Do I Need a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer? When to Make the Call
Motorcycle riders face unique dangers and vulnerabilities on the road, making them more susceptible to accidents, injuries, and fatalities compared to other motorists. Many motorcycle accident victims question whether they need legal representation from a motorcycle accident lawyer at some point after a motorcycle crash. Often, the more serious the injuries were from the motorcycle accident, the more likely a motorcycle accident victim is to contact an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer. How do you know if you need a motorcycle accident lawyer and when should you call an attorney for advice? Those questions and more are answered here.
Key Takeaways
While some minor motorcycle collisions can be handled without an attorney’s help, we often find that more serious motorcycle accidents require a lawyer to ensure the injured person gets fair financial compensation.
Motorcyclists are frequently blamed for causing an accident, even if they were not really at fault. Having a lawyer on your side can help ensure the at-fault party takes responsibility for your injuries.
Motorcycle Accident Claims: Do I Need a Lawyer?
Some motorcycle accident claims are complex with accident investigations needing to be completed and law suits needing to be filed, often involving pain and suffering. Occasionally, a simple motorcycle accident claim can be handled without the help of a motorcycle crash lawyer. However, we find that this is rare. Most motorcycle accident cases require the help of an experienced lawyer to ensure that fair financial compensation is received from medical expenses, lost wages, and other non economic damages such as pain and suffering.
Motorcyclists are particularly vulnerable compared to other motor vehicles, making it crucial to have legal representation. Even if you think you don’t want or need a motorcycle accident lawyer to help with your case, usually motorcycle accident lawyers offer a free consultation to give you basic advice about how motorcycle accident cases are handled. It’s always best to at least talk to a motorcycle accident lawyer before communicating with or signing anything with the insurance company. With a free consultation with a motorcycle accident lawyer, you have nothing to lose and may find out valuable information.
When Hiring a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer is Crucial
Hiring a motorcycle accident lawyer after being injured in an accident is crucial for several reasons.
Severe Injuries – Motorcycle accidents often result in severe injuries due to the lack of protective physical barriers compared to other vehicles. These injuries can lead to extensive medical bills, prolonged rehabilitation, and significant time away from work. A motorcycle accident lawyer specializes in understanding the unique dynamics of these accidents and can effectively gather evidence, reconstruct the accident scene, and consult with medical experts to build a strong case. This expertise is essential in ensuring that you receive the full compensation you deserve for your injuries, medical expenses, and lost wages.
Complexity of Law and Dealing with Insurance Company – navigating the legal landscape following a motorcycle accident can be complex and overwhelming, especially when dealing with insurance companies that often attempt to minimize payouts. A skilled motorcycle accident lawyer knows the tactics used by insurance adjusters and can negotiate on your behalf to ensure that your rights are protected. They can handle all communications with the insurance companies, allowing you to focus on your recovery without the added stress of managing your claim. Their experience in negotiating settlements can significantly increase your chances of receiving a fair and just compensation.
Trial – if your case goes to trial, having a dedicated motorcycle accident lawyer is invaluable. They possess the litigation skills necessary to present your case effectively in court, advocating for your best interests. They will prepare all the necessary legal documents, represent you in hearings, and provide a compelling argument to the jury. This level of representation is crucial in achieving a favorable outcome, as the legal system can be daunting to navigate on your own. By hiring a motorcycle accident lawyer, you are ensuring that you have a professional advocate on your side, fighting for the justice and compensation you deserve.
What’s the Right Time to Call a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?
You can call a Virginia motorcycle accident lawyer at any time after your accident, as long as you have not signed a settlement offer or release with the insurance company. If you haven’t wrapped up your claim with the insurance company, you are still able to reach out to a motorcycle accident attorney to get valuable information about how to handle your motorcycle crash case. It’s also never too early to reach out to personal injury attorneys with experience handling motorcycle accident cases. Richmond motorcycle accident lawyers can help victims seek maximum damages for injuries caused by reckless or negligent drivers on the road in Richmond.
