Norfolk Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Common Norfolk Motorcycle Accident Causes

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.

Study Identifying Motorcycle Accident Factors May Reduce Crash Rates

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.

Distracted Motorcyclist Involved In Fatal Single-Vehicle Crash

by admin@gotechark.com | May 7th, 2012

May 7, 2012

Distracted driving is at the heart of a fatal motorcycle accident that claimed the life of a 44-year-old Mechanicsville, Virginia, woman over the weekend. According to the Hampton Roads Dailey Press, the crash happened around 4:30 p.m. Saturday in the westbound lanes of I-64 just outside Williamsburg, Virginia.

A spokeswoman for the Virginia State Police, Sgt. Michelle Anaya, stated that witnesses told troopers they observed the woman riding her bike on the highway when she momentarily became distracted. The distraction caused the woman to drive the motorcycle off the shoulder of the road and into a ditch, where it then struck a tree.

Although the woman was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, she was declared dead at the scene by the medical examiner. Investigators say they will continue to look into alcohol as a possible contributing factor in the crash as well. They are awaiting toxicology reports to make that determination.

Studies by the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration have found that alcohol is one of the leading causes of fatal traffic accidents in the United States today, and distractions are quickly becoming a close second.

That’s why the Norfolk Injury Lawyers with Lowell “The Hammer” Stanley suggest always wearing a helmet, keeping your eyes on the road at all times, and never drinking and driving as the best way to prevent Norfolk Auto Accidents involving motorcycles.