Motorcycle accident
Motorcycle Accident Attorneys in Richmond, Virginia
The firms in this guide
- Tom McGrath's Motorcycle Law Group Call Tom McGrath's Motorcycle Law Group: (804) 355-7505
- Allen, Allen, Allen & Allen Call Allen, Allen, Allen & Allen: (804) 353-1200
- Marks & Harrison Call Marks & Harrison: (804) 282-0999
- Silverman Law Firm LC Call Silverman Law Firm LC: (804) 325-4992
- Merrick Brock, PLLC Call Merrick Brock, PLLC: (804) 676-6724
1. Tom McGrath’s Motorcycle Law Group
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, cruiser accidents, sportbike accidents, touring motorcycle accidents, motorcycle vs. car collisions, motorcycle vs. truck collisions, hit-and-run motorcycle accidents, left-turn accidents involving motorcycles, intersection motorcycle accidents, highway motorcycle accidents, wrongful death from motorcycle accidents, catastrophic injuries from motorcycle collisions, traumatic brain injuries from motorcycle crashes, spinal cord injuries from motorcycle accidents, road rash injuries, personal injury representation for riders
Case Types Handled: Left-turn accidents, lane change accidents, rear-end collisions with motorcycles, head-on motorcycle collisions, single-vehicle motorcycle accidents, multi-vehicle motorcycle accidents, drunk driver vs. motorcycle accidents, distracted driver vs. motorcycle accidents, road hazard accidents, uninsured motorist motorcycle accidents, underinsured motorist motorcycle accidents, motorcycle passenger injury claims, negligent driver claims
Legal Services: Negligence investigation, motorcycle accident reconstruction, witness interviews, police report analysis, insurance claim negotiation, uninsured/underinsured motorist claims, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical lien resolution, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims, legislative advocacy for motorcyclists’ rights
Background: Firm founded in 1990 with over 30 years of motorcycle accident litigation experience. All attorneys are active motorcycle riders who understand the unique situations motorcyclists face. Attorney Liz Sorrell is the primary attorney, licensed in Virginia and North Carolina, serves as Director and Lobbyist for Virginia Coalition of Motorcyclists (VCOM), member of Virginia Trial Lawyers Association, North Carolina Advocates for Justice, Concerned Biker Association/ABATE of North Carolina, Hampton Roads Harley Owners Group (HOG), Motorcycle Riders Foundation, and American Motorcyclists Association. Named to National Top 100 Trial Lawyers. Attorneys have proven track record advocating for motorcyclists’ rights in statehouses.
Location: 1427 W. Main St., Richmond, VA 23220
Contact: (804) 355-7505 | https://motorcyclelawgroup.com/
Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee arrangement (no fee unless you win)
2. Allen, Allen, Allen & Allen
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, tractor trailer accidents, car accidents, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, wrongful death, medical malpractice, nursing home abuse and neglect, workers’ compensation, personal injury litigation throughout Virginia
Case Types Handled: Left-turn motorcycle accidents, lane change accidents, rear-end collisions with motorcycles, multi-vehicle motorcycle crashes, drunk driver vs. motorcycle accidents, distracted driver vs. motorcycle accidents, hit-and-run motorcycle accidents, road hazard accidents, uninsured/underinsured motorist claims, catastrophic injury cases, fatal motorcycle accidents
Legal Services: Negligence investigation, accident reconstruction, witness interviews, police report analysis, insurance claim negotiation, uninsured/underinsured motorist claims, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical records analysis, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims, case investigation with in-house investigators
Background: Founded in 1910, one of the oldest and largest plaintiff’s personal injury firms in Virginia and the United States. Over 100 years of combined legal experience. More than 30 attorneys and over 100 support staff. Ten attorneys listed in Best Lawyers in America, 25 attorneys named as Super Lawyers, Tier 1 Best Law Firm by Best Lawyers (2024). George E. Allen, Jr. (founder) served in Virginia General Assembly. Attorneys active in legislative advocacy. Case result: $450,000 recovery for motorcycle accident victim requiring four surgeries.
