If you were in a motorcycle accident in Los Angeles, you may have injuries and insurance problems to handle. You may also find yourself asking, “Do I need an attorney to settle my motorcycle accident case or can I do it on my own?”
That’s a valid question! Especially when you’re dealing with mounting medical bills, possible lost wages, and the stress of recovery. We believe accident victims should not have to bear the burden of someone else’s mistakes.
Let’s explore whether involving a personal injury lawyer can benefit your injury case.
6 Reasons You Should Hire a Motorcycle Accident Attorney
1. Evidence Collection
After a motorcycle accident, collecting comprehensive evidence is crucial to strengthen your case. A skilled Los Angeles motorcycle accident attorney has the expertise to gather all necessary documentation, including:
- Police reports
- CCTV footage
- Eyewitness accounts
- Forensic evidence
This thorough approach ensures that your attorney does not overlook any detail. Once the evidence is in, the next critical step is proving liability.
2. Prove Liability
Establishing who is at fault in motorcycle accident cases can be tricky. Your attorney will use the evidence to show liability. This is crucial for getting your rightful compensation under California law.
Insurance companies will try and shift blame on you in hopes of minimizing their responsibility. A seasoned attorney has honed the ability to rebuff these unfair tactics!
3. Accurately Calculate Damages
Calculating damages goes beyond just tallying medical expenses and lost wages. It includes estimating future medical treatment costs, potential long-term effects of injuries, and even emotional distress.
A motorcycle accident attorney ensures you get compensation for every damage. If your injuries will require care into the future, the lawyer will include those costs as well. The expert guidance of a motorcycle accident attorney increases the likelihood of a fair settlement.
4. Skilled Negotiators for Settlement
When negotiating accident settlements in California, having a seasoned negotiator on your side can make a huge difference. Motorcycle accident lawyers have two goals in mind:
- Get you completely compensated for all your loses
- Avoid going to court unless absolutely in your interest
They are experienced in dealing with insurance companies to ensure you receive maximum compensation without lengthy court battles. They work to negotiate fair settlements and avoid prolonged legal proceedings.
Clients can focus on their recovery while their lawyer handles their legal matters.
5. Representation in Court
If a fair settlement can’t reached through negotiation, your attorney is prepared to represent you in court. Their expertise strengthens your case and a team of supporting staff expertly handles all legal roadblocks and details.
If a settlement can’t be reached, your attorney will either file a lawsuit or request arbitration. The legal proceedings will commence, facilitating the discovery of all facts pertinent to the case.
These proceedings may include depositions of witnesses, experts, and other key individuals involved in the incident. After completing the discovery process, your attorney will move to schedule a trial.
6. Seeking Maximum Compensation
Understanding the average motorcycle accident settlement in California can provide some perspective, but each case is unique. A dedicated Los Angeles motorcycle accident attorney will strive not just for average compensation, but for the maximum possible. They ensure to consider all aspects of your case and personal circumstances. At El Dabe Ritter Trial Lawyers, we have settled motorcycle accident cases ranging from $50,000 to over $6 million.
When Should I Hire an Attorney After a Motorcycle Accident?
Deciding when to hire an attorney after a motorcycle crash can significantly influence the outcome of your case. Here’s what you need to consider to make this crucial decision:
Immediate Assessment of Liability
Understanding who is at fault immediately after your accident is essential. An attorney can help determine liability by analyzing the accident scene, the vehicles involved, and the applicable laws. This early intervention is critical, as it sets the foundation for your claim.
Identifying Potential Parties At-Fault
Motorcycle accidents often involve several parties, making fault determination tricky. It could be another motorist, a pedestrian, a faulty vehicle company, or even public entities. A good lawyer easily finds all possible defendants. This ensures no guilty party goes scot-free.
Hit-and-Run & Uninsured Motorist Accidents
In cases of hit-and-run or accidents involving uninsured motorists, securing compensation becomes more challenging. An attorney can pursue all available avenues, for example, your own uninsured motorist coverage. We navigate the legal intricacies for you so your rights remain intact.
Understanding the Damages You Can Claim
Sure, you can do a Google search and get a basic understanding of what you can claim. However, an attorney can help you understand the full spectrum of damages available to you.
These claims cover medical expenses, lost wages, pain, and suffering. They also include the loss of consortium. This last one deals with how your injuries affect your relationship with your spouse. It often needs legal expertise to handle well.
Shared Responsibility
California comparative fault rules may apply if you share some responsibility for the accident. An attorney can argue effectively for minimal fault on your part, maximizing your potential compensation under these rules.
Personal Injuries Assessment
If you’re injured, an attorney can help document and link the injuries to the accident. This step is crucial for supporting your claim. This is especially important when seeking compensation for long-term effects. These effects may not be immediately clear.
Unfortunately, many injury victims fail to take into account the long-term effects when handling their own case. They accept the insurance company’s settlement offer and later down the road they realize the settlement won’t be enough.
Benefit from Free Consultations
Most motorcycle accident attorneys offer free consultations, providing you a risk-free opportunity to discuss your case. These consultations can be pivotal in understanding the following:
- The merits of your case
- Potential compensation
- Legal steps required to proceed
Common Complications with Motorcycle Accident Claims
Dealing with insurance companies after a motorcycle accident can be an uphill battle. Insurance carriers have a notorious reputation for minimizing payouts, which often leads to super low settlement offers. This tactic can leave accident victims feeling pressured to accept less compensation than they deserve. This is especially true when facing mounting medical bills and potential loss of income.
An experienced motorcycle accident attorney can counter these strategies effectively. They know how to negotiate with insurance companies and can leverage gathered evidence. They have the ability showcase the true extent of your damages and the other party’s liability.
Why Insurance Companies Offer Low Settlements:
- Quick Resolution: Insurers often aim to close claims quickly by making an initial low offer.
- Underestimating Damages: Insurance adjusters may not fully account for the complete range of damages. In particularly those that are non-economic, such as pain and suffering or emotional distress.
- Disputing Liability: Insurers might challenge liability of the accident. They could claim that the victim had a role in causing the incident, thereby reducing their obligation to pay.
Lack of Evidence to Determine Liability
Crash victims handling their own case often lack the resources to gather evidence. As already mentioned, building a strong case needs substantial evidence. An attorney can access resources, methods, and technology that may be beyond your reach. They can gather crucial evidence that you might not have been able to obtain on your own.
Comparative Negligence
In California, the principle of comparative negligence can significantly impact your compensation. Insurance companies often try to reduce their payout by assigning a higher degree of fault to the motorcycle rider. They might argue that your actions contributed more significantly to the accident than they actually did. An experienced attorney can counter these claims by presenting evidence that accurately reflects the circumstances of the accident.
Helmet Use
California law requires all motorcycle riders to wear helmets. Insurance companies may use your helmet use, or lack thereof, as a pivotal factor in your case. If you didn’t wear a helmet during the accident, they could say it made your injuries worse and you might get less compensation. An attorney can help win these arguments by focusing on the cause of the accident and on your injuries.
Speak with a Trusted Motorcycle Accident Attorney About Your Case
If you were hurt in a motorcycle accident in California, don’t try to settle your claim by yourself. Get expert help.
Our team of motorcycle accident lawyers at El Dabe Ritter is here to assist you. From the moment we take your case, to the moment you receive your check, we’ll take care of you. Our experienced lawyers have been fighting for accident victims’ rights since 2003. With the support of a dedicated team, they strive for the most compensation possible.
Contact our law firm today for a free consultation. Let us help you secure the justice and support you need to move forward. Don’t leave your motorcycle accident case settlement to chance.