1. Rutter Mills
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, wrongful death, catastrophic injury claims, personal injury litigation
Case Types Handled: Left-turn motorcycle collisions, rear-end motorcycle accidents, intersection crashes, highway motorcycle accidents, drunk driver collisions, distracted driver accidents, uninsured motorist claims, underinsured motorist claims, wrongful death motorcycle cases
Legal Services: Free case evaluation, accident investigation, evidence preservation, insurance claim negotiation, personal injury litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering compensation
Background: Rutter Mills has served Virginia injury victims for over 60 years. The firm has recovered substantial settlements for motorcycle accident victims, including a $750,000 settlement for a motorcycle crash case. The attorneys are licensed to practice in Virginia state and federal courts.
Location: 160 W Brambleton Ave, Norfolk, VA 23510
Contact: (757) 622-5000 | https://www.ruttermills.com
Consultation: Free initial consultation, contingency fee basis (no fee unless recovery obtained)
2. The Serpe Firm
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accident injuries, personal injury claims, catastrophic injuries, traumatic brain injuries from motorcycle crashes, spinal cord injuries, wrongful death
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle collisions caused by negligent drivers, left-turn accidents, intersection crashes, highway motorcycle accidents, drunk driver accidents, distracted driver crashes, hit-and-run motorcycle accidents
Legal Services: Accident investigation, police report analysis, witness interviews, insurance negotiation, personal injury litigation, trial representation, medical lien resolution, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims
Background: Attorney Richard Serpe has over 37 years of experience representing injury victims in Norfolk and throughout Virginia. The firm has a track record of obtaining favorable jury verdicts and settlements for motorcycle accident clients.
Location: 1001 Boulders Pkwy Suite 300, Richmond, VA 23225 (serves Norfolk area)
Contact: (757) 233-0009 | https://serpefirm.com
Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee arrangement
3. Kalfus & Nachman PC
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, personal injury, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries, automobile accidents, truck accidents
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle vs. car collisions, motorcycle vs. truck accidents, left-turn accidents, lane change collisions, rear-end motorcycle crashes, drunk driver accidents, hit-and-run cases, uninsured/underinsured motorist claims
Legal Services: Free case evaluation, accident scene investigation, evidence collection, insurance claim filing, settlement negotiation, trial litigation, medical expense recovery, lost income claims, pain and suffering damages
Background: Kalfus & Nachman PC is associated with Law Tigers, a nationwide network of motorcycle accident attorneys. The firm has represented motorcycle accident victims throughout the Hampton Roads region and maintains relationships with medical specialists who treat motorcycle injuries.
Location: 870 N Military Hwy #300, Norfolk, VA 23502
Contact: (757) 461-3303 | https://www.kalfusnachman.com
Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee (no recovery, no fee)
4. Whitlock Law, LLC
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, vehicle accident claims, personal injury, contributory negligence defense
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle collisions, car vs. motorcycle accidents, truck vs. motorcycle crashes, intersection accidents, highway crashes, wrongful death cases
Legal Services: Case evaluation, accident investigation, defense against contributory negligence claims, insurance negotiation, settlement representation, trial litigation, damages recovery
Background: Whitlock Law, LLC handles motorcycle accident claims throughout Virginia, with particular experience in defending against contributory negligence accusations that can bar recovery in Virginia. The firm understands the unique challenges faced by motorcycle accident victims under Virginia law.
Location: 4401 Starkey Rd Suite B, Roanoke, VA 24018 (serves Norfolk area)
Contact: (703) 576-5005 | https://www.whitlocklawllc.com
Consultation: Free consultation available
5. Atkinson Law
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, personal injury, catastrophic injuries, wrongful death, motor vehicle accidents
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle collisions, left-turn accidents, intersection crashes, highway accidents, drunk driver collisions, distracted driving accidents, uninsured motorist claims
Legal Services: Accident investigation, evidence gathering, insurance claim handling, settlement negotiation, trial representation, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering compensation
Background: Atkinson Law serves motorcycle accident victims throughout Virginia, including the Norfolk area. The firm handles personal injury claims from investigation through trial.
