Did you know that there are about 89,000 motorcycle accidents in the United States each year?
Since motorcycles are smaller, they aren’t easily seen and can be overlooked. This often puts them at a higher risk of accidents than other types of vehicles. Getting into this automotive wreck can lead to serious injuries and damages.
If you were involved in a motorcycle accident, you may be entitled to compensation. Making the right legal choices can help protect your financial interests as well as your health and well-being. Below are 7 signs you need to hire a motorcycle accident lawyer. Keep reading to learn more.
The Motorcycle Accident Caused Serious Injury or Death
From broken bones and fractures to spinal cord injuries and TBI, motorcycle accidents can lead to serious bodily harm. Treatment for these injuries can be costly. This is why hiring a lawyer is critical.
They will help you file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault party to recover the cost of the medical treatment for your injuries. What’s more, they’ll fight for your rights to get you a fair settlement.
Apart from injuries, motorcycle accidents may, unfortunately, lead to death. Crashes involving death can result in a complicated lawsuit. If your loved one has been killed in a motorcycle accident, you should also hire an attorney.
They will pursue a wrongful death claim for financial recovery. While money won’t replace the one you lost, it can help you move forward with your life.
You Can’t Work and Need Ongoing Care
Are motorcycle accident injuries keeping you from working? Need ongoing treatment?
You don’t have to do it alone. A permanent or disabling injury may need long-term healthcare. This can cause medical bills to pile up quickly. It can become overwhelming, especially if you aren’t bringing home income.
If you were severely hurt and you can’t return to work after a motorcycle accident, a lawyer can help you maximize the compensation you receive.
Additionally, a motorcycle wreck can also affect your mental health and quality of life. Your attorney can help you obtain compensation for your emotional trauma that encompasses non-economic damages like emotional distress, pain and suffering, and loss of life enjoyment.
Several Parties Were Involved in the Motorcycle Accident
If you were in a multi-vehicle accident, it can lead to multiple lawsuits that can complicate your insurance claim settlement. Apart from multiple vehicles, some motorcycle crashes can involve other parties like pedestrians, commercial entities, manufacturing companies, and more.
In such cases, proving liability can be difficult. To make matters worse, the police report may not make it clear who was at fault for the motorcycle accident.
Hiring an attorney can make determining fault easy. They can help you collect and analyze evidence that establishes which parties are liable in your case. Once a motorcycle accident lawyer identifies the at-fault party’s negligence, they’ll start determining the types of damages you can recover.
Liability is Being Disputed
If you weren’t at fault for the motorcycle accident but liability is being questioned, you need an attorney on your side. The at-fault party’s insurance company will often try to minimize your claim, especially if you don’t have a motorcycle accident lawyer on your side. Not having a lawyer can affect your compensation, especially in San Francisco, California.
The State of California uses a pure comparative fault system to determine if you’re entitled to recover compensation for your injuries. In this case, the at-fault party can only be liable to you for their own percentage of fault. In case their insurance company can prove that you were partially at fault, your recovery amount can be reduced.
Hiring a lawyer can protect your legal interests. They can stop the at-fault party’s insurance agents from trying to get you to admit fault. Also, they can ensure you get maximum compensation if your accident was caused by someone else’s negligence.
An Uninsured Motorist Was Involved in the Accident
Sometimes the parties involved in the motorcycle accident may not have insurance. When this happens, you may feel out of luck. But this isn’t the case if you hire a motorcycle accident lawyer.
California law requires motorists in the state to pay for the motorcycle accidents they cause. Although most of them carry insurance that complies with the financial responsibility law in California, some motorists drive without insurance.
While auto insurance policies may include uninsured motorist coverage, they may not be enough to cover the cost of your injuries and damages. A qualified attorney can help you evaluate your options.
They can take the uninsured party to court and use evidence from the case to argue that they owe you money. Your lawyer can convince the judge to order the other motorist to pay you.
You Have Upcoming Settlement Negotiations
Motorcycle accident lawsuits can settle before going to trial. This means you can receive a settlement offer from the at-fault party’s insurance company.
Usually, the settlement offer is low and can’t cover all your damages.
If you can’t arrive at a fair settlement agreement, you may need to hire a motorcycle accident lawyer. An experienced attorney can negotiate a greater settlement than if you are on your own. This way you can receive favorable compensation.
Besides, settlements may need you to give up certain rights. A lawyer can help you understand these rights before starting talks with insurers.
Time Has Passed Since the Motorcycle Accident
After a motorcycle accident, it may be impossible to file a claim fast when you’re recovering from serious injuries. Sometimes it may take several weeks or months for your condition to stabilize. If you file your claim late, the insurance company may not be fair to you.
Most of them will try and wait for your state’s Statute of Limitations to run so that they can deny the claim. If a lot of time has passed since your accident, consult a motorcycle accident attorney. They can ensure you file a claim and get the compensation you deserve before the deadline.
Hire Our Reputable Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
From lost wages to expensive medical bills, a motorcycle accident can lead to a lot of financial challenges. At Golden State Accident Lawyers, we can help. Our skilled lawyers put your best interest first and strive to get you a fair settlement. Contact us to schedule a free consultation.