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.
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.
MEET OUR LAWYERS
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.
MEET OUR LAWYERS
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.
MEET OUR LAWYERS
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.
MEET OUR LAWYERS
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.
MEET OUR LAWYERS
Cole Roberts
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.
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
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 formerly served on the Norfolk City Council.
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
Clara F.
I cannot say enough good things about Peter Decker III at The Decker Law Firm. During a very difficult time for my family, Mr. Decker provided exceptional legal support for my elderly Dad. From the very beginning, he was compassionate, patient, and truly took the time to understand our situation.What stood out most was his dedication and genuine care-not just as an attorney, but as a person. He went above and beyond to ensure my dad received the best possible outcome, and we are incredibly grateful for his hard work and professionalism.If you are looking for a knowledgeable, trustworthy, and compassionate attorney, I highly recommend Mr. Decker with The Decker Law Firm.
I cannot recommend Martin Thomas and The Decker Law Firm highly enough. When another major firm dropped the ball on our personal injury case, Mr. Thomas stepped in at the absolute 11th hour and completely turned things around. He salvaged the case with exceptional skill and professionalism, ultimately securing a settlement that far exceeded our expectations.The entire Decker Law team in Norfolk was responsive, compassionate, and results-oriented. If you need a lawyer who truly delivers under pressure, look no further. We are so grateful and would happily work with them again.
A very tough situation for me. Was in a terrible accident on Christmas in 2022. Broke my hip, damaged my nerves and needed a difficult surgery to repair everything. I immediately contacted Decker and Decker as my wife used them years back. Ms Parker and Ms Rebecca have worked around the clock trying to get me a fair settlement. We faced many challenges. Lack of communication from the hospitals. Random invoices and payments. Insurance companies being greedy. And the medical professional trying to take me to court for payments while I’m disabled and out of work. In the end, while I wasn’t awarded with an amount to cover all of my losses for the year, I was able to get an amount that can allow me to continue providing for my family while I’m recovering from this injury. Outstanding, highly recommended.
I highly recommend Mr. Cole Roberts for anyone needing expert legal representation. I was facing a speeding charge of 20 mph over, and he successfully got it reduced to a non-moving violation for faulty equipment.Although his firm is based in Norfolk, he personally came up to Yorktown to handle my case, which I truly appreciated. As someone on active duty, it was a huge relief that the firm understood the unpredictability of my work. They were fully prepared to handle everything and work around my schedule if I had been sent out of town for my court date.Their communication was top-notch. They always picked up the phone or responded quickly, which gave me a lot of peace of mind throughout the process. If you need a firm that is efficient, proactive, and delivers results, this is the one to call.
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.
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.
I had the pleasure of being represented by Cole Roberts and he soared above expectations! Facing multiple charges, some being felonies, I was uncertain of my future but Mr. Robert’s assured me thru the whole process that he wasn’t going to let these charges stick and he kept his word. I walked away from court with all charges dismissed! If you need a trustworthy attorney who will fight to the end for you, Cole Roberts and the decker law firm is where it’s at.
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.
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!!!
Absolutely the best attorney I’ve ever worked with! George Neskis was professional, responsive, and genuinely cared about my son’s case. George’s guidance and persistence delivered results beyond what I expected. It’s a rarity to find someone so skilled yet so approachable. I’m forever grateful and will always recommend George Neskis to anyone who needs a dedicated advocate.
Decker Law Firm represented me in Norfolk Traffic Court and the case was dismissed! Pete Decker III professionalism and courteous court appearance was refreshing, competent and very straight forward in all communications. I highly recommend this law firm for any representation needed in a court of law.
Decker Law Secures Big Verdict Against Insurance Carrier Make that another major victory for Decker Law against a powerful insurance company. Attorney…
Attorney Michelle Parker Named as a ‘Leader in Law’ by Virginia Lawyers Media Decker Law is pleased to announce that attorney Michelle Parker received…
