Motorcycle accidents often result in road rash, broken bones, head trauma, and other serious injuries. The motorcycle accident lawyers at The Law Offices of Jacob Emrani can prove the at-fault party is negligent and fight for maximum compensation. This can cover medical care, property damage, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Why You Need the Right Motorcycle Crash Lawyer
If you or a loved one is hurt in a motorcycle crash, you need a reputable attorney (and to know what to look for in one). Motorcyclists lack the protection other vehicle occupants do. According to JD Power, the risk of a fatality is nearly 30 times higher than in a car accident, and motorcycle accidents have an 80% injury or death rate in general (compared to 20% with car crashes).
What’s similar about both are the most common causes, which include DUI, speeding, and distracted driving. A good lawyer for motorcycle accident cases can determine the cause of a crash and prove fault so you can be fairly compensated. For this, you need the right attorney.
Here are the qualities to look for when you desperately require an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer.
A History of Success in Motorcycle Accident Cases
An attorney’s experience is the first thing to consider. While a legal professional may seem to know a lot and have a degree from a prestigious university, knowing how to apply their knowledge is more important. Practical use of their skills helps maximize success rates. Years of experience and extensive research in personal injury law also help.
Therefore, look for a high success rate in cases like yours. Should your case end up in court, you can gauge how effective a litigator your attorney is. Settlement rates and values are also important, but you want to assess the lawyer’s success rate on all levels.
Knowledge of California Motorcycle Accident Laws
Another reason to hire a good motorcycle accident lawyer is their knowledge of laws that apply to your case. Motorcycle accident cases are notoriously complex. Your compliance or violation of relevant laws can impact your success (if you were riding legally at the time of a crash, it can strengthen your case; if not, it can weaken your claim). Some of the most important laws in the California Vehicle Code cover the following:
- A rider must have a Class M license and complete a training course.
- Permit holders must be accompanied by a licensed rider at least 21 old.
- All motorcycle riders and passengers must wear approved helmets.
- Motorcycles must have front/rear lights, turn signals, and other safety features.
- Motorcycle seats and handlebars must be properly designed and configured.
- Carrying a passenger is permitted, but only if the vehicle is designed to do so.
Lane-splitting, a common practice in which motorcyclists occupy a lane with another vehicle, is legal in California. However, riders must proceed cautiously and only if they are experienced in motorcycle operation.
Effective at Communicating with Clients
Any lawyer for a motorcycle accident must be an effective communicator. Good communication skills are needed to help you understand the details and complexities of your case. They also help in working with the liable party’s insurance company.
The better your motorcycle accident attorney is at communicating your side of the story, the more effectively they can argue points that can turn the tide in your favor. An insurer’s goal is to award as little compensation as possible. A good lawyer can argue why you deserve to receive more.
They’ve Seen Your Types of Injuries Before
The type and severity of injury and its impacts on your life help determine what to ask for. An experienced accident lawyer knows the value of specific injuries like broken bones, organ damage, and traumatic brain injuries. Whether your health insurance provider covers all or part of your expenses or not, your attorney can consider all medical costs when filing your claim. In a case involving a fatal accident, they can also pursue compensation for funeral and related expenses.
Confident and Professional
A motorcycle accident lawyer should demonstrate confidence in their ability to handle your case. They should not predict exactly how much a case will settle for. Nor should they say definitively whether it’ll settle out of court or go to trial. Instead, a realistic perspective and assessment of legal strategies that may work show professionalism.
A good attorney can guide you in filing a claim and gathering evidence. They’ll explain exactly what you need. The more accurate your damage estimates and the more evidence you have, including photographs, witness accounts, and police reports, the stronger your case.
Another matter your lawyer should be honest about is the timeline. A motorcycle accident lawsuit can go on for months. Therefore, a lawyer must be prepared for complicating factors such as stalling tactics by insurance companies.
Aggressive with Insurance Companies
Winning motorcycle accident cases and obtaining fair compensation requires an aggressive strategy. The approach is often different than with other vehicular accidents. Insurance companies are often biased toward motorcyclists, making it hard to get a fair deal. If your lawyer is getting paid out of a percentage of your settlement, they’ll have the motivation to fight for the maximum amount.
Knowing how much to negotiate for also helps. Insurance companies often get away with lowball settlement offers. They also use various tactics to delay a case or pressure you to end it early. Whether you get too low an offer or your claim is denied, a motorcycle accident lawyer can fight on your behalf and use negotiation, mediation, or arbitration to reach a decision that favors your best interests.
Understanding, Compassionate, and Empathetic
You should get a good sense of whether a lawyer understands your situation. If they’ve handled many motorcycle accident cases, the trauma and hardship you’re experiencing are familiar to them.
The path to compensation isn’t easy. While an attorney should acknowledge this, they should also show empathy towards your situation. Compassion helps build a strong client-attorney relationship. And, the more connected a lawyer is to your case, the more motivated they’ll be to guide you through each step and fight aggressively until the end.
Signs of compassion and empathy can be seen early on in a lawyer who:
- Communicates with you in clear terms.
- Responds promptly to your questions and concerns.
- Keeps you updated at each stage of the claim.
Highly Recommended by Past Clients, Friends, or Family
If you know someone who’s had a motorcycle accident, they can point you to a good motorcycle accident lawyer. Family members, friends, neighbors, and colleagues are usually reliable sources. Someone who’s had a positive experience with an attorney and received a favorable settlement should openly recommend them. In your communication, ask about their accident, how the lawyer handled the case, and if they feel the outcome was fair.
Also, realize a highly recommended attorney isn’t guaranteed to win your case. During your consultation, ask the same questions as if you found the lawyer yourself. Every personal injury case is different and has a unique set of challenges.
They Work on a Contingency Fee Basis
Like most personal injury attorneys, a lawyer for motorcycle accidents works on a contingency fee basis. This means they’re paid a percentage of the final settlement amount. Your attorney should explain this at the beginning. They should not require any payments before your case concludes. The contingency percentage should be written and not change once you sign the agreement.
Need a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer? Call Jacob Today
From investigating your case to negotiating a settlement, our lawyer for motorcycle accidents fights for your rights. Our team serves all of California. Whether you’ve suffered a motorcycle accident in Orange County, Ventura County, Los Angeles, San Diego, or Northern California, call (888) 952-2952 for your free consultation.