The aftermath of a motorcycle accident is often stressful. When you should focus on recuperating and deciding your next steps, you’ll be dealing with calls from insurers whose key priority is maintaining profit. Many people are unsure about the specific role of motorcycle accident lawyers and how they can assist in these situations.
A motorcycle accident attorney could mean the difference between no settlement money, a small settlement, or receiving maximum compensation. A FREE consultation with one of our experienced Atlanta motorcycle accident lawyers at John Foy & Associates is available to injury victims. Continue reading to learn more about what a motorcycle accident lawyer does.
What Is a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?
A personal injury lawyer specializes in motorcycle crashes. Personal injury attorneys assist those hurt in accidents in obtaining compensation for their losses, including
- Medical treatment
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Reduced quality of life
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
Personal injury lawyers specialize in the legal area of tort law. According to Georgia Code § 51-1-1, “a tort is the unlawful violation of a private legal right other than a mere breach of contract, express or implied,” or the “violation of a public duty” where the victim suffers damages.
When an individual causes an automobile accident, they are guilty of negligence; that is, they have broken their legal obligation to behave in a way that does not cause injury to other people.
The legal doctrine of torts covers motorcycle accidents. A motorcycle accident lawyer is a personal injury attorney who assists clients in receiving compensation following a motorcycle accident. The aim is to compensate the accident victims so they can become whole again.
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What a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer does
To get you the financial compensation owed, the following are some specific ways a motorcycle accident lawyer can help your case.
Explaining Your Legal Rights As a Motorcycle Accident Victim
Most motorcycle accident victims know about handling an auto crash. However, not knowing where to start with filing your motorcycle accident claim or what to do to protect yourself can be confusing. Your lawyer can be a guide to ensure your comprehension of your legal alternatives and other case details.
You have the right to pursue damages in Georgia when someone violates their legal obligations, and you suffer harm due to their actions (Georgia Code § 51-1-6). This implies you can sue the individual at fault for damages or claim a personal injury with their insurance provider.
Providing Simplified Legal Advice
Most consumers won’t comprehend motorcycle accident cases’ complicated legal or insurance lingo. You will also have to deal with the insurance company, which may attempt to coerce you into accepting a low settlement or obtain information from you that might be used against you.
With a skilled eye, your lawyer can guide you through the legal procedure and ensure insurers don’t take advantage of you. A competent attorney would counsel you against signing anything from the insurance company, agreeing to make any statements, or accepting the first settlement offer.
A motorcycle accident lawyer will handle the legal aspects of your case so you can focus on getting treatment, healing, and being with your loved ones after the accident.
Building Your Motorcycle Wreck Case
You must get proof to demonstrate the following before you can submit your motorcycle accident claim to the at-fault driver’s insurance provider:
- Your injuries resulted from the motorcycle accident.
- The at-fault party’s carelessness caused the accident.
- As a result of the motorcycle accident, you sustained damages.
A motorcycle accident attorney will be aware of the details that are required of you and assemble them to create a compelling insurance case. They will collect scene photos, accident reports, medical records, eyewitness comments, and more.
The point is to prove who caused the accident, the at-fault party’s liability, and how the event occurred. Your lawyer will begin working with you when you’ve achieved maximum medical improvement (MMI), meaning when your medical treatment-related recovery has been achieved.
Waiting until treatment is complete allows them to estimate your total losses, including all medical costs, accurately. Your lawyer will build a compelling case to support your claim when they have the complete story.
Negotiating for a Fair Motorcycle Accident Settlement
When you file your insurance claim, the agency will review it and respond. The insurance company might offer a lowball amount that doesn’t equate to the sum of your damages. If they insist it’s a fair amount (or the best they can do)—a lawyer will evaluate it to protect you.
A motorcycle accident lawyer will know how to deal with the insurance company. They’ll work to negotiate a settlement amount that is fair to you based on your damages. If they are successful, you’ll get paid.
Representing You in Court
Most motorcycle accident cases end in a settlement, especially if the injured motorcyclist hires an experienced lawyer. However, in some cases, the insurance company won’t agree to a good enough settlement. If that happens, your lawyer may consider filing a lawsuit.
Your lawyer will represent you from each step of the lawsuit process. Before going to trial, they will work to negotiate a settlement along the way. Settlements are often reached at this point, but litigation lawyers will take it to court if the insurance company fails to be reasonable with its negotiation offer.
When Is a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Necessary?
