Within a single year, about 5,014 motorcyclists died in motorcycle crashes. That same year, motorcyclists were almost 29 times more likely than passengers in cars to die in vehicular accidents. If you were recently in a motorcycle accident, hire a lawyer right away.
A motorcycle accident lawyer can help you fight for compensation to cover property damage, medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses.
Not sure if you need accident lawyers? Here are a few signs you need to hire an attorney right away.
You’re Not Sure What to Do
If you’re unfamiliar with the process of filing a personal injury claim, don’t try to handle the situation alone. The process is often time-consuming and complicated. Making small mistakes could get your entire claim thrown out, too.
Instead, hire an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer. Look for a personal injury attorney who specializes in auto and motorcycle accidents. You can leverage their years of experience and expertise handling claims like yours.
During your consultation appointment, discuss the details surrounding your case.
Then, ask the attorney how they would proceed. What legal strategy would they recommend?
An experienced lawyer will help you understand the different legal options available to you. Then, they’ll help you consider the pros and cons of each option. With their help, you can make an informed decision moving forward.
Without accident lawyers at your side, however, you might make costly mistakes or uninformed assumptions. You might rush to make a legal decision without weighing your options.
As a result, you might receive a lowball settlement offer when you could fight for more.
Don’t rush to make a decision regarding your claim without help from motorcycle accident lawyers first.
You’ve Sustained Injuries
Every year, about three million people sustain injuries in car accidents. Another two million drivers sustain permanent injuries as a result of a crash. In fact, nearly 30% of all crashes cause non-fatal injuries, while 6% cause fatalities.
If you were on a motorcycle, it’s likely you sustained injuries as a result of the accident. Motorcycle accidents cause catastrophic and often even fatal injuries. You could develop a permanent injury or live in chronic pain.
Your injuries could have a lasting impact on your quality of life.
As a result of your injuries, you might require:
- Extended hospital stays
- Medical procedures
- Surgeries
- Rehabilitation
- Long-term care or support
These medical expenses can begin to add up. While you’re unable to work, your lost wages could impact your ability to pay off your medical bills. You could find yourself unable to work for days, weeks, or even months.
Some motorcycle accident victims are unable to work at the same capacity after a crash. Your earning potential could decline as a result.
Common motorcycle accident injuries include:
- Road rash
- Burns from explosions
- Internal injuries to organs
- Internal bleeding
- Multiple fractures or broken bones
- Neck, back, or spinal cord injuries
- Head injuries (like traumatic brain injuries)
In some cases, adrenaline can initially mask the pain you’re experiencing. Make sure to visit a physician right away. Their full assessment can help you begin immediate treatment.
If you sustained injuries in an accident, contact motorcycle accident lawyers right away.
Keep track of your medical bills, treatments, medications, and all expenses related to the crash. Your lawyer will review these expenses to calculate your losses. With their help, you can fight for compensation to cover your medical expenses.
Liability Isn’t Clear
Liability isn’t always clear in auto accident cases. If you can’t prove the other party’s negligence caused the crash, you might struggle to receive compensation. You’ll need hard evidence to build your claim.
Your motorcycle accident lawyer can help you gather the evidence you need.
They might consider hiring a private investigator to gather evidence related to the crash. They might also obtain surveillance footage you might struggle to get on your own. The evidence they gather can help you prove the other driver was negligent.
Then, you can fight for the compensation you need to cover your losses.
The Insurance Company is Stalling
The other party’s insurance company will want to pay you as little as possible after you’re in an accident. They might even try to stall paying out your claim.
In some cases, the other party’s insurance company will even try to take advantage of you. They could take something you say out of context to indicate you were at fault.
The other driver’s insurance company might also send a lowball settlement offer, knowing you want to put the entire situation behind you. You could unintentionally leave money on the table if you accept that first offer.
Don’t try to negotiate with the other driver’s insurance company alone. Instead, hire accident lawyers. They know how to negotiate with insurance companies.
They also know how to fully calculate your losses to ensure you don’t leave money on the table.
Expenses are Stacking Up
In addition to medical expenses, you’ll also have to consider property damages, lost wages, and your pain and suffering. These expenses will begin to stack up as you heal from your injuries. Don’t pay for these losses out of your own pocket.
Hiring motorcycle accident lawyers will allow you to fight for compensation. Then, you can cover your losses without additional stress.
You Want to Sue
If you want to sue the other party for the accident, hire an attorney as soon as possible. Otherwise, the statute of limitations could lapse. You could lose your chance to fight for compensation.
In California, the statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits (including motorcycle accidents) is two years from the injury. If your injury wasn’t discovered right away, you have a year from the date your injury was discovered.
With help from an experienced lawyer, you can streamline the entire process.
Hire a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer for Your Case Today
Don’t try to handle a motorcycle accident claim on your own. Instead, make sure to hire an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer right away. With their help, you can fight for compensation.
Then, you won’t have to worry about covering losses out of your own pocket.
Want to discuss your case with a member of our team? We’re here to help.
Contact us today for legal representation.