While you are never under an obligation to hire legal representation, victims of motorcycle accidents may choose to hire a lawyer because they suffer extensive injuries. In the event of a collision with a passenger vehicle, a motorcyclist can be ejected from their seat during the impact and land head-first into a nearby structure, for example. In an accident like this, something as serious as a traumatic brain injury can occur.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 80% of motorcycle collisions end in injuries or fatalities. The likelihood that a motorcyclist walks away from an accident with minor to no injuries is low in light of these statistics. The more severe your injuries are, the more they will cost you in medical care. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), motor vehicle accidents accounted for $75 billion in treatment in 2017.
When an insurance policy cannot cover the losses caused by the accident, such as medical costs and lost wages, a victim may look to sue a negligent driver. This is when a victim may choose to hire an attorney to help them handle the legal case while they focus on their health and physical recovery. Your motorcycle accident lawyers will collect and evaluate evidence, assign a monetary value to your economic and non-economic damages, send the demand letter, and begin negotiations. If an insurance company denies your claim or makes you a lowball offer, your attorney might also take the case to court if you don’t get the settlement you deserve.
Legal Help When Filing an Insurance Claim
It is never too early to hire a lawyer after a motorcycle accident. Some victims do not want to go through the hassle of communicating with insurance adjusters, for example. If they suffer from severe injuries, they may already assume that they will need to negotiate with the insurance company for a fair settlement.
A lawyer can help from the very beginning of the process of recovering losses. They can help you determine liability, gather evidence of your losses, accurately assess your losses, and negotiate with insurers. If their negotiations do not result in a fair settlement, they can escalate the case by filing a personal injury lawsuit or wrongful death lawsuit if you lost a loved one.
Legal Help When Filing a Lawsuit
Some people believe they have the resources and time to represent themselves in trial after a motorcycle accident, but others prefer to prioritize their health and spend time with their families. A lawyer can help you file a lawsuit according to your state’s statute of limitations in order to secure your right to take legal action. From there, they can fight to prove your losses and the other driver’s negligence to help you establish the grounds for a fair court-awarded sum.
Some law firms work on a contingency fee basis so that they can get started on a case as soon as possible. They collect their payment from a settlement or court-awarded offer they win in your favor if your case is successful. It may be worth hiring a motorcycle accident lawyer if your injuries are extensive.
Potential Forms of Compensation
As with any accident, a motorcycle accident comes with various expenses and losses that you may qualify to claim. These awards typically fall into two categories: economic and noneconomic.
Some of the economic awards may cover the cost of:
- Emergency medical care
- Treatments and therapy for ongoing conditions
- Medications
- Out-of-pocket medical expenses
- Medical equipment in the home
- Lost pay from the missed days of work
- Reduced earning capacity from disability
Economic losses can also cover funeral and burial expenses in the event of wrongful death. A wrongful death lawsuit may also seek awards for other losses, like the loss of consortium.
Noneconomic awards may apply for:
- Pain and suffering
- Disfigurement
- Loss of quality of life
It may be worth hiring a motorcycle accident lawyer simply to estimate the types of compensation you may claim. The last thing you want after a serious injury is to accept a settlement that does not fairly cover your losses now and in the future.
Consider a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer with Ben Crump Law, PLLC
If you or a loved one was involved in a motorcycle accident and suffered severe injuries, you do not have to fight for compensation alone. You have the right to hire a motorcycle accident lawyer to help you evaluate your legal options and seek fair compensation.
Ben Crump Law, PLLC works on a contingency fee basis to help advocate for motorcycle accident victims. We do not shy away from tough cases, and we seek fair compensation for both current and future losses associated with your accident.
Give us a call at 800-959-1444 for a free case evaluation and see how one of our motorcycle accident lawyers can handle your case.
