyone has that level of integrity. Over the years, Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers has seen at-fault drivers tell outright lies to save their own skin, and you can’t assume the other driver won’t do the same.
If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident, proving who is to blame can be difficult on your own. First of all, you probably didn’t get to tell your side of the story at the scene of the accident due to your injuries. The only story the officer heard was that of the other driver. Do you really think they took full responsibility for what they did? Your side of the story should be documented as well. That’s one of the things an experienced motorcycle accident attorney can do for you: make sure your story is heard. Then we’ll go after every dollar in compensation you deserve.
Call an experienced Norfolk motorcycle accident lawyer today for a free consultation. You need to focus on your recovery. Let us focus on getting you justice. We’re ready to review your case at no charge and fight to get you compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and more. There is way too much at stake for you to try and go it alone. Contact us today.
by actuate | April 24th, 2017
The open road is always calling to a motorcycle enthusiast. It could be the dead of winter, and the only thing on the mind of a dedicated rider is turning that engine over and hitting the road. Virginia has some of the best riding in the country, which is why so many folks in Norfolk own motorcycles. Unfortunately, many drivers in our community don’t know how to properly share the road with riders, leading to significant injuries and even death.
If you’re reading this blog after a serious motorcycle accident, there are a few things you should consider right now. First of all, are your rights as an accident victim protected? If you don’t have an experienced motorcycle accident attorney on your side, they may not be. Second, are you in a position to get the most money for your injury claim? The at-fault driver’s insurance company may try to pay you as little as possible for your injuries. An experienced Norfolk motorcycle wreck attorney will fight the insurance company for every dollar you deserve.
Lastly, are you prepared to pay for someone else’s mistake? If you try to deal with the insurance company on your own, you may do just that. Every dollar you don’t secure from the insurance company is another dollar you give to the person who hit you. You’re essentially saying, “You caused the accident, but I’m going to pay for it.”
Don’t do it.
Call an experienced Norfolk motorcycle accident attorney today for a free consultation. We’re ready to fight for you, so contact us today.
by actuate | May 16th, 2016
There’s a certain level of risk that all motorcyclists take when getting out on the road. Motorcycles can be extremely dangerous if not operated correctly, and many accidents occur due to rider error. However, the risks extend well beyond the rider’s ability to properly handle their bike. In fact, we’d propose that Norfolk riders are at greater danger of being hit by another driver than laying the bike down on their own, and when that happens, the results can be devastating.
According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, motorcyclists are 26 time more likely to die in a crash than car drivers and 5 times more likely to be injured. That statistic has unfortunately become a reality for many Norfolk motorcyclists and their families over the years, and several of them have turned to us to protect their rights to compensation. Motorcycle accident injury claims can be complicated. We have years of experience successfully navigating those complexities for our clients to get them maximum compensation for their injuries.
If you or someone you love has been injured in a motorcycle accident, call our Norfolk motorcycle accident attorneys today for a free consultation. The insurance company has a responsibility to pay you fair compensation for your injuries, and we’ll work to make sure they live up to that responsibly.
by actuate | February 29th, 2016
At Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers, respect is king. We extend it to every client we represent and demand it from the insurance companies we deal with on a daily basis. A lot of the accident victims we’ve helped over the years were injured by someone that failed to respect their right to safety. This is especially true of bicyclists. Although they have the same rights as motorists, they are often overlooked or worse targeted while out on the road. We believe this stems from a lack of knowledge of how to share the road, so here are a few safety tips for both motorists and cyclists that, if observed, could help us reduce the number of bicycle accidents in Norfolk:
Motorists
- Pass cyclists at a reasonable speed, keeping at least three feet between you.
- Cyclists may pass vehicles on either side or even go off the road to pass, so make sure you check your surroundings for cyclists before turning or opening your doors when parked.
- Learn the arm signals cyclists use to indicate turns. Knowing what these signals mean can help you adjust as you approach intersections.
