How to Choose a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Personal Injury Lawyers / Motorcycle Accident Lawyer / How to Choose a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

You were hurt in a motorcycle accident, have bills piling up, and you’re not sure that the at-fault driver is insured or if they are, whether the insurance company is going to treat you fairly. When so much is stacked against you, or even when you just need guidance, hiring a lawyer can be a huge decision. But, how to choose a motorcycle accident lawyer? Munley Law‘s motorcycle accident attorneys can answer all of your questions with a free consultation. Contact us today.

How Can You Find an Attorney With Motorcycle-Specific Experience?

The most important first step is to determine if the personal injury attorney has successfully helped other motorcycle riders seek compensation and justice. Motorcycle accidents have numerous complicated factors that make them challenging to pursue.  Challenges that your skilled and experienced motorbike crash attorney can help you with include:

• Comprehending medical injuries: Motorcycle accidents cause serious injuries that can impair a person’s ability to live life as they once did, such as spinal cord and traumatic brain injuries.

• Knowledge of motorcycle laws: Motorcycle laws can work in the victim’s favor or may become a liability in situations where they are not fully explored. If your attorney does not know helmet laws or understand motorcycle operations, that could limit your success.

• Motorcycle accident stigma: This is a big reason why many victims do not recover fair damages. Motorcycle riders are often unfairly blamed for accidents due to stigma and misconceptions about their actions. This can influence a judge’s decisions as well as those related to a jury’s decision on your injury recovery rights.

• Proof can be challenging to obtain: In many motorcycle accidents, proving fault can be tough. There may not be a lot of data to back up your claim of the driver striking you, especially if you swerved at the time of the accident to avoid a collision. An experienced motorcycle crash lawyer knows this and how to overcome these challenges.

• Your recovery will be longer: When you hire a motorcycle accident lawyer with ample experience, they will understand your injuries, including catastrophic injuries such as loss of vision or hearing, disfigurement, and complications to your health. Because your recovery may be longer, it could be far more complicated and costly.

An attorney with extensive experience will become your advocate, fighting for actual fair treatment from all parties throughout the entire process. They know the law and how it impacts riders. With a motorcycle accident specialist, you can confidently focus on your healing, trusting your lawyer to have the experience necessary to work through the legal process successfully on your behalf.

Why Read Testimonials and Reviews?

To find the best motorcycle accident lawyer in your area, you also need to consider what other people, specifically other victims, experienced when working with that professional. Client testimonials can be a valuable resource for showcasing what you can expect. You can find them on the personal injury attorney’s website, Google, and numerous other websites. Simply search the attorney’s name and city to find them. Then, look at the following:

• Is the attorney responsive?

• Does the attorney communicate accurate information to the victim?

• What case results does the attorney have specific to motorcycle accidents?

• What is the attorney’s personality?

• What concerns did previous clients have? Consider how the lawyer worked around and overcame those challenges.

After reading testimonials, you should have a good idea of who the professional is in terms of skill and personality. Choosing someone you know who has helped others in your situation can prove invaluable.

What Are Their Previous Case Results?

Beyond the experience of clients, consider the case results the motorcycle accident attorney has had. Many attorneys publish case results or a breakdown of cases that shows what happened in the accident, who was to blame, and the strategy used to achieve the outcome.

No law firm can guarantee results. And there is no indication that previous case results will impact your case outcome. However, they can show you how the law firm works to accomplish critical goals and overcome challenges. As you look at the case results, consider the following:

• What evidence was utilized to help demonstrate loss?

• Were expert testimonials used to demonstrate loss and fault?

• Did the law firm settle fast or work through challenges to recover a larger settlement?

• What type of support did the lawyer provide to the client throughout the process?

• Did the settlement negotiations result in fair compensation?

These details can provide extensive insight into whether the attorney you are considering will work to maximize the claim they seek for you. Choose the best motorcycle accident lawyer based on what they do, not just on the case results.

Do They Have Courtroom Experience?

Trial experience is another core component of a trusted and successful attorney. This can be somewhat critical in a motorcycle accident case. Because of the value of these cases, it’s not uncommon for a case to go to trial. Though that is never the goal, as settlements are faster and less expensive for all involved, it could happen.

