West Virginia Motorcycle Accident Attorney

How The Goldwater Law Firm Approaches West Virginia Motorcycle Accident Cases

The Goldwater Law Firm has strategic relationships with law firms nationwide, helping victims wrongfully hurt in all 50 states. We work with some of the largest and most successful firms in West Virginia and nationwide. This allows us to help you by working with a co-counsel from an office near you.

We are an award-winning firm with a strong reputation for results. We, along with our co-counsels, also have access to an extensive network of experts, physicians, specialists, economists, accident reconstruction analysts, and others who can help support a strong and effective motorcycle accident case.

Our co-counsels work based on contingency. They will not bill you by the hour or ask you to pay a retainer or advance fee deposit. They only work for a portion of the money they win for you in your case.

A West Virginia Injury Lawyer Will Know How Negligent Drivers Cause Motorcycle Accidents

When you work with a West Virginia motorcycle accident lawyer at one of our law firm partners, they will investigate your crash and determine how the liable party’s actions behind the wheel caused it. There are many ways a careless or reckless driver can put a motorcyclist at risk of serious injury or death. These include:

• Failing to yield the right of way
• Not checking blind spots before changing lanes
• Following too closely
• Making sudden or unpredictable lane changes without signaling
• Drunk or drugged driving
• Speeding
• Driving too fast for road conditions
• Running red lights or stop signs
• Distracted driving or texting and driving
• Ignoring traffic signals or signs
• Not leaving enough space when passing

Any of these negligent actions could support a successful motorcycle accident case. You can count on your West Virginia motorcycle accident attorney to gather evidence and develop a strong argument for fair compensation based on the accident and damages you incurred.

How Does the West Virginia Helmet Law Affect My Case?

Under WV Code § 17C-15-44, West Virginia now requires all motorcyclists to wear helmets. This universal helmet law applies to all motorcycle riders and their passengers, regardless of age or experience.

If you were not wearing a helmet when your collision occurred, the insurance companies may try to reduce or deny a payout, claiming you contributed to your injuries. Your motorcycle wreck attorney in West Virginia will work to counter these accusations and seek the money you may qualify to recover.

A West Virginia Motorcycle Crash Lawyer Will Understand the Extensive Injuries and Treatment You Require

Motorcycles lack the frames, airbags, seatbelts, crumple zones, and other safety features of most vehicles on the road. When a crash occurs, a motorcyclist is more likely to suffer serious or even catastrophic injuries. These injuries could include:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
• Spinal cord injuries
• Limb injuries, especially to the legs
• Road rash and other burns
• Internal injuries and organ damage
• Amputations
• Pelvic and hip fractures
• Chest and rib injuries
• Paralysis

Depending on the severity of their injuries and the location of their crash, many injured motorcyclists require medevac helicopter transportation to the nearest trauma center. West Virginia has four designated Level I or Level II trauma centers:

• Charleston Area Medical Center (CAMC)
• West Virginia University Medicine (WVU Medicine) in Morgantown
• St. Mary’s Medical Center in Huntington
• Cabell Huntington Hospital in Huntington

These facilities are equipped to provide advanced care for serious injuries, therapies and rehabilitation, and a full range of patient treatment options. They often see injured motorcyclists, pedestrians, and cyclists hit by cars, car accident victims, and those hurt in in commercial truck crashes.

What Damages Could a West Virginia Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Recover for Me?

The recoverable damages in a motorcycle crash are similar to those you might recover in a West Virginia car crash. However, motorcyclists often suffer more severe injuries because of the higher risk of ejection and multiple impacts. Motorcycle accident claims include many expenses and losses incurred because of injuries, treatment, and necessary repairs.

A West Virginia motorcycle accident lawyer from one of our co-counsels will identify and document your expenses and losses, seeking maximum compensation based on them. These damages could include:

• Medical care costs and related expenses
• Future care and support needs
• Lost income
• Reduced earning capacity based on lasting injuries
• Property damage for repair or replacement of the motorcycle and equipment
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Permanent disability or disfigurement
• Diminished quality of life and loss of enjoyment of life

Wrongful Death Damages in a Motorcycle Accident Case

In West Virginia, some family members can recover money through a wrongful death lawsuit, which could include:

• The spouse of the deceased
• The children of the deceased
• The parents of the deceased, if there are no surviving spouses or children
• Any siblings of the deceased, if there is no surviving spouse, children, or parents
• Other dependents who relied on the deceased for income, support, or services

The personal representative of the victim’s estate files the lawsuit on behalf of the eligible family members. A wrongful death attorney from our co-counsel can identify and document the recoverable damages and manage this process for you.

What Steps Will a West Virginia Motorcycle Accident Attorney Take for Me?

Working with an injury attorney from one of our law firm partners ensures you have someone on your side fighting for your best interests throughout the claims process. Your legal team will take the necessary steps to build a compelling case and seek compensation on your behalf. You can count on them to:

• Gather evidence, such as crash reports, medical records, eyewitness statements, video of the crash, and photos of the accident scene
• Identify liable parties and determine who is responsible for the accident
• Assess medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and future damages
• Negotiate with the insurance companies to secure a fair settlement when possible
• File a personal injury lawsuit to pursue fair compensation, if necessary
• If a settlement is not reached, prepare for court by taking depositions, gathering expert testimony, and analyzing additional evidence
• Represent you in court and fight for a favorable verdict

Working with one of our trusted co-counsels will ensure you can navigate the claims process and pursue fair compensation while focusing on your treatment and healing. Your West Virginia motorcycle accident attorney will handle your case while you care for your health and well-being. You do not have to try to manage it on your own.

When Should I Contact a Lawyer About My West Virginia Motorcycle Accident Case?

We encourage you to call us and let us review your legal options as soon as possible after your accident. We can explain your rights and connect you with our trusted law firm partners representing injured motorcyclists in West Virginia. Having an attorney managing your case early on provides such benefits as:

Preserving Key Evidence

A lawyer will identify, preserve, and analyze any available evidence to better understand your crash, the cause, the liable parties, and other relevant facts. For example, your attorney can preserve surveillance video of the collision from a nearby business before it is destroyed after a week or ten days.

Protecting Your Rights

Your attorney will protect your right to pursue and recover full compensation by managing all communication with the insurance companies and ensuring you do not receive lowball offers.

Giving You Peace of Mind

When you hire a lawyer to manage your case, you should feel peace of mind. They will handle all aspects of your legal case while you focus on your health and healing. You do not have to worry about doing the right thing or navigating the claims process properly. Your legal team will take care of this for you.

Meeting All Applicable Deadlines

Under W. Va. Code § 55-2-12, you may only have two years to sue the liable party based on your motorcycle accident injuries. An injury lawyer from one of our co-counsels will ensure you meet this deadline and not jeopardize your rights by failing to file a lawsuit.