When a motorcyclist is hit by a car, truck, or another large vehicle, the results can be catastrophic, and you will need an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer to get full compensation for your injuries.. With little protection from the impact, the motorcycle rider may suffer life-threatening injuries that take months or years to heal. The aftermath of a motorcycle accident can be a harrowing time, physically and financially. As the injured victim, you have the right to seek compensation.
Your choice of law firm matters. The motorcycle accident lawyers at Munley Law have 65 years of experience representing injured victims. Our award-winning motorcycle accident attorneys have recovered significant settlements and verdicts for injured motorcyclists. We have consistently been recognized as the Best Lawyers in America and are board-certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Most importantly, we get results.
Contact us today to schedule a FREE consultation.
$32 Million Wrongful Death
$26 Million Truck Accident
$20 Million Commercial Vehicle Accident
$17.5 Million Car Accident
$12 Million Work Injury
$11 Million Truck Accident
$9 Million Truck Accident
$8 Million Truck Accident
$8 Million Truck Accident
$7.5 Million Auto Accident
$6.9 Million Garbage Truck Accident
$6.5 Million Traumatic Brain Injury
Why You Need Legal Representation for a Motorcycle Accident Claim
You never have to hire a personal injury attorney if you are involved in an accident. However, there are benefits to doing so. With the legal guidance of a motorcycle accident lawyer, you can rest assured knowing your claim is being handled with the dedication and care it requires.
Further, an experienced motorcycle accident attorney will have the background to handle complex cases that other personal injury law firms may not have adequate knowledge of.
No two law firms are the same, and choosing yours for your motorcycle accident claim can be the difference in a successful outcome and piling medical bills. At Munley Law, our lawyers have more than 65 years of experience in motorcycle law, securing multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts for our clients.
If you seek legal representation for your motorcycle accident claim, call Munley Law, the team you can trust.
Speak with a motorcycle accident lawyer today.
When Is a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Necessary?
Some personal injury cases are more straightforward than others. Given the size of a motorcycle compared to a standard passenger vehicle or a large truck, motorcycle wrecks often require legal support.
Situations where a motorcycle accident lawyer may be necessary for a claim include:
- If you suffered serious injuries — Some motorcyclists are lucky and only walk away with minor cuts and scraps after a wreck. But if you suffered serious injuries that have resulted in extended hospital stays, temporary or permanent disability, or require long-term medical care, you may need legal representation.
- Multiple parties are involved — If two or more motorists are involved in the collision, hiring a lawyer to help determine liability can be beneficial.
- The insurance company won’t negotiate — Insurance adjusters will do everything possible to minimize the payout you receive. A lawyer can handle negotiations and won’t accept a settlement unless you agree.
- You cannot handle the legal process alone — Let’s face it: recovering from injuries after an accident while also balancing everyday life can be overwhelming. A motorcycle accident lawyer can handle the process while keeping you informed every step of the way.
For trusted legal advice following a motorcycle accident, call Munley Law.
The Types of Compensation Available in a Motorcycle Accident Case
There are two forms of compensation frequently awarded in motorcycle accident cases–economic damages and non-economic damages. A motorcycle accident lawyer can help you calculate the value of your claim and determine what losses you have sustained.
Economic Damages: Economic damages are tangible losses that have a monetary value assigned to them. They include losses like lost wages, medical bills, and property damage.
Non-Economic Damages: Non-economic damages are more subjective and are meant to compensate for losses that may not have a price assigned to them, yet suffering occurred. This includes losses like pain and suffering, diminished quality of life, mental anguish, loss of consortium, loss of companionship, etc.
Other Damages: In some situations, punitive damages may be awarded. These damages are not meant to recoup losses but instead act to punish the negligent party.
There is no fee unless we win your case.
How Long After a Motorcycle Accident Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit?
The statute of limitations for filing a legal claim after a motorcycle accident typically ranges from one to six years, depending on the state and the type of claim being filed.
Actual time limits for filing a motorcycle accident lawsuit can vary significantly based on factors like:
- The specific state where the accident occurred
- Whether it’s a personal injury claim or a property damage claim
- If a government entity is involved
- The age of the injured party
For more precise information, consult with the motorcycle accident lawyers at Munley Law. They can provide guidance tailored to your specific circumstances and jurisdiction involved.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?
Our motorcycle accident attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. Meaning you do not pay a fee unless we win your case. If our lawyer cannot successfully resolve your case, you will not owe a fee for our services. Furthermore, you will not pay anything upfront or out of your own pocket. This way, the cost will not hinder your access to the best legal representation. It will allow you to not worry about how to pay legal fees in addition to your medical bills, repair costs, and other expenses you are dealing with because of the motorcycle accident. Once the case is settled or reaches a verdict, our fees will be deducted from our recovery.
