Motorcycle Accident Attorneys
Motorcycle accidents can have devastating consequences. According to NHTSA’s most recent Traffic Safety Facts — Motorcycles report, motorcyclists are nearly 27 times more likely than passenger car occupants to die in a crash per vehicle mile traveled, and nearly 5 times more likely to be injured.
Motorcycle accidents are serious cases with serious stakes in Virginia. Unlike drivers of passenger vehicles, motorcyclists have little physical protection in a crash, making otherwise minor collisions potentially life-threatening. Due to their size, motorcycles easily slip in and out of other vehicles’ blind spots, making them vulnerable when other drivers make improper lane changes and unsafe turns. On top of these physical vulnerabilities, motorcyclists involved in crashes face a less obvious challenge: bias at every stage of your case. Police officers are often quick to ticket a motorcyclist. Witnesses are quick to say they saw a motorcyclist going “fast,” regardless of the actual speed. And jurors are quick to assign blame because of the perception that riding a motorcycle is inherently dangerous.
At Summit Law, we know motorcycle cases can be an uphill battle. Outright claim denials and steep settlement discounts are common because of Virginia’s strict contributory negligence rule. Our attorneys have recovered millions of dollars for injured motorcyclists across the Commonwealth of Virginia, including Lynchburg, Campbell County, Bedford, Forest, Madison Heights, Amherst, Franklin County, and Roanoke. Our team is here to help you understand your rights, navigate the unique aspects of motorcycle cases, and fight for every dollar your case is worth.
Motorcycle cases frequently need to be tried in front of a jury. That is where Summit Law’s trial attorneys deliver significant value — bringing a courtroom focus to an industry crowded with high-volume firms that would rather settle quickly than try a challenging case.
Injured in a motorcycle accident in Virginia? Call Summit Law at 434-317-8100 for a free consultation.
What should I do after a motorcycle accident in Virginia?
Quick Answer: After a motorcycle accident in Virginia, take these 8 steps as soon as possible: (1) call law enforcement and request a copy of their written crash report, (2) call emergency medical services, (3) exchange insurance information with the other driver – avoid discussing fault, (4) document the scene with photos – check carefully for gravel, skid marks, oil, debris, and other road conditions, (5) seek medical treatment within 24 hours, (6) report the accident to the at-fault driver’s insurance company – keep the account very brief and factual, (7) contact your own insurance company, and (8) preserve your motorcycle, helmet, and riding gear as evidence. Avoid giving any recorded statements until you have spoken with an experienced Virginia personal injury attorney.
What you do in the first 24 hours after a motorcycle accident in Virginia is critical. Taking these eight steps can help solidify favorable liability positions and ensure that your injuries are well-documented:
Step 1: Call law enforcement. In most cases, the responding officer will:
- Interview the driver, motorcyclist, and any witnesses
- Take down witness contact information
- Document property damage to the vehicle and the motorcycle
- Collect any other physical evidence at the scene
- Take photographs of the involved vehicle, motorcycle, and accident scene
- Issue a citation to the driver deemed to be at-fault
- File an official crash report.
In motorcycle cases, it is far more common than in typical car accidents for the motorcyclist to be ticketed — or for no one to be ticketed at all. This is one of the clearest ways bias against motorcyclists shows up in real time, and it can significantly affect both the traffic case and any subsequent personal injury claim.
If you receive a ticket after being injured in a motorcycle crash, or if the driver who hit you is not ticketed, this does not automatically bar you from recovering for your injuries — but you will need an experienced personal injury attorney to evaluate all the evidence and advise you on whether the at-fault driver can still be held liable. You will also need an attorney to defend the traffic citation. Conviction of the traffic violation, or prepayment of the ticket (which is treated as an admission of guilt under Virginia law), can significantly affect the liability finding in your civil case.
Be very careful what you say to law enforcement at the scene. Do not estimate speeds, distances, or other facts unless you are 100% certain — even small inaccuracies can be used against you later. Officers are key players in gathering and documenting motorcycle crash details when memories are fresh and evidence is still available. Let them do their job, and keep your own statements brief and factual.
Step 2: Call emergency medical services. While motorcycle accidents are disproportionately more likely to cause catastrophic injuries, at times the full extent of your injuries may not be immediately clear at the scene. Calling emergency medical services to be evaluated is often even more important after a motorcycle accident since these medical personnel are the first link in the chain of medical evidence used to prove your personal injury case, documenting your very first signs and symptoms, complaints of pain, and mental status at the scene. Don’t refuse transport if recommended by emergency personnel.
