Motorcycles only make up 3% of all registered vehicles in the US. Yet, almost 15% of all traffic fatalities were motorcyclists. Even if the accident isn’t fatal, it can still prove costly to the victims involved. The costs associated with medical care often grow to immense sums, and can become burdensome to victims and their family
If you or a loved one has been in a motorcycle accident, seeking the assistance of a motorcycle accident lawyer can be to your advantage. Here are some reasons why:
5 Reasons To Hire Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
1. To Provide You With Support And Guidance Through The Legal Process
Essentially, the law can be complex to process. On top of that, insurance policies can also be complicated and confusing. Unless you have sufficient legal background to decipher the details of your insurance policies, navigating the system alone can be daunting.This is where hiring a motorcycle accident lawyer can be beneficial. An expert lawyer is generally familiar with the laws and regulations in the specific state of their practice. And as such, they can best guide and support you through the complex legal process.
They are also trained to check through your policy to ensure your insurance provider is upholding the requirements of your policy. They can help you find legal options to hold your insurance provider accountable. Experienced personal injury lawyers Jacksonville should be able to handle all the confusing legal matters, that way, you don’t have to stress yourself, allowing you to focus more on your recovery. Even the experienced Sacramento Motorcycle Accident Lawyer could support you solving any troubles you my find.
2. To Prove Liability
One of the most challenging parts of a motorcycle accident injury claim is to prove that another person’s negligence had caused your injuries. This is critical for every motorcycle accident claim. And with that said, note that both parties will most likely try to deny or shift the blame, which can make it more difficult to prove who’s liable for your injuries.An experienced personal injury attorney can help you build and prove your case. They can help you gather necessary documents, get witnesses to testify for you, sift through the evidence and create a strong argument on your behalf to win the case.
3. To Fight Unfair Biases And Negotiate A Fair Settlement
Insurance adjusters are experienced in negotiating insurance settlements. They are trained to negotiate for the best interests of their company. In addition, some insurance providers may have unfair biases toward anyone who files claims, including motorcyclists, as they’re often considered reckless drivers that drive too fast and are often too hard to see on the road.
These types of judgments or opinions can make it more difficult to get the compensation you deserve. And for that reason, getting a motorcycle accident attorney to fight for your rights can go a long way. They can ensure you’re not treated unfairly and negotiate a good deal for your best interest.
4. To Calculate The Monetary Amount Of Your Damages
Most people may think getting the compensation that covers their medical expenses is enough. However, the losses you’ve sustained after a motorcycle accident can be difficult to ascertain. After all, it may take time to reveal the true extent of your injuries and the total damage you’ve suffered.Plus, other damages should be included in your compensation, such as loss of income due to injuries, property damage, reduced quality of life, wrongful death of a loved one, and the pain and suffering you’ve experienced.
With that in mind, an experienced attorney knows the intricacies of injuries and damages associated with a motorcycle collision and how to properly calculate the maximum potential losses you’ve experienced. This calculation can provide you with a realistic picture of the physical, emotional, and financial impacts that your injuries have caused on your daily life.
5. To File A Lawsuit
As mentioned before, your lawyer shall help guide you through the legalities of your case. If you’re unable to get the fair compensation that you deserve, a lawyer can help you initiate a lawsuit as necessary.An experienced attorney can represent you throughout the lawsuit process, fighting for your rights, and ensure that you win and receive the maximum compensation for your losses.
Tips for finding a motorcycle accident lawyer
Since most personal injury attorneys charge on a contingency fee basis — meaning they receive a percentage of the total settlement, verdict or jury award, rather than an hourly fee you don't need to worry too much about lawyer’s fees when deciding what firm to hire.Unlike for criminal or divorce cases, (where lawyers are often banned from charging on a contingency basis), for motorcycle accident cases, the quality of the lawyer you hire is not determined by the amount of money you can pay upfront.
