Motorcycle Accident
by admin@gotechark.com | 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 admin@gotechark.com | 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 | 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.
by admin@gotechark.com | September 29th, 2014
Eastern Virginia sees some of the highest motorcycle collision rates in the commonwealth. In fact, the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles reports that last year alone there were 105 Norfolk motorcycle accidents and another 153 collisions involving bikes in Virginia Beach.
Numbers like this leave many riders wondering what they can do to stay safe on the road, and there seem to be several options.
- Wear Safety Equipment– All bikers are required by law to wear a helmet and eye protection in Virginia. It is also wise to wear heavy boots, gloves, and a sturdy leather jacket when riding.
- Obey the Law– This means yielding to all traffic signals and lights, as well as refraining from drinking and driving or speeding.
- Be Visible– Using a headlight at all times is one of the best ways to help ensure other motorists are able to see you when you’re on a bike.
- Drive Defensively– A majority of motorcycle accidents occur because a motorist fails to see a biker or fails to yield to a motorcyclist. That’s why Consumer Reports suggests keeping a safe distance from other vehicles.
- Get Trained– Taking a motorcycle safety course could provide you with knowledge and skills that could save your life one day.
At Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers, our team of Norfolk personal injury attorneys has seen the devastation a motorcycle accident can cause. That’s why we’re hopeful these tips help to keep you safe next time you ride.
