Are you concerned about your prospects of finding a motorcycle accident lawyer for your case? Read on for more information about how to get one.
From traumatic brain injuries to neck injuries, spinal cord injuries, etc., the consequences of a motorcycle collision are typically devastating. Apart from sustaining severe injuries, accident victims can suffer huge property losses too. If you’re in such a situation, you may be eligible for fair compensation from the at-fault driver. Fortunately, the motorcycle accident claims process will be seamless with help from a Richmond injury attorney.
Motorcycles account for only 3% of registered vehicles in the USA. According to the Insurance Information Institute(III), there were 5,014 motorcycle accident fatalities in 2019. Also, motorcycle riders are 29 times more likely to die in an auto crash than passenger vehicle occupants. This high fatality rate is because they’re less stable and offer less protection than passenger vehicles.
As we mentioned above, finding an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer after a crash can help your claim significantly. However, it’s not every time you’ll find an attorney willing to accept your case. There are many factors a lawyer considers before agreeing to represent personal injury clients. We’ll let you in on the details in this article.
Essential Steps to Take After a Motorcycle Crash
These are the vital actions to take after a motorcycle accident in Virginia:
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Seek Urgent Medical Care
The first thing to do after a motorcycle crash is to call for medical help. It’s still a necessary step even if you don’t notice any injury. First, the only qualified medical professionals can certify you injury-free. If you have injuries, calling for treatment early will reduce your risk of a complication.
Also, your medical report is an essential document in your accident claim. It can help you prove the seriousness of your injuries to the insurance company.
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Call the Police
Contacting law enforcement after a motorcycle accident in Virginia is always a good idea. Apart from serving as unbiased witnesses to your case, police reports can help your claim process. They contain crucial information like names and addresses and the police officer’s assessment of the accident scene.
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Gather Evidence
Regardless of how legitimate your motorcycle accident claim is, you wouldn’t get compensation if you can’t prove how the crash happened. So, never skip this all-important step. Take photographs and videos of the crash site.
This helps to establish the cause and severity of the accident. Another way to gather evidence is by recording your interviews with credible eyewitnesses.
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Exchange Contact Information
Exchanging contact information with other parties in the accident will help you locate them whenever the need arises. Vital information includes names, addresses, phone numbers, and insurance information.
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Retain a Knowledgeable Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Contact an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible. They’ll leverage their expert knowledge to get you maximum compensation for your injury and losses.
Why Do I Need a Richmond Injury Attorney?
A motorcycle accident lawyer can help your case in the following ways:
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Case Evaluation
Without the extensive legal experience that a personal injury lawyer has, you may not know what to expect from your case. That’s why your personal injury attorney will typically schedule an initial consultation with you to discuss your case’s specifics.
After assessing your claims, they can determine your chances of success, the damages you’re entitled to, etc. Then your attorney will provide you with personalized advice on processing your case.
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Evidence Gathering
You may not have abundant evidence to prove your case. Fortunately, even in such situations, your lawyer can carry out investigations to determine the facts. For example, they can work in conjunction with accident reconstruction experts to determine the cause of your motorcycle crash. After gathering evidence and accident reports, your attorney will use them in your best interest.
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Paperwork and Documentation
An injury claim process requires lots of paperwork and documentation. Again, you must often file them within strict deadlines to remain qualified to receive compensation. Without experience in filing and drafting documents, this can be a hectic task for you to perform. It’s best to hand this job over to an experienced attorney for excellent execution.
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Negotiations With the Insurance Adjuster
When you hire a knowledgeable motorcycle accident lawyer, you wouldn’t have to worry about negotiations with the insurance company. The insurance adjusters will communicate directly with your attorneys. This means that you wouldn’t stress about the complexities in the process.
Your lawyers will also understand the various tactics the insurance companies may employ to deny or delay compensation. They’re experts in dealing with such situations.