Therefore, getting an experienced motorcycle accident attorney can help you maximize your chances of winning and the size of the final settlement. Here are some tips you can use when seeking a lawyer for motorcycle accident compensation.
Look into their firm's performance history
See if the attorney’s law firm publishes its performance rates on its website. A firm with a high success rate in cases similar to yours can mean a higher chance of success for you as well, as your motorcycle crash lawyer will already be experienced in the relevant case law.
When checking case win rates, make sure you know what your lawyer’s win rate is. Look for both their in-court battles and out-of-court settlement success. If your lawyer has a high effectiveness rate when settling cases but often loses in court, this may become a problem if your case has to go before a judge.
Some law firms may publicly advertise their settlement rates but avoid talking about their win rates in court, so pay attention to both of these things.
Get recommendations from friends and family
If any of your family or friends have been in a high-speed motorcycle crash or know someone who has, see whether they can recommend any motorcycle accident lawyers. Ask questions about their accident and case, including how their legal representation handled everything, from gathering evidence to litigation and billing.If you receive a recommendation from a friend or family member, you can set up an appointment with the law firm in question to see if they’d be a good fit for your case.
When considering a recommended attorney, ask them the same questions you would have if you'd found them on your own. Just because they won a case for a family member or friend does not guarantee they will win yours.
It's a good sign if your prospective attorney's past clients publicly discuss their positive experiences.
Positive client testimonials should not be the sole reason you hire an attorney. However, when all else is equal, many positive client testimonials may indicate that others believe the attorney went above and beyond to assist them in winning their case.
Considering client testimonials, particularly on third-party sites rather than on the lawyer’s own website, can help you hire a motorcycle accident lawyer who will fight tooth and nail for getting you a fair deal.
Why hire a motorcycle accident lawyer
Even if you already have a lawyer you've hired for other types of cases, it's best to hire a specialist in the case of a motorcycle accident. A motorcycle accident law firm has the resources and knowledge necessary to ensure you get the maximum compensation you're legally entitled to. Here’s why you should hire a motorcycle accident injury attorney.They specialize in motorcycle accident claims
A mountain bike repair technician at your local bike shop may have the tools necessary to fix a flat tire in a pinch. However, you wouldn’t take your motorcycle to them if something was wrong with the engine. Of course, you’d go to a specialized motorcycle mechanic.It’s the same thing with lawyers. A personal injury law firm has attorneys specialized in personal injury claims who know the process inside out. When you hire a good motorcycle accident lawyer, you can be confident that they'll do the whole process correctly, from filing claims and gathering evidence, such as police reports and property damage estimates, to litigation and settlement negotiations.
Sometimes, a motorcycle accident lawsuit may drag on for months. This means that your lawyer will need to put many hours of unpaid work into the case and will only get compensated once the case is won. A specialized motorcycle accident law firm is prepared for this and has the resources necessary to continue the fight even if the insurance company does its best to stall.
They'll fight for fair compensation
Because your motorcycle accident injury attorney is most likely getting paid a percentage of your settlement, they'll be motivated to fight for the maximum possible settlement amount. Additionally, because they are specialized in your type of case, they'll know the ins and outs of what to negotiate for and how much you should get.Insurance companies may try to lowball claimants who are unaware of the amount they deserve. A good motorcycle accident lawyer will negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf and, if your claim is declined, will be able to tell you whether a case is likely to succeed in court. This way, you can make the best possible decision for your situation.
They'll help get your medical expenses covered
If you sustained injuries after a collision with a motorist, you may have incurred significant medical bills for severe injuries, from broken bones to road rash to traumatic brain injuries. Even if you have health insurance, many providers now exclude motorcycle accidents from coverage, and you may not be able to get your health insurance company to cover the full amount of your medical treatment.An experienced motorcycle accident lawyer can help you cover these medical costs by filing claims with the liable party and taking the matter to court if necessary. In the tragic case of a fatal motorcycle crash, your attorney can also help the family by pursuing coverage for the funeral and other related expenses.