According to the Virginia Highway Safety Office at the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, there were 2,053 motorcycle crashes in the state in 2022 alone. These motorcycle crashes can be life-changing, causing everything from pain and permanent disability to death.
If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident, it is essential to get the help of a Virginia motorcycle accident attorney who will help you fight for the compensation you deserve.
Why Virginia motorcycle accident victims need support for their recovery after a motorcycle crash
Unfortunately, the personal injury claims process is a cold, bureaucratic system designed to favor the multi-billion-dollar insurance companies rather than the victims of these accidents. An insurance adjuster looks at the case, uses historical data to determine what your personal injury lawsuit might be worth, and gives you a lowball offer, hoping that you will be desperate enough to accept the first offer that you are given.
Essentially, you are nothing more than a claim number to the insurance company, and you cannot let them treat you this way. Yet, this is precisely why empathy is one of the most important qualities that any motorcycle accident lawyer must have.
“Insurance companies justify what they are doing by distancing themselves from you as a person,” says C. James Williams III, principal at Burnett & Williams, one of Virginia’s leading personal injury law firms. “Our goal is to craft a narrative that reminds them that you are a person whose life has been fundamentally changed by this accident and injury. In doing so, it makes it harder for them to deny or undervalue your claim.”
Another key quality that personal injury attorneys must have for success is the trust of their clients. Accident victims are incredibly vulnerable due to their own pain and suffering, the loss of a loved one, the financial burden of medical bills and lost time from work, and a system that often seeks to exploit them. Personal injury attorneys serve as advocates for these victims, standing up for them during their greatest time of need.
Furthermore, personal injury lawyers possess a level of knowledge and legal acumen that far exceeds that of the average individual. Motorcycle accident injury cases are far from straightforward, with the process of determining and proving liability being an incredible challenge for even the most seasoned attorneys. Skilled and experienced motorcycle accident attorneys understand the nuances of the law and what needs to be done to ensure you come out on top in your case.
How Virginia motorcycle accident lawyer Burnett & Williams provides motorcycle riders with support for their accident cases
These three qualities are the core of the full-spectrum client care provided by Virginia personal injury attorneys, such as Burnett & Williams. Their team will handle every aspect of your case, starting with collecting evidence all the way through the disbursement of the compensation you receive from the settlement or jury award. They ensure that you are kept in the loop and involved at every stage of the process.
As soon as you hire an attorney with Burnett & Williams, they will get to work on their extensive investigation process, in which they gather everything that will be necessary to present with your case, including accident reports, medical records, witness statements, images and videos of the accident scene, and more. Because Burnett & Williams’s attorneys have decades of experience handling every aspect of personal injury law, from motorcycle accidents to car accidents, slip-and-falls, wrongful deaths, and other catastrophic injuries, they know what is needed to win your case.
Your personal injury lawyer can help during the negotiation process, too. Once you hire a law firm, your attorney will handle all communications with the insurance companies on your behalf. And best yet, since attorneys have reputations behind them, it gives them more clout to leverage at the negotiation table.
“We have achieved record jury awards in the Commonwealth of Virginia,” notes Williams. “This reputation has made many insurance companies afraid to go toe-to-toe with us in the courtroom, and we are able to use this position to achieve advantageous results for our clients.”
However, if your attorney is unable to reach a fair settlement with the insurance company, they will serve as your representation in the courtroom. “Although you theoretically can represent yourself in court, it’s not advisable,” says Williams. “This is especially true in states like Virginia, where Virginia law includes contributory negligence. Even one small slip-up could jeopardize your case. Your attorney can help make sure that you don’t fall victim to any of these mistakes.”
Contact an experienced Virginia motorcycle accident attorney for a free consultation for your motorcycle accident claim today
If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident, automobile accident, slip and fall, or other serious injury in Virginia, do not delay — contact Burnett & Williams for a free consultation today. Someone from their team will help you get what you deserve for your personal injury claim. “Contact us online for help with your motorcycle accident claim today,” Williams concludes.