Should I Get a Lawyer for a Motorcycle Accident?

Many motorcycle accident victims who have been through the legal process before will advise you to hire a lawyer for a motorcycle accident case. Your physical and psychological condition can make the aftermath of a crash very difficult, and a lawyer offers many benefits you should take advantage of.

Attorneys, above all, offer experience securing compensation for motorcycle accident victims. An attorney will know every step related to your case, and they will complete those steps for you at no upfront financial cost. There are many upsides and very few, if any, drawbacks to finding the right motorcycle accident attorney to handle every step of your injury claim process.

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Your Need to Focus on Recovery

Motorcycle accidents are associated with severe physical injuries. You may also be suffering psychologically and emotionally following your collision. Your health should remain your primary focus because:

• If you do not remain focused on your recovery, your injuries can become worse
• Stress and physical activity can cause new symptoms
• You deserve to move forward with your life, and healing is an essential step in that process

Your case will require significant time and effort. If you allow a lawyer to invest their time and resources, you can better stick to your recovery process.

Your Financial Hardship

Many motorcycle accident victims find themselves in a position of financial uncertainty. A law firm will cover the cost of your claim or lawsuit to avoid any added financial stress.

A Law Firm’s Many Resources

In addition to handling the basic cost of your case, your attorney may invest several added resources into your case, including:

• Expert testimony
• Reconstructions of the collision
• Any tests or exhibits that help make your case for compensation

Law firms also have paralegals and investigators who will help move your case forward quickly.

A Lawyer’s Experience Handling Motorcycle Accident Cases

Experience is a priceless asset that a motorcycle accident lawyer affords you. An attorney’s experience with cases like yours may:

• Allow them to efficiently build a personalized case strategy
• Help prevent delays in the civil justice process
• Prepare them for any bad-faith tactics or other challenges that occur during your case

Knowing that your lawyer has successfully led other motorcycle accident cases may also instill peace of mind as you recover from your injuries.

The Potential High Value of Your Case

Because injured riders often suffer severe injuries, the value of your case may be significant. This means you owe it to yourself to present the strongest case possible.

You may decide that hiring a lawyer is the way to present the most compelling case for compensation. Many motorcycle accident victims have reached this same conclusion.

Victims of Fatal Motorcycle Accidents Should Also Hire a Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Thousands of victims tragically die in (or because of) motorcycle accidents each year. Motorcycle accident lawyers serve survivors who are reeling from the death of a loved one. If you have experienced a wrongful death, you may hire a motorcycle accident lawyer because:

• You are psychologically and emotionally unable to handle the day-to-day demands of your case
• You do not want to deal with evidence and testimony related to your loved one’s fatal accident
• Wrongful death cases often involve large settlements and judgments, so the cost of losing your case may be high
• You want the financial support, resources, and experience that a lawyer offers

Anyone affected by a fatal motorcycle accident deserves justice for their loss. For many, hiring a lawyer is the most direct way to pursue a fair financial recovery.

How a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Can Build Your Case for Compensation

Law firms understand how to build winning motorcycle accident cases. The steps involved in building such a case typically include:

Securing Evidence as Quickly as Possible

Your accident may have produced many types of evidence, some of which you may not even know. Your attorney will scour every possible source of evidence and may gather:

• Video footage of the collision
• Eyewitness testimony detailing the accident
• An expert’s reconstruction of the accident
• Photographs of damage to a motorcycle, motor vehicle, or other property

Each motorcycle accident produces different types of evidence. Your attorney will ensure the evidence involved in your case is as strong and detailed as possible.

Documenting Your Damages as You Recover

Insurance companies will inform you what they believe your claim is worth, which is usually much lower than your actual damages. Your motorcycle accident attorney documents all your economic and non-economic damages so you know how much compensation you deserve. As your injuries evolve, the value of your claim might also evolve, and your lawyer will keep tabs on this while your claim is still pending.

Engaging in Settlement Negotiations

As mentioned, insurers want you to accept less than you deserve for your claim. Your attorney will demand a higher amount, presenting evidence to support why you deserve more compensation. As a skilled negotiator, your motorcycle accident lawyer is in a strong position to fight for a fair settlement you are willing to accept.

Damages Your Lawyer Will Factor Into Your Claim or Lawsuit

Attorneys recognize that accident victims have both economic and non-economic damages. Your lawyer and their experts will identify and document all of your accident-related damages, which likely include:

Pain and Suffering

Those involved in traffic accidents may suffer several types of pain and suffering, including:

• Physical pain (which may become chronic pain)
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Lost quality of life
• Loss of limbs
• Loss of physical abilities
• Changes in mood, personality, and cognitive abilities

The trauma of your accident often stems directly from the severity of your injuries and possibly other factors. Your attorney might consult mental health professionals to understand and document your pain and suffering.

Professional Damages (Including Lost Income)

Traffic accidents may cause physical and psychological symptoms that prevent you from working. Work limitations and absences may cause:

• Lost income
• Diminished earning power
• Missed opportunities to earn bonuses
• Inability to earn promotions

The duration and severity of your professional damages will determine how much this category of damages is worth. If any of your injuries are disabling, your attorney will calculate the long-term cost of your professional damages.

