You love being on your motorbike. The thrill of riding the powerful machine is one that you can’t put into words. Indeed, there is no better stress reliever than feeling the throb of the machine as you hit the road. That is, until you got into an accident.
A look at the statistics on motorcycle accidents will send a chill down your back. Motorcycles make up a paltry 3% of registered vehicles in the United States. Yet they are responsible for 14% of traffic fatalities, 4% of occupant injuries, and 18% of occupant fatalities. The figures are as per 2020 National Safety Council statistics. The numbers showed a 20% increase in deaths within ten years.
You can count yourself lucky that you did not lose your life in the accident. It could have been more serious because a driver ran a red light. By some stroke of luck, you had not hit full throttle, thus the less severe injuries. But you should call up a motorcycle accident lawyer. Here are five reasons why.
Collect Evidence and Prove Fault
You have been prudent about keeping up with your premium payments. The motorcycle insurance cost is not cheap by any means. But you know that in an accident you will get compensation. But, you will need the expertise of a motorcycle accident lawyer to prove that you are not liable.
Reputable motorcycle accident firms work with a stable of experts. In the list are investigators, medical experts, and law enforcement, to name a few. The lawyers will dispatch a team to the accident scene to collect evidence. They will also talk to witnesses, the attending police, and medics. All this is necessary to mount a good argument for compensation.
Please note that proving fault is not always a clear-cut case. You may assume that the other driver ran the red light on purpose. But, further investigation shows the brakes may have been faulty. That means the car accident lawyer can pursue claims against other third parties.
You Get the Motorcycle Accident Lawyers’ Expertise
Personal injuries arising from motorcycle accidents are quite complex. What applies in one state may be different from another. There are differences in legal liability, personal injury lawsuits, compensation limits, etc.
The attorney will help you decipher the laws as they pertain to your case. If arbitration fails, you want an expert fighting for you. So look for a lawyer who has litigation experience as well. Some will be very good at mediation,they will have challenges arguing a case before a judge.
The Other Parties Will Have Legal Representation
One question many accident victims have is how long do insurance claims take. In the best-case scenario, it can take several days, sometimes even weeks. But, this could extend to even a year and beyond. It all depends on many factors that could add to the complexity of the process.
If the other party is at fault, you can be sure they will have legal representation. Now, here is how many motorcycle accident victims lose out on fair compensation. You go in thinking that the other parties have your best intentions at heart.
But, talk to any insurance claims adjuster. They will tell you that insurance companies are not in the business of giving out money. If they can get away with not settling the claim, they will. If they can’t, the next option is to pay as little as possible.
You will face a barrage of insurance claims attorneys representing the underwriters. They will speak legalese, which will have you in a bind. In the end, you will sign documents that you are not even sure of. Only negotiate a settlement with your motorcycle lawyer present.
Calculate Fair Compensation
It is not easy to calculate fair compensation after a motorcycle accident. True, upfront costs may be easy to tabulate. The most obvious are medical bills and damage to the bike. But you may not be factoring in things like missed wages, future medical bills, and other expenses. Also, a court may attach an amount to pain and suffering.
As you can see, calculating fair compensation is quite hard. But that is the work your motorcycle attorney will do for you. Their power of negotiation can help you get large settlements.
A Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Will Handle All the Processes
By now, you can imagine that a lot goes into claim settlement. Dealing with insurance claims adjusters can be pretty difficult. There is a lot of back and forth, which can be time-consuming.The amount of research work or investigation is also quite lengthy.
After the motorcycle accident, your priority is to get well. But it also helps to know the claim settlement process is in motion. A motorcycle accident lawyer or insurance claims attorney will do all the work for you. They will take on the arduous task of dealing with the underwriters. If the case makes it to court, the lawyer will prepare the legal documentation to file your claim.
When looking for a motorcycle accident attorney, check their reputation. Also, focus on their industry experience. This is in no way to say that an inexperienced attorney cannot handle your case. But you will get a better outcome with those who have been practicing for some time.
Ask for references and read client reviews and testimonials. The peace of mind that comes from knowing that experts are handling your case can aid your recovery. You don’t want the extra stress of worrying about the issue instead of your health.
Final Thoughts
A motorcycle accident lawyer can provide relief following an accident. The most clear benefit is legal representation. You should only sign documentation or accept a settlement with your lawyer present. We have shared five reasons why you need a motorcycle accident lawyer. You benefit from their expertise and grasp of the laws about your case.
The attorneys will also follow up with the insurance company for fair compensation. Good lawyers can negotiate a better settlement. You will not get the same if you deal with the underwriters yourself.
Finally, a motorcycle accident attorney does all the hard work. That allows you to focus on the most crucial thing, which is recovery.