Step 3: Exchange insurance information with the at-fault driver. When possible, take photos of their driver’s license and auto insurance card. Get the following information:
- Full name
- Address
- Phone number
- Insurance company and policy number
- Vehicle information – make, model, year, license plate number, and VIN number
Law enforcement may facilitate a formal exchange of information. If so, double check that all the needed information is listed, and take photos of any paperwork you are given by law enforcement for easy accessibility later.
Step 4: Document the scene yourself, or ask a family member to do so if you are not physically able. Take photos of both the vehicle that hit you and your motorcycle from all angles. Because of the significant size difference between motorcycles and other vehicles, the vehicle will typically show far less property damage than the motorcycle. Don’t skip taking detailed photos of:
- The vehicle that hit you, including any dents, paint scratches, or other damage that shows the location of impact between your motorcycle and the vehicle
- The exact location where your motorcycle came to rest after impact
- The accident scene, including traffic and roadway layout
- The roadway perspective of the driver who hit you
- Lighting and weather conditions
- Skid marks, oil, and debris in the road
- What you were wearing and any damage to it, including gear, helmet, and any items you were wearing for visibility
Law enforcement photographic documentation is not always complete, and sometimes they do not take any photos at all. Having detailed photographs will make it easier to prove later exactly what happened and why. These photographs can also help crash reconstruction experts interpret the evidence and resolve liability disputes in litigation.
Step 5: Seek medical treatment. Go get evaluated by a medical professional as quickly as possible. In more serious injury cases, immediate emergency transport to an emergency room or trauma center may be appropriate. Don’t try to tough it out or shake it off. In every case, we recommend evaluation within the first 24 hours of the accident, by an emergency room, urgent care, primary care provider, walk-in clinic, etc. Downplaying symptoms or putting off getting evaluated for pain and symptoms might be your natural instinct, but it will create a “gap” in your medical treatment. Insurance companies are quick to use gaps in medical treatment or unreported symptoms as evidence that your injuries or symptoms aren’t actually caused by your accident. Beyond the immediate treatment you may need like wound care for road rash, motorcycle crashes often cause TBIs, concussions, internal injuries, and spinal injuries – which may not appear until hours or days after the crash. In the days after a motorcycle crash, watch closely for:
- Headaches, dizziness, confusion, memory problems (possible TBI or concussion)
- Persistent abdominal pain or nausea (possible internal injury)
- Numbness, tingling, or weakness in any limb (possible spinal injury)
- Anxiety about riding or driving, intrusive memories, or trouble sleeping (possible PTSD)
Report any of these symptoms to a medical provider promptly as you experience them. Medical records are essential evidence in your personal injury case. Your case is strongest when they document a clear, contemporaneous (real-time) picture of how your injury and symptoms develop over time.
Step 6: Contact the at-fault driver’s insurance company to open a claim. Report information about how your motorcycle accident happened and general information concerning your injuries. Remember, the insurance company is not your friend and will be looking for information they can use to deny, dispute, or devalue your personal injury claim. Adjusters handle motorcycle claims more aggressively than typical personal injury claims because they know motorcyclists face cultural assumptions about recklessness. Expect questions about:
- Your speed – motorcyclists are stereotypically assumed to be speeding and even driving 1-2 mph over the posted speed limit can lead to claim denials on the assumption that your speed was contributory negligence.
- Whether or not you have a motorcycle license endorsement (Class M) – Virginia law (Va. Code § 46.2-337) requires a motorcycle classification on your driver’s license to operate a motorcycle. If you were operating a motorcycle without this endorsement, the insurance company will likely raise this fact to say that you were negligent per se (as a matter of law)
- Whether there were any modifications to the bike (exhaust, lighting, tires) — adjusters use these to imply recklessness or show statutory equipment violations that could have contributed to the crash happening
- What gear you were wearing — adjusters use facts about what you were wearing to imply recklessness or that your injuries would not have been as significant otherwise
- Whether you saw the other driver coming or could have avoided impact — these questions are designed to elicit fault admissions
These facts are legally significant, but don’t always justify claim denials in the way an adjuster wants you to think. At Summit Law, we can handle opening a personal injury claim for you with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. Do not give or agree to give a recorded statement without first consulting an experienced Virginia personal injury attorney who understands the legal implications of each and every fact in your case and can help you navigate the process. Do not agree to let the insurance company take possession of or inspect your motorcycle without consulting an experienced Virginia personal injury attorney. The motorcycle itself is critical physical evidence (showing impact dynamics, mechanical state, modifications). Insurance companies sometimes try to take possession for “inspection” and either lose evidence or arrange repairs that destroy it.
