Motorcycles are fantastic modes of transportation, whether you’re looking for a thrill-seeking adventure or a relaxing way to see the sights.
But they also pose a greater danger of collisions and injuries than a regular passenger vehicle, Because they don’t provide the same level of safety as other vehicle accidents.
Motorcycle accidents can kill/cause a lot of damage more to people than any other type of accident.
Motorcycle accidents can result in Injuries like:
- Amputation
- Fractures and Broken bones
- Paralysis
- Skin abrasion
- Soft tissue injuries
- Spinal cord injury
- Traumatic brain injury
There are approximately 9 million motorcycles in the United States and more than 5,000 motorcyclists died in traffic accidents in 2019 according to The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report. Not included in these numbers are the thousands of riders who are seriously hurt in accidents every year.
Do I Truly Need a Lawyer After a Motorcycle Accident?
If you’re in a motorcycle accident, and you have health insurance of any kind. Almost certainly, your insurance policy will cover a small accident that you caused.
t’s better to save your money because there’s no reason to pay a lawyer for this. Just let your insurer settle it out with the other party.
If you are convinced that the accident is not your fault, or in a case where it is complicated and difficult to identify who cause the accident, Please hire an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer, As soon as the doctor has finished looking at your wounds.
The guilty party isn’t just going to admit fault. They will almost certainly take you to court. That’s not the only problem you have to deal with. Their insurance company will keep calling and try to get you to say something they can use against you in court. We recommend that you should let your hired accident lawyer do the talking.
A motorcycle accident lawyer who knows about different types of motorcycles, laws, and motorcycle culture is a better friend than a car accident lawyer who might look down on a motorcycle rider.
Having the appropriate lawyer on your side is essential when filing a claim for damages after a motorbike accident.
You can also hire a highly experienced car accident lawyer, in case you can not get a lawyer who is specialized in a motorcycle accident lawsuit.
How to Hire a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
A lawyer can assist you from the start of the recovery process. They can assist you in determining liability, gathering evidence of losses, accurately assessing losses, and negotiating with insurers.
If their negotiations do not result in a fair settlement, they have the option of escalating the case by filing a personal injury lawsuit or a wrongful death lawsuit if you have lost a loved one.
1. Understand how an accident lawyer can help.
Hiring a lawyer can be challenging, especially if you need advice on complicated matters such as dealing with a car or motorcycle accident. Knowing what to expect before hiring a lawyer can make the process go more smoothly.
The majority of motorcycle accident cases are settled outside of court. However, this does not imply that you should represent yourself during the settlement negotiation process.
To win your case, you must document your past and future financial losses as a result of the accident, prove the other driver’s fault, and provide adequate proof of what happened.
2. Ask for suggestions to pick the best motorcycle accident lawyer near you.
If you search for motorcycle accident lawyers in any major city using Google and Top rank Lawyers reviews, you’ll be flooded with so many law firms to choose from. But how do you begin to decide?
The best way to find a motorcycle accident lawyer is through a personal recommendation. Before you turn to the Internet, Read through the reviews and pick the one with the best rating closest to you. Also ask your friends and family for suggestions.
You can also ask your lawyer for advice on a motorcycle accident lawyer if you have worked with them before.
3. Find out how much the lawyer will charge.
Some lawyers charge by the hour, while others take a certain percentage of your settlement. A lawyer works on a contingent basis if he or she gets a cut of the money you get from a settlement. This means that they won’t get paid unless you win a settlement.
You can save money with an hourly rate if you have the money upfront and a good chance of getting a large settlement. You shouldn’t hire a lawyer who only takes a certain amount of the settlement if you win or if your case isn’t very strong.
4. Set up your first meetings.
Before you set up a meeting with a motorcycle accident lawyer, you should read reviews online or ask the lawyer directly if he or she will charge for the first meeting. Some lawyers will do that, but some won’t.
You should be ready with information and questions for the motorcycle accident lawyer before you go to the consultation (also known as a personal injury attorney).
You should not only write down the information but also have a pen and paper with you. Due to the stress of consulting, you might forget important facts.
Here is some information that you should keep handy for your consultation:
- Who was to blame for the accident?
- What were the damages?
Here are some questions that you should be ready to ask:
- Is motorcycle law your primary practice area?
- How much is my case worth?
- How long will the process take?
- Who is available to answer my questions?
- Who will communicate with the insurance company?
- What have your experiences been with accidents similar to mine?
- What kind of results do you expect to get from my case?
- What can be done about my outstanding medical bills?
Whether you hire a lawyer or someone else, any information you share in a meeting is kept secret. Be as honest as you can if you want an honest review of your case. If you leave out important facts, it can make a big difference in how your case turns out.
5. Make your last choice and have realistic expectations for settlement.
After talking to several lawyers about your case and getting their opinions, you can now choose the motorcycle accident lawyer you think will do the best job. How do you decide?
Any lawyer who makes you feel rushed or pressured during your first meeting should be thrown out. Compare how available each lawyer on your list is and how much they charge.
Make sure you take success rates into account. If the chances of success are higher, the fee may be worth it. But if your case is easy to win, you may be able to choose a lawyer who charges less.
Once you’ve made your choice, get in touch with the lawyer you chose to start your case. There’s a time limit on your case. This means that you don’t have much time to get started. It’s important to talk to a lawyer as soon as possible after an accident.
Even though it may seem hard to find a good motorcycle accident lawyer, you can find one who will help you get fair compensation for your accident if you do good research.
Note: A motorcycle accident lawyer can’t change the things that happened before your accident. These things can affect how much your claim is worth.
For example, if you were very active before your accident and have stopped or cut back on your physical activity because of it, your settlement will be worth more than if you were a lazy slob before your accident.
It’s also important to know that if your case goes to trial, you may be subject to bias. There is evidence that juries tend to rule against people who ride motorcycles. Even though this seems unfair, it is still the case.
This is one reason why it’s always best to settle a motorcycle accident case before it goes to court. And why it’s important to have a qualified lawyer help you negotiate that settlement.