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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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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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, 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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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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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
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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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.
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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.
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
Rob A.
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 had the pleasure of being represented by Martin Thomas Jr. I found him to be professional, thoughtful and more than competent. In a few months he was able to accomplish what another lawyer could not do in over two years. Mr. Thomas will always be my first choice when I need a lawyer.Thank- you for all your efforts on my behalf.
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 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 highly recommend the Decker Law Firm to anyone needing legal help or dealing with an accident. They are reliable, dedicated, and made a difficult time much easier for me. A special thank you to my lawyer Jeff P. and his paralegal for their hard work and support throughout the process.
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.
The BEST!I met Michelle Parker during 2007 when I hired her to handle my mothers estate and affairs. During such a difficult time for us, Michelle Parker has always shown me respect, compassion and kindness. She is very personable, approachable and has a good relationship with the court, clients and other attorneys. Michelle Parker is an outstanding attorney, knows every aspect and is there for you every step of the way.I highly recommend Michelle Parker.
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.
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.
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.
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