Step 7: Contact your insurance company to open a claim. You should also report information about how your motorcycle accident happened and general information concerning your injuries to your own insurance company. A common misconception is that your insurance company is on your side. This is not the case. Depending on the value of your case and the amount of insurance the at-fault driver carries, your insurance policy is a potential source of compensation for your injuries. Because motorcycle accident injuries are so much more likely to be severe, it is that much more likely that the value of your case exceeds the at-fault driver’s insurance limits. Before talking with your insurer, confirm what your policy covers. Motorcycle coverage is often separate from auto coverage, and policies frequently contain coverage exclusions for things like motorcycle modifications, custom equipment, or aftermarket parts.
Ultimately, your insurance company’s job is to pay out as little as possible — even when you’re the one paying premiums. Your answers to their questions should be consistent with what you told the at-fault driver’s insurance company – and equally cautious. At Summit Law, we can handle opening a personal injury claim for you with your insurance company, so you can focus on healing while we fight to make sure every available dollar of coverage is on the table. Even when dealing with your own insurance company, do not give or agree to give a recorded statement without first consulting an experienced Virginia personal injury attorney.
Step 8: Contact an experienced Virginia personal injury attorney. Before accepting any settlement offer, signing paperwork from an insurance company, or giving a recorded statement, contact a personal injury attorney who handles motorcycle accident cases in Virginia. Motorcycle cases are not just car accident cases on two wheels — they carry their own legal, medical, and strategic challenges, and you want a lawyer who understands all of them. An experienced motorcycle accident attorney can:
- Push back against bias — insurance adjusters and jurors often carry unfair assumptions about motorcyclists. An experienced motorcycle accident attorney knows how to identify these biases, reframe the narrative, humanize the rider, and hold the at-fault driver accountable using a nuanced approach.
- Protect you from Virginia’s contributory negligence trap — Virginia is one of only a handful of states where being even 1% at fault can bar your recovery entirely. Insurers know this, and they lean heavily on motorcyclist stereotypes to make the defense stick. Expect arguments that you were speeding, lane-splitting, weaving, not visible enough, wearing the wrong gear, or somehow caused the driver to “not see” you. An experienced motorcycle accident attorney knows the defense playbook — and knows how to build the evidence record needed to flip liability denials, including scene photographs, witness statements, electronic vehicle data, and accident reconstruction.
- Value your case properly — motorcycle injuries are often catastrophic, involving traumatic brain injury, spinal cord damage, multiple surgeries, long-term rehabilitation, lost earning capacity, or permanent disability. Realizing full and fair value on motorcycle cases requires experience with medical experts, life-care planners, vocational experts, and economists — not just caving to the adjuster’s framework.
- Coordinate every available source of coverage — serious motorcycle cases routinely exceed the at-fault driver’s policy limits. An experienced attorney knows how to pursue UM/UIM coverage, stack policies where allowed, and identify every dollar available to you.
- Gather and preserve evidence — skid marks fade, vehicles get repaired, witnesses move, surveillance footage gets overwritten, electronic data gets destroyed. An experienced motorcycle accident attorney moves quickly to lock down the evidence that wins motorcycle cases and has experience working with accident reconstruction experts to recreate the scene when needed.
- Handle 100% of insurance communications — so you can focus on healing rather than fielding calls designed to undercut your claim.
At Summit Law, we represent riders. We know that for most motorcyclists, riding isn’t a hobby — it’s part of who you are. We know what it means to lose your health, your independence, your ability to work, or in the worst cases, someone you love. And we know how hard the other side will fight to pay you as little as possible for what you’ve been through. We fight harder.
Consultations with Summit Law’s motorcycle accident attorneys are free and there is no fee unless we recover compensation for you. Call 434-317-8100 or request a consultation online.
Many people underestimate how decisive taking these eight steps can be. From a trial lawyer’s perspective, a motorcycle case doesn’t begin when an attorney is hired. It begins at the scene — with the photos, statements, reports, and medical records preserved (or lost) in the first 24 hours after a motorcycle accident.
