HIRE A HAMPTON MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT ATTORNEY

Traffic accidents are dangerous enough between closed vehicles like cars, trucks, and vans, but crashes with open vehicles like motorcycles can quickly become catastrophic or deadly. If you or a loved one has been involved in a motorcycle accident or collision, you may need the help of a motorcycle accident lawyer to access the support you need to heal.

The Hampton motorcycle crash attorneys at the Smith Law Center have years of experience in motor vehicle and motorcycle accident cases, especially those which involve serious injury to the brain or spinal cord. Call our Hampton, VA offices today at (757) 244-7000, or reach out to us online for a free case review.

Read on to learn more about motorcycle accidents and the law.

What Is a Motorcycle Accident Injury Case Worth?

Each motorcycle accident is different, and it’s difficult to estimate the average “worth” of a motorcycle accident injury case. To paint a picture of what’s possible, can show you real results we’ve secured for our clients and their families:

• $14.5+ million: This multi-million dollar settlement was reached days into a trial for a woman who suffered a brain injury while riding a defective Harley Davidson motorcycle. We were able to secure her support from the motorcycle dealer and tire manufacturers responsible for a defective inner tire tube.
• $1.75 million: The amount of $1,750,000 was awarded to a woman who suffered a mild head injury when a car collided with her motorcycle.
• $900 thousand: A motorcyclist who suffered a mild traumatic brain injury was awarded $900,000 due to our advocacy.

Each case is unique depending on the injuries suffered, losses sustained, and who or what caused the accident. Your damages award or settlement for a motorcycle accident could include:

• Financial support for medical care, including hospitalizations, surgeries, medications, physical therapy, and future medical needs
• Reimbursement for lost wages, future income, and other employment-related benefits like health insurance or retirement contributions
• Monetary restitution for pain and suffering, including both physical pain and mental trauma and anguish
• Punitive damages from the other motorist, or from the bike manufacturer or mechanic (in cases of defective product or improper installation) — essentially a financial punishment for bad behavior displayed by another party
• Wrongful death awards in cases of fatal motorcycle accidents, meant to meet the financial burden of funeral and burial costs, the loss of the deceased’s income, and the loss of their companionship as a spouse, child, or parent

There is no general amount or range that accurately describes an average motorcycle accident settlement. That being said, a dedicated motorcycle accident lawyer will do everything in their power to help you access the funds and care that you need.

L.R.
Thanks to Smith Law Center, I was able to recover peacefully from my injury while knowing they would fight to receive the compensation I deserve. And they did so in a timely manner. You guys are wonderful. Thank you Smith Law Center.

What Is the Most Common Motorcycle Injury?

Brain, head, and neck injuries are the most common type of serious motorcycle injury. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are the leading cause of death among motorcycle riders.

The top most common types of injuries that result from motorcycle crashes include:

• Brain and spinal cord injury: Concussions, impact injuries, compression due to swelling or bleeding, and injury due to high-velocity whiplash are all dangers that could lead to persistent brain injury or paralysis.
• Road rash: High-speed interactions with concrete or asphalt can cause skin and tissue injuries that may require extensive skin grafts to heal. Such damage could also result in permanent scarring and handicapped mobility.
• Broken bones: Broken bones and injuries to the extremities (fingers/hands or toes/feet) could require extensive physical therapy to repair, or could require emergency amputation.
• Disfigurement: Injuries to the face are traumatizing, and handling reactions to facial disfigurement requires new social skills that must be learned on top of processing grief, anger, and anguish.
• Internal injury: Being thrown from a vehicle or coming to a sudden stop due to a crash can cause injury to one’s internal organs. Often invisible from the outside, assessing internal injuries requires critical medical care to diagnose and treat.

The medical needs of those who’ve been involved in a motorcycle accident can be extensive, painful, and costly. In order to access the level of care you need, you may have to engage experienced motorcycle accident attorneys like those at Smith Law Center. Contact or call us today at (757) 244-7000 to discuss your legal options.

Can You Get PTSD From a Motorcycle Accident?

