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Giving a Voice to the Injured

Alexandria Motorcycle Accident Attorneys

Bilingual Attorneys Helping Motorcycle Wreck Victims in Virginia

Staggering medical bills, debilitating injuries, lost income—motorcyclists often suffer monumental hardships in the wake of an accident. At The Barrera Law Firm, PLLC, our Alexandria motorcycle accident attorneys have helped thousands of injured victims over our 75+ years of combined experience. For those who are facing difficulty recovering fair compensation after an accident, we want to do the same for you.

We serve motorcycle accident victims in Virginia and beyond. Call us at (571) 290-2390 to schedule a free consultation if you’re looking for help.

Why You Need a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

If you have recently been injured in a motorcycle accident caused by someone else, you may be entitled to compensation for your financial and emotional damages.

The insurance adjuster on your case isn’t likely to offer you a fair settlement, though they’ll pull out all the stops to seem generous. Don't sign away your right to a full financial settlement before speaking with an attorney. In fact, don’t even talk to the insurer if you can help it.

In a study conducted by Nolo, personal injury clients who retained an attorney received an average of three times more compensation in settlements and awards than those who proceeded on their own.

Call an Alexandria motorcycle accident lawyer from our firm to get started with your personalized legal strategy.

Our Strategy Focuses on Your Recovery

After an accident, many injury victims face concerns about how they will pay for their medical bills on top of providing for their families. You have the legal right to pursue compensation from the party or parties who were responsible for your accident. Our Virginia motorcycle accident lawyers focus on helping you obtain the financial resources you need to begin the next chapter in your life comfortably.

The first thing we do for each client is conduct thorough investigations to determine all of their damages, including those that may be hidden, and identify the liable party. Then, we can help you go through the claims process, advocating for your rights at every step of the way.

In a motorcycle accident claim, you may be able to recover damages including:

  • Medical and healthcare costs, including emergency medical response, tests and evaluations, prescription drugs, surgery, etc.
  • Long-term medical care, including ongoing medical treatments such as cognitive therapy after a traumatic brain injury or physical and occupational therapy after an amputation or spinal cord injury.
  • Lost wages, if your injuries prevent you from being able to work on a short or long-term basis. We will work with experts to determine how a claim or lawsuit should address lost wages and other employment benefits.
  • Pain and suffering, to account for ways the accident has negatively impacted your daily life.
  • Other accident expenses, which we can identify based on your story and injury. These damages include out-of-pocket expenses such as assistive medical devices, vehicle repairs, in-home assistive care, and other accident-related costs.

Legal Challenges for Motorcyclists

Motorcycle accident claims can involve various legal complexities. Some common challenges include:

  • Bias Against Motorcyclists: Our firm has found serious motorcyclists to be among the most careful and well-trained drivers on Virginia's roadways. Unfortunately, there's often a bias against motorcyclists, assuming they're at fault due to stereotypes. This bias can affect the perception of the accident and influence legal proceedings.
  • Determining Fault: Establishing fault can be challenging, especially in accidents involving multiple vehicles. Evidence such as witness statements, police reports, and accident reconstruction may be necessary to determine who was at fault.
  • Serious Injuries: Motorcycle accidents tend to result in severe injuries due to the lack of protective barriers. Proving the extent of injuries and their impact on the victim's life can be critical for fair compensation.
  • Insurance Issues: Dealing with insurance companies can be complex. They might try to minimize payouts or shift blame. Understanding insurance policies and negotiating with adjusters is crucial.
  • Negligence and Liability: Proving negligence of the other party is key. This involves showing that the other driver breached their duty of care, directly causing the accident and subsequent injuries.
  • Contributory Negligence: These misconceptions can damage your potential for a fair settlement or trial outcome. If you are found to hold even 1% of the fault for an accident in Virginia, you lose the right to recover anything.
  • Legal Procedures: Navigating the legal system can be daunting. Understanding legal procedures, filing paperwork correctly, and adhering to court deadlines are essential for a successful claim.
  • Inadequate Compensation: Insurance settlements might not fully cover the damages, especially future medical expenses or loss of income. Negotiating for adequate compensation requires thorough documentation of losses.
  • Emotional Challenges: Dealing with the aftermath of a motorcycle accident can be emotionally taxing. This emotional strain might affect decision-making and negotiations.

Why Motorcycle Accidents Are So Dangerous

Even more than car accident victims, those who are injured in motorcycle accidents often need legal help to pursue fair settlements. Riding a motorcycle is, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), nearly 27 times more dangerous than driving. And, that statistic is only looking at fatalities per mile traveled. Motorcyclists are also much more likely to face injury if they’re in a crash. In fact, only 2 of 10 motorcyclists are able to walk away from an accident.

The reason for this is obvious: While drivers are surrounded by safety devices like seatbelts and airbags, motorcyclists only have their helmet and any other protective gear they’re wearing to protect them against injury. Because motorcycles are also smaller and lighter than your average car, riders may be thrown off and/or caught under their bike. This can cause injuries like:

Worst-case scenarios can end with a wrongful death, leaving the victim’s loved ones to try to manage their grief and move forward. After any tragic accident, our team is here to help the accident victims. Not only can we offer a sound legal strategy and advice, but we are also here for you to lean on in your time of need.