Insurance companies pay full value when they believe your attorney is willing and able to take a strong case to trial. That credibility is built on the evidence gathered in the first hours after a crash — and on choosing an experienced motorcycle accident attorney.
What are Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Virginia?
Quick Answer: Motorcycle accidents are commonly caused by the negligence of other drivers – not the rider. Unsafe left-turns, drivers failing to keep a proper lookout for motorcyclists, distracted driving, and unsafe lane changes are common causes we see again and again in motorcycle accident cases. Road hazards that pose little risk to a car can also be catastrophic for a motorcyclist.
At Summit Law, these are the common causes we see again and again in our motorcycle accident cases across Lynchburg, Bedford, Amherst, Campbell County, Roanoke, and the surrounding region:
Left-Turn Collisions – According to NHTSA’s most recent motorcycle traffic safety data, 44% of all fatal two-vehicle crashes involving a motorcycle and another vehicle involved the other vehicle turning left in front of the motorcyclist as the rider was traveling straight. The driver typically claims they “didn’t see” the motorcycle, misjudged its speed, or thought they had time to clear the intersection. They didn’t. Virginia law requires drivers turning left to yield to oncoming traffic — including motorcycles — and a failure to do so is negligence.
Drivers Who “Didn’t See” the Motorcycle – This phenomenon is so common in motorcycle cases it has its own name in the motorcycling community: SMIDSY — “Sorry, Mate, I Didn’t See You.” Motorcycles have a small visual profile compared to most other vehicles. This makes motorcyclists particularly vulnerable to drivers making turns, changing lanes, pulling out of driveways or parking lots, or merging on to highways. Sideswipe collisions and merge-related crashes are especially common on multi-lane highways like US-29, US-460, and I-81. A motorcycle’s size doesn’t absolve every Virginia driver of his or her duty to keep a proper lookout at all times for vehicles, people, and conditions that could affect their driving – including appropriate visual checks in the driver’s “blind spots.” Because of this duty to always keep a proper lookout, the frequent “I didn’t see you” is actually an admission of negligence, not a defense to it.
Distracted Driving – Drivers using phones, navigation, or in-car infotainment systems may fail to notice a motorcyclist entirely, especially if making only cursory or no visual checks while driving. Virginia’s hands-free law (Va. Code § 46.2-818.2) prohibits holding a personal communications device while driving. For a deeper look at how distracted driving cases are proven and litigated in Virginia, see our discussion on distracted driving in car accident cases.
Drunk Driving – Drunk or otherwise impaired drivers pose a heightened risk to motorcyclists due to significantly reduced perception and reaction times. More on DUI-related liability in our drunk driving discussion.
Speeding and Reckless Driving – Excessive speed reduces a driver’s reaction time and usually dramatically increases crash and injury severity for motorcyclists due to their significant physical exposure and the risk of being completely thrown from the bike. More on reckless driving cases here.
Tailgating and Rear-End Collisions – A motorcyclist stopped at a red light, stop sign or in slowed traffic is uniquely vulnerable. Low-speed rear-end collisions are common in these scenarios, but even a low-speed rear-end collision can throw a rider from the bike, causing serious injury or death. In Virginia, all drivers have a duty to maintain a safe following distance at all times. Causing a rear-end collision is a clear example of following too closely, and in Virginia carries a presumption of negligence on the part of the rear driver.
“Dooring” Accidents – When a driver or passenger opens a car door into the path of a moving motorcyclist without checking for oncoming traffic, the rider has no time to react. Door collisions are especially common in areas like downtown Lynchburg, Roanoke, or Charlottesville, along city streets where motorcycles share the roadway with parked cars.
Lane-Sharing Accidents – While two motorcyclists may legally share a lane, under Va. Code § 46.2-857, no other motor vehicle may drive abreast of a motorcycle in a single lane — doing so is reckless driving in Virginia. When a driver attempts to share a lane with a motorcyclist, drift into the rider’s lane position, or force the motorcycle toward the edge of the road, serious injuries can occur.
