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, whereas the same collision on a bike produces a claim 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.
A Norfolk native and former Public Defender, Cole Roberts represents clients in criminal defense and traffic matters, from reckless driving and DUI to serious felonies. He has tried numerous jury cases across the seven Hampton Roads cities.
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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.
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Michelle Parker
Michelle Parker concentrates on personal injury, elder law, wills, trusts and estates, litigation, corporate law, and criminal defense. She handles civil, probate, and traffic cases throughout the seven cities of Greater Hampton Roads.
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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 formerly served on the Norfolk City Council.
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Jeffrey Partington
A Virginia Beach native, Jeffrey Partington serves clients in personal injury, workers’ compensation, and business law, and has worked both sides of the aisle. He practices in the courts of Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Newport News, Portsmouth, Hampton, and Suffolk.
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H. 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.
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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.
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Joseph Rigney
A Portsmouth native and former prosecutor, Joseph Rigney focuses on personal injury and criminal defense, including traffic law. He tries both civil and criminal cases in the courts of Norfolk, Portsmouth, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Suffolk, Hampton, and Newport News.
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George Neskis
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.
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
Sam S.
Decker Law Firms reputation is premier in the Hampton Roads region for good reason: They get the job done. I called Decker Law firm completely distraught after a fraudulent DV situation. Attorney Cole Roberts heard my side of the story and told me he can help. We were not satisfied with the deal offered and decided to take it to trial. His cross examination sealed the deal and two fraudulent charges were ultimately dismissed. I highly recommend Attorney Cole Roberts and Decker Law Firm.
Cole Roberts gave me the best results I could ask for in my DUI case. He is an attorney that gets the job done! He did exactly what I would think every great lawyer should do and that’s do their best defend me to his fullest potential. I felt at ease because he provided me with high hopes and stayed on top of keeping me informed about the case the whole time. At the end of the day we got the win!
Attorney Peter G. Decker III is a great person of the year for Norfolk. Pete grew up with and has a lot of old school experience. He knows how to make you feel like he really cares about you. He has modernized the Decker law firm. It is a smooth running, efficient operation which contributes to his success.If you need an attorney and you like to win I recommend the Decker law firm in Norfolk Virginia. Mr. Peter G. Decker III is a winner.
My experience with this firm, I can’t put into all the words to describe how much they care. Lawyers get a bad reputation, but Mr. Thomas Jr, stands out. Not all apples are bad, and he does what he can and then some. I will definitely refer anyone to them. Please keep up the outstanding work and standing out from the rest.
I was very pleased with this law firm! Martin Thomas Jr. And Martin Thomas represented me when I was injured in a car accident. Everyone was extremely professional and helpful. Martin Thomas Jr. really took the time to fully understand the impact of my injuries and expressed them perfectly to a jury. After all I had been through they got me what I deserved to be compensated. I felt like they were completely on my side throughout the process and when we went to court I felt prepared. I highly recommend them and will use them again in the future should I ever need to.
I cannot recommend The Decker Law Firm highly enough!Recently, I had the pleasure of working with one of their newest attorneys, Joe Rigney, and I was beyond impressed. Joe stepped into my difficult situation with both confidence and compassion. He took the time to understand every aspect of my circumstances, asked thoughtful questions, and carefully walked me through my options. It was clear he was determined to find the best path forward for me, and his dedication and attention to detail made all the difference.
Decker law firm and Joe Rigney are outstanding. I called with a legal issue that I needed help with. Joe spent 15 minutes on the phone telling me how to proceed and protect myself. At the end of the- he charged me zero dollars for his valuable time.Thank you Joe!
I sustained a back injury due to an auto accident. A neighbor referred me to The Decker Law Firm, where I had the pleasure of working with Attorney Martin Thomas Jr. and his associates. Thomas Jr. and his associates were very professional, courteous and responsive to all of my questions, thoroughly explaining the process and providing regular updates on my case. The settlement was extremely close to the maximum allowed. I would certainly use The Decker Law Firm for any future legal services needed and highly recommend Decker Law to family, friends, co-workers, etc.
This law firm is excellent. I had a concealed weapon charge and had attorney Peter Decker III represent me. He is a professional and is well known by the court system. He seemed to be familiar with all the judges and officers which was a plus for me. I had documentation to support my claim but he didn’t even need that. On the trial date, It wasn’t long before they ruled my case nolle prossed(dismissed). I was worried all the way to the court date and he made his work look easy after I hired him only a week before my court date! I would definitely recommend hiring Peter Decker for any legal matter.
I cannot express enough my gratitude to the Decker Law Firm, specifically Mr. George Neskis for his assistance in my case. I have been represented once before prior to this most recent time by George, and both times he worked diligently to ensure not only the best outcome for my situation but also a dismissal of the charges. I knew I was in good hands when every time I brought up his name, he received nothing but praise from his peers. He is competent, a professional, treats you with respect, and has my full trust in any matter. Thank you again George.
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!!!
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