Can You Get Compensation After a Motorcycle Crash if You’re Partially at Fault?
An unfortunate fact that almost all motorcyclists will face at some point is an unfair bias from other people. That can include other drivers, police officers, and insurance adjusters if they’re involved in accidents. One of the most common ways that bias plays out is after crashes when they’re either unfairly assigned blame or have their compensation claims denied.
Unfortunately, Virginia uses a strict contributory negligence system for getting compensation after accidents and injuries. It means that if you’re even 1% at fault for a crash, you can’t recover any damages. The bias against motorcyclists also means that many riders get assigned at least some fault for their accidents simply due to the fact that they were traveling on two wheels instead of four.
Motorcycles are fast and they can be very loud. The popular image of motorcycles and motorcyclists is that of reckless speed demons. So, when you get struck by a vehicle, the responding police officer may arrive at the scene and already have his mind made up: you either caused or contributed to the crash. This assessment isn’t fair, and it can persist even in the face of other evidence.
At Skolrood Law Firm, we work hard to break down this myth and to let the facts speak for themselves. It’s extremely important in a state like Virginia, where even tiny amounts of fault can leave victims paying for all costs out of pocket. Contact our Roanoke motorcycle accident lawyers today for a free consultation and to find out how we can help you.
