How Can a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Help You?

How Can a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Help You?

When you have suffered an injury in a motorcycle accident, someone else may owe you a substantial amount of money when you can prove that the driver was to blame for what happened. However, you must go through an entire legal process before getting compensation, which can be difficult and stressful.

There is no reason why you need to go through the motorcycle accident legal process alone. If you even try, you are almost guaranteed to cost yourself money. One of the first calls you or a family member should make after the accident is to a motorcycle accident lawyer who can represent you. They can protect your rights and speak a language that insurance companies can understand. If you do not hire an attorney, you will get zero respect from the insurance company and place your trust in a for-profit business with a track record of taking advantage of claimants.

A motorcycle accident lawyer does everything possible to get the most money for your injuries. They will establish your legal right to financial compensation and then fight for the insurance company to give you every dollar you deserve. Hiring a lawyer can significantly improve your chances of a favorable outcome in your case. From gathering evidence to negotiating with insurance companies and advocating for your best interests, they will provide the legal experience and support you need during this difficult time.

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Your Motorcycle Accident Attorney Can Help You Prove Your Claim

At the outset, you must prove that the driver was to blame for the accident. The legal standard in a motorcycle accident case is that you demonstrate the driver was negligent in the events surrounding the crash. Here, you must prove each of the following individual elements to win your case:

• The driver owed you a duty of care
• The driver breached the duty by doing something unreasonable under the circumstances
• You suffered an injury
• You would not have suffered an injury had it not been for the actions of the driver

Here are some things that are negligent actions in a motorcycle accident case:

• The driver makes an illegal left-hand turn that cuts across your lane, and your bike crashes into them.
• The motorist rear-ended your motorcycle because they were following too closely behind.
• The driver struck your bike because they failed to check their blindspots before they changed lanes.
• You suffered an injury by a motorist who did not see you because they were distracted.

Your Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Investigates the Crash and Gathers Evidence

Presenting proof of liability is often more complex than it seems. You need to come forward with the evidence that shows what happened because the insurance company will not believe you without proof. However, it takes work to gather your own evidence, especially when you are dealing with serious motorcycle accident injuries.

You must move quickly because motorcycle accident evidence has a limited shelf life. Here is where an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer can help you. They have experience investigating accidents and know how to obtain and lock down the evidence you need to prove your case.

Your lawyer will thoroughly investigate the accident scene, examine police reports, interview witnesses, and gather any other evidence that can support your claim. By doing so, they can establish liability and demonstrate the extent of your injuries, increasing your chances of receiving fair compensation.

A Motorcycle Accident Attorney Estimates the Value of Your Claim

Motorcycle accident cases often result in higher compensation because of the severity of the injuries that you have suffered. However, knowing what you deserve on your own is not easy. There are some complex concepts involved in motorcycle accident cases that you can only understand with the guidance of a lawyer.

A motorcycle accident lawyer will work with expert witnesses as necessary to determine the value of your case. These experts include:

• Medical experts to understand the extent of your condition and your prognosis
• Vocational experts to learn how much you would have earned at your job and what duties you can still do in light of your physical condition
• Life care planning experts to know what type of care you need in the future
• Economic experts to learn how inflation will impact the value of your settlement

In a motorcycle accident case, you have the right to the following damages:

• Medical bills
• Lost income
• Pain and suffering
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life

A family can also recover wrongful death damages to compensate them for the loss of a loved one. Before you can do that, you need to understand how much your case is worth.

Your Lawyer Drafts Your Claim and Deals with the Insurance Company for You

Then, a motorcycle accident lawyer can draft your claim to file with the other driver’s insurance company. If you file a lawsuit, your attorney can draft the legal complaint.

Insurance companies are well-known for their tactics to minimize payouts or deny claims altogether. Motorcycle accident lawyers have experience dealing with insurance companies and can effectively negotiate on your behalf. They will handle all communications, ensuring you are not taken advantage of by insurance adjusters who may try to settle for less than you deserve. Your lawyer will fight for your rights and work hard to secure the maximum compensation.

Do Not Try to Approach the Insurance Company on Your Own

Insurance companies will have a field day with you if you ever try to do business with them on your own because they make a lot of their money dealing with unrepresented claimants. They know what they owe you and try to get away with paying you as little as possible. People may trust insurance companies without knowing that these businesses will try to take advantage of them.

