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Why Should You Hire an Attorney When Involved in a Motorcycle Incident?

By

Sandeep Singh

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Motorcycle accidents are a common occurrence in the United States. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates approximately 3 million motorcycle crashes in the country every year. In addition, motorcyclists were 27 times more likely to be killed than passenger car occupants and six times more likely to suffer serious injury.

These statistics show just how important it is for you to have an attorney on your side when involved in a motorcycle incident. Whether or not this is your first motorcycle incident, having legal representation can help ensure that you get the help you deserve.

In this post, we’ll take a closer look at why it’s a wise idea to contact an attorney after a motorcycle accident and what benefits come with hiring one.

Investigate the Incident and Gather Evidence

In most cases, hiring a personal injury attorney will come with the added benefit of having someone investigate the incident and gather evidence on your behalf.

Motorcycle crashes can often be challenging to investigate due to a lack of information or physical evidence. An attorney will have the resources and experience necessary to investigate the incident and gather evidence that can prove your case in court.

Investigating an accident yourself may seem like a viable option. Still, it’s essential to understand that you won’t have access to certain documents or other evidence that may help support your case. Hiring a lawyer specializing in motorcycle accidents means you won’t have to go through this process alone.

Determine and Document the Damages

It’s vital to have an attorney on your side when you’re involved in a motorcycle incident so they can help determine and document the damages to your person and property.

The first thing that a qualified attorney will do is file an official complaint with the police department where the accident occurred. They will also get a copy of the police report and other relevant information from local authorities.

Next, the attorney will examine all of your injuries, take pictures of any injuries for documentation purposes, and speak with you about what happened at the scene. If necessary, your lawyer will talk through prosecution options and follow up with insurance companies if applicable.

Finally, a qualified attorney will help you collect any relevant data like medical records to build your case and gather depositions from witnesses that may have been present at the time of the incident.

Negotiate Compensation from all Potential Sources

One of the main reasons it’s crucial to seek legal counsel when involved in a motorcycle accident is that you want to be sure you’re negotiating from a position of strength. Often, people don’t realize that they have the right to recover compensation from all potential sources.

This means that you can file for reimbursement through your insurance company and driver’s insurance company, but this does not exclude you from seeking relief from the at-fault party.

An attorney can negotiate on your behalf with insurance providers and help ensure you get the maximum amount of compensation possible for your injuries. Experienced and professional attorneys, like bunbury motor vehicle lawyers, understand how difficult it is to navigate these situations and will do whatever it takes to make sure you are getting every cent that is owed to you.

Manage Settlement Negotiations

If you were involved in a motorcycle accident, you should first speak to an attorney. A qualified lawyer will be able to help manage your settlement negotiations and ensure that your rights are protected. Negotiating a settlement on your own can be confusing and overwhelming.

An attorney will guide you through the process and provide expert advice on how to handle negotiations with the other party. With an experienced lawyer on your side, it’s more likely that you’ll get a settlement that’s favorable to you.

Initiate Lawsuit when Necessary

Hiring an attorney to represent you in a motorcycle incident means that they will advise you on the best course of action inside the court. If the other party was at fault and did not have adequate insurance coverage, it can be beneficial to initiate a lawsuit. Your attorney will know how long you have before your statute of limitations becomes an issue and can help guide you through the steps of initiating a lawsuit.

If there are no injuries involved with your accident, legal representation could still benefit other reasons. For example, the other driver is violating their license by driving recklessly. Another instance is they’re accused of walking away from the scene after the accident. Then, they could be charged with hit-and-run.

How Much Does a Motorcycle Accident Attorney Cost?

The answer to this question will depend on the severity of the accident and the extent of your injuries. Moreover, there are free consultations available for motorcycle accident lawyers, which you can use to determine if an attorney is right for you and your situation.

In general, lawyers do not charge any upfront attorney’s fees or hourly fees. Each attorney handles their legal fees differently, but the most common approach is through a contingency fee agreement. This means that the lawyer will only get their legal fees if they successfully obtain compensation on your behalf.

The Bottom Line

Motorcycles may be a lot of fun to ride, but if you are unfortunate enough to be involved in a motorcycle incident, then you should hire an attorney. It is beneficial and vital to have someone who knows the laws and your rights for motorcycle accident cases.

Your attorney will help you understand what needs to be done after a motorcycle crash. Furthermore, they will fight for your rights pertaining specifically to motorcycles.