The initial consultation is free, so you risk nothing by speaking with our personal injury lawyers about your case.
What Does a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Do?
A motorcycle accident lawyer is a personal injury lawyer who can help you file a lawsuit to recover losses following a motorcycle crash, such as:
- Current and future medical bills
- Lost wages or lost earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Mental and emotional anguish
- Altered quality of life
In the worst cases, a motorcycle accident lawyer can help victims’ families pursue wrongful death claims against at-fault drivers.
Here is how a motorcycle accident lawyer can help with your claim:
Investigate the Motorcycle Accident
After any type of accident, a thorough investigation is needed to find the root cause of the crash and who can be held at fault for the accident. Using expert witnesses, accident reconstructionists, and private investigators, we will discover who was responsible so your motorcycle accident claim is well supported.
Negotiate With the Insurance Company
Once we determine the worth of your motorcycle accident case, we will begin negotiating with the insurance company. Sometimes, the negotiations can be settled within a few weeks or months; other times, they may take longer, especially if the case is complicated and you have suffered catastrophic injuries.
Motorcycle insurance requirements vary by state. In most states, the minimum coverage is $25,000 bodily injury per person, $50,000 per accident, and $10,000 in property damage. Needless to say, the minimum coverage for injuries is unlikely to cover the cost of your medical treatment if you suffered any common motorcycle accident injuries such as traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, broken bones, road rash, and even death.
Represent Your Claim in Court
Sometimes, a settlement agreement cannot be reached outside the courtroom. Our experienced motorcycle accident attorneys will take your case to trial if this happens. Negotiations will continue until the trial has begun.
While many personal injury lawyers prefer to settle out of court, Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys is always ready to take your case to trial if that’s what it takes to get justice.
Our motorcycle accident attorneys are here to help.
Why Should I Hire a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?
By their very nature, motorcycle accidents frequently result in serious injury, which will often result in a complex personal injury claim that is difficult to handle on your own. Such injuries often come with costly medical bills, loss of income or inability to work, and physical as well as psychological pain and suffering. While the insurance company may make a settlement offer, they will unlikely cover all your losses. People who work with a motorcycle accident attorney typically receive far greater compensation than those who do not.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 6,218 motorcyclists in the United States were involved in a fatal traffic accident in 20202. Thanks to the size and weight of other vehicles on the road, motorcyclists face a greater risk of severe injury and death. They are 29 times more likely to die in a motor vehicle crash and four times more likely to be injured than a car driver or passenger.
Typically, the insurance company settlement offer will only include expenses that an injury victim has currently and may not account for future expenses or pain and suffering.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
There are several causes of motorcycle accidents, but the most common is human error. Negligence on the part of other drivers on the road can result in catastrophic injuries for the motorcyclist.
Some common causes include:
- Distracted Driving: Distracted driving includes any activity that pulls the driver’s attention away from the task of driving. While phones and technology are the number one source of distraction, other distractions might include a built-in navigation or infotainment system, other passengers in the car, eating or drinking behind the wheel, and even hands-free phone calls or tech.
- Aggressive Driving: According to the NHTSA, aggressive driving—speeding, tailgating, or cutting off another driver—is defined as committing a series of traffic offenses that harm another individual.
- Left-Hand Turns: Making a left-hand turn is more dangerous than you realize. According to Popular Mechanics, approximately 61 percent of all traffic accidents result from someone turning left. In the majority of these accidents, the vehicle that is making the left-hand turn is the one that will be found at fault for the accident.
- Motorcycle Lane Splitting: Lane splitting can be dangerous for riders and drivers and lead to motorcycle accidents. This is important because if a motorcyclist was found to be lane-splitting at the time of a crash, it could affect the rider’s ability to sue the other driver for damages.
- Hazardous Road Conditions: Even the slightest pothole can result in a motorcycle accident. From slippery roadways to uneven pavement, poor road conditions can cause the motorcycle to become unbalanced, causing the vehicle to tip over and leading to severe injuries.
How Much is a Motorcycle Accident Case Worth?
Every case is different, and compensation will depend upon several factors, so you should be skeptical of any lawyer who promises a specific settlement amount too early in the process. An experienced motorcycle lawyer at Munley Law will know how to thoroughly investigate your claim and make a demand based on the maximum amount you are owed. From that point forward, your motorcycle accident lawyer will keep you apprised of the negotiation process and will not accept an offer of settlement without your consent.