Yes, it is possible to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after a motorcycle accident. The symptoms of PTSD include:

• Intrusive troubling thoughts and being easily startled
• Unhealthy feelings such as anxiety, hopelessness, or numbness towards important relationships or tasks
• Nightmares, panic attacks, and flashbacks to the traumatic event
• Inability to eat, sleep, or concentrate
• Thoughts or attempts at self-harm including substance abuse or suicide

PTSD can be caused by extreme experiences like assault, military service, terrorism, natural disasters, personal hardships like deaths or illness, and events like motorcycle accidents. Roughly 70% of adults experience at least one traumatic event, and 20% of those will develop PTSD as a result. That is equivalent to 1 out of 13 people who will experience PTSD during their lifetime.

Conditions like PTSD, depression, and anxiety may be considered “pain and suffering” and are eligible for compensation. An experienced lawyer knows how to recognize these damages, document them for court proceedings, and argue to secure the appropriate settlement amount. Contact the Smith Law Center at (757) 244-7000 for representation.

Who Is at Fault in Most Motorcycle Accidents?

Statistically, a car or truck driver is more likely to be at fault in a motorcycle crash than the rider. However, it is the motorcycle operator who is far more likely to suffer catastrophic or fatal injuries, especially for older riders.

Consider the following motorcycle crash statistics from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles. In a period of one year: 

• 2053 motorcycle crashes were recorded (1.7% of all traffic crashes)

• 111 motorcyclist fatalities occurred (11.0% of all traffic fatalities)

• 762 motorcycle riders sustained serious injuries (10.7% of all serious traffic injuries)

Here are some of the preventable causes of motorcycle accidents, and how your motorcycle accident attorney may prove them:

Texting While Driving

Often illegal since it’s known to be so dangerous, people nevertheless still text and drive. In order to prove that texting while driving was the cause of the collision with a motorcyclist, timestamped messages can be brought as evidence by your attorney.

With that kind of clear evidence in hand, your lawyer may be able to secure a fair settlement amount for you without having to go to trial.

Speeding

Speeding is another clear violation of the law, and one that may be proven by evidence at the accident site like skid marks. Another way to document high speeds is by obtaining recorded dashboard information from the other vehicle, or from an active cell phone which was traveling inside the vehicle.

Securing a motorcycle accident attorney as soon as possible is vital here, because certain forms of evidence can disappear with time, such as tire tracks on dirt roads after it rains. Evidence could also be erased by the other motorist, another illegal act of evidence tampering which could still harm your chances for fair treatment.

Your attorney may be able to gather important evidence before it is lost or hidden.

Driving Under the Influence

A motorist impaired by alcohol or other mind-altering substances (whether illegal or prescription) can be held accountable after the fact. One way is if police on the scene of the accident perform a breathalyzer or arrest the person for being intoxicated. Another way could be finding pictures of the person drinking at a party in the time prior to their driving.

An experienced motorcycle accident attorney will explore every avenue of proof to ensure your case is as strong as possible.

Driving a Poorly-Maintained Vehicle

Bald tires, worn-out brake pads, and other failures of maintenance on a car or truck can be the difference between a vehicle that stops in time, and one that crashes into another motorist.

The vehicle itself would likely provide this evidence, but again, such proof could be temporary. Legally this quality is referred to as “evanescent” evidence, meaning the proof has the potential to vanish or dwindle. What if the car is impounded and destroyed before the evidence is documented? This is why it’s important to secure a motorcycle accident lawyer as quickly as possible.

Failing to Obey Traffic Laws

Examples of disobeying traffic laws include carelessly rolling through stop signs, aggressively cutting off other drivers, or driving over improper spaces like sidewalks or bike lanes. Evidence at the crash site itself, or video from nearby surveillance cameras, could be presented as proof.

An experienced motorcycle accident lawyer would have the foresight to gather this evidence before tapes can be recorded over or erased. While your priorities after the accident may involve getting treated for injuries, supporting your injured loved one, or grieving their loss, it’s an accident attorney’s duty to act on your behalf as soon as they’ve agreed to represent you.

Contact Smith Law Center at your earliest ability, and you may be able to empower an experienced lawyer to help you while you heal.

Distracted Driving

A driver may be distracted by other occupants of their vehicle, technology in the car (guidance devices, phones, radio, or backseat TVs), or food and drink. Anything that takes their attention away from driving means they may be held liable for a crash.

