Riding a motorcycle is dangerous as you are completely exposed. Unlike other vehicles like cars and vans, there is nothing to protect you other than your helmet. As such, if you get into a collision, your injuries are likely to be more severe.
Having higher risk of dangerous outcomes means that you should ensure that you have the right help when the time comes. You can hire a personal injury attorney to assist you in your insurance claims and getting the required medical care. Here’s our guide to aid you in finding the right lawyer.
Do Your Research
When searching for options on the internet, don’t just select the top few options Google displays to you. Not all lawyers are specialized in handling motorcycle accident cases. Be sure to search specifically for motorcycle accident lawyers.
Get Referrals
Part of your research process would be to get recommendations from within your network. Find out if anyone you know has been involved in a motorcycle accident as well and ask if they’d recommend the lawyer they have used. Once shortlisted, hear what others have to say about the lawyer as well. Read online reviews of the lawyer by previous clients.
Review the Lawyer’s Experience
Personal injury lawyers may not all have experience in motorcycle accidents. Some market themselves as auto accident attorneys but in actual fact only have experience in car accident or truck accident lawsuits. It is better to find a lawyer that focuses mainly on motorcycle accidents as you can be sure that they definitely have the expertise to support you in filing your claim. When you have found one that handles motorcycle accident cases regularly, look at their track record. You will want to know how they’ve fared in previous cases to get a gauge of whether you will be able to secure a good settlement.
Discuss Plans
Your initial consultation with your lawyer is important not only for them but also for yourself. At this point, the lawyer can evaluate your case and you can utilize the opportunity to ask questions to clarify all that you need and want to know. Ask about their plan with your case, their confidence in it and what benefits you will get. From their answers, you will also get a sense of their competence in communication which is a vital skill for negotiating with the insurance companies.
Discuss Payment
Another important point to clarify early in discussions is payment. You need to know how the lawyer will get paid and the formula that decides the percentage of the settlement that can compensate for any financial losses. To prevent any unwanted surprises, go through the paperwork detailing payment carefully.
Set a Schedule
As lawsuits usually require a long time to be resolved, you can set a communication schedule with your attorney so that they will check in with you regularly. You should have them update you on the case once every few weeks. This helps both of you stay on track and ensure that everything goes according to plan.