Riding a motorcycle is exhilarating and fun. However, while you may love the thrill of the ride, there is always a high risk of meeting a severe accident. According to a report by the National Safety Council, motorcycles make up around 3% of registered vehicles in the United States, yet 14% of all traffic fatalities are associated with motorcycle riders.
Also, if not fatality, motorcycle accidents can leave motorcyclists and their loved ones with severe personal injuries, let alone heavy financial damages. Therefore, finding the right motorcycle accident lawyer is highly important. While finding the best lawyer for your case may seem overwhelming and the last thing you would want to deal with in the midst of recovery, it is the only way to win your claim and recover your rightful compensation.
To help you with that, in this article, we will discuss the five tips that will help you choose the right motorcycle accident lawyer to recover your losses, get medical treatment, and maximize your chances of winning the case. So, without further ado, let’s get started!
1. Conduct Thorough Research
Seeking immediate legal help doesn’t mean you should make a rushed decision. In simple words, before hiring a motorcycle accident lawyer for your case, make sure to conduct thorough research through different means. For instance, do not instantly go with the first option Google displays on your screen because being just an attorney doesn’t give someone the right expertise or specialized knowledge to deal with your case or area of law.
One way to ensure that is to request references from family and friends. You may also go through the local online groups and forums to read reviews or experiences of other people with different lawyers while finding information about the cases they have won or their qualifications. Knowing a lawyer’s past successes and track record will make it easier to make an informed decision.
2. Start Your Search Right Away
The reason you must immediately start searching for the best motorcycle accident lawyer is that many states, like Denver or Texas, have a two-year statute of limitations from the date the injury occurred. This means that if you fail to sue the other party within two years, you can lose your right to sue. Another major reason to seek immediate legal representation is the evidence itself.
Remember, motorcycle attorneys help when your loved one is injured on their motorcycle or when you suffer injuries or damages; thus, they would need all the evidence to prove the other party is at fault. However, evidence in such cases can quickly disappear, which makes proving liability almost impossible. Thus, don’t hesitate to seek legal help because the longer you wait to take action, the more difficult it will be to recover damages.
3. Specialized Knowledge
Another important tip to hire the best motorcycle lawyer for your case is to find the one who holds specialized knowledge and experience in dealing with motorcycle accident claims. While many law firms and lawyers are out there, not all of them handle such claims. Generally, a motorcycle accident lawyer operates under the scope of personal injury law and torts. However, a personal injury lawyer may not necessarily be specialized in handling motorcycle accident claims.
Also, there may be many minor details that only a specialized motorcycle accident attorney can understand and deal with. Thus, make sure that your chosen lawyer has a good record and solid experience handling the legalities and formalities involved in a motorcycle accident claim. The best way to ensure whether a lawyer holds specialization in dealing with such claims is to research online and read up about their qualifications and reviews of previous clients. Most importantly, schedule a consultation session with them and ask relevant questions.
4. Schedule Consultation and Ask Questions
Once you have listed the top attorneys with specialized knowledge in motorcycle accidents, the next step is to schedule a consultation session and ask relevant questions. Remember, a consultation session is when your chosen attorney will review the case and determine if they want to get involved. However, it will be a mutual decision. Thus, when meeting the lawyer, make sure to ask them questions about their success rates, experience, educational background, licenses, and past cases before making the final decision.
When you ask these questions, it can help you determine if the lawyer is the right fit for your case. For instance, if the lawyer doesn’t look sincere enough with your case, you may struggle to trust them. Likewise, asking relevant questions shows the attorney that you are serious about finding the right professional for your case, which may lead a lawyer to step up and put more effort into assisting you.
5. Discuss Plan and Payment
After the consultation session, ask your lawyer about the plan with your case if you choose to hire them. Similarly, discuss what direction they would like to take and how it will benefit you. You may also discuss with them the chances of ensuring a positive outcome and how confidently they can handle the case.
By discussing all this, you will not only be able to align your effort with them but also get a sense of their communication skills and working style, helping you negotiate with the insurance companies eventually. Besides the plan, you should also understand the lawyer’s fee structure along with the formula that will be used to ascertain the settlement amount’s percentage that can make up for financial losses.
Remember, most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis and only get paid if they successfully win the case and obtain the settlement amount on your behalf. However, how much of the total settlement amount will go to your account depends upon the percentage your lawyer charges. Thus, to avoid last-minute surprises, you must review the paperwork and document the payment structure in detail.
The Final Words
Finding and hiring the right lawyer may seem challenging when handling motorcycle accident claims. However, by conducting thorough research, evaluating your options in detail, and following the tips above, you can not only ensure hiring the best legal representation for your case but also increase your chances of winning the claim. So, start your search immediately, research your options, look for specialization, schedule a consultation, ask questions, and discuss the payment and plan in detail. By practicing these steps, you can rest assured of handing your case to a professional who will tirelessly fight on your behalf. Good luck!