Proving this as the cause may involve evidence at the scene that shows how they were engaged before the crash, or witness recollections from passengers, bystanders, or first responders. Your motorcycle accident lawyer may be able to gather statements or pictures of the incident if they’re brought onto your case quickly enough.

These instances illustrate how to prove fault with another person. However, even in cases where the motorcyclist is determined to be partially responsible for an accident, a lawsuit for damages may still be allowed.

Contact Smith Law Center at (757) 244-7000 as soon as possible — you may be able to secure experienced representation for your unique circumstances and needs.

What Information Should I Gather for My Hampton Motorcycle Crash Attorney ?

It is your lawyer’s job to gather evidence for your case, not yours. The following information may be useful to your attorney and help expedite your case:

• The date and location of the crash, as well as what company may have towed the vehicles.
•  A copy of the police report and any pictures you may have been able to take of the crash site
• Any paperwork or receipts related to your medical care — including the initial ambulance ride, any surgeries performed, or take-home prescriptions and follow-up care
•  Your vehicle and medical insurance information
• The names and contact information of the other driver, any passengers, or other bystander witnesses

If you have questions about whether any information or physical evidence you have is important, your Hampton motorcycle wreck lawyer from the Smith Law Center can help provide answers. Your attorney also has the power to legally demand (via subpoena) information about the other driver, their vehicle, and their cell phone records to thoroughly investigate the cause of your accident. This information allows us to build the strongest possible case on your behalf.

Contact Smith Law Center for a Hampton Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Smith Law Center has successfully represented cases for those hurt by motorcycle collisions, and motorcycle accidents caused by poor bike construction. Our vast experience in both brain injury lawsuits and motor vehicle cases helps us balance the unique needs of every client, no matter how complex their situation.

If you need a personal injury attorney with motorcycle crash experience to help you seek the care and support you need, call Smith Law Center at (757) 244-7000, or fill out our online contact form to schedule a consultation. Your case review is free and confidential, and could lead to a better future for you and your family.

Hampton Motorcycle Wreck Lawyer FAQs

HIRE A HAMPTON MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT ATTORNEY

Traffic accidents are dangerous enough between closed vehicles like cars, trucks, and vans, but crashes with open vehicles like motorcycles can quickly become catastrophic or deadly. If you or a loved one has been involved in a motorcycle accident or collision, you may need the help of a motorcycle accident lawyer to access the support you need to heal.

The Hampton motorcycle crash attorneys at the Smith Law Center have years of experience in motor vehicle and motorcycle accident cases, especially those which involve serious injury to the brain or spinal cord. Call our Hampton, VA offices today at (757) 244-7000, or reach out to us online for a free case review. Read on to learn more about motorcycle accidents and the law.

What Is a Motorcycle Accident Injury Case Worth?

Each motorcycle accident is different, and it’s difficult to estimate the average “worth” of a motorcycle accident injury case. To paint a picture of what’s possible, can show you real results we’ve secured for our clients and their families:

• $14.5+ million: This multi-million dollar settlement was reached days into a trial for a woman who suffered a brain injury while riding a defective Harley Davidson motorcycle. We were able to secure her support from the motorcycle dealer and tire manufacturers responsible for a defective inner tire tube.
• $1.75 million: The amount of $1,750,000 was awarded to a woman who suffered a mild head injury when a car collided with her motorcycle.
• $900 thousand: A motorcyclist who suffered a mild traumatic brain injury was awarded $900,000 due to our advocacy.

Each case is unique depending on the injuries suffered, losses sustained, and who or what caused the accident. Your damages award or settlement for a motorcycle accident could include:

• Financial support for medical care, including hospitalizations, surgeries, medications, physical therapy, and future medical needs
• Reimbursement for lost wages, future income, and other employment-related benefits like health insurance or retirement contributions
• Monetary restitution for pain and suffering, including both physical pain and mental trauma and anguish
• Punitive damages from the other motorist, or from the bike manufacturer or mechanic (in cases of defective product or improper installation) — essentially a financial punishment for bad behavior displayed by another party
• Wrongful death awards in cases of fatal motorcycle accidents, meant to meet the financial burden of funeral and burial costs, the loss of the deceased’s income, and the loss of their companionship as a spouse, child, or parent

There is no general amount or range that accurately describes an average motorcycle accident settlement. That being said, a dedicated motorcycle accident lawyer will do everything in their power to help you access the funds and care that you need.