Trial experience is not something all attorneys have. Many have some level of experience, but in a truly complicated legal matter, an attorney who has gone to court and proven their client’s right to compensation can make all the difference. There are several times when motorcycle accidents are more likely to go to trial, necessitating an experienced trial attorney:

• There is a dispute about fault. The insurance company is denying its responsibility or trying to shift the blame to you.

• You have catastrophic injuries, such as loss of vision, paralysis, amputation, or serious disfigurement.

• You have extensive injuries requiring a long period of recovery. If you are hurt and have not recovered yet, you may not know the full extent of your losses just yet.

The best motorcycle accident lawyer is honest and fair about trial experience and likely outcomes. There are some situations in which your attorney cannot win a case. They should be open with you about the challenges and obstacles you are facing in moving your case forward. This type of clarity supports your best outcome.

How Accessible Are They?

As you compare your options, consider how accessible the law firm is to you. There are several factors to think about here:

• If you want to meet in person, is the attorney’s office located close enough to you? Do they offer in-office visits? If you want to handle most communication virtually, do they do virtual video consultations?

• Do they answer the phone? Attorneys handle numerous cases at one time, but they should be able to talk to you, answer your questions, and provide information that reduces your worries. If they are not available or take a long time to respond, that may complicate your case.

In every situation, you need to feel comfortable with your lawyer. They must be able to demonstrate to you that they can provide you with consistent communication and access that fits your needs. A too-busy attorney could be limiting you.

Are They Transparent about Costs?

This is also when you want to consider the affordability of hiring a personal injury attorney. In many cases, a personal injury lawyer will operate on a contingency fee basis. That means they take on your case without charging you anything out of pocket. They work your case, fight for you, handle negotiations, and even go to trial when necessary. You don’t pay anything up front until you recover your settlement. Your attorney only receives payment if they win your case. This is typically a percentage of the settlement you recovered. During your consultation, you should know:

• What the legal fees are, including the percentage of compensation received

• When they are paid

• Whether you owe anything if you lose your case

• How they are paid

• How fees for experts and added services are handled

A qualified, trusted attorney is not going to be dishonest or misleading about the costs for their services. They will clearly explain how their fees are determined before you agree to anything. They will provide you with a clear breakdown during your consultation, answering each question you have with clarity.

Consultations are typically free. You can expect your personal injury attorney to provide you with clarity about whether they can help you and whether they believe you have a case. Then, the motorcycle accident lawyer may provide you with some details about your case, including insight into how they will handle your case. Consultations cannot provide you with all of the details, though. Your attorney needs time to fully investigate the case before making any clear plans of action.

How Can You Find a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer That Meets Your Needs?

You could search for an attorney online and find dozens of names. Yet, that process may not provide you with enough details about the candidate. There are several strategies you can use to make sure you have access to a well-qualified lawyer readily available to handle your case.

• Ask for referrals. If you have friends who have experienced the same legal complications, ask for referrals to lawyers they used. Ask about the good and the bad. Then, review that referral on your own.

• Make sure the attorney meets the legal requirements for practicing law in your area. That is more than just a member of the local Bar Association. Choose an attorney who is recognized in the community.

• Learn about the lawyer’s reputation in the local courts. They should have a positive reputation there, one of seeking legal action in a fair and honest manner, but also being respected by judges and court officials for their efficiency and dependability. You also want to know they have experience handling difficult insurance companies.

Hiring the best motorcycle accident lawyer in your area allows you to feel good about your case. For most serious motorcycle accidents, there is incredible loss, and having an attorney who has already experienced this process can prove vital. Take the time to compare several law firms. Find one that really fits the specific needs in your case. You also want someone who helps ease your frustrations because they have been through this previously.

Seek the Guidance of a Trusted, Experienced, Local Attorney

At Munley Law, we have fought for our clients for years. Our comprehensive Pennsylvania legal service has the resources and tools to help you build a strong case to hold those who wronged you accountable. For over 65 years, we have stood by motorcycle accident victims to give them legal clarity. We have recovered millions of dollars in compensation to support those victims’ needs. We can help you with your motorcycle accident case as well. Contact Munley Law today for a free consultation.