There are many reasons that a motorcycle accident victim would reach out to a lawyer. Many motorcycle accident victims call our office when:
They receive a settlement offer on their insurance claim, and they don’t know whether they should accept it
The insurance company refuses to fairly consider all of the medical treatment or the severity of the impact for the motorcycle operator
The insurance adjuster uses bullying or other aggressive tactics to try to intimidate the injured person into settling their case or giving them certain information
Insurance adjusters drag their feet and slow down the processing of the motorcycle accident case
Virginia Motorcycle Accident Attorney: Things Only Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Can Do
While a small fraction of motorcycle accident victims may be able to seek compensation and handle their cases without a motorcycle accident attorney, many more cases involving motorcycle accidents will need a motorcycle accident attorney on their side. Motorcycle accident lawyers are absolutely necessary when:
a motorcycle accident lawsuit must be filed against the at-fault party to protect the claim’s statute of limitations
victims of motorcycle accidents have suffered more serious injuries and want to recover fair compensation
the at-fault party was a truck driver or other driver with a commercial insurance policy
the party to bear liability is a construction company or government entity
victims have sustained spinal cord injuries, which often involve complex legal and medical issues requiring specialized legal assistance
Motorcycle Accidents: Insurance Company Won’t Help You!
If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle wreck, one thing is absolutely certain . . . the insurance company is NOT on your side. Remember this – the insurance company makes money by denying or shortchanging claims and accident victims. Every insurance adjuster is audited at the end of the year to make sure they haven’t spent too much paying out personal injury claims. So, don’t put all your trust in your insurance adjuster or the claim process. If you do, you may be disappointed.
Insurance adjusters may use tactics to stall or delay the progress of the claims process. This may cause you problems with getting medical bills paid and may push the time limit on your statute of limitations, which is the deadline for filing a personal injury lawsuit. An insurance company’s delaying tactics can cause major problems with motorcycle cases and any resulting legal proceedings if it becomes necessary to file suit in the case. Passenger vehicles pose significant risks to motorcycle riders, and their negligence can lead to severe accidents and injuries. If the insurance company is stalling the claims process, you will want to call an experienced attorney quickly to make certain your claim isn’t jeopardized and that you are receiving maximum compensation.
Your Motorcycle Crashes Legal Team
If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident in Virginia, you will want to consider hiring experienced Virginia motorcycle accident lawyers to recover compensation that is reasonable and fair for your medical bills and other losses.
Virginia Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
How to choose a motorcycle accident lawyer? It can be confusing! Common motorcycle accident injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries, road rash, and fractures, often require specialized legal assistance. There are many lawyers who say that they handle motorcycle accidents. But, just saying you handle motorcycle accident cases and actually being qualified to do so are two different things. It’s important to remember that the lawyer you choose can make all the difference between winning or losing your motorcycle accident lawsuit.
Important questions to ask a Virginia motorcycle accident lawyer:
Has the lawyer ever handled a motorcycle accident before?
Has the lawyer ever investigated a motorcycle collision by taking photos, measuring skid marks, interviewing witnesses, etc?
Does the attorney have experience interviewing law enforcement officers to obtain all information needed for cases involving motorcycle crashes?
Does the lawyer know how to get a police report corrected, if necessary, in the instance there is incorrect information?
Does the lawyer know how to get your medical expenses paid or put on hold until after the case is resolved?
Has the lawyer ever tried a motorcycle accident case in court before a jury?
Is the lawyer a board certified motorcycle accident lawyer by the National Board of Trial Lawyers or have a track record of successfully handling motorcycle cases?
Does the lawyer offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee basis?
It’s important to remember that the motorcycle crash lawyer you choose will definitely make a difference in the outcome of your case. Motorcycle operators want an experienced motorcycle accident personal injury lawyer, who is not afraid to fight to get you the compensation
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Ritchie Law Firmis a personal injury law firm devoted to helping individuals who have suffered serious and catastrophic injuries or lost a loved one as a result of someone else’s negligence.Ritchie Law Firm specializes in Virginia law while helping clients in cities and surrounding areas of Harrisonburg, Charlottesville, Staunton, and Winchester also serves clients in West Virginia, including Martinsburg, WV. Besides being a Virginia motorcycle accident attorney, the Ritchie Law Firm also serves clients with brain injuries, victims injured by drunk driving, and crashes involving tractor trailers. We offer a free consultation for personal injury victims who seek compensation due to a serious injury.
