Motorcycle crashes can result in severe injuries, largely due to the lack of physical protection around you. If you’ve sustained serious injuries in a motorcycle-related incident, it’s critical to seek legal assistance. Learn the signs that you need to call a motorcycle accident lawyer.
How to Tell You Need a Motorcycle Accident Attorney
The aftermath of a motorcycle crash can leave you feeling overwhelmed, especially if you get seriously hurt or face financial hardships like missed time from work. That’s why it’s important to talk to a legal professional as soon as possible. An experienced attorney can evaluate your case and help you decide what to do next.
Even if you aren’t seriously hurt, talking to an attorney can be a good idea. With that in mind, you should call a motorcycle accident lawyer if you are facing the following.
Lowball Offers From the Insurance Company
Insurance companies aren’t on your side. They want to minimize their out-of-pocket costs when dealing with your claim. The insurance adjuster will want to settle the case as quickly and cheaply as possible. Don’t sign any settlement agreement, and don’t accept lowball offers.
Instead, reach out to an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer and let them negotiate on your behalf. They can evaluate your claim and help you pursue a fair settlement amount. Your lawyer will account for the following when negotiating your settlement:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
Your attorney will also calculate ongoing treatment costs and consider how the accident impacted your quality of life.
Liability Disputes
In many cases, the other driver or their insurance company may dispute who is at fault. This may involve blaming you for the accident or shifting attention to other factors, such as the weather. If the other party successfully disputes liability, it could diminish your compensation or prevent you from recovering anything at all.
An experienced attorney will gather evidence to demonstrate the role the other party played in the accident. Their goal is to show how the other driver’s actions or negligence caused your injuries.
Complicated and Expensive Medical Treatments
One of the biggest factors involved in calculating your compensation is medical treatment. Medical bills can rack up quickly following a motorcycle accident. If your injuries require ongoing care or multiple surgeries, calculating all of these costs can be complicated.
If you overlook major expenses, you may end up settling for too little money, which means you’ll be paying for the remaining costs out-of-pocket.
Don’t take that risk. Let an attorney take the lead on calculating your medical treatment costs. They will account for as many expenses as possible, including physical therapy, medication costs, and time off work associated with your treatments.
Uncertainty About the Value of Your Claim
If you are uncertain how much your claim is worth or what a fair settlement amount is, call a motorcycle accident lawyer right away.
There’s a good chance that you are overlooking some tangible and intangible factors that may increase the value of your claim. An attorney can help you account for these factors and help you determine a fair settlement amount.
Are you concerned about the cost of consulting with an attorney? Don’t be. Law firms often offer free consultations and can discuss what your claim may be worth. Additionally, most personal injury firms bill on a contingency basis, meaning you don’t owe anything up front and won’t pay unless they recover compensation on your behalf.
Serious Injuries That Require Legal Assistance
Motorcycles only account for about 3% of all registered vehicles in the United States. However, 15% of traffic fatalities involve motorcyclists. Motorcycle-related crashes are also responsible for a disproportionate number of injuries.
The injuries related to your motorcycle crash can range from mild to debilitating. Some of the most concerning injuries associated with a motorcycle crash include the following:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Spinal cord damage
- Broken bones
- Severe road rash
Some injuries, such as broken bones, will eventually heal. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean you will return to normal. You may face permanent mobility issues and a lifetime of pain and discomfort.
TBIs are particularly concerning, as they can be unpredictable and debilitating. Even if you are wearing a helmet and other protective gear, you could still get seriously hurt in your crash.
Any time you suffer injuries in a crash and another party is involved, you should consult with a motorcycle accident lawyer.
FAQ
When Should I Contact a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?
After you’ve addressed your immediate medical needs, you should contact an attorney. The sooner you reach out to a lawyer, the better their odds of gathering important evidence to support your claim.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Motorcycle Accident Attorney?
Most motorcycle accident attorneys don’t charge anything up front. Instead, they usually use a contingency billing model, meaning you don’t pay anything unless they recover compensation on your behalf.
If they don’t win, you don’t owe them anything. If they recover compensation in your case, you will be billed a percentage of the settlement, which usually ranges from 25% to 40%.
What Should I Bring to My Consultation With a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?
Bring a copy of the crash report and any relevant medical paperwork to your consultation. If you have photographs, video, or witness contact information, bring that with you as well. You want to provide as much evidence as possible so that the attorney can perform an accurate assessment of your case.
Schedule a Free Consultation Today
Ramsey Law Group serves clients throughout Texas and has handled numerous motorcycle accident cases. Contact us to book a free consultation with an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer near you.