L.R. Thanks to Smith Law Center, I was able to recover peacefully from my injury while knowing they would fight to receive the compensation I deserve. And they did so in a timely manner. You guys are wonderful. Thank you Smith Law Center.

What Is the Most Common Motorcycle Injury?

Brain, head, and neck injuries are the most common type of serious motorcycle injury. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are the leading cause of death among motorcycle riders. The top most common types of injuries that result from motorcycle crashes include:

• Brain and spinal cord injury: Concussions, impact injuries, compression due to swelling or bleeding, and injury due to high-velocity whiplash are all dangers that could lead to persistent brain injury or paralysis.
• Road rash: High-speed interactions with concrete or asphalt can cause skin and tissue injuries that may require extensive skin grafts to heal. Such damage could also result in permanent scarring and handicapped mobility.
• Broken bones: Broken bones and injuries to the extremities (fingers/hands or toes/feet) could require extensive physical therapy to repair, or could require emergency amputation.
• Disfigurement: Injuries to the face are traumatizing, and handling reactions to facial disfigurement requires new social skills that must be learned on top of processing grief, anger, and anguish.
• Internal injury: Being thrown from a vehicle or coming to a sudden stop due to a crash can cause injury to one’s internal organs. Often invisible from the outside, assessing internal injuries requires critical medical care to diagnose and treat.

The medical needs of those who’ve been involved in a motorcycle accident can be extensive, painful, and costly. In order to access the level of care you need, you may have to engage experienced motorcycle accident attorneys like those at Smith Law Center. Contact or call us today at (757) 244-7000 to discuss your legal options.

Can You Get PTSD From a Motorcycle Accident?

Yes, it is possible to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after a motorcycle accident. The symptoms of PTSD include:

• Intrusive troubling thoughts and being easily startled
• Unhealthy feelings such as anxiety, hopelessness, or numbness towards important relationships or tasks
• Nightmares, panic attacks, and flashbacks to the traumatic event
• Inability to eat, sleep, or concentrate
• Thoughts or attempts at self-harm including substance abuse or suicide

PTSD can be caused by extreme experiences like assault, military service, terrorism, natural disasters, personal hardships like deaths or illness, and events like motorcycle accidents. Roughly 70% of adults experience at least one traumatic event, and 20% of those will develop PTSD as a result. That is equivalent to 1 out of 13 people who will experience PTSD during their lifetime.

Conditions like PTSD, depression, and anxiety may be considered “pain and suffering” and are eligible for compensation. An experienced lawyer knows how to recognize these damages, document them for court proceedings, and argue to secure the appropriate settlement amount. Contact the Smith Law Center at (757) 244-7000 for representation.

Who Is at Fault in Most Motorcycle Accidents?

Statistically, a car or truck driver is more likely to be at fault in a motorcycle crash than the rider. However, it is the motorcycle operator who is far more likely to suffer catastrophic or fatal injuries, especially for older riders.

Consider the following motorcycle crash statistics from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles. In a period of one year: 

• 2053 motorcycle crashes were recorded (1.7% of all traffic crashes)

• 111 motorcyclist fatalities occurred (11.0% of all traffic fatalities)

• 762 motorcycle riders sustained serious injuries (10.7% of all serious traffic injuries)

Here are some of the preventable causes of motorcycle accidents, and how your motorcycle accident attorney may prove them:

Texting While Driving

Often illegal since it’s known to be so dangerous, people nevertheless still text and drive. In order to prove that texting while driving was the cause of the collision with a motorcyclist, timestamped messages can be brought as evidence by your attorney. With that kind of clear evidence in hand, your lawyer may be able to secure a fair settlement amount for you without having to go to trial.