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Legal Representation in Court
An experienced Richmond injury attorney will have the trial skills necessary to take your case to court if needed. Most personal injury cases, especially automobile accidents, will settle without the need for a trial. Nonetheless, it’s important to have an attorney who has trial experience just in case the insurance company isn’t willing to offer a fair settlement amount.
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Moral Support
It would be best if you had all the support you can get to deal with the aftermath of a motorcycle accident injury properly. Apart from your friends and family, a lawyer can provide you with emotional support. They also ensure you dedicate enough time to heal without bothering about your legal claim.
Will I Find an Attorney to Take My Motorcycle Accident Claim?
Many experienced lawyers love a challenge. However, they would only take up a case if they believe they can prove all these elements of your case satisfactorily:
Duty of Care
A duty of care is the legal responsibility an at-fault party has to protect you from harm. For example, the law imposes a legal obligation on road users to drive safely.
Breach of Duty
A breach of the duty of care means any action on the defendant’s part that puts you in harm’s way. This includes reckless driving activities like speeding, drunk driving, etc.
Causation
A breach of duty is not enough to prove liability in a personal injury claim. You must also show that the at-fault party’s unsafe conduct, and nothing else, caused your injuries.
Damages
Damages refer to the injuries you suffered from the crash. This can include road rash, soft tissue damage, etc. It can also include damage to your motorcycle and other personal property.
Primary Reasons Why a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer May Not Accept Your Claim
Apart from low chances of success, a skilled motorcycle accident lawyer may also deny you legal representation for these reasons:
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You Sustained Minor Injuries
Many lawyers will refuse to take up your case if your injuries are minor. This is because the compensatory damages you’ll recover will be minimal, and it may not be worth hiring an attorney because their contingency fee will come out of your settlement.
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You’ve Run Out of Time
The Statute of Limitations for personal injury cases in Virginia is two years. This means that you no longer have the right to compensation for your injuries after this time. So, if you approach your lawyer after time has elapsed, they’ll be wise to decline.
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They’re Not Experts in Motorcycle Accident Cases
Not every lawyer has handled a motorcycle crash case. As such, they wouldn’t have the required experience to handle your claim. In such cases, they’ll have to decline your request to avoid compromising your case.
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They’ve Got Too Much Work to Handle
Many attorneys are busy handling numerous cases at the same time. This means they wouldn’t dedicate enough time and attention to your case if they took it up. It’s best to hire a lawyer who will give your case the commitment it deserves.
What Will Amount to a Fair Settlement in Virginia Motorcycle Injury Claims?
The damages you’ll receive in your injury claim or lawsuit depend on what you can prove and numerous other factors. However, they’ll typically include the following economic and non-economic damages:
- Medical costs
- Future medical expenses
- Loss of income
- Property damage
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Intangible losses such as loss of quality of life, loss of consortium, pain and suffering, etc.
- Punitive damages to punish wrongdoers in a lawsuit
How To Prepare for the First Meeting With Your Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Preparing for an initial consultation with your lawyer is essential to avoid time-wasting and get quick legal solutions. Here’s how to organize yourself for the first meeting:
- Take the vital documents along with you. This includes accident scene photos, a list of witnesses, any notes you have jotted down, etc.
- Have a list of questions you’ll ask. It’s wise to write your question down before meeting your lawyer to avoid forgetting anything
- Make up your mind to be 100% honest with your attorney
- Have your medical information with you
- Bring a trusted friend or family member with you for support
Never Hesitate to Speak With an Experienced Richmond Injury Attorney
The success of your motorcycle accident claim depends on the quality of your personal injury lawyer. That’s why we employ only the most qualified motorcycle crash attorneys for your case.
At Virginia Injury Law, our goal is to make sure you are compensated fairly in this difficult time. Learn more about how we intend to do this by contacting our office immediately. Our knowledgeable motorcycle injury lawyers are available to you round the clock.
Let's get started with your free consultation!