Roanoke, Virginia Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Each year, hundreds of thousands of motorcyclists ride the Blue Ridge Parkway, taking in the breathtaking scenery and sweeping curves.[1] For most, the experience of cruising along Route 221 is bliss; however, for many others, the challenging road, winding terrain, and visual obstructions can lead to crashes that result in severe injuries and fatalities.
For some of the over 193,000 Virginia motorcyclists who hit the roads each year, riding can tragically come at a great price through no fault of the motorcyclist.
Consequently, common injuries in severe motorcycle crashes often include:
- Paraplegia
- Partial Paralysis
- Neck and Spinal Cord Injuries
- Traumatic Brain Damage
- Brain Bleeds
- Road Rash
- Broken Bones and Dislocations
- Contusions and Abrasions
- Loss of Extremities
- Loss of a Loved One
At the Law Offices of Mark T. Hurt, we represent victims who have been injured or killed in traumatic motorcycle accidents. Roanoke, Virginia motorcycle accident lawyer Mark Hurt is dedicated to helping victims recover full compensation for their injuries and losses. Call our office to schedule a free consultation to learn how we may be able to help in pursuing the money damages you may need to cover medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages, and other expenses.
Do Not Settle with an At-Fault Driver Before Speaking with an Experienced Lawyer
When an injury occurs through the fault of another person, it is important to avoid settling with an at-fault driver (or their insurance company) until you know the full prognosis of your injuries and have spoken with an experienced Virginia personal injury lawyer. Often, insurance companies will try to entice accident victims into settling for a fraction of the true value of their damages, knowing that the victim will be unable to reopen the claim later if the damages are much worse than originally believed (and thus may require additional medical treatment or surgeries, compounded with additional pain and suffering and lost wages). Unfortunately, these companies are often successful, and the settlement does not adequately cover the long-term care needed for the injuries. Consequently, many motorcyclists end up paying out-of-pocket for treatment that should have been covered by the negligent party.
For over three decades, Mark Hurt has been helping Roanoke motorcyclists fight back against insurance companies to help recover fair and just settlements or awards at trial on behalf of those injured. He has recovered millions of dollars in compensation for Virginia crash victims suffering from various injuries.
Pursue Full Compensation for Your Roanoke Motorcycle Accident Injuries and Damages
Due to the severity of the injuries associated with motorcycle accidents, medical bills and costs can be astronomically expensive. Each year, accidents result in over $16 billion dollars in measurable costs. If you were seriously injured in a motorcycle accident, you could be entitled to compensation for the following:
- Medical Bills (Past and Future), including emergency room and hospital costs, surgery, follow-up appointments, and physical therapy and rehabilitation
- Prescription drug costs
- Damage to your Motorcycle
- Durable Medical Equipment (such as braces, crutches, boots, walkers, lifts, etc.)
- Loss of Earnings
- Ambulance Transportation
- Long-Term Medical Care
- Work Loss
- Permanent Disability
- Pain and Suffering
- Punitive Damages (if the at-fault party was grossly negligent)[4]
Recovery is not limited to only past expenses. You may also be able to recover for having to live in pain and for future medical care and lost wages. In cases where the at-fault party was grossly negligent, punitive damages (compensation that is designed to punish the other party for their outrageous and irresponsible conduct) may be awarded.
In addition to representing accident victims, we also negotiate settlements and file wrongful death lawsuits on behalf of the families of individuals who have perished in tragic motorcycle accidents. Under Virginia law, immediate family members may be entitled to compensation if their loved one died in an accident caused by the wrongful act or negligence of another person.[5] When we speak with you we can advise who can file a wrongful death case on behalf of your family.
Is There Anything That I Can Do to Help My Case?
Insurance settlements and personal injury damages are often dictated by evidence. As such, it is vitally important to collect as much documentation possible to help ensure that a solid case can be made for maximum compensation.
