Yes. All motorcycles that were manufactured after January 1, 1973, must have operating turn signals.
The legal team at the Manchin Injury Law Group is supportive of the bikers in West Virginia, both residents and visitors. We support their right to ride the roads, and we are here when those rights are compromised and when legal representation is needed when an injury or a loss is suffered.
The purpose of this blog is to advise all West Virginia bikers of the state’s requirements for motorcycle inspections and the mandatory protective gear and equipment for the rider and the bike.
There are ten aspects to West Virginia’s mandatory annual motorcycle inspection. The following lists the systems and the equipment that are subject of an annual inspection.
In addition to the annual inspection, West Virginia law requires certain protective gear and equipment for all riders. The gear and the equipment are:
It is unlawful to lane split, ride sidesaddle and all passengers in a sidecar must have individual seats, seatbelts and footrests. If the bike is equipped with lights along the running board, then there cannot be a glare emanating from these lights.
We thought is responsible to list and explain the aspects of the annual inspection and to advise of the requirements for the protective gear. It is also important to know what is prohibited.
To this end, West Virginia law mandates that all claims for personal injury and wrongful death be evaluated on the basis of comparative negligence. This standard allows for what is called modified comparative fault. In plain terms, this means that, if an operator of a motorcycle is involved in an accident and is found to be more than 50% at fault, then recovery for any injury or damage cannot be claimed.
Even if the biker was operating the motorcycle correctly but violated a law in any way, then the claim and the collection of any damages could be compromised to the point of no recovery.
The legal team at the Manchin Injury Law Group want to make sure the bikers of West Virginia are aware of their rights and the expectations within those rights.
Attorney Timothy Manchin established the Manchin Injury Law Group in 2011 after his law partner of more than 25 years became a West Virginia circuit court judge. His focus is on helping individual clients and entire families victimized by negligent acts.
We offer a free initial consultation at our office in the Manchin Professional Building — our home since 1983 — conveniently located in Fairmont.
If you are unable to visit our firm, we can come to your home or hospital room.
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