According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) “there were an estimated 92,000 motorcyclists injured during 2014.” For those who have been injured in a motorcycle crash, the aftermath of the accident can be extremely overwhelming. Between sustaining injuries, being pushed around by the other party’s insurance company, and experiencing a traumatic life event, there are many things to handle all at once. For this reason, many people assume that hiring a lawyer is too complicated and not something they wish to pursue.
Hiring a lawyer after a motorcycle accident in Costa Mesa is actually one of the best ways you can help yourself heal and recover after an accident. If you were injured and it was due to another driver, we can help you handle all the difficult paperwork and defend you against the other insurance company to ensure you are getting compensated fairly for what you have been through. Understanding when to consider hiring a motorcycle accident attorney, what to avoid before you have legal representation, and how an attorney can help you heal is important if you are a motorcycle rider.
When to Consider Hiring a Motorcycle Accident Attorney?
If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident that was due to someone else’s negligence, the chances are high that you should hire a qualified attorney to help you handle your claim. An accident attorney is there to fight for you to get the compensation you deserve in the aftermath of the crash and ensure you do not get taken advantage of.
Insurance companies will often intimidate victims into taking small settlements (or even none at all!) and without an attorney, you may feel pressured into falling into their deception. However, with legal representation, the insurance company will be forced to take you seriously and understand that you will not accept a settlement that is less than fair.
Even if you feel that your injuries are not severe, it is important to get medical attention and determine if there are underlying issues that you may not be aware of. Injuries can take days or weeks to surface, so scheduling an appointment with your doctor is always recommended to be on the safe side.
What Not to Do After a Motorcycle Accident
If you are exploring your options for how to seek compensation for your motorcycle accident and the insurance company is aware of this, it is important to know what not to do before you speak with an attorney regarding your case. Insurance companies will often use underhanded tactics to coerce victims into signing documents or making official statements that will make it harder for an attorney to prove your case later on. After a motorcycle accident, be sure to note:
- Sign any documents. Insurance companies will often pressure victims to sign statements quickly before you have a chance to have a lawyer review it. These statements are often oversaturated with legal jargon but can include you absolving the other party of guilt.
- Agree to make a recorded statement. Be sure to not consent to have any recordings made of your conversations with the insurance company, even if they state it is standard procedure or for record-keeping purposes. It is your right to decline being recorded, especially when you do not have legal representation present.
- Hesitate to get in touch. If the other party was at fault for your accident, their insurance company will likely start working to build a case in their defense right away—and in these scenarios, evidence often disappears quickly. Getting in touch with us quickly for a free consultation is the best way to ensure you do not get trapped without evidence to back up your claim due to immoral practices.
How Can a Lawyer Help Me After a Motorcycle Crash?
The short answer is that a lawyer will help you seek the compensation you are owed, but there are many components that go into proving that for your case. When you call us about your motorcycle accident, we will schedule a free consultation to get all the details regarding the incident.
If you decide to pursue your case, we will then work tirelessly to establish the facts and showcase to the defendant how you deserve compensation. We can work with law enforcement, accident reconstruction experts, and medical professionals to gather evidence related to your case and determine whether the other driver was at fault. We will also handle all the complexities of the paperwork that you would have to deal with if you decided to represent yourself, and we will handle negotiations with the insurance company directly so they cannot attempt to push you around or coerce you into accepting a claim on their terms.
Not only will we fight for you to receive the compensation you are owed for any medical bills you have already incurred, but we will also work with your medical team to determine if you need long-term care that could involve expenses down the road or if there are lingering emotional impacts due to your accident that could need care. When you trust us with your claim, you can be certain that we will handle all the complicated legwork so you can focus on recovering and healing in the aftermath of a tragic event.
How Much Will a Motorcycle Attorney Cost Me?
It is common to assume that legal representation is too expensive to be worth it, but you will be surprised to find that is not the case. We will provide you with a completely free consultation to go over the details of your accident and tell you honestly if a case is worth pursuing. If it is, we will work for you on a contingency basis until a payout is established—this means we will cover all the legal costs upfront and you will not pay anything until you receive compensation for your bills, pain, and suffering from the defendant.
Work With an Accomplished Motorcycle Attorney
If you have been in a motorcycle accident and would like to discuss your options with an experienced attorney, please call us at (714) 491-4111 for a free