After an accident, there are steps that you can take to help preserve evidence for later negotiations or trial, such as:
- Calling the police to the accident scene
- Consenting to on-site medical treatment
- Seeking medical treatment as soon as possible (if you are not treated at the accident site)
- Taking photographs of skid marks, debris, vehicle damage, injuries, traffic signs and other evidence
- Requesting a police report
- Delaying repair of your motorcycle
- Following physician treatment plans
- Refusing to sign an insurance settlement
- Refusing to give a recorded statement to the insurance company
Ideally, the best step to take is to retain an experienced Virginia motorcycle accident as soon as possible. At our firm, we can immediately begin investigating the cause of your crash (hopefully, before the accident scene changes dramatically), and (importantly) we can begin representing you against the liable driver, their insurance company, and any others who may also be responsible.
Because we work on a contingency fee, it does not cost any more for our services if we are involved early in your case than if we were hired later. Since we can begin protecting you right away, we would urge you to call us for a free consult at your earliest convenience.
Why Should I Hire an Experienced Roanoke, Virginia Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?
Motorcycle crashes can be life altering or even fatal. While some individuals escape with minor injuries, many motorcyclists sustain injuries that permanently change their lives and the lives of their loved ones.
Most states have some form of comparative negligence law that allows victims to collect compensation, even if they are partially responsible for the accident. However, Virginia is one of only a small handful of states with a contributory negligence law. Contributory negligence means that if you are at fault in any way, you may be prevented from recovering any compensation. Thus, determining fault is critical in motorcycle accident cases.
Because of the harsh effect of Virginia’s contributory negligence law, it is imperative that you build a strong case that clearly demonstrates that the other party was fully responsible for the accident. At the Law Offices of Mark T. Hurt, we can fight tenaciously to get you everything you deserve.
When you hire our firm, we can:
- Investigate all aspects of the accident to demonstrate liability
- Obtain statements from witnesses and police
- Handle correspondence with insurance representatives and adjusters
- Negotiate full and fair settlements
- Consult with experts to determine the extent of your injuries and damages
- Calculate current and future losses
- Pursue all available options to pay for your losses and damages
- File a lawsuit
- Represent you at trial (if necessary)
Schedule A Free Consultation to Learn How We Can Help You in Seeking the Maximum Compensation Possible
Virginia motorcycle accidents are complex and can be overwhelming for individuals who have never dealt with personal injury claims and lawsuits. One small misstep can result in a victim not being able to recover an adequate settlement or award. For instance, in Virginia, the statute of limitations (the deadline to file a claim) for a motorcycle accident lawsuit is generally two years from the date of the collision. While there are some limited exceptions that can extend the statute of limitations, in most cases a victim will lose their legal right to obtain compensation from the person responsible if their claim is not filed before the statute of limitations expires.
If you have been injured in a Roanoke motorcycle accident or if your family has lost a loved one due to someone else’s negligence, having a skilled personal injury lawyer by your side can make the difference between recovering the compensation you may desperately need, or not recovering at all. Mark Hurt has years of experience in handling motorcycle accident and injury cases; he can assess your claim, discuss your legal options, and provide strategic guidance on how to secure the maximum compensation available.
Many individuals refuse to seek legal counsel because they assume that, if they lose their case, they will still be responsible for paying expensive legal fees. However, when you hire our firm, this is not the case.
At the Law Offices of Mark T. Hurt, we represent Roanoke motorcycle accident victims and those in the surrounding communities on a contingency fee basis, meaning that we only get paid for our services if you receive a favorable settlement or are awarded damages at trial. Further, we advance all litigation costs while a lawsuit is ongoing (these costs are typically subtracted from a jury award or settlement; these matters are more fully explained in our retention agreement). Call our offices today to schedule free consultation to learn how we may be able to help you!
Client Review
“Mark took over my car accident case from another attorney that I fired. Mark worked hard on the case for several months to get ready for trial. Shortly before trial he got more than the offer my first lawyer tried to get me to take.”
Google 5 Star Review – Jerry C.
[1] Ride the Parkway, Blue Ridge Parkway, https://www.blueridgeparkway.org/motorcycles/.
[2] U.S. motorcycle registration estimates in 2017, by state (in units), Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/191002/number-of-registered-motorcycles-in-the-us-by-state/.
[3] Motorcycle Safety, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/motorcycle-safety.
[4] VA Code § 8.01-243.
[5] VA Code § 8.01-50.
