According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 4,668 deaths resulted from motorcycle accidents in 2013. This same year, 88,000 people suffered from injuries because of these accidents. Unfortunately, there is very little to protect motorcycle riders when they are involved in accidents. A lack of protection often leaves a person seriously injured and sometimes permanently disabled. When a person is seriously injured in motorcycle accidents in Virginia, they need to be aware of their rights for pursuing a claim.
An injured person should immediately seek medical treatment to ensure they do not have life-threatening injuries. Often, people are not fully aware of the extent of their injuries because they are in shock and are not feeling the range of pain they will feel after this wears off. Once a person is under the care of a doctor, they will better understand the scope of their injuries and what needs to be done to pursue a case for compensation.
Meeting with an attorney can allow a person to be able to make a decision on how they will pursue their case. The attorney will speak with the insurance company to see what the adjuster is willing to offer. The adjuster will need to review medical bills, damage reports, and police reports to determine how much compensation will be offered. In most cases, the insurance company will fail to offer a fair settlement because of the limits of the policy.
If a fair settlement is not offered, the attorney has a couple of options. Mediation meetings may be held between all parties in the case to see if an agreement can be reached that will satisfy everyone involved. If these meetings do not allow the parties to come to a settlement, a court case may be needed. During a trial, evidence can be submitted to sway the jury for siding with the plaintiff and awarding compensation.
Those who have been seriously injured due to motorcycle accidents in Virginia should contact the office of Dulaney Lauer & Thomas LLP right away. They will schedule a consultation appointment so injured people can learn more about their rights and what needs to be done to pursue their case.
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