Road Hazards – What looks like a minor inconvenience to a car driver can be deadly to a motorcyclist. Common motorcycle-specific road hazards include:
- Gravel, sand, or loose pavement — especially in turns
- Oil slicks or fluid spills — common at intersections where vehicles stop and start
- Potholes, expansion joints, and uneven pavement — can destabilize a bike instantly
- Railroad tracks, manhole covers, or other metal surfaces — particularly dangerous at angles or when wet
- Wet leaves and debris — common on rural Central Virginia roads in fall
- Construction zones – frequently have uneven lane edges or loose materials
When poor road design, inadequate maintenance, or a contractor’s negligence creates a hazard that injures a motorcyclist, the responsible party — whether a private contractor, a property owner, or in some cases a government entity — may be liable.
Many motorcycle accidents share root causes with car-on-car or truck crashes — whether head-on collisions, rear-end collisions, failure-to-yield accidents, t-bone accidents, improper lane changes, roundabout accidents, and more. For a deeper look at the full range of crash types our Virginia personal injury attorneys handle at Summit Law, see our related car accident page. The biggest difference for motorcyclists is that, on a motorcycle, the margin for the other driver’s error is far smaller — and the consequences for the rider are almost always more severe.
If you or someone you love was hurt in a motorcycle accident caused by another driver’s negligence, contact Summit Law. Consultations are free, and you owe no attorney fee unless we recover compensation for you. Call 434-317-8100 or request a free consultation online.
What are Virginia Motorcycle Accident Laws? (And Why They Matter In Your Case)
Quick Answer: Virginia motorcycle accident cases are impacted by several state-specific laws: pure contributory negligence (1% at fault bars recovery), a universal helmet requirement (Va. Code § 46.2-910), a Class M license endorsement requirement (Va. Code § 46.2-328), and a two-year statute of limitations (Va. Code § 8.01-243 and Va. Code § 8.01-50). In a contributory negligence state, these laws can either bar your claim entirely or — when properly understood — provide statutory protections that keep your case alive.
There are several distinctive areas of Virginia personal injury law that impact motorcycle accident claims:
What is contributory negligence? Virginia is one of just four states that still adhere to strict contributory negligence laws. If you are even 1% at fault for causing the motorcycle accident, you cannot recover any compensation. Read more about Virginia contributory negligence laws.
What are Virginia’s helmet & eye protection laws? Virginia is a universal helmet law state. Under Va. Code § 46.2-910, every motorcycle rider must wear a helmet and eye protection that meets the standards set by Snell Memorial Foundation, the American National Standards Institute, Inc., or the federal Department of Transportation.
A critical point for injured riders – Va. Code § 46.2-910 explicitly provides that failure to wear a helmet, face shield, safety glasses, or goggles is not negligence per se (as a matter of law) in any civil proceeding. In a contributory negligence state, where being even 1% at fault can bar your recovery completely, this statutory protection matters. Helmet non-use cannot, by itself, automatically establish that you contributed to causing your crash or your injuries. The defense may still try to use this fact in other ways — to insinuate that you are generally reckless or unsafe. An experienced motorcycle accident attorney will file strategic motions when possible to keep these facts out of evidence entirely or restrict opposing counsel from making improper arguments.
Does Virginia require a motorcycle endorsement on your driver’s license? Per Va. Code § 46.2-328 and § 46.2-337 — operating a motorcycle in Virginia requires a Class M designation on your driver’s license. The defense will try to use this fact to argue that you never should have been on the road on a motorcycle in the first place.
Are lane sharing and lane splitting legal? While two motorcyclists may legally share a lane, under Va. Code § 46.2-857, no other motor vehicle may drive abreast of a motorcycle in a single lane — doing so is reckless driving in Virginia. Lane splitting on the other hand (riding between lanes of stopped or slow traffic) is illegal for motorcyclists in Virginia.
What are Virginia motorcycle equipment and operation requirements? Keep in mind, every Virginia motorcycle law is a potential contributory negligence trap the insurance company will set if you were non-compliant with the statute.
- Headlight use: Under Va. Code § 46.2-1030, motorcycles must use headlights at all times during operation. However, the statute explicitly provides that failure to display headlights as required is not negligence per se (as a matter of law) in any civil proceeding.
- Passenger seat and footrest requirement: Under Va. Code § 46.2-909, passengers must have a designated seat and footrests and cannot be carried in a position that interferes with operation.
In order to raise the contributory negligence defense, the at-fault driver has to be able to prove: (1) that you were negligent in some way, and (2) that your negligence at least partially caused the accident. Motorcycle accidents where there was a technically negligent act on your part that didn’t actually cause the crash are some of the most hotly contested and challenging cases. They almost always require the expertise of a skilled motorcycle accident attorney who is willing to go the distance in order to recover full value for your injuries. At Summit Law, we know how to explain to juries the nuances of legal causation to prove that your actions did not actually cause the motorcycle accident, and flip a denial of liability.