That being said, the amount of money you receive for your case will depend upon the extent of your injuries, the cost of your hospital stays, surgeries, and any future or ongoing medical treatment. It will also depend on how much time you are forced to miss from work and/or how the accident affects your ability to work in the future. Your compensation will also reflect the pain and suffering you endured and will continue to endure due to the crash. The available insurance coverage will also affect the amount of compensation you receive.
Contact our motorcycle accident attorney for a free consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Motorcycle Accidents
Does Having a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Guarantee I’ll Win My Accident Case?
Unfortunately, hiring a motorcycle accident lawyer does not guarantee winning your case. However, you are more likely to have a successful outcome with legal representation. This is because the legal process is riddled with confusing jargon, misleading deadlines, and a lot of red tape.
An experienced motorcycle accident lawyer will ensure you meet filing deadlines and that your case is as sound as possible. Further, most personal injury law firms work on a contingency fee basis, which means they don’t get paid unless their client wins, making it easier for victims to get representation without added financial burden.
Can Munley Law Help Me File a Wrongful Death Claim For a Motorcycle Crash?
Nothing can replace your loved one if they have died in a motorcycle accident. However, the family of the deceased does have legal options to secure compensation for wrongful death.
A motorcycle accident lawyer can help you file a wrongful death claim against the at-fault party and help you get compensation for medical expenses related to the accident, funeral and burial costs, loss of income of the deceased, emotional suffering, loss of companionship, and more.
If you have lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident, the wrongful death attorneys at Munley Law are here to help.
Who Can Be Held Responsible for My Motorcycle Accident?
Although the at-fault party is usually either the driver or the motorcyclist, there are times when a third party is responsible for the accident. To prove a negligence case, your motorcycle accident lawyer will need to show the following:
- Duty – The at-fault party had an obligation to prevent harm to the injured motorcyclist.
- Breach – The at-fault party breached the duty of care and caused harm.
- Causation – The breach of duty resulted in injuries.
- Damages – Damages refer to any expenses you have following the motorcycle accident. This included medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and lost wages. Damages also include non-economic losses such as pain and suffering and loss of companionship of a loved one.
What Should I Do In the Days Following a Motorcycle Accident?
In the days after your motorcycle accident, the most important thing is to seek medical attention for your injuries. You need to learn the full extent of your injuries, your treatment plan, and how long it will take to recover. It’s a good idea to record your medical treatment for your motorcycle accident lawyer to review.
You will also want to gather your important documents for the personal injury lawyer to review. This includes the police report, your insurance policy, photos and video of the accident scene, repair bills, contact information of any witnesses, and medical bills. You will also want to record any time you missed from work, including any vacation or PTO you had to take because of the accident.
After the motorcycle accident, you will receive a call from the other party’s insurance company, wanting more information about the accident. The adjuster may try to record your conversation or get a statement from you. Remember, you are not obligated to speak with the other insurance company about the accident or your injuries. You should also refuse to have your conversation recorded without your accident lawyer present. The defendant’s insurance company could use any recorded statements as evidence to discredit your claim.
If you do speak with the insurance adjuster before speaking with our experienced motorcycle accident attorney, keep your comments brief and stick with the facts of the case. Do not offer an opinion about what happened or admit fault.
Most importantly, do not accept a settlement offer from an insurance company until you have consulted with a motorcycle accident attorney at Munley Law. If you accept an offer of settlement, you will most likely waive your right to seek additional compensation later, even if your injury worsens.
I Wasn’t Wearing a Motorcycle Helmet. Can I Still Sue for Damages?
Depending on negligence laws in the state where the accident occurred and whether or not you were abiding by helmet laws, you may ultimately be able to pursue compensation for your injuries.
For example, in states like Pennsylvania if you were not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident, it can decrease the compensation you recover under comparative negligence laws.
A motorcycle accident lawyer can help you determine your legal options if you were not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident.
Our Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Are Here to Help. Contact Us For a Free Initial Case Evaluation.
If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle crash, it’s best to contact a lawyer as soon as possible. Evidence can quickly disappear and witness memories fade over time. Many facts of the case will be lost, and proving who is responsible for your accident will be challenging. It is best to contact a lawyer as soon as possible, even if you think it is too early to know whether you have a case. A motorcycle accident attorney will listen to your story, advise you, and help you take the necessary steps before filing a lawsuit.
If you or a loved one were involved in a motorcycle accident, contact Munley Law today to schedule a free consultation.