Do You Have to Wear a Motorcycle Helmet in Virginia?

In Virginia, wearing a motorcycle helmet is required by law for all riders, regardless of their age or how much experience they have. The state's helmet law mandates all motorcycle operators and passengers wear a helmet which meets or exceeds the standards set by the Department of Transportation (DOT).

The helmet must be equipped with a chin strap which must be secured properly. The helmet should also be free from any defects or damage that could compromise how effective it is in an accident. Additionally, riders must ensure their helmets have the appropriate DOT certification label.

In addition to wearing a helmet, riders may want to follow other safety precautions while riding. This includes wearing protective gear such as gloves, boots, and leather or armored clothing. By taking these steps, riders can help reduce their risk of injury or death in the event of an accident.

Here are other key aspects of Virginia's motorcycle laws:

  • Licensing: To legally operate a motorcycle in Virginia, you need a Class M designation on your driver's license or a motorcycle-only license. There are also separate endorsements for three-wheel vehicles.
  • Eye Protection: Riders must also wear eye protection unless the motorcycle is equipped with a windscreen or windshield.
  • Equipment Requirements: Motorcycles must be equipped with functioning headlights, taillights, brake lights, and turn signals. Additionally, rearview mirrors are required.
  • Handlebar Height: Virginia doesn't have specific laws regulating handlebar height, but it's essential to ensure that handlebars comply with general vehicle width regulations.
  • Lane Splitting: Lane splitting, riding between lanes of traffic, is illegal in Virginia. Motorcycles must follow the same traffic laws as other vehicles.
  • Passenger Regulations: If carrying a passenger, the motorcycle must be equipped with a passenger seat and footrests.
  • Insurance Requirements: Virginia law mandates all motor vehicles, including motorcycles, to be covered by liability insurance meeting the state's minimum requirements.
  • Noise Restrictions: There are regulations on motorcycle noise levels. Virginia has specific decibel limits that motorcycles must adhere to.
  • Operating Rules: Motorcycles must follow all traffic laws, including speed limits, signaling for turns, yielding right of way, and obeying traffic signals.
  • Moped Laws: There are separate regulations for mopeds in Virginia, including licensing requirements, equipment specifications, and speed limitations.

Free Consultations for Motorcycle Accident Victims

The team at The Barrera Law Firm, PLLC understands the unique challenges you will face in your struggle for full compensation. For each client, we strive to build a case that clearly proves why they are entitled to the money they need to pay for all accident-related costs. This means offering proof not only of the damages you’re facing but also of your innocence in the accident. An insurance claim isn’t a process you can afford to concede. While you might not have the energy to deal with the constant negotiations just to get the money you’re legally owed, our team doesn’t give up.

We’ve taken more than 100 cases to trial and we’ll do the same for you if the at-fault party’s insurer refuses to grant your right to compensation. Call our team today to see how we can help if you were involved in a motorcycle accident in Virginia, Maryland, or D.C. We’re available 24/7 to speak with you.

Contact us at (571) 290-2390 to schedule your free consultation with our Alexandria motorcycle accident attorneys. With our client-centered process, you can be sure our attorneys will give your case the care and attention it deserves.

What Our Clients Are Saying

  • “To come across someone so honest, hard working and fair is (too) rare, but Jose is that guy.”

    John and Larissa Snyder

  • “Janett is an excellent worker!”

    Luis Obando

  • “Everything went so smooth from start to finish.”

    Patricia C.

  • “Upon his initial consultation, I felt reassured that I was making the right choice when it came to choosing counsel...”

    Paul

  • “He is one of the most conscientious and honest lawyers I know.”

    Martha

  • “Estoy satisfecha con el resultado de mi caso”

    Rosa V.

  • “Son muy buenos”

    Guillermo ospina

  • “I couldn't be happier! The people here are awesome and would recommend them to anybody that needs a great lawyer.”

    Lee K.

  • “Mr. Barrera and his staff are highly professional”

    Virginia

  • “I cannot say it enough how happy and grateful we are. The work that you guys do is truly amazing.”

    J. L.

  • “Thorough and with our best interests in mind”

    Beatriz Correa & Israel Lopez

  • “You did a great job. And God bless you all. Thank you Mr. Barrera, you are very kind.”

    Janet O.

  • “My case was expertly handled.”

    Bill S.

  • “Great and awesome service by Barrera Law firm”

    Luis Cruz

  • “Attorney Barrera was very professional and made sure I got best treatment possible.”

    Nicholas

Why Choose The Barrera Law Firm, PLLC?

  • Over 75 Years of Combined Legal Experience
  • $75 Million in Recoveries for Clients
  • Client-Centered, Hands-On Approach
  • Bilingual Staff & Attorneys
  • Over 100 Cases Taken to Trial
  • Complimentary Case Consultations
  • Available to You 24/7
  • Licensed in Virginia, Maryland, & DC