Should You Hire a Motorcycle Accident Attorney After a Crash?

If you've been in a motorcycle accident, hiring a skilled motorcycle accident attorney could help you get the compensation you deserve. 

 

Motorcycle accidents often involve serious injuries and complicated legal issues, so it's a good idea to consult with an experienced attorney who specializes in these types of cases.

 

As a motorcycle accident victim, it's important to understand your legal rights and options after a crash. 

 

A motorcycle accident attorney will be able to guide you through the claims process, deal with insurance companies on your behalf, and fight for a fair settlement if your case needs to go to trial. 

 

Let's take a closer look at some of the key reasons why hiring a motorcycle accident attorney makes sense after a crash.

They Understand Motorcycle Accident Law

Motorcycle accident cases can involve intricate issues regarding liability, damages, insurance coverage and more. 

 

However, many people are unfamiliar with their legal rights following an accident. This is where an experienced motorcycle accident attorney provides great value. 

 

They have extensive knowledge of motorcycle accident law in your state and understand how to build a strong case. 

 

Additionally, insurance companies have teams of lawyers working for them, so you want an attorney who is equally well-versed in the legal system on your side.

They Can Investigate the Accident Thoroughly

Right after a crash, gathering all the necessary evidence and witness statements is crucial. However, injured accident victims may not be physically or mentally able to conduct a thorough investigation themselves. 

 

A motorcycle accident attorney will inspect the crash scene, request police reports, review footage from any security cameras, interview witnesses and more. 

 

They can collect vital information that could make or break your case before evidence is lost or memories fade over time.

They Know How to Negotiate with Insurance Companies

Insurance companies have financial incentives to pay out as little as possible on claims. They employ adjusters and lawyers who are experts at lowballing settlement offers. 

 

A motorcycle accident attorney understands insurance practices and laws surrounding unfair claims settlement practices.

 

They can leverage negotiations skills and knowledge of the judicial system to ensure you receive the full and fair compensation you deserve under your policy. They won't back down from litigation if needed to resolve the claim.

They Know How to Maximize Damages for Your Injuries

In addition to covering your medical bills and lost income, you may be entitled to compensation for things like pain and suffering due to injuries sustained in a motorcycle crash. 

 

However, it takes extensive documentation and a persuasive legal argument to receive the appropriate damages award. 

 

A motorcycle accident attorney understands how to thoroughly document injuries, losses and long-term prognoses. 

 

They can market the damages and economic losses aspect of your case to maximize a potential settlement or jury award if the case proceeds to trial.

They Protect Your Rights Even If You Are Partially at Fault

Most motorcycle accidents involve some degree of shared fault between the parties. However, insurance companies may try to argue a client deserves no compensation at all because of minor contributory negligence. 

 

An experienced motorcycle accident attorney understands how comparative negligence laws work in your state. 

 

They can argue to ensure you still receive fair compensation proportionate to your degree of fault, if any fault is found on your part. You have rights even if an accident was not entirely the other party's fault alone.

They Make Sure You Meet Filing Deadlines

There are often legal deadlines for filing a personal injury lawsuit after a motorcycle accident. However, injured clients dealing with medical treatment, lost work and trauma may not be able to keep track of fast-approaching deadlines on their own. 

 

An attorney will understand these filing deadlines and ensure any necessary legal action is taken within the required time limits. 

 

Missing deadlines can result in a lost opportunity to fully compensate injuries and damages, so retaining experienced counsel is important.

 

In summary, motorcycle accidents pose complex legal issues that require specialized expertise to navigate successfully. 

 

An experienced motorcycle accident attorney has the skill, resources and knowledge to investigate your accident thoroughly, argue liability and damages aggressively, and protect your rights and compensation fully under law. 

 

While their fees come out of any settlement or award, for many injured riders the value they provide justifies their cost. 

 

Don't delay - contact a motorcycle accident attorney as soon as possible after your crash.

When Should You Contact an Attorney?

It's best to speak with a motorcycle accident attorney right away, ideally within the first few days or weeks following an accident. 

 

Some notable reasons you may want to contact an attorney sooner rather than later include:

 

• They can preserve crucial evidence like security camera footage, witness statements and more that could be lost over time.

 

• Insurers are experts at lowballing settlement offers. An attorney's early involvement prevents accepting inadequate compensation before investigating full damages.

 

• Some states have notice of claim requirements that must be followed within a certain period after an accident to preserve legal rights.

 

• Medical bills, lost wages and other damages will continue accumulating. Early legal guidance helps maximize potential recovery.

 

While insurance adjusters may pressure for quick resolution, avoid signing or agreeing to anything substantial until consulting a lawyer. 

 

The sooner an experienced attorney can advocate on your behalf, the better position they are in to pursue your rights and full compensation. Don't delay getting qualified legal counsel involved after a motorcycle crash.

How to Choose the Right Attorney

With so much at stake following a serious motorcycle accident, it's important to select an attorney who specializes in these types of personal injury cases. Here are some tips when choosing a motorcycle accident lawyer:

• Check credentials and verify they are licensed to practice law in your state.

 

• Look for experience handling motorcycle accident cases specifically versus just general injury claims.

 

• Ask about their success rates in previous cases, especially those taken to trial.

 

• Confirm they will handle your entire case versus referring it to associates.

 

• Consider an attorney with a history of maximizing payouts and settlements for injured clients.

 

• Choose someone you feel comfortable with and can easily communicate your case goals to.

 

• Get references from former clients to ensure high satisfaction levels.

 

• Make sure consultation fees are clearly outlined upfront and consult multiple attorneys.

 

With the right motorcycle accident attorney on your side, you'll be positioned to obtain fair legal relief, compensation and closure after your crash. Their expertise gives peace of mind that your rights and recovery won't fall through legal cracks.

Getting a Referral from Local Organizations

Some additional vetted options for finding a qualified motorcycle accident attorney include:

 

• Contact your state's bar association attorney referral program. Their database screens lawyers to ensure competence.

 

• Check the American Association for Justice (AAJ) website which features motorcycle accident attorneys active in that prominent organization promoting victim rights.

 

• Reach out to the Association of Trial Lawyers of America (ATLA) for attorney referrals in your area.

 

• Inquire with local motorcycle clubs or groups if any members have had positive experiences they can recommend an attorney from.

 

• Check online reviews and ratings sites for motorcycle lawyers who have demonstrated solid client satisfaction levels.

 

• Look for ads from injury attorneys specified as focusing part or all of their practice on motorcycle cases.

 

Getting references from trusted third parties can provide peace of mind you've selected an experienced attorney focused solely on protecting riders' rights after crashes. Don't delay - advocate for your recovery by consulting counsel right away.

Summary

In conclusion, motorcycle accidents cause complex legal issues that require specialized expertise to navigate successfully. 

 

By hiring a qualified motorcycle accident attorney focused solely on protecting riders' rights after crashes, injured riders can advocate effectively for fair legal relief and compensation through insurance claims or the court system if needed. 

 

Contacting counsel immediately is advised to preserve evidence and maximize recovery potential. 

 

With the right advocate representing them, motorcycle accident victims improve their chances of obtaining proper closure and care required to move forward after disabling injuries.