At the Dickerson & Smith Law Group, we are passionate defenders of the rights of motorcyclists to enjoy riding their bikes on safe roads that are free of distracted, drunk, negligent and unlawful drivers. However, we are also realistic about the fact that — as long as humans are driving cars — they will do immoral things behind the wheel.
‘Immoral” is not a legal term of course, but it’s the most accurate descriptor available when referring to any driver who knowingly places other drivers, passengers, pedestrians and bicyclists at risk. These immoral drivers include people who regularly get behind the wheel after drinking too much at a party. They include the scores of people you see behind the wheel with their noses buried in their cellphones. They also include speeders, distracted drivers and those who disregard the rules of the road.
If you’re a lawful, attentive and careful driver behind the wheel of a normal automobile, an immoral driver could cause you to get into an injurious or fatal crash. However, your car’s safety features and its heavy steel frame could protect you from getting hurt. If you’re a motorcyclist, the story is quite different.
Motorcyclists are some of the most vulnerable people on Virginia’s roads. They’re traveling at high speeds, and aside from their helmets — and maybe a leather jacket — they have zero protection in the event of a serious crash. In fact, when a motorcyclist gets into any kind of collision, he or she is to survive the incident.
There are two ways to make our roads safer for motorcyclists. One is to make the laws stiffer and to enforce them stringently. The other is to hold immoral drivers who cause injuries to motorcyclists accountable for their actions in civil court. At The Dickerson & Smith Law Group, we know that every motorcycle accident claim we pursue — and every successful financial recovery on behalf of an injured motorcyclist — helps brings more attention to the important issue of motorcyclist safety in Virginia.