Finding yourself in a car accident can be a disorienting and stressful experience. However, working with a knowledgeable motorcycle accident lawyer can provide critical guidance and support when needed. The following include scenarios when it’s best to speak with a legal professional:
- When severe injuries or wrongful death occurs
- When liability between you and other parties is being disputed
- If the insurance company is hesitant to offer fair compensation or is using unethical tactics to invalidate your claim
- If you cannot reach a reasonable settlement and need legal help to make it through legal proceedings such as hearings, depositions, and court
- If multiple parties are involved, or a company has a legal team.
The bottom line is that a motorcycle accident law firm can make your case smoother than it would if you were handling the legal dispute alone. Having trusted guidance to safeguard your interests from professionals knowledgeable in various practice areas is the ultimate reassurance.
Does Having a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Guarantee That I’ll Win My Accident Claim?
While having legal representation can increase your chances of success, the result of your claim will depend on several variables, such as the particulars of the motorcycle crash, the evidence at hand, the laws that apply, and the verdicts rendered by juries or judges.
An experienced motorcycle accident lawyer can help you improve your chances of winning your claim in the following ways:
- Lawyers may help you through the legal system’s intricacies, protecting your rights and ensuring you take all the required actions to pursue your motorcycle accident lawsuit successfully.
- Lawyers will compile essential data that proves responsibility and supports your allegation.
- A motorcycle accident attorney will hire experts such as an accident reconstructionist or a vocational specialist to uncover additional evidence or factors that can increase your settlement payout.
Insurance companies won’t stand a chance by offering you less than a fair amount for our losses. A knowledgeable attorney can negotiate or sue an insurance provider to get just compensation that would pay for your time off work, medical expenses, and any other accident-related damages.
There is no guarantee that your claim will be successful, but generally, personal injury attorneys will only charge you for legal services if they can win your case. This guarantees your legal counsel’s full dedication to the success of obtaining financial compensation.
How Soon After My Motorcycle Wreck Should I Contact a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?
Since a motorcycle crash lawyer is responsible for evidence collection and collaborating with the insurance adjuster to investigate the details of your motorcycle claim, you are strongly advised to contact a motorcycle crash lawyer immediately following the accident.
Additionally, the car insurance company is notorious for contacting the accident victim after the wreck to take a recorded statement; it’s best to consult an attorney before providing a statement to prevent jeopardizing the basis of your claim.
How to Calculate the Worth of Your Motorcycle Accident Law Firm
Finding a lawyer, estimating the cost, and determining if they are worth the price can be overwhelming if you don’t understand what a motorcycle accident attorney does or what to look for. To select an equipped legal team, you should consider the following attributes:
Experience and Track Record
Look for a lawyer with extensive experience handling motorcycle injury cases specifically. Do they have a proven track record of winning cases and getting favorable client results?
Focus on Motorcycle Crashes
Choose a lawyer who concentrates on motorcycle accidents as their primary practice area. You want someone highly knowledgeable about motorcycle-related laws and litigation.
Resources and Connections
An effective lawyer will have the financial resources and connections to investigate your crash thoroughly, hire experts, and go up against large insurance companies if needed.
Client Rapport
Ensure you feel comfortable with the lawyer and find them trustworthy, responsive, and easy to communicate with. This working relationship is important to building a solid personal injury case.
Reputation and Reviews
Look online and in your local community for client testimonials and reviews that speak to the lawyer’s strong reputation for succeeding in motorcycle cases.
Success at Trial
While most cases settle out of court, it’s good if the lawyer has litigation experience and success taking cases to trial if needed. These types of lawyers are especially helpful for depositions or other important proceedings.
Association Memberships
Look for lawyers who are members of relevant motorcycle attorney organizations, which indicates a commitment to ongoing education.
Calculating the qualities that mean the most to you will ensure that you feel confident throughout your case and will largely contribute to your claim’s success. Take the time to vet the accident lawyer during the free consultation session with your concerns to ensure that you align beforehand.
Will My Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Help Me Find a Doctor?
In many instances, personal injury law firms have a robust network of specialists that they work with for client injury cases. This includes medical specialists such as doctors, physical therapists, and surgeons, but also:
- Investigators
- Economists
- Life care planners
- Damages experts
Get a Free Consultation with a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
A motorcycle accident lawyer does what’s necessary to recoup economic and non-economic damages for their client. At John Foy & Associates, working with us is risk-free because we don’t require a retainer fee or charge you if we lose. Plus, the consultation is always FREE.
To schedule your consultation with a team member, contact us today. We look forward to helping you financially recover from the losses of your Georgia motorcycle accident.
404-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form