Cyclists
- Remember that you are subject to the same traffic laws as every other vehicle out on the road. Respect other drivers by adhering to these laws every time you get on the bike.
- Learn the proper arm signals and use them every time you make a turn.
- Ride only with the flow of traffic, never against it.
- Never ride more than two abreast or impede traffic.
If you’ve been injured in a bicycle accident, give our Norfolk bicycle accident attorneys a call today. We’ll investigate the cause of your accident and hold the negligent driver accountable.
by actuate | February 22nd, 2016
You’ve been in a serious accident. You’re injured, scared, and are considering calling a lawyer to help with your injury claim, but you are not completely convinced you need one. Thousands of people each year handle their own injury claims. While some do okay for themselves, most leave a lot of money on the table. The reality is, an injury claim isn’t something you want to handle on your own, and here are a few reasons why.
- You’ve never done it before. If you’re anything like me, you like to tackle home improvement projects yourself, rather than calling in a professional. There’s just something about figuring it out on your own that’s rewarding. However, a personal injury claim isn’t a DIY project. You only get one chance to get it right, and the learning curve is steep. The chances of you maximizing your claim having never done it before are slim.
- You need to focus on your recovery. Getting fair compensation for your injuries is vitally important to your financial future. However, it’s even more important that you fully recover from your injuries. Handling your own injury claim can be time-consuming and frustrating, leaving you stressed and unable to focus on your recovery.
- The insurance company loves do-it-yourselfers. People who file their own injury claims without the assistance of a lawyer are playing right into the insurance company’s hands. Why? Because accident victims without a lawyer on their side will more than likely take the first settlement offer the insurance company offers, which is probably not enough to cover the full extent of your injuries.
At Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers, we know a serious accident can leave you uncertain of what to do next. That’s why you should call an experienced Norfolk motorcycle accident attorney. We’ve helped hundreds of accident victims just like you get the compensation they need, and we’re ready to help you too. Don’t take on the insurance company alone. Call us today.
by actuate | January 25th, 2016
One of the reasons we’re so passionate about defending injured motorcyclists is we know they might not get a fair deal from the insurance company otherwise. There are many in the legal profession who believe there is an unfair bias against motorcyclists due to denied claims. The reason for the denied claims? The driver was operating a motorcycle. Imagine being seriously injured in a motorcycle crash and your health insurance company refuses to pay your medical bills.
How can they do this? By adding “exclusions” into the fine print of your policy. These exclusions release the insurance company of their responsibility to take care of you in the event that you sustain injuries while operating a motorcycle. Don’t wait until you’ve been in an accident to find out if you’re protected. Read your policy closely or call your insurance provider to find out if there are any exclusions on your policy that you’re not currently aware of.
If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident and you’re getting the runaround from the insurance company, give our Norfolk motorcycle accident attorneys a call. We believe motorcyclists should have the same freedoms and protections that every driver enjoys, and we defend those freedoms by standing up to the insurance company and demanding they do the right thing.
by actuate | August 10th, 2015
Motorcycles are a popular mode of transportation in the Norfolk area. Our area also accounts for a majority of the commonwealth’s motorcycle accidents as well. The Department of Motor Vehicles reports Norfolk had the third highest motorcycle accident fatality total in Virginia in 2014, accounting for 80 deaths. The city had the fourth highest motorcycle crash total and third highest motorcycle accident injury total.
Our Norfolk motorcycle accident lawyers at Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers explains that one of the most commonly reported causes of motorcycle accidents in our area is a motorist’s failure to recognize and yield the right of way to an oncoming motorcycle. In fact, this was the cause of a recent collision that left two riders with injuries.
According to the Norfolk Daily News, the crash happened on Friday, July 31, at approximately 9:45 p.m. along Highway 275. Reports indicate that the 17-year-old driver of a Chrysler Sebring sedan was pulling out of an access road when she failed to see an oncoming westbound motorcycle.
