If you or a loved one was injured in a recent motorcycle wreck and you want to know how to hire the best motorcycle accident lawyer to help you get compensation, here are some tips to guide you. Start by asking for recommendations from previous clients and be sure to read online reviews and client testimonials, as these can help you choose the right attorney for your needs.
The Rutherfordton motorcycle accident lawyer who represents you after an accident can make a significant difference in how your motorcycle accident claim is handled. These tips can help you choose a lawyer and law firm that can help you build a strong case for financial compensation.
Learn About Potential Motorcycle Accident Attorneys During a Free Consultation
A consultation with a motorcycle accident attorney is mutually beneficial—you and the law firm will have the opportunity to vet each other. They are typically free, do not obligate you to hire the law firm, and allow you to learn about them while they learn about the merits of your case.
Five Questions to Ask About a Prospective Law Firm and Legal Team
During your consultation, you and a member of the law firm’s legal team will have the opportunity to ask questions. After providing the details of your motorcycle accident, you can ask:
- Whether your claim constitutes personal injury or wrongful death
- About the filing deadline and potential timeline of your case
- How many motorcycle accident cases the law firm previously handled
- How much your claim is worth and how much the law firm charges
- How and how often the law firm communicates with its clients
Be prepared to answer questions about your case as well. The law firm will want to know when it occurred, who witnessed it, and the extent of your injuries. They will also ask about the sequence of events that led to the motorcycle crash.
Hire a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer with Familiarity Settling Cases Out of Court
Most cases like yours are resolved with a settlement. The back-and-forth process of offer and counteroffer can require repeated rounds of negotiation. The attorney handling your case will:
- Assess your recoverable damages
- Prove the at-fault driver’s financial liability
- Create and send a settlement demand letter
- Receive and assess monetary offers
- Make appropriate counteroffers
Once a settlement agreement is reached, your lawyer will receive your compensation from the insurance company, deduct their agreed-upon percentage, and remit the remainder to you.
Motorcycle Accident Victims Can Choose a Lawyer with a Record of Success
When making a decision and vetting a lawyer, opt for one with both settlement negotiation and trial experience. While they rarely go to court, you want a lawyer who will represent you in court if a settlement agreement cannot be reached. This will mean:
- Preparing you and other witnesses to testify
- Gathering and preparing supportive evidence and exhibits
- Arguing the merits of your case in court
The finder of facts (judge or jury) will listen to legal arguments from both sides and make a final decision. If your case is effective, they will award financial compensation.
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Ensure Your Potential Lawyer Can Accurately Assess Your Financial Losses
Assessing the types of damages you can recover after an accident can be time-consuming, trying, and will require a plethora of supporting evidence. The best attorneys will know how to assess your motorcycle accident claim without overlooking or omitting any valid damages.
Compensation for motorcycle accident victims can include:
- Medical bills: Emergency room, hospital, rehab, therapy, and prescriptions
- Lost wages: Full-time, part-time, freelance, gig-economy, and business losses
- Property damage: Motorcycle damage, destruction, and diminished repair value
- Impairment: Disability, disfigurement, physical and emotional pain and suffering
- Inconvenience: Loss of enjoyment of life and inability to enjoy previous lifestyle
Wrongful death damages, if applicable, can include funeral and burial costs, loss of financial and familial support, and loss of consortium, companionship, and guidance.
Your Lawyer Will Document Your Economic and Non-Economic Damages
Documenting your recoverable damages is a complex process. It is also a critical one, since you will not be able to request additional damages after your case is resolved. Look for a lawyer who will assess your damages by:
- Documenting your treatment protocol
- Gathering property repair or replacement estimates
- Examining any monetary offers from the insurer
- Scrutinizing the at-fault driver’s insurance policy
- Clarifying how pain and suffering are evaluated
Your lawyer will also collect bills, receipts, a written prognosis, and other documents that attest to the monetary value of your requested damages.
Look for an Attorney Who Will File Your Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit on Time
The lawyer you choose should have familiarity with the filing time limit and its potential fluctuations. In general, you have:
- Three years to file your personal injury lawsuit in North Carolina, per G.S. § 1-52.
- Two years to file your wrongful death lawsuit in North Carolina, per G.S. § 1-53.
- Three years to file your personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit in South Carolina, per S.C. Ann § 15-3-530.
If the statute of limitations expires, you may be barred from filing your lawsuit altogether or have it dismissed without being heard.
Choose a Lawyer Who Will Accept Your Case on a Contingency Fee Basis
It may not cost you anything to hire a motorcycle accident lawyer and many will accept your case on contingency. This type of fee structure means they will charge nothing upfront and cover all the costs associated with preparing your lawsuit.
You will only compensate the law firm if they recover damages for you. If you do not receive a financial award, you will owe no fees at all.
Our Experienced Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Can Get Started Helping You Today
If you or someone you love was injured in a motorcycle accident, you could have the basis of an insurance claim or lawsuit. At Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC, we will help you build the strongest possible case and obtain the best available financial recovery.
Find out how you can hire the best motorcycle accident lawyer for you. Learn more by contacting our law firm today to receive a free initial consultation about your claim.