What types of damages can I recover after a Virginia motorcycle accident? If the other driver is solely at fault for causing the motorcycle accident, you can recover monetary damages for causally related personal injuries. After a motorcycle accident you can recover for pain and suffering, disfigurement, inconvenience, medical expenses, lost wages, lost earning capacity, and property damage, depending on the circumstances. Read more about what damages you can recover in Virginia motorcycle cases.
What are the minimum insurance requirements in Virginia? Virginia drivers of standard vehicles or motorcycles are required to carry minimum bodily injury insurance coverage of $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident. Virginia drivers are also required to carry a minimum of $25,000 in property damage coverage. Read more about Virginia’s minimum insurance coverage requirements in personal injury cases.
How long do I have to file a lawsuit in my Virginia motorcycle accident case? In most cases, injured victims have two years from the date of the motorcycle accident to file a personal injury lawsuit in Virginia (Va. Code § 8.01-243). For fatal motorcycle accidents, the victim’s estate has two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death lawsuit in Virginia (Va. Code § 8.01-50). Read more about Virginia’s personal injury statute of limitations and several potential exceptions.
What are Common Injuries in Virginia Motorcycle Accidents?
Quick Answer: Motorcycle accident victims are far more likely to sustain catastrophic, life-altering and even fatal injuries compared to car accident victims because the rider doesn’t have the vehicle, airbag, or seatbelt to help absorb the impact. The most common motorcycle injuries include severe road rash, fractures, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, internal injuries, and amputations.
At Summit Law, we routinely see the following injuries in our motorcycle accident cases:
Road rash and abrasion injuries — When a rider is thrown from the bike and slides across pavement, the friction can tear through clothing and skin down to underlying tissue, muscle, and even bone. Severe road rash can require extensive debridement, skin grafts, and reconstructive surgery, and often leaves permanent scarring and disfigurement.
Fractures — Complex fractures are among the most common motorcycle accident injuries. Riders are often crushed between the motorcycle and the ground, another vehicle, or a fixed object or completely thrown from the bike. Pelvic fractures and tibia and fibula fractures are especially common and frequently require surgical fixation with permanent hardware like rods, plates, or screws.
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and concussions — Even with a DOT-compliant helmet, motorcyclists suffer head injuries at high rates. While it is common for motorcycle accident victims to hit their heads, TBIs can occur with or without an actual head strike or loss of consciousness. TBIs and concussions can have lasting cognitive, emotional, and behavioral effects, and symptoms often emerge over days or weeks. Read more about how we handle TBI cases
Spinal cord injuries — Motorcycle crashes often cause serious spinal cord injuries, sometimes resulting in paraplegia or quadriplegia. Even non-paralyzing spine injuries — herniated discs, vertebral fractures, nerve damage — can require surgical intervention and result in lifelong pain and disability. More on how we handle spine cases.
Internal injuries — Damage to internal organs (liver, spleen, lungs, kidneys, etc.), internal bleeding, and pulmonary contusion are common in motorcycle crashes due to the lack of any protective barrier between the rider and the point of impact. These injuries often require emergency evaluation, advanced imaging, and surgical intervention.
Crush injuries and compartment syndrome — When a motorcycle or another vehicle lands on a rider, the resulting crush injuries can cause compartment syndrome — where pressure inside a muscle compartment cuts off blood flow, leading to permanent muscle damage or amputation if not treated quickly.
Amputations — Traumatic amputations can occur at the scene from the mechanism of impact, or limbs may be so severely damaged that surgical amputation becomes necessary in the days or weeks after the crash. Amputation cases involve significant surgical and treatment costs, lifetime medical care, prosthetic costs, permanent disability, lost earning capacity, and profound life adjustments and emotional consequences that require an experienced attorney to value properly.
Burn injuries — Contact with hot engine components, exhaust pipes, or fuel fires during a crash can cause serious thermal burns that may require extensive debridement, skin grafts, and reconstructive surgery, and often leaves permanent scarring and disfigurement.
Motorcycle riders are also vulnerable to many of the same injuries seen in passenger vehicle accidents. For more on how Virginia personal injury law treats these injuries and how Summit Law builds a damages claim, see our car accident page. An experienced motorcycle accident attorney works with treating physicians, medical experts, life-care planners, vocational experts, and economists to make sure the full value of your injuries — past, present, and future — is on the table.
