Motorcyclists are involved in nineteen percent of the fatal and serious injury crashes on Norfolk’s streets — far more than their share of the traffic. Then the claim starts, and in Virginia a rider found even slightly at fault recovers nothing at all. Decker Law has represented injured riders in this city’s courts since 1961. Call 757-622-3317 for a free consultation — any hour, no obligation.
IN VIRGINIA, A RIDER STARTS THE CLAIM BEHIND
Motorcycle claims are not car claims with a different vehicle on the form. Adjusters arrive with an assumption — that the rider was going too fast, filtering, taking a risk — and in Virginia that assumption is unusually dangerous. Under our contributory negligence rule, a rider found even slightly at fault recovers nothing at all.
So the work is front-loaded and specific. Establish the sight lines at that intersection. Document the driver’s failure to yield. Get ahead of the rider-fault story before it hardens in a claim file. The most common case we see is the left turn — a driver crossing a rider’s path and reporting that they simply never saw the bike. “I never saw the bike” is not a defense. It’s an admission, and it’s provable.
Where these cases are filed, they’re filed in the Norfolk General District Court or the Circuit Court, and we’ve appeared before nearly every judge who has sat in either.
HOW WE WORK A RIDER’S CASE
We attack the assumption first
The rider-at-fault story is the insurer’s opening move. It’s our first target, not an afterthought.
Left turns are provable
“I never saw the bike” is an admission of failure to look. We prove what was visible from where that driver was sitting.
Week one decides it
Virginia’s all-or-nothing fault rule makes early evidence everything. Scene photographs and witness memory don’t improve with time.
WHERE NORFOLK RIDERS GET HIT
The City of Norfolk’s own crash data puts motorcyclists in nineteen percent of the fatal and serious injury crashes on city streets — up from eighteen percent a few years earlier, and far above riders’ share of the traffic. Virginia as a whole sees more than two thousand motorcycle crashes a year.
Norfolk’s geography plays into it. Ocean View Avenue and Tidewater Drive carry steady volume past constant turn movements and parked cars. Downtown, the Granby Street grid puts riders alongside pedestrians and opening doors in tight quarters. The tunnel approaches stack traffic in ways that leave a rider with nowhere to go.
Riders here also tend to be hurt worse. A car crash at the same speed produces a claim about a bumper; the same collision on a bike produces one about a shoulder, a femur, or a career. We build the file for what the injury will still cost in five years, not what the first offer covers this month.
George Neskis represents clients charged with criminal and traffic offenses — from DUI and reckless driving to felony matters — and also handles personal injury. A former Norfolk Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney, he practices across all seven Hampton Roads cities and has been named to Super Lawyers for criminal defense.
MEET OUR LAWYERS
Peter Decker, III
Peter Decker, III focuses his practice on criminal, traffic, and personal injury. He regularly practices in the General District, Juvenile and Domestic Relations, and Circuit Courts of Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Hampton, Suffolk and Newport News.
MEET OUR LAWYERS
Martin Thomas, Jr.
Martin Thomas, Jr. focuses on personal injury, criminal, and traffic law, along with contract law and civil litigation. He tries cases in the courts of Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Chesapeake, and serves on Norfolk City Council.
MEET OUR LAWYERS
Martin Thomas
Martin Thomas is the firm’s president and managing attorney, concentrating on personal injury, criminal, and traffic law. He handles multimillion-dollar injury cases throughout Virginia and has been named to Super Lawyers for personal injury.
MEET OUR LAWYERS
Joel Weintraub
Joel Weintraub has been practicing law for over 40 years and focuses his practice on civil litigation involving disputes between individuals and corporations. Joel’s recent cases involve corporate litigation, personal injury, business law, will and trust contests and interpretation, shareholder rights, and estate administration.
injury clients represented in Norfolk in the last two years
16,000+
injury clients represented since 1995
65+
years practicing in Norfolk’s courts
HEAR FROM THE PEOPLE DECKER LAW HAS HELPED
Jsmn Z.
George Neskis is on speed dial when it comes to anything related to law. He gave me the best possible outcome for a traffic ticket on one occasion. A year later he has helped me get a great settlement for a car accident I endured. He is the best in the business and I highly recommend him for any of your needs!
I chose the Decker Law Firm for my personal injury case due to my serious “Head-on- Collision” auto accident back in 2019.My attorney, Jeffrey Partington and his team were awesome from day one of my initial phone call. Mr. Partington and his team immediately jumped into action and stayed in contact with me, my doctors, insurance companies, bill collectors, etc., etc. throughout the four year duration of my case!Jeffrey Partington is truly a professional, very personable, caring and super intelligent young attorney!!! He will put in many long hours and devote 150% of his time and energy to your case, in an attempt to get you the best end result for you!!!Jeffrey Partington, his team and the entire Decker Law Firm get a “Five~Star” review from me!!!
I had a denied bond at Virginia Beach Correctional on a holiday week.Cole Roberts worked fast to get me a bond hearing and had a bondsman lined up for me I was out by lunch time the same day and looking forward to him representing me on my case. He’s prompt, caring and respected in the courtroom. THANK YOU Cole Roberts.
Attorney Jeff Partington with a few minutes on the phone was able to put all my worries to rest on a car accident from last year my “friend” cause. He gave me the exact defense, citation, and all the information I would need to protect myself in court for nothing more than a few minutes of my time. Super helpful and very knowledgeable and understanding!
Attorney Cole Roberts has been my go to for many situations. My family, friends anyone I refer to him have always come out on top. He will fight to make sure you get the right justice. Another thing I Love is he always available he answers his phone. Never leaves you wondering. If you’re looking for a good criminal or accident attorney He’s Your Guy!!!
Jeffrey Partington took on my case for an accident with an injury. Jeff was easy to work with and had in depth knowledge of civil law. From the very time I spoke with Jeff, I had zero doubt about his abilities. Through relentless pursuit of a fair settlement, Jeff guided me through the entire process, and he was extremely patient as well as customer service oriented. My intuitive nature told me Jeff was a winner, and he proved me to be right. I would recommend Jeff to anyone. Jeff demonstrated his skillset and expertise in the field of law. Thanks Jeff to you, and the rest of the staff at the Decker law firm for everything you did on my behalf.
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