Is It Worth Hiring a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?

If you or a loved one suffered injuries and damages due to a motorcycle accident, you might wonder if it’s worth hiring a motorcycle accident lawyer. Although hiring a lawyer is entirely your decision to make, there are many reasons it’s a good idea to get one involved and to do so as soon as possible.

Most motorcycle accident lawyers do not charge you a fee unless they actually win you a settlement or award. That means you can begin working with them right away and not worry about upfront costs. To discuss the details with one of our motorcycle accident lawyers at John Foy & Associates for free, call or contact us online today.

Motorcycle Accidents Are Extremely Dangerous 

At least 5,000 motorcyclists are killed every year in motorcycle accidents, according to the Insurance Information Institute’s (III) facts and statistics. Plus, tens of thousands are injured every year. Motorcycles are simply not as resilient in crashes as other types of vehicles. 

Consider the size and weight of most passenger vehicles. On a motorcycle, you are significantly lighter and less protected than a person behind the wheel of a car. Therefore, while it’s your duty to ensure you ride your motorcycle safely, other drivers on the road also need to have the same duty of care towards you as well. 

If a driver negligently causes an accident with you, the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (OCGA) § 51-1-6 allows you to file a claim against the driver responsible. What this means is that you don’t have to pay for any of your damages out of pocket. Instead, you can receive financial compensation. 

Winning financial compensation isn’t easy, but with the help of a lawyer, your odds are significantly increased. 

When Hiring a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Is Worth It

Motorcycle accidents are often very serious, and there are many reasons motorcyclists have more trouble getting the compensation they deserve compared with other motorists. Let’s look at some of the main ways it’s worth hiring a motorcycle accident lawyer for help with your case.

You Will Likely Have Legal Questions

When most people get into an accident, especially a motorcycle accident, they have never had to deal with this type of situation before. So, it’s completely normal to have questions and wonder whether you’re doing things correctly. However, you won’t be able to get the correct answers from friends, family, the insurance company, or anyone else involved in the case.

The best resource for your legal questions is an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer. They can let you know how your case looks and what you can expect going forward. This is why it’s such a good idea to at least schedule a consultation to learn about your options.

The Insurance Company Won’t Make Recovery Easy

Insurance companies do not like to pay out much on motorcycle accident claims. Therefore, they will look for any way to reduce what they have to pay to you. That might include employing tactics like blaming you for the accident, painting you in a poor light, or trying to intimidate you into accepting a lowball settlement.

Hiring a motorcycle accident lawyer instantly puts you on a more even footing. They can communicate and negotiate with the other driver’s insurance company on your behalf. In addition, they’ll be able to determine the actual value of your case so that you don’t end up settling for much less than you need and deserve.

When insurance companies see that you have a lawyer on your side, they are often more likely to take you seriously and negotiate. They’ll know that you are willing to fight for a fair settlement.

You Might Worry You’re Partially at Fault

If you think you might have caused part of your motorcycle accident, this is a fantastic reason to call a lawyer. Although the laws on fault vary per state, you can still seek financial recovery in Georgia as long as you were less than 50% at fault, according to OCGA § 51-12-33. So, don’t assume you cannot recover money until after you’ve spoken to an experienced lawyer.

Your motorcycle accident lawyer can look at the details and determine whether or not you were indeed at fault for a part of the accident. Then, if they think you still have the right to recovery, they will fight for it.

A Lawyer Can Keep You in the Loop

If you don’t have a lawyer keeping up with the details of your case, you might wait for days, weeks, or longer without hearing any updates. This can be incredibly stressful and leave you wondering if everything is okay.

Your lawyer will stay in regular contact with the other driver’s insurance company and make sure things are moving along so that you won’t feel like you’re left waiting in the dark.

A Lawyer Uncovers All Your Damages

An essential part of your case is detailing all the damages you’re eligible to receive and how much they are. We can work with your health care providers to assess the costs of your medical care before we approach the insurance company.

We can obtain the details of your treatment plan, current and future, and use that information to build your case. You may be facing permanent disability or weeks of physical therapy after a motorcycle accident. You should get paid for all your injury costs, not what the insurance company thinks they owe.

John Foy & Associates will also pursue any non-economic damages you could be eligible for, like pain and suffering or disfigurement. If you have mental health consequences after your accident, you could get compensation for those as well.

Staying Out of the Insurance Fight

A motorcycle accident lawyer protects you from the tactics of insurance companies, but they also do more than that. When you have a lawyer on your side, you can turn your attention away from your case and toward recovery.

The insurance company would love to use your statements against you in your claim, but once you have a lawyer they have to communicate with you through them. Your lawyer is your shield from their questioning and false accusations.

The insurance industry has thousands of lawyers working for them. Why shouldn’t you have a lawyer on your side as well? There’s little question that hiring a motorcycle lawyer after your accident is worth it.

You Can Get Help With a Wrongful Death Case

If you have lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident, your lawyer can help you bring a wrongful death claim. Wrongful death claims can include damages like:

• Medical costs the decedent had before they died
• Pain and suffering the decedent experienced before they died
• Funeral expenses
• Burial costs
• Loss of companionship or consortium

Your lawyer can handle these legal details for you after the motorcycle accident so that you can focus on mourning and being with your family members.

A Lawyer Will Help You Through Every Step of the Process

Dealing with the insurance claims process or filing a lawsuit after an accident is complicated and stressful. Although you have every right to represent yourself, it’s never a good idea when a severe accident is involved. A motorcycle accident lawyer can help you by:

• Calculating the full value of your damages, including medical costs, lost wages, property damages, pain and suffering damages, and more
• Filing your claim with the other driver’s insurance company and making sure it gets filed in the correct way
• Communicating and negotiating with the insurance company
• Make sure your claim gets filed on time
• Helping you pursue a lawsuit if you cannot negotiate with the insurance company
• Being your number one resource for questions about your case

A motorcycle accident lawyer will work to ensure you don’t receive less than what you deserve.

Don’t Hesitate to Get Help 

The statute of limitations to file a motorcycle accident claim in Georgia is only two years. Unfortunately, even though two years seems like a long time, many people forget to file their claim or fail to build a strong case prior to filing. 

Don’t risk any weakness in your case. Reaching out to a lawyer right after you seek medical treatment is the best thing to do. Before you accept any deal or talk to the insurance company, please get experienced and dedicated legal representation first. 

Talk to a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer for Free Today

Motorcycle accident cases are often lengthy and complicated. Don’t suffer through the aftermath of your accident alone. Talk to a motorcycle accident lawyer at John Foy & Associates for free today.

Contact us online to get started. We’ll go over the details of your accident and schedule an appointment with you. We are available 24/7.