You can discover firsthand what a motorcycle accident attorney performs if you or a loved one sustains injuries in a motorbike accident. A West Covina motorcycle accident lawyer can handle your personal injury claim from beginning to end. You may count on your lawyer to look into the details of your case, gather vital proof to back up your assertion, and pursue damages for your injuries.
Motorcycle accidents frequently result in serious injuries and fatalities; in fact, the risk of death for motorcyclists is six times higher than for passengers in cars, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Investigate Your Accident with a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Approximately 90,300 motorcycle accidents result in injuries each year, according to the Insurance Information Institute (III). It is unfortunate that conducting an accident investigation is not always easy or clear-cut. Despite the fact that anyone can read a police report, you will probably require a full investigation of your accident to ascertain whether you have a case for your injuries.
The following steps may be included in a legal investigation:
- Investigating the accident and interviewing witnesses
- In the event of an accident, document the weather conditions, the date, and the time
- Investigating the possibility of surveillance footage of the incident
- Photographing the scene of the accident
- Making a diagram that reflects the events leading to the accident on the accident scene
- Analyzing the medical evidence relating to your injury
An important first step in filing a motorcycle accident claim is determining if you have a good case for compensation against the other drivers who caused the collision. An attorney can more accurately assess the merits of your legal claim by ascertaining the circumstances surrounding the accident and what contributed to it.
Drivers with other licenses are liable
An accident investigation aims to identify the culprits and pinpoint the disaster’s cause. If someone else’s negligence contributed to the accident, you might have a strong case for financial recovery from them. A driver can be responsible for an accident if they speed through an intersection or run a red light and hit a motorcyclist. The same may be true if a drunk driver crashes a motorcycle and causes any injury.
The employer’s liability
Possible third-party liability may be a different facet of the investigation. For instance, if a driver struck your motorcycle carelessly while performing work-related duties, you might hold the driver’s employer accountable. For the careless activities of their employees, employers frequently bear vicarious accountability or financial obligation.
The responsibility of manufacturers
The maker of the motorcycle or the motorcycle parts may be held liable in a product liability lawsuit if a defective motorcycle part results in an accident that leaves you injured. Regardless of any negligence findings, a firm could be held strictly accountable in this kind of personal injury lawsuit for the faulty parts it manufactures, sells, and distributes.
Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Can Gather Evidence on Your Behalf
To support your personal injury claim, you must gather evidence. An insurance claim for a motorcycle accident may be supported by specific evidence demonstrating the cause, negligence, or fault of one or more parties.
The following pieces of evidence, if applicable, can help you prove that a negligent driver caused your motorcycle accident:
- Statements of witnesses and police reports
- A written description of how the accident occurred
- The other driver’s toxicology report after the accident
- Information about traffic citations issued and criminal charges filed in connection with the accident
- The other driver’s past driving record
The same goes for a motorcycle accident attorney, who frequently performs discovery to learn more about a client’s personal injury claim and answers inquiries from opposing counsel regarding discovery. Information exchange between the parties to a case is referred to in formal legal language as “discovery.”
The following types of discoveries are commonly made:
- The other party answers written interrogatories
- Documentation relating to the accident, the driver, or the injured party
- The testimony of witnesses is provided both in writing and orally during the depositions
Get Compensation for Your Injuries With the Help of a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Create a thorough claim for compensation on your behalf. This is one of the most important things a motorcycle accident attorney does. An assertion of your injuries as a result of the accident is included in a claim for compensation together with the legal theory supporting the case, which is frequently negligence.
For submitting personal injury claims, each state has a deadline (known as a statute of limitations). By failing to file your official claim for compensation in court by the applicable date, you risk losing your opportunity to get compensation at all. According to most state regulations, you have between one and six years from the accident date to initiate a lawsuit. To proceed with a case after it has been filed, you must abide by all court procedures.
The majority of legal cases result in a settlement between the injured parties and one or more insurance companies. The litigation is resolved when the at-fault party’s insurance provider agrees to settle the damage victims’ claims for a set sum.
The case might go to trial, though, if the parties are unable to agree on a resolution. Usually, an accident’s fault is decided by a judge and jury after they hear testimony from both side. Injury victims may be awarded money from the negligent parties in the event that the jury or court rules in their favor for payment of their medical and repair costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Contact a lawyer today
The legal process for filing a motorcycle accident claim can be difficult and drawn out. While you recover from serious injuries, these cases might be difficult to manage. You may feel unsure of what to do next as medical bills mount and large insurance companies begin to contact you. The success of your claim may depend on you seeking legal counsel during this trying time.
In personal injury cases, including those brought about by motorcycle accidents, Ben Crump Law, PLLC provides legal advocacy and representation. Find out more about what a motorcycle accident attorney can do for you by contacting our office at (800) 924-3113.
Motorcycle Accident Lawyers: How To Choose The Best
You have no protection at all while riding a motorcycle. In an accident, you’re more likely to experience more serious injuries. Actually, a passenger in a car has a 29-times lower chance of dying in an accident than a motorcycle rider. In the event of a motorcycle accident, make sure you have the right team of medical and legal specialists by your side. In this circumstance, the best motorcycle accident attorney will be beneficial.
A guide to finding the best motorcycle accident lawyers has been compiled here for your convenience.
Lawyers who specialize in motorcycle accidents
In your town, there are numerous options for various kinds of personal injury attorneys. Everywhere you look, there are advertisements, and the range of options might seem overwhelming. Here are some key considerations to keep in mind as you consult with accident attorneys to make sure you pick the right one for your needs.
Find a Referral
Start by looking within your network. If you ride, you probably know people who do as well and have experienced accidents. Find out who they utilized and whether or not they would suggest them. Knowing that they assisted a friend or member of your family in a similar circumstance makes it simple to identify someone you can trust.
Get a feel for the experience of motorcycle accidents
Don’t presume that a lawyer who specializes in auto accidents has the knowledge you need as a victim of a motorcycle accident because personal injury lawyers come in a variety of flavors. Bring in a professional who regularly deals with motorcycle accidents. Inquire specifically about the number of motorcycle cases they have handled in the last 12 months. You can be confident that they are knowledgeable about the complexities and subtleties of motorcycle accidents in this way. Your ability to negotiate the best settlement for your case is aided by this knowledge.
Analyze their past performance
Learn the results of the attorney’s previous motorcycle cases. You need to know the number of cases that ended in settlements and the number that ended in a loss. It goes without saying that you want a lawyer who typically obtains fair settlements. Ask about their past experiences in courtrooms in addition to their history. Some lawyers may concentrate on settling cases outside of court, but if that doesn’t work out, you’ll need a skilled litigator to take your case to trial.
Contingent fees are accepted
The majority of personal injury lawyers are contingency-based, which means that they deduct their fee from any settlement or verdict you receive. For you to hire the lawyer and have them represent you, there shouldn’t be any out-of-pocket costs. A trial may result in a higher fee than the industry average, which ranges from 33% to 40%. You are working with someone who is abiding by industry standards as long as it is within this range. The fee agreement should be provided to you by your attorney along with an explanation of the fee schedule. Please be aware that in addition to the contingency fee, you might also be liable for other expenses.
Communicates regularly
Lawsuits involving motorcycle accidents may take a long time to settle or go to trial. Ask the attorney how they prefer to communicate. Your attorney should provide you an update on the progress of your case every few weeks. You must to be able to readily get in touch with the attorney if you have any queries. See if they have an office layout that facilitates communication.