Who pays for my medical bills after a Virginia motorcycle accident?
Quick Answer: In Virginia, you pay your medical bills as you receive treatment — there is no immediate insurance pool that covers your medical expenses while your motorcycle accident case is pending. Full reimbursement comes only when your motorcycle case resolves, either through a settlement or through an award from a judge or jury. To manage costs while you wait, you should:
Use your own health insurance to cover treatment as you go.
Check your motorcycle policy for medical expense or medpay coverage, which may reimburse out-of-pocket costs along the way.
Ask providers about payment plans for any balance you owe out of pocket.
At the end of the case, your compensation may come from the at-fault driver’s insurance, your own insurance, or a combination of policies.
What if my Virginia motorcycle accident worsened a pre-existing injury?
Quick Answer: Virginia adheres to the eggshell skull doctrine – this is an analogy to illustrate the legal principle that the at-fault driver “takes the plaintiff as he or she finds them.” As a result, at-fault drivers are liable for the full extent of injury caused by your motorcycle accident, even if the plaintiff was “fragile,” or more susceptible to injury than the average person due to a pre-existing condition. This rule applies to both physical and emotional injuries.
How will Summit Law Build my Motorcycle Accident Case in Virginia?
After a motorcycle accident, your focus should be on recovery — not on insurance adjusters, evidence collection, or the procedural complexities of a personal injury claim. At Summit Law, we lift that weight from your shoulders by preparing every case for trial from day one. That preparation is what positions our clients to settle on strong terms — and what readies us to take the case to court if the insurance company will not pay what your case is worth.
Motorcycle cases require specialized work. Insurance adjusters, defense attorneys, judges, and juries come into these cases with built-in assumptions about riders — that you were going too fast, weren’t visible enough, weren’t paying attention, or “knew the risks.” We come in prepared to dismantle those assumptions with evidence and legal precision.
From the day you hire us, our team will:
- Conduct a thorough investigation of the crash, the accident scene, the at-fault driver, and any other responsible parties
- Preserve the motorcycle and your gear before they are altered or destroyed — your bike, helmet, jacket, gloves, shoes, etc. are physical evidence that can support your version of events, defeat contributory negligence defenses, and document the force of impact
- Work with accident reconstruction experts who understand motorcycle crashes and the unique physical phenomena involved
- Gather and preserve critical evidence — police reports, witness statements, surveillance footage, scene photographs, electronic vehicle data, and expert analysis
- Identify every applicable insurance policy and coverage layer
- Handle all communication and negotiations with insurance companies on your behalf
- Document and evaluate the full scope of your damages, including current medical expenses, future medical needs, lost wages, lost earning capacity, life-care planning for catastrophic injuries, and the impact on your life, your family, and your ability to ride again
- Work with treating physicians and medical specialists who understand motorcycle injuries — orthopedic surgeons, plastic and reconstructive surgeons, neurologists, rehabilitation providers, life care planners, etc.
- Manage medical liens and subrogation so maximum recovery reaches your pocket
- Work up every case as if it is going to trial from day one — because that preparation is what forces insurance companies to pay full value
- Negotiate proactively at every stage, and take your case to a judge or jury if the insurance company will not pay what your case is worth
You will know who is working on your case, what is happening at every stage, and what to expect next. We tell you the truth, prepare relentlessly, and fight for full value.
Serving Motorcycle Accident Victims Across Central Virginia
Summit Law represents injured riders and their families throughout Central Virginia, including Lynchburg, Bedford, Amherst, Campbell County, Forest, Madison Heights, Rustburg, and Appomattox.
We know the roads, medical providers, courthouses, and communities of this region — from U.S. 29, U.S. 460, and I-81 to the Lynchburg, Bedford, Amherst, and Campbell County courts. We know which intersections produce the most motorcycle crashes, what local doctors testify well in motorcycle accident cases, which adjusters work this region, and which judges and juries we appear in front of. In motorcycle cases especially, local knowledge matters — combating bias against riders in front of a Central Virginia jury is different from doing it anywhere else. We use this knowledge when we investigate, build, and try your motorcycle accident case.
Schedule a Free Consultation
If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident, you don’t have to face this alone. Understanding your rights and options is the first step toward recovery.
We’re here to help you move forward with confidence.