Your attorney will present your claim to the insurance company either informally or through a demand letter. Then, they will fight for you throughout the claims process because the insurance company may deny your claim entirely or try to shift some of the blame onto you. Insurance companies do this to eliminate your right to compensation or cut the amount they owe you.

Insurance Companies Will Try to Blame You for What Happened

If the insurance company tries to blame you for what happened, your motorcycle accident attorney will defend you from these allegations to preserve your right to financial compensation. Your motorcycle accident lawyer will push back, perhaps even taking your case to trial and letting a jury decide.

A motorcycle accident lawyer also helps by dealing with the insurance company on your behalf. Insurance companies may make you a low offer, trying to settle your case for pennies on the dollar and leaving you without money in the future when you need it the most. Your lawyer will work to ensure you get the compensation you deserve.

A Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Handles the Settlement Negotiations for You

When the insurance company makes you a low settlement offer, a motorcycle accident lawyer will analyze it to see whether it fairly compensates you. They will advise you whether to accept or reject; in most cases, you will reject an initial settlement offer because it is extremely low.

Your motorcycle accident attorney will pressure the insurance company to raise its settlement offer. A lawyer’s presence alone will show the insurance company the potential consequences of refusing to pay you what you deserve, and your attorney can use the threat of a lawsuit as leverage for you in settlement negotiations. Insurance companies may see that you mean business because your lawyer will up the pressure.

Insurance companies have negotiation skills that they use in their business every day. Thus, you need someone with similar skills to counter what the insurance company may do to cost you money. Your lawyer will use their negotiation skills to get more money for you in the claims process.

A Lawyer Can File a Lawsuit in Court for You

Then, your motorcycle accident attorney may take your case to court if the insurance company is unreasonable. In the meantime, they may negotiate a potential settlement agreement. The stronger the case that your lawyer builds, the more likely the insurance company will offer you more money. Insurance companies often realize they must settle your case as you get closer to trial, especially after your lawyer has obtained more evidence in the discovery process.

You Can Cost Yourself Money if You Handle Your Own Claim

Contrary to what you may think, you will not save any money if you do not hire a motorcycle accident lawyer for your case. What may have started as an attempt to economize can cost you everything when the insurance company takes advantage of you and pays you much less than you deserve. Overall, you will do worse financially when you do not have a motorcycle accident lawyer, even after paying them their percentage of your settlement or award. 

Call a Motorcycle Accident Attorney Right After the Accident

The best time to hire an attorney is right after you have suffered an injury because many things can happen in the days after the accident that can cloud your legal picture. If you do not have the protection that a motorcycle accident attorney gives you, the insurance company can compromise your legal rights. Insurance companies may try to take advantage of you when you do not have a lawyer, and you may say things that they try to use against you. For example, they may use your accident description to try to assign you some of the blame. If you cannot physically call a lawyer, have someone close to you do it. The stakes are far too high to leave anything to chance.

You Do Not Have to Pay Anything Upfront to Hire a Lawyer

Hiring a motorcycle accident lawyer does not cost you any money from your own pocket. An attorney works for you on a contingency basis, meaning they do not get paid unless you receive money in connection with your case through a settlement agreement or jury award. You are never asked for a retainer when you hire an attorney for your motorcycle accident case. In addition, they will not send you bills while your case is pending. If you do not get any money for your injuries, you do not owe your lawyer anything for their time and services.

By working with a motorcycle accident lawyer on a contingency fee basis, you can be confident they will fight aggressively on your behalf. They share a vested interest in achieving a positive outcome for your case, as their fee ties directly to the settlement or award. This arrangement aligns your and your lawyer's interests, creating a solid foundation for effective advocacy.

Additionally, not having to pay a motorcycle accident lawyer upfront removes a financial barrier preventing you from seeking the compensation you deserve. Motorcycle accidents can result in severe injuries and significant economic losses. Ensuring you have access to legal representation allows you to pursue a fair and just outcome for your case without the added worry of costly legal fees.

When considering hiring a motorcycle accident lawyer, discussing the fee arrangement in detail during your initial consultation is essential. Understanding the terms of the contingency fee agreement will give you clarity and peace of mind throughout the legal process.

Experienced lawyers have the motivation to fight for your rights and achieve the best possible outcome for your case when working on a contingency fee basis. Access to legal representation without upfront costs ensures you can pursue the compensation you deserve without financial barriers. Contact a reliable and experienced Williamsport personal injury attorney who will fight for your rights and help you get back on track.