How to Choose a Motorcycle Accident Attorney

The highlight of your life might be riding your motorcycle along country roads. Unfortunately, riding a motorcycle also comes with risks. Motorcycles get into terrible accidents with cars because drivers don’t watch for motorcyclists and often say they did not see them. More accidents happen in urban settings than in rural settings and a good portion of them happen at intersections.

If you suffered injuries or lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident, you should retain a motorcycle accident attorney. This post describes some of the things you should look for when seeking out the right motorcycle accident attorney to represent you in your motorcycle accident case.

Experience in Motorcycle Wrecks

Most attorneys can represent someone whom a motorcycle accident injured. But because bike crashes have some specific elements, it’s best to choose a lawyer with experience in motorcycle wrecks. Motorcycle accident attorneys understand the unique aspects of cases involving a motorcycle, which can make a big difference in the outcome of a case. Additionally, motorcycle accident injuries are often more severe than car accident injuries. This can affect how an attorney handles your case.

Location of the Motorcycle Crash Attorney

Always check the location of the attorney you choose. Often, when you call a motorcycle accident attorney based on a commercial, the operator refers you to another motorcycle accident attorney close by and you don’t have a choice in who represents you. If you choose an attorney located in your city, your attorney should know the local court rules and procedures.

Full-Service Law Firms

Full-service law firms usually have a general practice. If you already have a relationship with an attorney at a full-service firm, they might help you find a specialist for the injuries you have or could help you avoid collection if medical entities press you for payment before the settlement or trial award.

Look at Client Referrals and Testimonials

Check to see what past clients have said about the attorney you are considering hiring. If past clients were happy with the service they received, you are more likely to have a positive experience—although this is never guaranteed. Sometimes personalities clash. You need an attorney you feel comfortable with. Review client testimonials, then make an appointment for a consultation to make sure you are comfortable with your choice.

Familiar With Long-Term or Permanent Traumatic Injuries

Because it’s difficult to recover enough compensation for injuries that cause long-term or permanent disabilities, retain an attorney who is familiar with catastrophic injuries if you are facing long-term health challenges as a result of your accident. This attorney will know how to properly estimate future medical expenses and future lost wages.

Past Compensation Recovered for Clients

While prior settlements and verdicts do not guarantee that the outcome of your case will be favorable, it does show that the attorney has experience in reaching a successful outcome. Also, keep in mind that some lawsuits lead to a lot more compensation than others. You can ask an attorney about the compensation they have recovered in past cases like yours.

Contingency Fees

After a motorcycle accident, you might lose work or you might have lost a loved one who provided for your household in the accident. You most likely do not have enough money to pay for an attorney. A motorcycle accident lawyer usually does not charge for a consultation, nor does he require any money upfront to represent you in your case. You will only owe attorney’s fees if and when you receive a settlement or court award. For more information about specific costs after a motorcycle accident review our “How Much Does a Motorcycle Crash Cost?”

You have other financial worries during this time, so not paying upfront for legal representation and having a way to postpone payment of medical expenses without potentially ruining your credit is a large chunk of stress off your shoulders. In some cases, if you tell medical providers you have an open case against the defendant, they won’t report non-payment, knowing that they will get paid in full once you receive a settlement or trial award.

24-Hour Availability

After a motorcycle accident, your health and finances are on the line. You probably don’t want to wait for hours or days to know the status of your case or whether you have a case. We are available 24 hours a day to help you with a new case or to tell you about the status of your case.

Communication

Our firm makes communication with clients a priority. We not only keep you updated on the status of your case, but we will explain anything that you do not understand. If you have questions about why something was done, how it was done, or why the defendant’s attorney did something, it is our job to let you know what, why, and how it affects your case.

Do Not Wait to Speak to a Motorcycle Accident Attorney

We recommend that you contact a motorcycle accident attorney as soon after your accident as possible. You are more likely to remember facts that can help your case. And, if you prefer to negotiate before filing a lawsuit, that takes time. You have to bring a motorcycle accident lawsuit within two years in most cases.

In the case of wrongful death, if you are the surviving spouse, parent, or child of someone who died in a motorcycle accident, you have three months to bring a case; otherwise, the decedent’s personal representative must file the lawsuit within two years on behalf of the surviving spouse, parent or child.

Bilingual Attorneys

In some cases, people for whom English is a second language have a difficult time understanding complex legal concepts in English. An attorney who speaks both Spanish and English can translate these concepts into Spanish to make them easier for you to understand.