best motorcycle accident lawyer viralvideo24.com : At the point when you ride a cruiser, you are totally uncovered. In the event that you have a mishap, you’re probably going to bring about additional serious wounds. As a matter of fact, motorcyclists are multiple times bound to bite the dust in a mishap than vehicle travelers. Assuming you are in a bike mishap, you want to ensure that you have the right group of clinical and lawful experts on your side.
Forbes Guide has painstakingly verified the best bike mishap attorneys the nation over to assist you with finding the legitimate assist you with requiring. We additionally give tips on the best way to choose the right lawyer for your case.
How to Choose the Best Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
You’ll find a lot of options in your town for all sorts of personal injury attorneys. Ads are everywhere, and you may get overwhelmed by the number of options. Here are some key considerations to keep in mind when looking for the best motorcycle accident attorney for your needs.
Get a Referral
Start within your network. If you ride, you likely know others who ride and have been in an accident. See who they used and whether or not they’d recommend them. This is an easy way to find someone that you trust, knowing that they helped a friend or family member in a similar situation.
Ask About Motorcycle Accident Experience
Personal injury attorneys come in a variety of flavors, so don’t assume that an auto accident attorney has the experience that you need as the victim in a motorcycle accident. Get someone who deals with motorcycle accidents every day. Specifically ask how many motorcycle cases they’ve handled in the past year. This way, you know that they understand the nuances and intricacies of motorcycle accidents. This knowledge helps you get the best possible settlement for your case.
Review Their Track Record
Find out how the lawyer has fared in their motorcycle cases. You want to know how many cases have led to settlements and how many have been lost. Obviously, you’re looking for someone who gets reasonable settlement amounts in most of their cases. When inquiring about their history, also inquire about their courtroom track record. Some attorneys may focus on out-of-court settlements but if your case doesn’t settle, you’ll need a good litigator to take your case to court.
Ensure They Work on Contingency Fees
Most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency basis, meaning they take their fee from the award you get. This means that there should be no fees out of pocket for you to retain the attorney and have them work on your behalf. The industry average fee ranges from 33% to 40%, or possibly more if the case goes to trial.
As long as it falls within this range, you are working with someone who is following industry standards. Your lawyer should explain the fee structure to you and give you a fee agreement to sign. Be aware that you may be responsible for out-of-pocket costs in addition to the contingency fee.
Ask About Their Communication Schedule
Motorcycle accident cases can take a long time to settle or go to court. Ask the attorney what their communication schedule is. You should expect to hear from your attorney about the progress of your case every few weeks. You should also be able to easily reach the attorney if you have questions. Make sure that they have an office setup that facilitates communication.
Why You Need a Motorcycle Accident Attorney
Without an attorney, the insurance company will likely offer to pay medical bills and fix your bike and that is it. However, there’s a lot more to a case than just the medical bills. Your motorcycle accident lawyer will make sure that lost wages and pain and suffering are included in the negotiations. Ultimately, getting a lawyer means that you have an advocate on your side fighting for the biggest award possible, and they have the legal expertise to navigate the claims process to do so.
Interview Several Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
Before you make a final decision, talk to at least three motorcycle accident lawyers to see who you have the best feeling about. Consultations should be free, so there is nothing to lose by talking to multiple lawyers. Get a feel for their personalities. The last thing that you want is to feel like you’re a number in their caseload, instead of someone important to them.
What Does a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Do?
A motorcycle accident lawyer is a personal injury lawyer that can help you file a lawsuit to recover losses following a motorcycle crash, such as:
- Current and future medical bills
- Rehabilitation and physical therapy
- Lost wages or lost earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Mental and emotional anguish
- Altered quality of life
In the worst cases, a motorcycle accident lawyer can help victims’ families pursue wrongful death claims against at-fault drivers.
Here is how a motorcycle accident lawyer can help with your claim:
Investigate the Motorcycle Accident
After any type of accident, a thorough investigation is needed to find the root cause of the crash and who can be held at fault for the accident. Using expert witnesses, accident reconstructionists, and private investigators, we will discover who was responsible so your motorcycle accident claim is well supported.
Negotiate With the Insurance Company
Once we determine how much your motorcycle accident case may be worth, we will begin the negotiation process with the insurance company. Sometimes, the negotiations can be settled within a few weeks or months; other times, it may take longer, especially if the case is complicated and you have suffered catastrophic injuries.
Motorcycle insurance requirements vary by state. In most states, the minimum coverage is $25,000 bodily injury per person, $50,000 per accident, and $10,000 in property damage. Needless to say, the minimum coverage for injuries is unlikely to cover the cost of your medical treatment if you suffered any common motorcycle accident injuries such as traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, broken bones, road rash, and even death.
Represent Your Claim in Court
Sometimes, a settlement agreement cannot be reached outside the courtroom. If this happens, then our experienced motorcycle accident attorneys are prepared to take your case to trial. Negotiations will continue until the trial has begun.
While many personal injury lawyers prefer to settle out of court, Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys is always ready to take your case to trial if that’s what it takes to get justice for you.
Why Should I Hire a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?
By their very nature, motorcycle accidents frequently result in serious injury, which will often result in a complex personal injury claim that is difficult to handle on your own. Such injuries often come with costly medical bills, loss of income or inability to work, and physical as well as psychological pain and suffering. While the insurance company may make a settlement offer, their offer is unlikely to cover all of your losses. People with legal representation typically receive far greater compensation than those who do not.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 5,579 motorcyclists in the United States were involved in a fatal traffic accident in 2020. Thanks to the size and weight of other vehicles on the road, motorcyclists face a greater risk of serious injury and death. In fact, they are 29 times more likely to die in a motor vehicle crash and four times more likely to be injured than a car driver or passenger.
