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Originally Posted On: https://sweetlaw.com/12-qualities-to-look-for-in-a-motorcycle-accident-attorney-in-tucson-az/

 

Have you been in a motorcycle accident in Tucson?

Stats show that riders are 4x more likely to suffer injuries in an accident than car drivers. What’s more, a lot of motorcycle accidents aren’t the rider’s fault.

Whether or not you’re the at-fault party, you must seek out a good Tucson motorcycle accident attorney. A motorcycle accident attorney will be able to fight for just compensation and protect you from being lowballed and manipulated by insurance companies.

Hiring an attorney after a motorcycle accident will also cut down on stress and save you time and energy. But, this doesn’t mean you should hire the first motorcycle accident attorney in Tucson that you come across.

The success of your case can hinge completely on the quality of legal help you get. An inexperienced, unprofessional lawyer could lose your case entirely, or settle for inadequate compensation.

Unsatisfactory attorney services can result in increased stress and anxiety during the legal process. Instead of feeling supported and strongly represented, you could be left feeling even more alone and frustrated.

Fortunately, you can avoid all of this by hiring the best motorcycle accident attorney. Keep reading to find out 12 important qualities to look for in a motorcycle accident attorney.

1. Experience

If you need a capable motorcycle accident attorney, experience is one of the most critical qualities to vet for.

Research strongly indicates that experience is a key factor in attorney performance.

The last thing you want is an inexperienced attorney who’s fresh out of their bar exam handling your case. Motorcycle accidents can be complex cases to prove.

What’s more, there’s usually a lot at stake. You may have sustained severe injuries that have long-term implications. You might have also suffered from lost earnings, PTSD, and other forms of pain and suffering.

A seasoned motorcycle accident attorney will have probably dealt with multiple cases that are similar to yours. They’ll know all the ins and outs of the motorcycle claims process, how to deal with insurance companies, and how much compensation to push for.

In contrast, an inexperienced lawyer may bungle negotiations, shy away from taking matters to trial, or settle for an offer that’s lower than what you justly deserve for your injuries.

2. Specialization

One of the most important questions to ask before you hire an attorney is what area of law they specialize in.

Motorcycle accidents fall under personal injury law. However, this doesn’t mean you should let a general personal injury lawyer take on your case.

Most motorcycle accident lawyers have a background in personal injury as a whole, and then choose to further specialize in motorcycle accidents.

Think of it like this. You wouldn’t want a general surgeon performing heart surgery on you. Instead, you’d want an experienced heart surgeon.

An attorney who specializes in motorcycle accidents has more insight into the unique legal issues around motorcycle accidents. They also know how to handle just about any tactic an insurance company throws at them.

An experienced motorcycle accident attorney may also be able to uncover additional areas of injury you might not even realize you have sustained.

For example, study findings show that 39.2% of car accident survivors are afflicted with PTSD, but it can take some time to experience its full impact.

A motorcycle accident attorney in Tucson will also know all of the best expert witnesses in town. Depending on your injuries, and the direction your case takes, you may need to draw on the testimonies of medical experts. Expert medical witnesses will be able to outline to the court how your injuries are likely to impact you in the future.

Insurance companies know they’re up against a tough fight when they have to deal with an experienced motorcycle attorney. If you pick the best motorcycle attorney in your area, they will most likely already have a strong reputation. The carrier’s legal team will be aware from the get-go that they can’t get away with blatant lowball tactics.

To make sure you’re hiring an attorney who’s both specialized and experienced in motorcycle accidents, ask how many motorcycle accident cases they have handled in the last 12 months. If the answer is one or two, we’d look elsewhere for legal representation.

3. Good Reviews

One of the easiest ways to gauge an attorney’s level of professionalism, performance, service, and case success is to check their online reviews.

Most online review platforms go to great lengths to eradicate fake and incentivized reviews.

Comb through all the reviews you can find for a potential motorcycle attorney. Is the common thread one of the happy clients and successful cases? Or do you see a high number of low-star reviews and unhappy feedback?

Most reputable law firms will have several online reviews, including Google reviews and reviews on platforms like Yelp and the BBB. If you can’t find any reviews for an attorney or legal firm, this is in and of itself a warning flag.

4. A Clear Fee Structure

Another important thing to look for when hiring a motorcycle attorney in Tucson, or anywhere else for that matter, is a clear fee structure.

The attorney you engage should be able to clearly explain their firm’s fee structure so you don’t encounter any surprise expenses.

Besides a clear fee structure, you might also want to opt for a firm that works on a contingency fee basis.

One of the biggest obstacles preventing accident victims from getting legal help is that most people cannot afford to pay out of pocket. Contingencies eradicate this obstacle. Instead of having to pay out of pocket, you can elect to pay your attorney out of your settlement.

Under a contingency agreement, you don’t have to pay a retainer fee. Instead, a set percentage will be deducted from your settlement.

If your case is unsuccessful, you are not required to pay your attorney this percentage fee. However, depending on the law firm, there might be some separate costs that you may need to cover, such as court fees, or expenses for engaging expert witnesses.

