Recent motorcycle accident statistics reveal motorcycle riders are four times more likely to sustain an injury in a crash compared with other motorists. In many scenarios, motorcycle drivers are victims of negligence.
Dealing with injuries, medical expenses, and property damage following a road accident that wasn’t your fault can be devastating. You don’t have to go through this stressful period alone. Consider finding the best motorcycle accident lawyer in your state.
Why Do You Need A Motorcycle Accident Attorney?
You’re probably wondering why you or a loved one would need an attorney after getting injured while riding a motorcycle. Below, we’ll discuss ten reasons to hire a motorcycle accident lawyer after a crash.
1. Receive Expert Guidance
A motorcycle accident attorney understands the legal complexities linked to motorbike crashes. They also have years of expertise handling cases similar to yours. This means they can offer expert guidance on what steps to take after an accident has occurred.
For instance, an attorney could advise you to file an accident report with the police and seek medical care. Following these steps helps prevent the at-fault party from denying liability.
2. Collect Evidence
To seek compensation post motorbike accidents, you need to prove the details of the accident. With the help of a lawyer, you can gather photographs or videos of the accident scene, injuries, and property damage.
An attorney can dig deep to find witnesses and record their statements to get a clear picture of the collision. They’ll also get medical documentation of the injuries you sustained and the treatments you received. Accident attorneys are also familiar with investigating security camera footage, black box data, and more. This evidence helps build the foundation of a strong case.
3. Evaluate Liability and Negligence
Based on the evidence collected, a lawyer can begin to determine the parties responsible for the accident. Often, accidents are caused by negligent drivers.
However, motorcycle manufacturers can be held liable for accidents if evidence reveals a malfunction on one or multiple parts of the motorcycle caused by the crash. In such a scenario, your lawyer might file a product liability claim against the motorcycle manufacturer to secure fair compensation on your behalf.
4. Determine the Monetary Value of Pain and Suffering
If asked to calculate the value of your pain and suffering (non-economic damages) following a motorbike crash, you wouldn’t give an answer. That would result in zero compensation for the emotional and mental struggle you have experienced after the accident.
A motorcycle accident legal expert knows how to assess the psychological effect of the accident. Then, they can determine how much settlement you need for non-economic damages.
5. Maximize Compensation
When you meet a lawyer, check to see if they’re knowledgeable about everything in their specialization. A motorcycle crash attorney knows traffic laws, insurance regulations, and personal injury law. They can leverage these deep knowledge wells to identify potential liabilities or damages that could be recovered.
Plus, a lawyer knows what documents to present when filing a claim and can do so within set deadlines set by your state. They can document all the losses incurred after the accident to give people a better chance of obtaining full compensation from the liable parties.
6. Negotiate With Insurers
According to lawyers at Cohen, Feeley, Altemose & Rambo, communicating with insurance companies after a crash is challenging. Some insurance firms might claim a bike rider was reckless on the road or a similar allegation. Insurance providers might try to refuse to compensate for injuries, lost wages, and emotional struggle, or offer low payouts.
An experienced attorney understands the tactics insurers use and can manage settlement discussions to advocate for their client’s best interests. Lawyers can use the evidence they have gathered to negotiate for more payment.
7. File an Accident Claim
When negotiations with insurance providers fail, motorcycle lawyers choose to file a personal injury claim in court. It’s a move to protect your rights following a motorbike crash. Through your attorney, you can present facts that reveal the responsible parties and the impact of the accident on your physical, emotional, and mental well-being.
8. Represent You in Court
After filing a lawsuit against negligent parties and their insurance providers, seek a professional to represent you in court. Remember, a motorcycle accident attorney is familiar with how insurance companies operate.
They also know what evidence to present for positive outcomes and can provide sound advice to safeguard your legal rights. Having a lawyer by your side, you don’t have to worry about making mistakes or leaving facts when fighting for justice.
9. Leverage Expert Witnesses
It’s easy to assume photographs, eyewitness statements, and police reports are enough evidence to get compensation after a motorcycle crash. However, you may need expert witnesses to provide more evidence that supports your claim.
For instance, a medical professional can testify about the injuries and psychological impact you experienced. An engineer is another example of an expert witness. They can explain what part of a motorcycle malfunctioned, leading to a collision with other road users.
10. Appeal Denied Claims
Note that a court can deny your claim, but that doesn’t mean you can’t continue fighting for fair justice and hold liable parties accountable. A legal expert in motorcycle accident claims could review documents linked to your case and research relevant legal topics to strengthen a claim. With the guidance of a lawyer, you can appeal rejected claims and have a better chance of winning.
Conclusion: What To Do After a Motorcycle Crash
The experience of riding a motorcycle is invigorating; you should be able to enjoy that without the risk of getting in an accident. But if an accident does happen, you don’t have to navigate the fallout alone. Following a motorcycle crash that was someone else’s fault, reach out to an attorney to help you seek settlement for injuries, hospital bills, and lost wages.
A motorcycle accident attorney can explain legal processes, file claims, calculate the value of economic and non-economic damages, negotiate fair compensation, and present you in court.