Speeding

Speeding is another clear violation of the law, and one that may be proven by evidence at the accident site like skid marks. Another way to document high speeds is by obtaining recorded dashboard information from the other vehicle, or from an active cell phone which was traveling inside the vehicle. Securing a motorcycle accident attorney as soon as possible is vital here, because certain forms of evidence can disappear with time, such as tire tracks on dirt roads after it rains. Evidence could also be erased by the other motorist, another illegal act of evidence tampering which could still harm your chances for fair treatment. Your attorney may be able to gather important evidence before it is lost or hidden.

Driving Under the Influence

A motorist impaired by alcohol or other mind-altering substances (whether illegal or prescription) can be held accountable after the fact. One way is if police on the scene of the accident perform a breathalyzer or arrest the person for being intoxicated. Another way could be finding pictures of the person drinking at a party in the time prior to their driving. An experienced motorcycle accident attorney will explore every avenue of proof to ensure your case is as strong as possible.

Driving a Poorly-Maintained Vehicle

Bald tires, worn-out brake pads, and other failures of maintenance on a car or truck can be the difference between a vehicle that stops in time, and one that crashes into another motorist. The vehicle itself would likely provide this evidence, but again, such proof could be temporary. Legally this quality is referred to as “evanescent” evidence, meaning the proof has the potential to vanish or dwindle. What if the car is impounded and destroyed before the evidence is documented? This is why it’s important to secure a motorcycle accident lawyer as quickly as possible.

Failing to Obey Traffic Laws

Examples of disobeying traffic laws include carelessly rolling through stop signs, aggressively cutting off other drivers, or driving over improper spaces like sidewalks or bike lanes. Evidence at the crash site itself, or video from nearby surveillance cameras, could be presented as proof. An experienced motorcycle accident lawyer would have the foresight to gather this evidence before tapes can be recorded over or erased. While your priorities after the accident may involve getting treated for injuries, supporting your injured loved one, or grieving their loss, it’s an accident attorney’s duty to act on your behalf as soon as they’ve agreed to represent you. Contact Smith Law Center at your earliest ability, and you may be able to empower an experienced lawyer to help you while you heal.

Distracted Driving

A driver may be distracted by other occupants of their vehicle, technology in the car (guidance devices, phones, radio, or backseat TVs), or food and drink. Anything that takes their attention away from driving means they may be held liable for a crash. Proving this as the cause may involve evidence at the scene that shows how they were engaged before the crash, or witness recollections from passengers, bystanders, or first responders. Your motorcycle accident lawyer may be able to gather statements or pictures of the incident if they’re brought onto your case quickly enough.

These instances illustrate how to prove fault with another person. However, even in cases where the motorcyclist is determined to be partially responsible for an accident, a lawsuit for damages may still be allowed.

Contact Smith Law Center at (757) 244-7000 as soon as possible — you may be able to secure experienced representation for your unique circumstances and needs.

What Information Should I Gather for My Hampton Motorcycle Crash Attorney ?

It is your lawyer’s job to gather evidence for your case, not yours. The following information may be useful to your attorney and help expedite your case:

• The date and location of the crash, as well as what company may have towed the vehicles.
•  A copy of the police report and any pictures you may have been able to take of the crash site
• Any paperwork or receipts related to your medical care — including the initial ambulance ride, any surgeries performed, or take-home prescriptions and follow-up care
•  Your vehicle and medical insurance information
• The names and contact information of the other driver, any passengers, or other bystander witnesses

If you have questions about whether any information or physical evidence you have is important, your Hampton motorcycle wreck lawyer from the Smith Law Center can help provide answers. Your attorney also has the power to legally demand (via subpoena) information about the other driver, their vehicle, and their cell phone records to thoroughly investigate the cause of your accident. This information allows us to build the strongest possible case on your behalf.

Contact Smith Law Center for a Hampton Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Smith Law Center has successfully represented cases for those hurt by motorcycle collisions, and motorcycle accidents caused by poor bike construction. Our vast experience in both brain injury lawsuits and motor vehicle cases helps us balance the unique needs of every client, no matter how complex their situation. If you need a personal injury attorney with motorcycle crash experience to help you seek the care and support you need, call Smith Law Center at (757) 244-7000, or fill out our online contact form to schedule a consultation. Your case review is free and confidential, and could lead to a better future for you and your family.

Hampton Motorcycle Wreck Lawyer FAQs