WHY MOTORCYCLE CASES ARE DIFFERENT
Most motorcycle crashes aren’t the rider’s fault. The single leading cause is a car turning left across a motorcyclist’s path — a driver who “didn’t see” the bike, misjudged its speed, or drifted out of a lane and into a rider in a blind spot. Yet insurance companies count on a bias that riders are reckless, and they use it to shift blame and shrink offers. Overcoming that starts with evidence: the scene, the sightlines, the other driver’s account, and the physics of the crash.
Virginia’s rules raise the stakes further. Lane splitting is illegal here, and the Commonwealth requires every rider to wear a helmet — details a defense lawyer will try to use against you. More importantly, Virginia’s pure contributory negligence rule means that if the insurer can pin even a sliver of fault on the rider, it can deny the claim outright. That’s why how fault is framed matters so much, and why experienced local representation is worth having from the start.
THE RISK TO RIDERS IS REAL
-
1,500+
motorcyclists injured on Virginia roads each year
-
60+
years Decker Law has fought for the injured in Hampton Roads
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10%
of Virginia traffic deaths is a motorcyclist — though riders are a small share of the road
MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENTS: WHAT TO KNOW
What causes most motorcycle accidents?
Left-turning vehicles are the leading cause, followed by drivers changing lanes into a rider’s blind spot, rear-end hits, and dooring from parked cars. Alcohol and speed play a role in many serious crashes too.
Is lane splitting legal in Virginia?
No. Riding between lanes of traffic is illegal in Virginia. If a crash happens while lane splitting, expect the other side to raise it — which is one more reason to have a lawyer.
Does not wearing a helmet hurt my claim?
Virginia requires helmets for all riders, and the defense may argue a missing helmet contributed to your injuries. It doesn’t automatically end your claim, but it’s an issue we address head-on.
What should I do after a motorcycle crash?
Get medical care immediately, document the scene and the other vehicle, and avoid giving the other insurer a recorded statement until you’ve spoken with a lawyer. Early evidence often decides these cases.
WHY INJURED DRIVERS CHOOSE DECKER
CONTACT DECKER’S MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT ATTORNEYS
The bias against riders is real — but it’s beatable with the right evidence and the right advocate. The sooner we start, the more we can preserve. Reach us by text, chat, phone, or email — or call right now at 757-622-3317.