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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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.
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
K. Boone
Mr Pete Decker is very professional and honest, it was a pleasure working with him. He definitely keeps it real and sugar coats NOTHING! His assistant is very involved in making sure request and contact with Mr Decker is as prompt as possible, she play a major role and does it well. Thank you for everything Decker Law Firm.
Last December I was stuck in an unfortunate position and needed legal representation. I was referred to the G. Neskis and the Decker Group. After speaking with them, my case was handed over to Mr. Joel Weintraub. His legal expertise guided me very carefully and ensured a solid legal defense, which, in turn, resulted in a dismissal in my favor. I attribute this to the knowledge and skill from Mr. Weintraub. His understanding of the law and his approach was top-notch. From now on, if I ever need legal counsel, I will assuredly return to them. I recommend him and this law firm to anyone in need.
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.
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!
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 was rear ended last year and was referred to Decker Law Firm by a coworker. My attorney that ended up representing me was Martin Thomas Jr and from our first meeting I knew I was in good hands. I had tried a law firm I’d used previously first and they wouldn’t take the case but Martin was confident that I indeed had a case and wanted to take it on. He was very straightforward and told me what he thought the case was worth and I decided to go with his representation. We ended up having to take the case to trial and I was so nervous but Martin went out of his way to answer my questions and put me at ease. Any time I sent him an email with questions, which was often, he always responded within a couple of hours even on the weekends. When we went to trial he was calm and confident in the courtroom and I couldn’t have been happier with the outcome. The judgment was in the monetary range Martin told me he thought the case was worth which proved again just how competent he is when it comes to his job. If I ever need a lawyer again Martin will be the first person I call. You can’t go wrong with this 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.
I called the office to see if I could speak to somebody concerning a question I had helping a family member that was very important and urgent. Joe Rigney returned my call immediately. He was very pleasant and eager to help. Thank you so much.
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 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 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.
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.
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