The 20-year-old operator of the Harley-Davidson motorcycle didn’t have time to stop and collided with the Sebring.
The impact of the collision left the young motorcyclist and his 18-year-old passenger seriously injured.
Accidents like this are why it’s so important for motorists to be aware of motorcycles on the road. Our team of Norfolk personal injury attorneys at Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers says this means looking twice in both directions for motorcycles and other obstacles before pulling into or maneuvering in traffic.
by | May 4th, 2015
As the weather continues to warm across Virginia, more and more bikers are beginning to take their motorcycles out on the road. Unfortunately, Norfolk and surrounding areas tend to see a spike in the number of crashes involving motorcycles during this time of year. Studies have shown motorcycle accident numbers are highest during the months of March and April, then steadily decline throughout the remainder of the year.
These risks are why the Norfolk motorcycle accident lawyers with Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers encourage bikers to always wear a helmet—doing so could save your life in the event of a crash. One Virginia man recently told his story about how wearing this piece of safety equipment prevented his death during a crash.
The man told reporters with WAVY 10 News that he was riding his bike along I-664 at approximately 60 MPH when traffic in front of him came to a halt. He did not have time to stop and collided with the rear end of a van in front of him. The impact of the collision caused the motorcyclist to be thrown over the handlebars of the bike and through the rear windshield of the van.
The man walked away with only cuts and bruises, attributing his safety to the use of a helmet and safety goggles.
At Lowell Stanley Injury lawyers, we know the risks motorcyclists take each time they ride, which is why our Norfolk personal injury attorneys would like to remind motorcyclists the law requires all riders to wear a helmet each and every time they operate a motorcycle.
by | April 7th, 2015
Spring has arrived in Eastern Virginia and with the passing of the Easter weekend, motorcycle season has officially opened in our area. The Norfolk motorcycle accident lawyers with Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers explain the great volume of motorcyclists on the road means all travelers need to keep safety in mind and be more aware of their surroundings. Here are a few things you can do to help prevent motorcycle accidents during the coming months:
- Get Training– Consider taking the Virginia Rider Training Program course. Doing so will provide you with classroom and hands-on training about how to safely ride a motorcycle.
- Wear a Helmet– Wearing a helmet can reduce your chances of death in the event of a motorcycle collision by as much as 60 percent. So, be sure that you wear a helmet every time you ride and require any passengers you carry on your bike to do the same.
- Don’t Drink and Drive– In 2013, there were a total of 2,158 Virginia motorcycle accidents that involved the consumption of alcohol. While the motorcycle driver was intoxicated in only 3.5 percent of those accidents, other motorists were driving drunk in around 93 percent of the accidents. So regardless of whether you’re driving a car or a motorcycle, don’t drink and drive.
Our team of Norfolk personal injury lawyers at Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers hope these safety tips help keep you and your loved ones safe over the next several months of the motorcycle season in Virginia.
by actuate | February 9th, 2015
Riding motorcycles in Virginia can be dangerous—especially in Norfolk. In 2013 alone, there were a total of 105 Norfolk motorcycle accident reports. Those crashes resulted in 93 injuries and two deaths.
A study is currently being conducted at the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute to determine what the most common causes of motorcycle accidents are. The hope is that identifying these contributing factors will make riders more aware of these particular dangers. In turn, this heightened awareness will lead to safer motorcycle riding and a reduction in Virginia motorcycle accident totals.
According to an article from Motorcycle USA, the study will examine the behaviors and riding environments of hundreds of bikers of all ages. Their travels of more than 363,000 miles over a period of time will be documented and then analyzed to determine what factors played a role in any accidents that occur.
This information can then be used to put measures into place that will combat some of the most common motorcycle accident causes. The results can also be used during training and other educational courses.
At Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers, we believe in constantly working to improve motorcycle safety in Virginia. That’s why our Norfolk personal injury lawyers are anxious to see the results of this upcoming study.