Location: Virginia Beach, VA (serves Norfolk area)
Contact: (757) 216-2499 | https://www.atkinsonlawva.com
Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee arrangement
Motorcycle Accident Laws and Regulations in Virginia
Statute of Limitations: Virginia imposes a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims arising from motorcycle accidents. Property damage claims have a five-year statute of limitations. Missing these deadlines will bar recovery.
Contributory Negligence: Virginia follows the pure contributory negligence doctrine, one of the strictest fault standards in the United States. If a motorcycle rider is found to be even 1% at fault for the accident, they may be completely barred from recovering any compensation. This makes evidence preservation and legal representation critical.
Helmet Law: Virginia has a universal helmet law requiring all motorcycle operators and passengers to wear protective helmets that meet DOT, Snell, or ANSI standards (Virginia Code Section 46.2-910). Helmets must be securely fastened.
Helmet Non-Compliance and Negligence: Under Virginia Code Section 46.2-910(b), failure to wear a helmet does not constitute negligence per se and cannot be used as evidence of contributory negligence.
Eye Protection: Virginia requires eye protection unless the motorcycle is equipped with a windshield.
Lane Splitting: Lane splitting is illegal in Virginia. Motorcycles must operate within a single lane and cannot pass between lanes of traffic.
Traffic Signal Exception: Virginia law permits motorcyclists to proceed through a red traffic signal after coming to a complete stop and waiting at least two complete cycles or two minutes, whichever is shorter, if the signal fails to detect the motorcycle.
Insurance Requirements: Virginia requires liability insurance for motorcycles. Minimum coverage is $30,000 per person/$60,000 per accident for bodily injury and $20,000 for property damage, or a combined single limit of $60,000. Virginia also offers uninsured motorist coverage.
Motorcycle Licensing: Operators must have a valid motorcycle license or endorsement (Class M) on their Virginia driver’s license.
Passenger Requirements: Motorcycles carrying passengers must have a permanent passenger seat and footrests. Passengers must use the footrests.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the deadline to file a motorcycle accident lawsuit in Virginia?
Virginia law requires personal injury lawsuits to be filed within two years from the date of the motorcycle accident. Property damage claims have a five-year deadline. If you fail to file within these time limits, you will lose your right to seek compensation through the court system. Given the complexity of motorcycle accident cases and Virginia’s strict contributory negligence rules, consulting with an attorney promptly after an accident is advisable.
How does Virginia’s contributory negligence rule affect my motorcycle accident claim?
Virginia is one of only a few states that follows pure contributory negligence. This means if you are found to bear any fault whatsoever for the accident, even 1%, you may be completely barred from recovering compensation. Insurance companies in Virginia frequently use this rule to deny or reduce claims by arguing the motorcyclist contributed to the crash. This makes preserving evidence and obtaining witness statements immediately after an accident extremely important.
Can I still recover compensation if I was not wearing a helmet during my motorcycle accident?
Under Virginia Code Section 46.2-910(b), failure to wear a helmet does not constitute negligence per se and cannot be used by the defense to establish contributory negligence. However, helmet use may still be relevant to the extent and severity of head injuries claimed. Virginia requires all motorcycle riders to wear DOT-approved helmets, and violation of this law can result in traffic citations.
What should I do immediately after a motorcycle accident in Norfolk?
First, seek medical attention for any injuries. Call law enforcement to document the accident with an official report. If possible, photograph the accident scene, vehicle positions, road conditions, and your injuries. Collect contact and insurance information from all parties involved. Obtain names and contact information for witnesses. Do not admit fault or give recorded statements to insurance adjusters before consulting an attorney. Contact a motorcycle accident attorney as soon as possible to preserve evidence.
What damages can I recover in a Virginia motorcycle accident case?
If another party’s negligence caused your motorcycle accident, you may be entitled to recover economic damages (medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, future medical costs, diminished earning capacity) and non-economic damages (pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life). In cases involving particularly reckless or willful conduct, punitive damages may also be available. Virginia does not cap compensatory damages in most personal injury cases.