Location: 1809 Staples Mill Rd., Richmond, VA 23230
Contact: (804) 353-1200 | (866) 388-1307 | https://www.allenandallen.com/
Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee basis
3. Marks & Harrison
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, tractor trailer accidents, car accidents, pedestrian accidents, wrongful death, workers’ compensation, medical malpractice, nursing home neglect, premises liability, veterans’ disability benefits, personal injury cases throughout Virginia and Washington D.C.
Case Types Handled: Left-turn motorcycle accidents, lane change accidents, rear-end collisions with motorcycles, head-on motorcycle collisions, multi-vehicle motorcycle accidents, drunk driver vs. motorcycle accidents, distracted driver vs. motorcycle accidents, road hazard accidents, defective motorcycle accidents, uninsured/underinsured motorist claims, catastrophic injury cases, fatal motorcycle accidents
Legal Services: Negligence investigation, accident reconstruction, witness interviews, police report analysis, insurance claim negotiation, uninsured/underinsured motorist claims, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical lien resolution, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, punitive damage claims, wrongful death claims
Background: Founded nearly 100 years ago, serving Richmond and throughout Virginia. Case result: $120,000 obtained for client with fractured knee from motorcycle training class incident. Firm has represented dozens of motorcycle wreck victims. Multiple office locations throughout Virginia including Richmond, Chesterfield, Harrisonburg, Hopewell, Petersburg, Charlottesville, Tappahannock, Louisa, Staunton, Fredericksburg, Alexandria, Warrenton, Roanoke, and Washington D.C.
Location: 1500 Forest Ave, Rm 100, Richmond, VA 23229
Contact: (804) 282-0999 | (800) 283-2202 | https://www.marksandharrison.com/
Consultation: Free consultation, 24/7 phone availability, contingency fee arrangement
4. Silverman Law Firm LC
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, truck accidents, hit-and-run accidents, medical malpractice, nursing home abuse, product liability, personal injury litigation, traumatic brain injury cases
Case Types Handled: Left-turn motorcycle accidents, lane change accidents, rear-end collisions with motorcycles, head-on motorcycle collisions, multi-vehicle motorcycle accidents, drunk driver vs. motorcycle accidents, distracted driver vs. motorcycle accidents, speeding accidents, unsafe turn accidents, road hazard accidents, defective part accidents, fatal motorcycle accidents, catastrophic injury cases
Legal Services: Negligence investigation, accident scene investigation, witness interviews, police report analysis, insurance claim negotiation, uninsured/underinsured motorist claims, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical records review, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims, loss of companionship claims
Background: Attorney Joshua D. Silverman, Richmond native, licensed to practice in Virginia since 1998. AV-rated by Martindale-Hubbell (highest possible rating). Named Virginia Super Lawyer for personal injury every year from 2015 to 2022 (and since 2013). Board of Governors member for Virginia Trial Lawyers Association. Multiple six-figure verdicts and settlements, some reaching over $1 million. Top Rated Lawyer in Healthcare Law (2015) based on Martindale-Hubbell AV Peer Review Rating.
Location: 3415 Floyd Ave, Richmond, VA 23221
Contact: (804) 325-4992 | https://www.joshsilvermanlaw.com/
Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee basis (no fee unless you win)
5. Merrick Brock, PLLC
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, rideshare accidents, drunk driving accidents, bicycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, dog bites, premises liability, slip and fall accidents, trip and fall accidents, wrongful death, business disputes, personal injury litigation
Case Types Handled: Left-turn motorcycle accidents, lane change accidents, rear-end collisions with motorcycles, head-on motorcycle collisions, multi-vehicle motorcycle accidents, drunk driver vs. motorcycle accidents, distracted driver vs. motorcycle accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, uninsured/underinsured motorist claims, catastrophic injury cases, fatal motorcycle accidents
Legal Services: Negligence investigation, accident reconstruction, witness interviews, police report analysis, insurance claim negotiation, uninsured/underinsured motorist claims, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical records review, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims, government claims for dangerous road conditions
Background: Founded by John Merrick and Les Brock, each with over 25 years of legal experience. Unique background: both founding attorneys previously defended insurance companies and major corporations, now using that knowledge to fight for injured plaintiffs. Proven record of courtroom success. Direct communication with attorneys handling cases. Limited caseload for personalized service. Also serves Arlington, Norfolk, Chesapeake, and Virginia Beach areas.