Typically, the insurance company settlement offer will only include expenses that an injury victim has currently, and may not account for future expenses or pain and suffering.
How Much is a Motorcycle Accident Case Worth?
Every case is different, and compensation will depend upon a number of factors, so you should be skeptical of any lawyer who promises a specific settlement amount too early in the process. An experienced motorcycle lawyer at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys will know how to thoroughly investigate your claim and make a demand based on the maximum amount you are owed. From that point forward, your motorcycle accident lawyer will keep you apprised of the negotiation process and will not accept an offer of settlement without your consent.
That being said, the amount of money you receive for your case will depend upon the extent of your injuries, the cost of your hospital stays, surgeries, and any future or ongoing medical treatment. It will depend also on how much time you are forced to miss from work, and/or how the accident affects your ability to work in the future.
Your compensation will also reflect the amount of pain and suffering you endured and will continue to endure as a result of the crash. The amount of compensation you receive will also be affected by the available insurance coverage.
How Do I Know I Have a Case?
To determine if you have a motorcycle accident case, your first step is to contact a personal injury lawyer at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys. We will listen to your story, examine the information, then explain what legal options are available to you. The consultation is free of charge. Even if you are unsure whether you have a case, there is no harm in meeting with a lawyer to find out.
In fact, a consultation with a motorcycle accident attorney can arm you with the information you need to protect your rights and make educated decisions about your injury claim.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who Can Be Held Responsible for My Motorcycle Accident?
Although the at-fault party is usually either the driver or the motorcyclist, there are times when a third party is responsible for the accident. To prove a case for negligence, your motorcycle accident lawyer will need to show the following:
- Duty – The at-fault party had an obligation to prevent harm to the injured motorcyclist.
- Breach – The at-fault party breached the duty of care and caused harm.
- Causation – The breach of duty resulted in injuries.
- Damages – Damages refer to any expenses you have following the motorcycle accident. This included medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and lost wages. Damages also include non-economic losses such as pain and suffering and loss of companionship of a loved one.
What Are the Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents?
There are several causes of motorcycle accidents, but the most common causes of motorcycle accidents are a result of human error. Negligence on behalf of the other drivers on the road can result in a catastrophic injury for the motorcyclist.
Some common causes include
Distracted Driving: Distracted driving includes any activity that pulls the driver’s attention away from the task of driving. While phones and technology are the number one source of distraction, other distractions might include a built-in navigation or infotainment system, other passengers in the car, eating or drinking behind the wheel, and even hands-free phone calls or tech.
Aggressive Driving: According to the NHTSA, aggressive driving – which includes speeding, tailgating, or cutting off another driver – is defined as when a driver commits a series of traffic offenses that harm another individual.
Left-Hand Turns: Making a left-hand turn is more dangerous than you may realize. According to Popular Mechanics, approximately 61 percent of all traffic accidents are the result of someone making a left-hand turn. In the majority of these accidents, the vehicle that is making the left-hand turn is the one that will be found at fault for the accident.
Motorcycle Lane Splitting: Lane splitting can be dangerous for both riders and drivers and can lead to motorcycle accidents. This is important to know because if a motorcyclist was found to be lane-splitting at the time of a crash, it can affect the rider’s ability to sue the other driver for damages.
Hazardous Road Conditions: Even the slightest pothole can result in a motorcycle accident. From slippery roadways to uneven pavement, poor road conditions can cause the motorcycle to become unbalanced, causing the vehicle to tip over and leading to serious injuries.
When Should I File a Motorcycle Accident Claim?
For most states, you have to file a personal injury claim within two years of the date of injury. This is what’s called the statute of limitations. If you attempt to file a claim after the statute has passed, chances are the claim will fail.
What Should I Do In the Days Following a Motorcycle Accident?
In the days after your motorcycle accident, the most important thing is to seek medical attention for your injuries. You need to learn the full extent of your injuries, what your treatment plan is, and how long it will take to recover. It’s a smart idea to keep a record of your medical treatment for your motorcycle accident lawyer to review.
You will also want to gather your important documents together for the personal injury lawyer to review. This includes the police report, your insurance policy, photos and video of the accident scene, repair bills, contact information of any witnesses, and medical bills. You will also want to keep a record of any time you missed from work, including any vacation or PTO you had to take because of the accident.
After the motorcycle accident, you will receive a call from the other party’s insurance company, wanting more information about the accident. The adjuster may try to record your conversation or get a statement from you. Remember, you are not under any obligation to speak with the other insurance company about the accident or your injuries. You should also refuse to have your conversation recorded without your accident lawyer present. The defendant’s insurance company could use any recorded statements as evidence to discredit your claim.
If you do speak with the insurance adjuster before speaking with our experienced motorcycle accident attorney, keep your comments brief and stick with the facts of the case. Do not offer an opinion about what happened or admit fault.
And most importantly, do not accept a settlement offer from an insurance company until you have consulted with a motorcycle accident attorney at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys. If you accept an offer of settlement, you will most likely waive your right to seek additional compensation later, even if your injury becomes worse.
Our Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Are Here to Help
If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle crash, it’s best to contact a lawyer as soon as possible. Evidence can quickly disappear and witness memories fade over time. Many facts of the case will be lost and it will be difficult to prove who is responsible for your accident. It is in your best interest to contact a lawyer as soon as possible, even if you think it is too early to know whether you have a case or not.
A motorcycle accident attorney will listen to your story, give you advice, and help you take any necessary steps before it is time to file a lawsuit.
If you or a loved one were involved in a motorcycle accident, contact Munley Law today to schedule a free consultation.
