Richmond Motorcycle Accident Lawyers

Motorcycle Crashes in Henrico and Chesterfield Counties

Every day, motorcycle riders face significant risks on the road. Even the most careful, skilled, and defensive rider cannot always predict or avoid an accident—and the consequences can be devastating.

If you were injured or someone you love was tragically killed in a motorcycle accident in Henrico or Chesterfield County, turn to Tom McGrath’s Motorcycle Law Group for the aggressive legal representation you deserve.

Since 1990, our Richmond lawyers have advocated for the rights of riders and their loved ones. In addition to our extensive experience, we are avid riders and enthusiasts ourselves. We truly understand the challenges you are facing, and we are here to help you fight for maximum compensation.

Call (804) 355-7505 or reach us online for a free consultation with one of our Richmond motorcycle accident lawyers.

Compensation Available to Motorcycle Accident Victims

Even a minor collision can turn tragic when a motorcycle is involved. There are different types of motorcycles, and none of them are great when it comes to crashworthiness. When struck by a motor vehicle, a rider is highly likely to suffer devastating injuries and significant physical, emotional, and financial consequences. This can create all sorts of challenges when trying to recover.

At Tom McGrath’s Motorcycle Law Group, our goal is to help our clients recover fair compensation for all of their damages, including but not limited to:

• Medical bills and expenses
• Medications and medical equipment
• Surgeries, rehabilitation, and other treatments
• Future medical expenses and care costs
• Lost income, wages, and employment benefits
• Loss of future earnings due to disability
• Lost or diminished earning capacity
• Pain and suffering, including emotional distress
• Lost or diminished quality of life
• Disfigurement and inconvenience
• In-home assistance and home modification costs
• Miscellaneous out-of-pocket expenses

In some cases, we may be able to seek punitive damages. In contrast to the compensatory damages outlined above, punitive damages are not meant to compensate victims for specific losses, but to punish defendants for wrongdoing.

All of these damages may be recovered through a motorcycle accident lawsuit, which can be filed against the at-fault driver, company, or government agency.

Who Can File a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit in Richmond?

Under state law, you can sue someone who negligently caused you injury. Despite the bias against riders, many motorcycle crashes result from car and truck driver negligence. Others are the fault of negligent companies, corporations, and government agencies.

To help you understand if you have a case, here are some of the most common negligent causes of motorcycle accidents:

• Tailgating
• Driving too fast (speeding)
• Drunk driving
• Aggressive driving
• Distracted driving
• Unlawful passing
• Dangerous lane changes
• Dangerous turns
• Weaving through traffic
• Failing to yield the right of way
• Failing to check blind spots before merging
• Running red lights and other traffic signals
• Opening car doors into a rider’s path
• Defective motorcycle or auto parts
• Out-of-repair vehicles
• Poor street lighting
• Cracked and uneven roads
• Defective guardrails, medians, and road dividers

People must be held accountable for their actions. Tom McGrath’s Motorcycle Law Group is here to make sure that happens. Our lawyers will help identify the negligent party in your case, then fight tooth and nail to secure full compensation for you.

What if I Was Partly at Fault for the Motorcycle Accident?

Because Virginia follows a contributory negligence rule—as opposed to a comparative negligence rule—you cannot file a motorcycle accident claim if you contributed to the accident. Even if you were only one percent to blame, you are barred from recovering any compensation.

Because of this, it is extremely important that you work with a highly skilled and qualified motorcycle accident lawyer. At Tom McGrath’s Motorcycle Law Group, we know how to work with insurance adjusters and fight back against their efforts to dispute, devalue, or deny your claim. We are even prepared to represent you in the courtroom if necessary.

Do not get discouraged if the insurance adjuster is saying that you were partly to blame for the accident. No situation is hopeless. Our team will help you understand your legal rights and options for moving forward. We encourage you to reach out right away and set up a free consultation with a member of our team.

How Long Do You Have to Sue an At-Fault Driver?

If you were injured in a motorcycle accident, you only have a certain amount of time to file a personal injury lawsuit. This is known as the statute of limitations, and in Virginia, it is two years from the date of the accident. In other words, you have two years to sue the at-fault driver for damages. For cases involving property damage and no bodily injury, you have five years to bring your lawsuit.

Note that this does not apply to insurance claims. After a motorcycle accident, your first step is typically filing a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. Depending on the company and the specific policy, you may have a couple of weeks or just several days to file your insurance claim. Most insurance companies specify that claims must be filed “within a reasonable period of time.”

Do’s and Don’ts After a Motorcycle Accident

Many motorcycle accidents result in catastrophic injuries. As such, most victims receive immediate medical attention, either at the scene or directly after the crash. However, if you were involved in a motorcycle accident and you have not yet been seen by a medical professional, make sure you go to the doctor as soon as possible. You could have sustained underlying injuries or suffered trauma that will only worsen as time goes on.

Once you have received the proper medical care, there are several steps you should take after the accident to protect your health, wellbeing, and right to a fair recovery:

• Obtain and preserve any evidence — This includes pictures of the crash scene, copies of your medical records, and motorcycle repair estimates.
• Report the accident to the police — Accident victims should report the accident to the police as soon as possible. This can protect you as you fight to get compensated. It can also protect you from being hit by a lawsuit chock-full of groundless accusations, such as by a negligent driver who wrongfully blames you.
• Exchange contact information — If possible, get the name, contact information, and insurance information of the other driver. Do the same for any witnesses. If the driver leaves the scene without giving anyone their information, it will be considered a hit-and-run accident.
• Don’t admit fault — Injured riders are often blamed for accidents, even when they are clearly not at fault. Worse, at-fault drivers may take advantage of a rider’s inability to communicate (such as if they were rushed off to the emergency room) and make false claims about what went down and how. Be careful not to admit fault or answer questions that seem to be steering in that direction.
• Don’t tell insurance more than you need to — Avoid speaking to anyone from the other person’s insurance company and never sign anything or provide a statement without first speaking to an attorney.
• Consult a legal professional — As soon as possible, contact an attorney with experience handling motorcycle accident cases, like ours at Tom McGrath’s Motorcycle Law Group.

No one is required by law to hire a personal injury attorney. That noted, people who work with attorneys tend to recover higher settlements than those who try to resolve their cases on their own. When you work with our team, we will provide the personalized attention and support you need. Trust us to fight for the best possible outcome in your case.

How Our Motorcycle Accident Attorneys Can Help

Seeking compensation after a motorcycle accident is often a difficult process. Right now, you should be focused on getting the medical care you need. You shouldn’t have to worry about working with the insurance company to get the fair compensation you are owed; instead, let our team handle the legal details of your case.

We understand that every situation is unique, which is why we provide highly personalized and attentive legal services tailored to each individual client. Our firm is prepared to protect your rights and advocate for the maximum recovery you deserve. There are no legal fees unless we recover compensation for you—reach out to us today to learn more.

Call our Richmond office at (804) 355-7505 to get started with a free initial consultation.