No matter what type of fee structure you choose, it’s essential that you understand all of the details from the outset. With contingency fees, one of the first things to get clear on is the percentage fee.

Industry averages typically fall between 33% to 40%. If your case goes to trial, the contingency percentage could increase.

Also, make sure you ask your prospective motorcycle lawyer whether there may be any out-of-pocket expenses you will need to cover.

Here at Sweet Lawyers, we strive to make top-notch legal representation accessible to everyone. We offer a contingency fee structure and charge nothing upfront. With us, you won’t pay anything unless you recover.

5. State Appropriate Licenses

Before you hire any type of lawyer, you should also double-check that they hold a license to practice in your state. You can start by checking their About page for licensing info.

You can also visit the American Bar website and use their attorney license lookup directory.

6. A Track Record of Successful Settlements

Above all else, you want a lawyer on your side who has a track record of successful settlements. Therefore, don’t be shy to ask potential attorneys outright about their recent cases.

How many motorcycle accidents have they handled in the last year, and of these, how many have they won, and how many have they lost? You can also ask about settlement amounts.

Understandably, you want to hire an attorney who fights for fair, reasonable settlement amounts. Therefore, don’t hesitate to ask for specifics about previous cases and settlement outcomes.

Some attorneys may also share case outcomes on their websites. Here at Sweet Lawyers, we publish recent case results on our homepage.

7. Courtroom Experience

Another critical attribute to look for in a motorcycle accident attorney is courtroom experience. Cases that go to court are time-consuming, expensive, and drawn out.

Neither side wants this. Most insurance companies prefer to avoid the additional expense of court costs. Because of this, most personal injury and accident cases get settled out of court via negotiations.

But, there is always the slim possibility that your case may go to trial. If it does, you want to be able to rest assured that your attorney has the courtroom experience to fight your case competently.

If an attorney doesn’t have any courtroom experience, this might even motivate them to advise you to accept a lower settlement to avoid going to trial.

8. A Reliable Communication Schedule

Accident claim settlements aren’t a quick process, but this doesn’t mean you don’t need to receive regular updates on your case.

If you hire an attorney who’s extremely hard to reach, and who rarely updates you, this can be a recipe for stress and frustration.

Therefore, make a point to ask any potential motorcycle accident attorney what their communication schedule is. How often can you expect updates from them, and how easy will it be to reach them if you have any questions?

9. Helpful Staff

If you’ve been involved in a motorcycle accident, the last thing you need is to deal with unfriendly staff. When screening potential law firms, take note of their general customer service levels.

How quickly are they to reply to emails or phone calls? Can you get an appointment quickly? Is the staff friendly, caring, and responsive?

10. A-Team Behind Them

As we said above, accident claims can take many months to complete. If you’ve suffered extensive injuries, receiving a settlement as swiftly as the legal processes allow could be critical.

Even if you’re not in urgent need of a resolution, we’d still recommend opting for a motorcycle attorney who has a team behind them. If you’re dealing with a one-person show, and something happens to your attorney, this could create unnecessary delays for your case.

For instance, if they fall ill, or are also involved in an accident, who will handle the case in the interim?

With a larger law firm, you won’t need to worry about this. Should your attorney be unable to handle your case, another equally qualified partner will be able to step in.

11. A Personality You Get Along With

Another important quality to look for in a motorcycle attorney is the right personality. Depending on the complexity of your case, you may need to have multiple interactions with your appointed attorney.

If their manner rubs you up the wrong way, this will make the process more unpleasant than it needs to be. Instead of feeling like you have a trustworthy professional in your corner, you might get the impression that your attorney doesn’t care about you or your case.

This is not only unsettling, but it can also be a red flag. Attorneys who don’t care about their clients might not have the same level of motivation to fight for full and just compensation.

12. Enough Time for Your Case

Finally, look for a Tucson motorcycle accident attorney who has enough time to give your case the attention it deserves.

The best way to gauge this is during the initial interview. Is the attorney getting interrupted by phone calls and law firm staff coming in to ask questions? Or are they able to devote their full attention to your case evaluation?

If not, this might signal that the attorney is overloaded with cases. It might also signal that the firm is too small to handle its current workload.

At Sweet Lawyers, we know how important it is to have enough hands on deck. Our team of attorneys is large enough to handle all the cases we take on, while still offering tailored, personal service.

Are You Looking for a Seasoned Motorcycle Accident Attorney?

If you’ve been in a crash, the most important step you can take is to hire the right motorcycle accident attorney. One that’s experienced, specializes in motorcycle accident cases, and has a track record of successful settlements under their belt.

The firm you pick should also have a clear fee structure and communication policy, provide friendly service, and demonstrate care and understanding for your case.

Wondering where you can find a motorcycle accident attorney that fits this bill? Right here.

Sweet Lawyers is dedicated to fighting and winning personal injury cases and will be with you every step of the way. We specialize in motorcycle accident settlements and have a 98% success rate. Under our contingency fee structure, you won’t pay a penny unless we win your case for you.

We are available 24/7. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.