Motorcycle accidents can leave riders with serious, debilitating injuries. The costs of medical bills, lost income and other burdens can rise rapidly leaving injured riders and their families scrambling to figure out how they will cope financially. If you or a loved one was injured in a motorcycle accident caused by another person or party’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses through an injury claim and should consider these three reasons you need a motorcycle lawyer.
#1: Your Injuries Require Hospitalization, Rehabilitation or Time Away from Work
Motorcycle riders don’t have much protection from the road, other vehicles and hazards when out on a bike. So when a rider gets into an accident, injuries can be severe and require hospitalization, intensive therapies and time away from work. All factors that can make keeping up with your finances and paying the bills very challenging.
A motorcycle accident lawyer can help you maximize compensation from an injury claim with insurance companies. An experienced attorney understands how to calculate the entirety of your losses which can be quite complex. If you or a loved one has a permanent condition or disability as a result of the accident, it can be very tedious and challenging to try to negotiate with the insurance companies and ensure that you are being fairly compensated.
Compensation from an injury claim can include damages from losses, including:
- Doctors and hospital bills
- Medications
- Rehabilitation services
- Long-term care
- Medical devices and the cost of retrofitting a home or vehicle
- Lost income and earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of companionship
- Reduced quality of life
The last examples -- pain and suffering, loss of companionship and reduced quality of life -- are examples of intangible losses. In other words, these losses aren’t easily quantifiable. An experienced motorcycle lawyer understands the complexity of these types of damages and how to build a solid case proving these losses and assigning a monetary value to them.
#2: You’ve Been Offered a Settlement
It’s quite common for insurance companies to offer a lowball settlement, especially in the initial aftermath of the accident. Insurance adjusters know that emotions are running high, and financial anxiety and worry may be top-of-mind. An initial lump sum settlement offer may seem tempting and a quick fix. However, it’s critical that you consult with an attorney before accepting a settlement offer.
First, once you agree to a settlement, you are closing the case and your claim permanently. In other words, if you later realize the settlement amount does not actually cover all of your losses, you cannot go back and claim additional damages.
If you or your loved one has been injured and you don’t have a full understanding of your prognosis and what will be required down the line, accepting a settlement offer may leave you without enough to cover all of your losses.
The Other Driver Was Negligent
If another person or entity acted negligently by failing to exercise reasonable care for safety, which contributed to or caused the accident, they could be found at-fault and liable for the accident. In fact, in two-thirds of motorcycle accidents involving another vehicle, the driver of the other vehicle violated the motorcycle rider's right of way and is thus liable or at-fault for the accident. Common examples of negligence in motorcycle accidents include:
- Failure to yield the right of way
- Speeding
- Failure to follow traffic laws or signage
- Distracted driving
- Drunk or drugged driving
Even in no-fault insurance states like New Jersey and New York, it may still be possible to file a claim against the liable party. Especially in instances of severe injury, your own PIP coverage may not be enough for all of your losses.
Brandon J. Broderick, Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
An accident of any kind can leave you in pain and feeling frustrated and hopeless. When the accident is due to someone else's lack of care or the insurance company is devaluing or denying your claim, you may need legal representation to ensure your rights and best interests are protected. Having someone who is on your side, protecting your best interests, is a huge relief.
When you hire a motorcycle accident lawyer from our team at Brandon J. Broderick, you pay nothing upfront. We work on contingent fees that are only collected if we win your case. That means if we don’t win, you don’t pay. Without a legal claim, the insurance company can offer you a lowball offer that barely covers any of your needs for your motorcycle crash and may even refuse to cover some of the damages. You may be left having to pay for the costs of your injuries on your own. Contact us today and let us turn your setback into a comeback.