Washington, D.C. Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
Strong advocacy for motorcycle accident victims
Motorcycles require greater balance and control than cars, and many drivers fail to respect a motorcyclist’s right to be on the road. Without the protection of a steel frame, riders are especially vulnerable when a crash occurs. A motorcycle accident can cause life-altering injuries. After a serious motorcycle accident, having a law firm that can protect your future matters.
Nace Law Group Accident & Injury Lawyers has decades of experience helping motorcycle accident victims pursue the compensation they need to have a chance at a normal life. Our motor vehicle lawyers have the experience and resources to hold drivers accountable for the injuries and deaths they cause. We can seek compensation for all of your personal and financial damages. When you are hurt, we want to hear your story.
How can we help?
- How dangerous are motorcycle accidents?
- What types of motorcycle accidents do you handle?
- Why do motorcycle accidents happen in Washington, D.C.?
- What types of injuries do motorcycle accidents cause?
- Who is responsible for motorcycle accidents in Washington, D.C.?
- What laws govern motorcycle riding in Washington, D.C.?
- How much is my motorcycle accident claim worth?
- Do you have a Washington, D.C. motorcycle accident lawyer near me?
How dangerous are motorcycle accidents?
Motorcycles do not have hoods, roofs, trunks, or doors to protect riders. When a car strikes a motorcycle, there can be multiple impacts on a rider – one with the car and a second with the hard ground.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's most recent available data, motorcycle riders are about 28 times more likely per vehicle mile traveled to die in a crash than occupants of passenger vehicles.
What types of motorcycle accidents do you handle?
Our motorcycle accident lawyers handle all types of accidents that happen anywhere in Washington, D.C. Some of the crashes we handle include:
- Head-on crashes
- Broadsides, such as when the front of a car strikes the side of your motorcycle
- Rear-end collisions
- Turning accidents
- Intersection accidents
- Passing accidents
- Single-vehicle accidents
- Multiple-vehicle accidents
Why do motorcycle accidents happen in Washington, D.C.?
At Nace Law Group Accident & Injury Lawyers, we can work with investigators, the police, and other professionals (if necessary) to determine how motorcycle accidents happen and who is responsible. We also formally question everyone with knowledge of your accident.
Some of the common causes of motorcycle accidents include:
- The failure of car and truck drivers to respect motorcycles
- The failure of car and truck drivers to understand how to react when motorcycles are nearby
- Driver distraction (such as texting, using a mobile phone, eating, or drinking)
- Driver impairment due to alcohol or drugs
- Driver fatigue
- Speeding, failure to yield, and other traffic violations
- Motorcycle rider inexperience
- Rain, snow, ice, fog, glaring sun, or other weather causes
- Dangerous road conditions, including roadkill, potholes, and construction
- Many other causes
What types of injuries do motorcycle accidents cause?
At Nace Law Group Accident & Injury Lawyers, we can help riders who suffer any type of serious injury. Common motorcycle injuries include:
- Serious “road rash” and friction burns, which may require skin grafts or cause permanent scarring
- Fractures and broken bones
- Dislocated shoulders, elbows, or wrists
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries, including partial or total paralysis
- Tissue, muscle, tendon, and ligament damage
- Back, neck, and shoulder pain
- Crush injuries
- Lung, kidney, and other types of organ damage
- Internal bleeding or organ damage
- Permanent hearing loss or blindness
- Permanent nerve damage, sometimes known as “biker’s arm.”
- Death
Who is responsible for motorcycle accidents in Washington, D.C.?
We can file personal injury and wrongful death claims against everyone responsible. The responsible parties may include:
- A driver of a car, truck, or other large vehicle
- A motorcycle driver
- A driver’s employer
- The owner of the vehicle driven by the negligent driver (if the driver and owner are not the same)
- Manufacturers of defective vehicle parts
- Sellers of alcohol, in very limited circumstances recognized under D.C. law, such as when a licensee unlawfully provides alcohol to a person under 21 years of age, or commits another statutory violation, and that unlawful service is the proximate cause of injury
- The District Department of Transportation and other governmental agencies, subject to the notice requirements of C. Code § 12-309
What laws govern motorcycle riding in Washington, D.C.?
At Nace Law Group Accident & Injury Lawyers, we have an in-depth understanding of the laws and rules that govern motorcycle equipment and motorcycle riding in the District of Columbia. These requirements include the following:
- Operators and passengers must wear an approved motorcycle helmet
- Operators need a valid driver's license with a motorcycle M endorsement
- Operators must wear approved goggles or a face shield unless the motorcycle is equipped with a compliant windscreen.
- Motorcycle operators must obey the Washington, D.C., rules of the road
- Motorcycles must have the proper equipment, including specific equipment for passengers
- Lane splitting is illegal in D.C.
How much is my motorcycle accident claim worth?
Our motorcycle accident lawyers work with your doctors to verify your diagnosis, explain what medical care you will need (including care that may last for a lifetime), and explain all the ways your injuries are affecting your ability to function, work, and enjoy your life. We can work with employers and financial experts to document your lost income, and with motorcycle repair and valuation experts to determine the damage to your motorcycle. We can also work with you to show all the ways your injuries are making your life difficult.
Our attorneys pursue compensation for your current and future damages, including all your:
- Medical bills of every type by every medical provider
- Lost income and benefits, including long-term disability compensation
- Daily physical pain and emotional suffering
- Property damage
We can also pursue compensation for:
- The loss of bodily function
- Any scarring or disfigurement
- The inability to enjoy life’s pleasures
- Loss of consortium (the enjoyment and comfort of a spouse or a domestic partner)
If a loved one dies in a motorcycle accident, we can file a wrongful death claim on behalf of the family members. We can seek compensation for:
- The funeral and burial costs
- The loss of the financial support your family member would have provided
- The loss of love, guidance, companionship, and comfort that your loved one would have provided
We may also seek punitive damages if the defendant acted with actual malice or willful disregard for the safety and rights of others.
Do you have a Washington, D.C. motorcycle accident lawyer near me?
Yes. We meet accident victims at our Georgetown office located at 1025 Thomas Jefferson St NW #810, Washington, D.C. 20007. We also speak with new clients by phone and via online video platforms such as Zoom. If your health prevents you from traveling, we can make alternative arrangements to meet with you.
We can answer your questions, explain your rights, and fight for all the compensation you deserve.
Contact our motorcycle accident lawyers in Washington D.C. today
Nace Law Group Accident & Injury Lawyers has helped many accident victims like you pursue strong recoveries. To schedule a free consultation, please call us or fill out our contact form. We handle motorcycle accident cases on a contingency fee basis.