Property Expenses

Property expenses in a motorcycle accident case may include:

• The cost of repairing your motorcycle
• The cost of replacing your motorcycle
• The cost of securing temporary transportation
• The cost of replacing any clothing, cell phone, or other property damaged during your accident

Your lawyer will consult automotive repair professionals to determine the cost of your property expenses.

Medical Expenses

Lower limb fractures are some of the most common injuries among motorcycle accident victims. Many victims suffer a complex array of severe injuries that lead to expensive medical bills.

Your attorney will consult your doctors to identify your injuries, understand your treatment plan, and value all medical expenses.

A Loved One’s Passing

If you have lost a loved one because of a motorcycle accident (and the negligence that caused the accident), your recoverable damages may include:

• Funeral expenses
• Burial or cremation expenses
• Loss of the decedent’s household services, income, and other types of financial support
• Medical costs
• Property costs
• Loss of consortium
• Pain and suffering

If you seek counseling or other treatment for pain and suffering, your attorney will include the cost of your mental health services in your case.

Who Pays for My Accident-Related Damages?

Your attorney will determine who is financially responsible for the cost of your collision. Liable parties in a motorcycle accident case may include:

• Insurance companies representing those who caused the accident
• A negligent motorist
• A municipality responsible for dangerous road conditions
• The manufacturer of a motorcycle or motor vehicle whose defects caused the collision
• Any other party whose negligence contributed to the accident

Legal teams quickly determine who to seek compensation from on their client’s behalf.

Your Motorcycle Accident Attorney May Start Your Case with an Insurance Claim

Filing an insurance claim is often the first action after a motorcycle accident. Your lawyer will evaluate every insurance policy that entitles you to compensation. They will then prepare their case and engage insurance representatives in settlement talks.

A Lawsuit May Be Necessary to Secure a Fair Financial Recovery

Some motorcycle accident victims ultimately sue the parties responsible for the collision. This may be necessary if:

• The liable motorist is uninsured or underinsured
• You have damages that fall outside the scope of insurance
• Liable insurance companies are not willing to offer a fair settlement
• Other circumstances warrant the filing of a lawsuit

Your attorney will negotiate with insurers in good faith. However, the insurance company must also negotiate in good faith to reach a settlement agreement. It is not a given that insurers will do so, so your attorney may prepare to file a lawsuit from the beginning of your case.

How Do I Select the Right Motorcycle Accident Attorney?

You should put careful thought into choosing your motorcycle accident lawyer. However, you should also conduct your search with urgency, as there are several reasons not to wait to hire your lawyer.

When you are reviewing attorneys you may hire for your case, consider the following:

• The law firm’s case results: Case results are always important criteria for those seeking a motorcycle accident lawyer. The amount and type of settlements and judgments a law firm has acquired help you understand whether the firm is fit to lead your case.
• The law firm’s fee structure: Most motorcycle accident lawyers use a contingency fee structure in which the firm covers all case-related costs. You should confirm that a law firm uses this fee structure, as it ensures you won’t pay any out-of-pocket expenses for the case.
• Reviews from the firm’s former clients: Former clients can reveal much about a law firm, including how it treats those it serves. You should look for a law firm with largely positive reviews.
• The firm’s level of experience with motorcycle accident cases: Some law firms handle more motorcycle accident cases than others. You can review a firm’s practice areas and case results to understand how important motorcycle accident cases are to a law firm.

You should also complete free consultations with any law firms you are considering for your case. You can speak with a firm’s representative and ask questions about the law firm and your case at no cost. This is yet another way of evaluating the attorneys who may lead your case.

Reasons to Hire Your Attorney as Soon as Possible

You should not drag your feet before hiring a motorcycle accident attorney. Time is often limited in cases like yours because:

• Evidence is not everlasting: Certain evidence related to your motorcycle accident may be available for only a short period. The sooner you hire your lawyer, the less you risk losing important evidence.
• Your case likely has a filing deadline: Most states require attorneys to file motorcycle accident cases by a specific deadline. Even if this deadline is multiple years from the accident date, you would not be the first to miss the filing deadline (and suffer the financial consequences of doing so).
• Your rights may be at risk until you hire a lawyer: You may be vulnerable to bad-faith tactics by insurance companies or other liable parties. Hiring a lawyer will protect you from such tactics, so you should never delay finding your law firm.

The first step is deciding that a lawyer can provide the valuable services and resources you want for your case. Next, search for a law firm that meets your criteria and hire that firm as soon as possible.

What Is the Cost of Hiring a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?

Motorcycle accident lawyers usually use contingency fees that eliminate the financial risk of hiring an attorney. When a firm uses this fee structure, you:

• Are not responsible for case-related costs
• Agree to allow your law firm to receive a portion of any settlement or judgment it obtains for you
• Trust the law firm to build the strongest possible case (knowing that the firm only receives payment if you do)

Motorcycle accident victims are often in dire financial straits after the collision. The contingency fee structure ensures you can hire a lawyer regardless of your financial circumstances.

Find Your Motorcycle Accident Attorney Today

Many motorcycle accident victims find their attorneys online. Others rely on recommendations from their peers who have used personal injury firms. However, you choose to find your personal injury attorney, the important thing is that you act quickly.