Location: 1801 Libbie Avenue, Suite 100, Richmond, VA 23226
Contact: (804) 676-6724 | (804) 500-9796 | https://merrickbrock.com/
Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee arrangement
Helmet Rules, Uninsured Motorist Coverage and State Road Claims for Richmond Motorcycle Crashes
A Richmond motorcycle crash claim can raise Virginia’s helmet and eye protection statute and how a violation is treated in court, what the rider’s own uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage pays, and how to give notice when a Department of Transportation road or vehicle is involved.
Helmets and Eye Protection
Under Virginia Code 46.2-910(A), operators and passengers must wear protective helmets meeting Snell Memorial Foundation, ANSI or federal Department of Transportation standards, and operators must wear a face shield, safety glasses or goggles or have safety glass or a windshield. Failure to wear a face shield, safety glasses, goggles or a protective helmet is not negligence per se in any civil proceeding.
Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage
Under Virginia Code 38.2-2206(A), a motor vehicle liability policy must include uninsured motorist coverage at least equal to the 46.2-472 minimums, and equal to the policy’s liability limits unless any one named insured rejects the additional coverage. Underinsured motorist coverage at the same limits must be paid without credit for the at-fault driver’s liability coverage, unless the named insured elects a reduction.
A Department of Transportation Road or Vehicle
Under Virginia Code 8.01-195.6(A), a written statement of a claim against the Commonwealth, with the time, place and agency, must be filed within one year after accrual, and when the agency is the Department of Transportation, the notice is filed with the Commissioner of Highways. Under 8.01-195.3, recovery is limited to $100,000 for claims accruing on or after July 1, 1993, or the limits of any applicable liability policy, whichever is greater, without punitive damages or prejudgment interest.
Injured Minors
Under Virginia Code 8.01-229(A)(1), except as otherwise specifically provided in listed sections, including 8.01-243, a person who is an unemancipated infant or incapacitated when the cause of action accrues may bring it within the prescribed period after the disability is removed.
Richmond Motorcycle Accident Questions
What if I was partly at fault for the motorcycle crash?
Your own negligence can bar recovery in Virginia. In O’Neill v. Windshire-Copeland Associates (2004), the Supreme Court of Virginia answered in the affirmative a certified question asking whether a plaintiff’s contributory negligence is available to the defendant as a complete defense, even where the defendant’s code violation was negligence per se. A missing helmet is treated differently: 46.2-910(A) says it is not negligence per se in a civil proceeding. Ask counsel how the defense fits the facts.
How long do I have to sue the driver?
Two years after the cause of action accrues for personal injury under Virginia Code 8.01-243(A), five years for injury to property under 8.01-243(B), and two years after the death for wrongful death under 8.01-244(B). A City of Richmond vehicle brings a six-month step under Virginia Code 15.2-209: a written statement of the negligence claim, with the time and place of the injury, filed with the city attorney, chief executive or mayor within six months after accrual, unless one of them or the city’s insurer had actual knowledge of the claim within that time.
Is there a cap on punitive damages?
Yes. Under Virginia Code 8.01-38.1, total punitive damages against all defendants may not exceed $350,000, and the judge reduces a larger verdict to that amount.
What must a driver who hits a rider do?
Under Virginia Code 46.2-894, stop as close to the scene as possible, report name, address, driver’s license number and vehicle registration number to the police and to the injured person, and render reasonable assistance; a violation is a Class 5 felony when the accident causes injury or death.