Is a Personal Injury Lawsuit Possible After a Motorcycle Crash?
Adventure, camaraderie, and fuel efficiency, motorcycle riders seem to have it all.
In America, over 10,124,400 households own at least 1 motorcycle. True motorcycle enthusiasts understand that to stay safe on the roads they have to be vigilant. Nevertheless, even the most safety-conscious riders can become victims of tragic accidents.
We hope you never have to experience any type of accident on the road. However, it’s still a good idea to prepare yourself if the worst should occur. To help you out, we’ve created this article to help answer your post-crash questions.
Should you file a personal injury lawsuit after a motorcycle crash? Do you need a lawyer to help you file a claim? What happens if you’re the one who caused the crash.
Read on to find out the answers to these questions, plus a few more!
Did You Cause the Crash?
Do you think you might be responsible for the accident that took place?
Whenever you suspect that you might be responsible for a motorcycle accident, it’s a good idea to contact an attorney. A qualified attorney will be able to help you recover your losses, and protect your rights if you wind up being sued by the other driver.
It’s also important to note that even if you, the police, and the insurance companies say you’re liable, that doesn’t mean it’s true. An experienced attorney will know how to properly investigate the incident. Oftentimes, during the attorney’s investigation, details surrounding the crash will reveal that both drivers should be held responsible.
For instance, let’s say you rear-ended another vehicle with your motorcycle. It’s possible the driver you hit stopped suddenly, and without warning. It’s also possible that there was an unsafe road condition, or motorcycle malfunction, that contributed to the crash.
Instead of assuming you have to take full responsibility, reach out to a legal professional that will have your best interest at heart. Next, let’s look at whether or not you should launch a personal injury lawsuit when you’re certain another driver caused your motorcycle accident.
Launching a Motorcycle Crash Lawsuit
Did another driver’s negligence cause your motorcycle crash?
If yes, you have the right to seek compensation for your injuries. A lawyer can also help guide you so that you know exactly what to say, and what not to say when you’re talking to insurance adjusters. If you’re worried about affording an attorney, don’t be.
A lot of personal injury lawyers are willing to work on a contingency fee basis. Setting up a contingent payment plan means your lawyer will receive a percentage of your claim payout.
To avoid any miscommunications, make sure you fully understand the fee structure of your contingency plan, before signing anything. For instance, find out if you’ll be responsible for any legal fees if you happen to lose your case.
Free Consultations
It can be difficult to decide whether or not you have grounds for a lawsuit. Instead of trying to decide for yourself, leave it to the lawyers. Call a law firm in your area today to set up a free consultation.
During the consultation, you can ask questions about the strengths and weaknesses of your case. Be sure to ask what the possible and likely outcomes are, and whether or not your case needs to go to trial.
Find the Best Attorney
It’s also a good idea to attend a few free legal consultations to find the best attorney. During your consultation, you can assess the lawyer’s experience, and personality, to decide if they’re a good fit for you.
For example, ask about how the attorney will be updating you about your case. Will they be calling, texting, or emailing? You’ll want to choose an attorney that’s willing to communicate in a way you feel comfortable.
How Much Will the Personal Injury Settlement Be?
Now, let’s talk about how much you can get for a motorcycle accident settlement. To help your attorney make a fair guess about what your case is worth, you’ll need to bring a few things to your consultation. For starters, bring the accident’s police report with you, along with a detailed account of what took place (in your own words).
When you write a statement for your lawyer about the crash, include as many details as you can remember. For example, what was the weather like? How fast were you driving? What was the other driver behaving before the impact?
Next, bring the names of any witnesses you were able to get contact information from at the accident scene. You’ll also want to bring any relevant medical documents, and statements about the need for upcoming procedures.
After reviewing all of your information, the personal injury lawyer should be able to give you a ballpark figure for how much you’re likely to receive for the accident.
Damages You Can Sue For
Lastly, let’s look at the different types of damages you can seek out in your motorcycle lawsuit. Here’s a shortlist of the damages you could claim:
- Property damage
- Past and future medical care
- Lost compensation
- Pain and suffering
- Disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
As you can see from the list above, not all damages have to relate to your injuries. Instead, motorcycle settlements can be a blend of both economic and non-economic damages. Keep in mind, small injuries, like whiplash, can develop into debilitating conditions in certain situations.
Don’t forego getting a lawyer because you believe your injuries aren’t going to disrupt your life. By immediately hiring an attorney, and documenting your medical journey, you’ll be doing everything you can to protect your future.
Get the Help You Deserve
Do you think you should start a personal injury lawsuit? Perhaps you’re dealing with expensive medical bills, or maybe the crash left you without a vehicle. Whatever the case may be, you owe it to yourself to see if you have a valid case.
Reach out to a law firm near you today and set up your free consultation. Remember to bring as much evidence as possible with you to the consultation. Before you know it, you’ll be getting solid advice from someone who knows exactly what you’re going through. For more tips like these, read another article.