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.
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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.
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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
Frank C.
The Decker law firm is an outstanding firm that operates with personal care and sincerity. I suffered a personal injury and contacted them for a case review. I received a call back from Joseph Rigney. He took the time to listen and offer advice and recommendations on my case. He listened attentively while I explained my situation and vented my frustrations. He gave me the way forward and ensured I knew he was there for additional support. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND HIM FOR ALL YOUR LEGAL NEEDS!
Martin Thomas and Jose helped me with my accident two years ago. best attorney and paralegal duo. I thank them for helping me through that vulnerable time ! If I could give them 10 stars I would!
Look no further for your attorney!George Neskis represented us recently in a traffic incident. He and the staff at Decker were very responsive and easy to work with. My wife and I were extremely happy with not just the customer service – more importantly, he got us the outcome we hoped for from the case!
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.
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.
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!
I was so nervous, as I sat in the court room, waiting for my case to come up. In strolled Mr. George Neskis, and he approached the front of the room with great confidence. After some talk with the officer who ticketed me, I was called up to the bench, and the case was dismissed. Apparently, Mr. Neskis had found holes in the officer’s report, and the judge kindly agreed to let the case go. Thank God I had such a terrific lawyer, as I would have been intimidated by the whole scene. I was so relieved, and still am, with the results of the case. Thank you, George Neskis!
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!
My vehicle was damaged in the parking lot area where I reside and I had a discussion with Attorney Joe Rigney he was very accurate legally in explaining to me what my rights are he was direct and straight to the point and I understood clearly everything he said no nonsense. I would recommend Decker to anyone.
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.
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.
Martin Thomas Jr and his paralegal were incredible at getting me my settlement for top dollar. I didn’t have to do anything they made it super easy. Highly suggest for anyone’s attorney needs! I will be telling everyone.
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