Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Because of how severe motorcycle accidents can be, finding the right Rancho Cucamonga motorcycle accident lawyer to represent you in your case is critical to protecting your rights. But what should you look for? If you’ve never been in a motorcycle accident before, you might not realize just how important finding the right attorney can be. Here are some important questions to ask when searching for a qualified motorcycle accident lawyer to represent you.
Do They Specialize in Motorcycle Accident Claims?
When you’re looking for a motorcycle accident lawyer, you want to make sure they have experience handling these types of cases. While motorcycle accidents aren’t too different from other types of motor vehicle accidents in the way of negligence, one big way that they differ is that many drivers and insurance companies have a bias against motorcyclists, which can play a negative role when trying to pursue and collect compensation.
As such, it takes a skilled Rancho Cucamonga motorcycle accident lawyer to work around these biases to get injured motorcyclists the compensation they deserve. If your lawyer doesn’t have experience working specifically with motorcycle accident cases, they may not have the skill to combat this type of bias or the knowledge of applicable motorcycle accident laws or trial skills that you need with these types of cases.
The easiest way to find out if your lawyer has experience working on motorcycle accident claims is to ask them during your initial consultation or check out their areas of practice on their attorney bio on the website.
Do You Feel Comfortable Around Them?
Remember when we said that insurance companies and other drivers may have a bias against motorcyclists? Well unfortunately some lawyers carry this same bias. When they’re meant to work for you, this discovery can be a huge blow to your case. Before moving forward, you should always take notice of how comfortable you’ll be working with them.
Does it take them a long time to return phone calls? Are they dismissive of your concerns? Or, do they simply not provide you with the level of detail and understanding you need at a time like this?
Like doctors, therapists, and any other professional you hire, sometimes it takes meeting with a few different lawyers to determine who you’re most comfortable with. While many motorcycle accident claims settle before ever reaching trial, you could be engaged in a legal battle for months. Working with a motorcycle accident lawyer you don’t feel comfortable with can make this process even harder.
Are They Willing to Go to Trial?
As we mentioned above, many motorcycle accidents settle before they ever reach trial. But that’s not always a guarantee, so your motorcycle accident lawyer in Rancho Cucamonga should always be prepared to go to trial and fight for your rights. If your lawyer doesn’t want to go to trial and instead recommends that you accept a lower settlement offer, then it may be time to look for someone else.
During the initial consultation, ask them if they’re willing to go to trial and if so, what you can expect from the process and what kind of strategy they have in mind. This will let you know if they’re willing to go the extra mile and get you what you deserve rather than just putting a checkmark on your case before moving on to the next one.
Are You Comfortable With Their Legal Fees?
After a motorcycle accident, many motorcyclists are already dealing with missed time off work, lost wages, bike repairs or replacements, and expensive medical bills. This is on top of their existing expenses such as their mortgage, insurance, food, and utilities. Because of these piling expenses, injured motorcyclists may not reach out to a lawyer to avoid further out-of-pocket expenses. However, doing so can cause more damage to you and your wallet in the long run.
If you’re on the fence about hiring a motorcycle accident attorney in Rancho Cucamonga because of money, it’s even more important to reach out and find out what kind of fee structure they offer. Motorcycle accidents fall under personal injury law and many personal injury lawyers work on a contingency basis, meaning you don’t pay unless they win your case. Not only is this more enticing, but it makes injured motorcyclists more confident about reaching out to a lawyer since they don’t have to pay anything upfront.
While not every law firm will work like this, asking different firms about their fee structure can help you make an informed decision. Furthermore, many personal injury lawyers offer free consultations, so there’s no risk involved in asking around until you find the right one for you.
What Kinds of Resources Do They Have Access To?
Last but not least, you should look at the resources your accident attorney has available to them. Motorcycle accidents and the injuries that result from them are usually severe and in many cases, life-altering. In fact, according to statistics provided by the U.S. Department of Transportation, motorcyclists over the age of 40 are 20 times more likely to be in a motorcycle accident than similarly aged drivers of passenger vehicles.
Due to the severity of these injuries, you need a lawyer who has access to the best economic experts, accident reconstruction experts, and medical professionals to provide a monetary value to your accident claim. On top of this, your lawyer should have the financial resources to make these things possible and take your case as far as it can go to get you the money and justice you deserve.
As with all of these tips, asking your lawyer about how much money they typically spend on motorcycle accident cases can give you an idea of the kind of service they will provide in your accident claim.
Don’t Suffer the Aftermath of a Motorcycle Accident Claim – Let Sierra Accident Lawyers Help
Don’t let the bills pile up after a motorcycle accident. Instead, turn to an experienced and compassionate motorcycle accident attorney to negotiate on your behalf with insurance companies and advocate for your rights at trial, if necessary.
Call the motorcycle accident lawyers at Sierra Accident Lawyers at 909-942-7632 for a consultation or visit us online to get started.
