Should You Hire a Lawyer After Your Motorcycle Accident?
No matter how safe you try to be, sometimes you cannot avoid getting injured in a motorcycle accident. The question many riders have after is whether they should hire a lawyer to handle their claim.
Even if you do not think you need to file a lawsuit, hiring a skilled attorney can make an incredible difference in the compensation you receive and how the other side treats you. Insurance companies do not always treat injured riders with the respect they deserve, instead using negative stereotypes against them to deny them compensation. A lawyer working for you can ensure that these tactics do not come into play during settlement negotiations, increasing your chances of recovering the maximum compensation for your damages. If they refuse to settle, your lawyer can fight the case in court so you do not lose out on what you deserve.
For a free case consultation with an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer, call Jerry Friedman today at 1-800-529-4464.
Is it Worth Hiring a Lawyer After Being Injured in a Motorcycle Accident?
After an accident, some victims wonder whether it is worth the potential time and expenses of hiring a lawyer. For riders injured in a motorcycle accident, hiring an attorney can make a vast difference in how insurance companies treat your case and, ultimately, the compensation you recover. Many motorcyclists sustain serious injuries during the crash and cannot afford to lose out on the compensation they will need to heal. By hiring a lawyer, you will not only protect your rights as a rider but also have the best chance of maximizing the compensation you receive. The following are some good reasons to hire a lawyer to handle your motorcycle accident case:
Develop the Right Strategies to Recover Compensation
Hiring a skilled motorcycle accident attorney like Jerry is the best way to explore all your compensation options to cover your losses. Most riders have immediate medical bills they need to pay while losing out on money because their injuries keep them out of work. A lawyer can prepare your case quickly so you get your compensation faster. In many cases, insurance can be used to cover your initial damages. However, a lawyer will also usually file a lawsuit at the same time as an insurance claim, which encourages the other side to settle the case.
Most defense attorneys do not fight cases they know they cannot win. By having a lawyer file your lawsuit, you will show them that you are serious about getting justice for your accident.
Jerry will also know what evidence you need and where to gather it, which will help fight unfair claims that you somehow contributed to the crash. This is one of the biggest advantages of hiring a lawyer who specializes in motorcycle accident cases. Jerry understands that injured motorcyclists can be painted as unsafe or even reckless despite the fact that negligent drivers cause most accidents. He will argue your case so the evidence makes it clear that the responsibility lies with the other driver.
Avoid Low Settlements
Insurance companies also know how to take advantage of injured riders who do not have legal counsel. They know that most injury victims desperately need funds, so they offer low settlement amounts early in the claims process when the pressure is highest. Since most people do not know how to evaluate the full range of damages they are entitled to, they can lose out on a significant sum.
Worse, once a settlement is accepted, you cannot pursue compensation for any damages you did not account for before signing away your right to sue for this particular incident.
Thus, you will want to work with an attorney so all of your damages are accounted for. Jerry will gather medical records, paystubs, and estimates for bike repairs to calculate your economic losses. However, he will also be able to assess your non-economic damages. Your “pain and suffering” can be difficult to articulate, and most victims are unsure what it includes. Your lawyer will be able to put a value on your emotional distress, mental anguish, and physical pain so it is accounted for in your settlement.
Some insurance companies do not want to pay pain and suffering damages and will continue to make low settlement offers. Your attorney can tell you your chances in court and whether the matter should be decided there. In many cases, having your attorney fight your lawsuit in court is worth it, as juries tend to be more sympathetic to injury victims than insurance companies.
You Do Not Pay Unless Your Lawyer Recovers Compensation
The cost of filing a lawsuit is often the biggest concern that makes people hesitate before hiring a lawyer. They understand that litigation can be expensive and think attorneys charge by the hour.
Fortunately, this is not the case for motorcycle accident victims. Like most personal injury attorneys, Jerry works on a contingency fee basis. This means you will not have to pay upfront costs to get your case started or court costs as the lawsuit proceeds. In fact, you do not pay a penny until compensation is recovered for your injuries. Your lawyer will get paid a fee from the settlement or award you receive. This ensures that injury victims can access legal services regardless of their financial situation.
How Soon Should I Hire an Attorney Following a Motorcycle Accident?
Not only should you hire a lawyer after a motorcycle accident, you should do so as soon as possible. You will have a limited amount of time to file a lawsuit, no matter what state it occurred in. For instance, New Jersey allows victims just two years from the date of the crash to file their claims, as per N.J.S.A § 2A:14-2(a). You will not be compensated if you hire a lawyer after the “statute of limitations” passes.
Call Now to Hire a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Who Understands Your Legal Needs
Call Jerry Friedman at 1-800-529-4464 for a free case assessment with our motorcycle accident attorney.
