Motorcycle Accident Attorneys in Virginia

Motorcycle Accident Statistics

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is tasked with tracking and cataloging vehicle accidents across the country, including motorcycle accidents. The data that the agency collects is instrumental for understanding how motorcycle accidents are happening and what can be done to better protect riders.

Using information from 2018, the NHTSA determined:

• 4,985 motorcyclists died in traffic collisions, a number that increased since 2013 but fell from 2017.
• 28% of motorcycle riders who died in accidents were intoxicated, down from 43% in previous years.
• About 30% of fatal motorcycle accidents involved riders who had no valid motorcycle license, which could be a correlation to the number of fatal drunk riding accidents.
• 71% of riders use DOT-compliant motorcycle helmets, up from 64% in 2015.
• Motorcycle riders are 28 times more likely to die in a crash than the average motorist.
• Motorcyclists are involved in 14% of all fatal accidents but only account for 3% of all vehicles on the road.

This data shows that reckless riding remains a significant problem on America’s roadways. Driving without a license, without a proper helmet, or while intoxicated or impaired contribute to so thousands of motorcyclist deaths each year. You can protect yourself from such accidents by following the utmost safety standards whenever you ride.

Leading Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcyclists are often catastrophically injured in motorcycle accidents that aren’t even their fault. Instead, many motorcycle accidents are caused by outside factors that motorcycle riders cannot control.

Two of the top causes of motorcycle accidents that we have seen while handling cases are:

• Negligent drivers: Drivers in larger vehicles have an unfortunate tendency to not see smaller vehicles when checking blind spots and mirrors. The result is sometimes that a driver can look right at a motorcycle and not “see” it. Failing to pay attention to motorcyclists and refusing to share the road are ways that negligent drivers commonly cause motorcycle accidents.
• Poor roadway conditions: Cars and trucks can drive right across or through small roadway hazards and barely even notice them. Motorcyclists, on the other hand, do not have that luxury. Seemingly little issues like potholes, light rain, oil spills, loose debris, cracked roads, and stray animals can be the sole cause of catastrophic motorcycle accidents. Lighter, faster, and two-wheeled motorcycles are more difficult to control in even ideal roadway conditions.

However, many other motorcyclists are injured due to their own inexperience. All it takes is one wrong move like overcorrecting when avoiding traffic to cause a crash. Continued practice in safe conditions is a must for any motorcyclist who feels like they are losing their edge or who has limited time spent riding. You can also research motorcycle training courses in your area, which we recommend taking once a year.

If you need legal help after a motorcycle accident in Virginia, please remember that Kalfus & Nachman PC is standing by to assist. Call (855) 880-8163 or contact us online at any time.

Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries

Injuries that are commonly sustained by motorcyclists include:

• Skull Fractures
• Road Rash or Friction Burns
• Muscle Damage
• Dental Injuries
• Traumatic Brian Injuries
• Spinal Injuries
• Lower Extremity Injuries
• Disfigurement

If you sustained a serious injury in a motorcycle accident, call (855) 880-8163 to find out how our skilled legal team can assist you.

Motorcycle Requirements in Virginia

Before you can legally ride a motorcycle in Virginia, you must match these requirements:

• Safety exam: The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) requires all motorcyclists to complete a motorcycle safety examination, much like drivers must do when applying for a driver’s license. Failing this course will disallow you from receiving a license.
• License and registration: If you pass the mandatory motorcycle safety course, then you can apply for a motorcycle license. If you own a motorcycle, then you must also register your ride with the Virginia DMV and pay annual registration fees.
• Insurance: Motorcycle riders must carry current insurance that meets Virginia’s minimum coverage amounts of 25/50/20. This amount reflects $25,000 for bodily injury/death coverage per person, $50,000 for bodily injury/death coverage per accident, and $20,000 for property damage per accident. Riding a motorcycle without proper insurance can result in your license being suspended and criminal penalties.
• Helmet: In Virginia, motorcycle riders and passengers must wear a helmet whenever the bike is traveling faster than 15 miles per hour. For your safety, though, it is highly advised that you wear a helmet regardless of your motorcycle’s rate of travel. Of note, you also cannot wear headphones while riding your motorcycle in Virginia.
• Bike design: Motorcycles in Virginia need to have installed mufflers to reduce noise contamination caused by the vehicle. There must also be functioning headlights, rearview mirrors, handlebars, footrests, reflectors, taillights, brake lights, fenders, turn signals, and horns that can be used to alert nearby motorists and pedestrians in emergencies.
• Lane-splitting: It is illegal to lane-split – or swerve between traffic by going in and out of adjacent lanes – in Virginia. California is the only state that allows this riding behavior.

Safety Tips for Every Motorcycle Rider

Every rider should take it upon themselves to focus on safety whenever they hit the road. Whether you are a new rider or a veteran, it pays to review some safety tips and hints that every motorcyclist should know.

Seven quick motorcycle safety tips are:

1. Try not to stay too close to other vehicles because this increases the likelihood that they will not see you when checking a blind spot and swerve into you.
2. Wear bright clothing to increase your visibility.
3. Use your headlight during the day.
4. Be sure to use turn signals appropriately, including turning them off when you are done turning.
5. Give extra space on one side if your motorcycle has a passenger car.
6. Never exceed posted speed limits.
7. Ride slower when it is raining or foggy.

Get Help From a Motorcycle Accident Attorney Today

If you or a loved one have been seriously injured in a motorcycle accident, you should immediately call our law firm to discuss what legal options are available to you. We can review the details of your situation and help you build a strong legal strategy that will protect your rights and interests. We are here to fight for you. Let us get to work on your case today.

Contact our Virginia motorcycle accident lawyer to schedule a consultation with our legal professionals. We are here to serve you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.