Why You Should Hire a Lawyer After a Motorcycle Accident
Many bike crashes result in serious injuries, especially in Florida, where there are more motorcycle accident fatalities than in any other state and nearly 20% of traffic deaths occur in motorcycle crashes. Numbers like these can give rise to “biker bias”—the assumption that motorcycle riders are reckless and cause a lot of accidents. However, USF’s Center for Urban Transportation Research conducted a 10-year study of Florida bike accidents and determined that the other motorist was at fault 60% of the time.
If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle wreck in Florida, it’s possible that you were the victim of a negligent motorist who was driving recklessly, was impaired, or was violating traffic laws relating to motorcycles. A motorcycle accident attorney can help you protect your right to fair compensation.
Focusing on Your Treatment and Recovery
If you’re recovering from serious injuries or possibly adjusting to life-changing circumstances like brain trauma or permanent disability, it will be very hard for you to do your own investigation of the accident, evaluate the worth of your claim, and fight the insurance company’s lawyers. Only an experienced motorcycle accident attorney can handle these vital elements of your case to be sure you get the justice you deserve.
Investigating, Evaluating, and Negotiating
Because the serious injuries often caused by a motorcycle accident can lead to higher awards than other vehicle accidents, the defendant’s insurance adjusters are going to work even harder than usual to save money for their company by disputing your claim, offering you a low settlement early, and/or claiming that you were partially or fully at fault. An experienced attorney will know how to:
- Thoroughly investigate your accident in order to prove the fault of the negligent driver.
- Determine how much you should claim for medical bills, lost wages, and property damage.
- Put a dollar amount on your physical and mental pain and suffering.
- Recognize an unacceptably low offer and negotiate to get you a fair award.
- Fight for you in court if your case should go to trial.
Avoiding Crucial Mistakes After Your Accident
Many victims of motorcycle accidents hurt their chances to receive just compensation by not knowing the right steps to take or the mistakes to avoid immediately after the accident. The sooner you consult an attorney, the more likely you are to avoid the common mistakes that can weaken your case and reduce your award.
Seeking legal representation right away also gets your investigation started while the accident is fresh in your mind and the minds of any witnesses. You don’t want to wait until memories get fuzzy and crucial evidence is lost or misplaced.
Preparing for Legal Proceedings
It is likely that you will have to give a deposition in which you answer the questions of the at-fault driver’s insurance company’s lawyers. This proceeding might make you nervous and perhaps result in answers that are harmful to your case if you have no legal representation. Your attorney can prepare you for your deposition so that you can respond in a way that will help your claim.
Overcoming Biker Bias
If your case should go to trial, your lawyer can prepare you for that proceeding as well, helping you to overcome any prejudice on the part of the judge or jurors against motorcycle riders. Bike crash statistics, your own good driving record, and other helpful data and information will all be integrated into your case by your attorney.
Have You Been Injured in a Florida Motorcycle Accident?
Consulting an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible will put you in the best position to get the compensation you deserve. Contact us online, start a chat, or call our Coral Springs office at 954-755-7803 to schedule a free consultation. We take cases on a contingency fee basis, so you pay no attorney fees until we win your case.
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