You have to decide for yourself whether you should get a lawyer for a motorcycle accident. Each different situation will warrant a different response. For example, if you are considering taking legal action to recover compensation, you might want a lawyer’s help.
You do not need a lawyer to file a lawsuit or insurance claim; however, having a lawyer may help alleviate the stress of handling a legal case while recovering from your injuries.
Reasons for Hiring a Lawyer
If you or a loved one were hurt in a motorcycle accident, you might be struggling to recover while having to pay for medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses out of pocket. If this is the case, and the accident was not your fault, you could consult with a lawyer to see if you are entitled to compensation and whether they can help you.
Here is what a lawyer can do for you:
They Can Investigate for You
It might be difficult for the average person to investigate a motorcycle accident to build a personal injury claim. Generally, you have to collect enough evidence to prove that:
- The other driver owed it to you to drive safely.
- The other driver drove unsafely.
- Their unsafe driving caused an accident.
- You suffered injuries and losses as a result of the accident.
To prove the four above criteria, a lawyer might collect police reports, interview eyewitnesses, investigate the negligent party’s driving records, and see if there were any traffic cameras that filmed the accident.
They can handle the investigation for you while you recover or help your loved one heal.
They Know What You Deserve
Lawyers also know how to evaluate your losses so they can accurately estimate how much you should receive from either negotiating with the at-fault party or their insurance company or going to trial. They will look at all of the losses you suffered in your case, including:
- Medical expenses: This might include hospital bills, prescription medications, surgery costs, ongoing care costs, and more.
- Property damage: The costs you had to pay to have your motorcycle repaired or replaced, along with any other property that was damaged in the accident.
- Lost wages: You might be able to recover compensation for wages, promotions, and savings you missed from being out of work.
- Pain and suffering: They will also evaluate your physical pain as well as your mental anguish, which will add to your settlement amount.
They Can Negotiate for You
When a victim of an accident speaks with an insurance company or the at-fault party’s representation, anything they say can be used against them when it comes to determining fault and what settlement they are entitled to.
Any off-handed comment to an insurance adjuster may lead to an offer that does not fairly compensate you for your losses. Therefore, some people hire lawyers to negotiate a settlement for them. A motorcycle accident attorney has the experience, knowledge, and skills to go back and forth with the adjuster, to highlight evidence, and build arguments so the insurance company pays what you deserve. In some cases, insurers try to deny your claim altogether employing various tricks and reasons, so a seasoned lawyer is more than necessary in such situations.
They Can Take Your Case to Trial
If the insurance company or at-fault party fails to offer you the compensation you are entitled to, your lawyer might suggest taking your case to trial to win a judgment in your favor. In this case, they can file the lawsuit, keep you updated throughout your case, and argue for you in court.
They Know the Laws That Apply to Your Case
Lawyers also know the laws in your state and how they apply to your case.
For example, they know the statutes of limitations for personal injury, which typically range from one to six years following the accident. They will also be able to tell you what type of negligence laws your state has. Your state might allow people who are partially at fault for the accident to collect compensation, or they might not allow anyone with any degree of fault to file a lawsuit.
Contingency Fees
Typically, in personal injury cases, lawyers will work on a contingency fee basis. This means they do not collect anything upfront or out of pocket. They only collect their attorney’s fees, administrative fees, and filing fees after they win you a settlement for your case.
This is because lawyers know that, following an injury, you might be stuck with mounting medical bills and have limited income. They want you to be able to get the legal help you are entitled to while not going underwater on your finances.
Contact Us if You Want to Get a Lawyer
At Ben Crump Law, PLLC, we believe that people who are hurt in accidents they did not cause should not have to pay for the consequences. We cannot tell you whether you should get a lawyer for a motorcycle accident, but we can help you hold the negligent parties accountable for their actions and help you win compensation.
We work on contingency, so you do not have to worry about any up-front costs. Give us a call today at 800-959-1444 for a free, no-obligation consultation with a member of our team.
