A motorcycle accident happens in seconds, but their consequences can last a lifetime. Even just one distracted driver or one moment of negligence on the road is enough to leave the rider injured and in a mountain of medical bills.
If you have ever wondered, “Should I hire a motorcycle accident lawyer or just let insurance handle it?”, then this article is absolutely for you.
Because, here you will learn why hiring a motorcycle accident attorney can save you thousands or sometimes even hundreds of thousands after a wreck.
Table of Contents
How a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Saves You Thousands
When you hire a motorcycle accident lawyer near you, then this is not about greed but about survival. They save your money by:
Calculating Total Future Costs
Most riders think only of:
– Hospital bills
– Bike repair or replacement
But a skilled motorcycle accident lawyer calculates:
– Future medical expenses that will be needed
– Lost income during recovery
– Reduced earning capacity if you cannot return to your previous job
– Pain and suffering compensation for the physical pain caused by the accident
– Loss of enjoyment of life for the riders who are not able to return to their passions due to their severe injuries
For example, a person has been injured in L.A. in a accident. Then a Los Angeles motorcycle accident lawyer, depending on the medical bills and injuries) can demand :
$28,000 for immediate hospital care
$35,000 for future surgeries and therapy
$42,000 for lost wages and reduced earning potential
$60,000 for pain, suffering, and PTSD
Insurance offered $30,000 total. The final settlement was $165,000 which was over five times the initial offer.
This is just an example so you understand what it means when some insurance companies offer low settlements and what a lawyer can help you to achieve.
Preventing You From Being Blamed Unfairly
Riders are often blamed automatically due to bias. Lawyers fight this by:
– Securing dashcam or traffic camera footage before it is deleted
– Interviewing witnesses
– Consulting with experts to prove speed and impact
– Reviewing police reports for errors or unfair assumptions
Handling All Insurance Communications
The mental stress of recovering from injuries is overwhelming. The last thing you need is daily calls from aggressive adjusters pressuring you to settle.
When you hire a lawyer, then this means that:
– Adjusters cannot contact you directly.
– All calls and negotiations go through your attorney.
– You avoid saying anything that could damage your claim.
Using Medical Experts
An experienced motorcycle accident lawyer partners with:
– Orthopedic surgeons so he can prove if there are any long term injury impacts
– Neurologists for documents and reports on brain injury
– Economic experts to calculate the total future income losses
– Mental health experts to prove if there are signs of PTSD and depression
For example, an Atlanta motorcycle accident lawyer used an economist’s report to increase a settlement from $50,000 to $215,000 for a rider with chronic back pain which was preventing him from returning to construction work.
Negotiating Settlements Far Higher Than Individuals
Insurance companies fear lawyers because:
– Lawyers understand the fair settlement ranges in your state
– They know court verdicts are often higher than the low settlement which the companies try to offer
– They prepare to file lawsuits if the companies keep on insisting on low offers
For instance, a Colorado motorcycle accident lawyer negotiated a partial paralysis injury settlement from an initial $80,000 offer to $620,000 through the medical expert testimony and future life care costs.
Insurance Companies Want to Pay You as Little as Possible
Insurance companies have one mission and that is to maximize profits. Their adjusters are trained to reduce payouts using tricks like:
Early Recorded Calls
They will call you within days, and will act concerned. They might ask:
“How are you feeling today?”
If you say, “I’m okay,” then they note it to argue your injuries are not that serious, even if the symptoms gets worse later on.
Quick Settlement Offers
They may send a check immediately, hoping you accept before discovering the hidden injuries or long term costs.
Partial Blame Tactics
Motorcyclists are often blamed unfairly as alot of the people think that they are “reckless.” Even a 10-20% blame can reduce your payout by thousands under some negligence laws in most states.
Delaying Claims
Adjusters know medical bills pile up fast. When they delay your claim for weeks or months, they basically pressure you into accepting a lower settlement out of desperation.
Why Most Riders Lose Money Without Legal Help
Here are common mistakes riders make without lawyers:
– They may give recorded statements to adjusters that weaken claims
– They may settle before knowing the total full medical costs
– They might not understand the state liability laws
– Missing deadlines for filing claims or lawsuits
– Accepting “final offers” that are far below claim value
Without a lawyer calculating and demanding compensation for these, you could be left with:
– Lifelong debt
– No funds for future therapy or surgeries
– Stress and anxiety from financial instability
Hiring a Lawyer Gives You Peace of Mind
Imagine recovering without:
-Aggressive adjuster calls
-Stress over paperwork and deadlines
-Fear of being blamed unfairly
Instead, you just focus entirely on healing and rebuilding your life, and always know a professional is protecting your rights.
Why Motorcycle Accident Attorneys Are Important
The First Hours After a Crash Determine Everything
After a wreck, sometimes adrenaline makes you think:
“I feel okay. I don’t need a doctor.”
“My insurance will take care of this.”
“Lawyers are only for big cases.”
These thoughts can cost you more than you imagine. Motorcycle accident is more dangerous than other accidents and even “minor” falls can cause:
– Concussions or brain injuries
– Spine damage that gets worse over days
– Internal bleeding
– Fractures that require surgeries months later
Without a lawyer guiding you from day one, you may:
– Forget the medical documentation which are needed for claims
– Say statements that you may think are fine but the insurance companies can sometimes twist them against you
– Accept fast settlement offers that do not cover future costs
Motorcycle Accident Lawyers and Court Trials:
Most claims settle out of court, but your lawyer:
– Prepares all legal documents to file lawsuits if needed
– Conducts interviews which are under oath from drivers, witnesses, and doctors
– Examines defense experts to expose if their are any flaws
– Argues powerfully to juries who often award larger verdicts
Insurance companies know that riders with legal representation can take them to court confidently, and this forces them to offer fair payouts.
How To Choose The Right Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
– Proven experience in motorcycle accident cases: This is very important especially in these crashes. This is because you would want a lawyer who is experienced in a specific field and not one who just deals with this as a part of his law course.
You should feel comfortable in handing over you case to you attorney and not the other way around.
Ask for their proofs of the previous cases that they have won and also how much settlements were they able to get. If you are satisfied , then proceed with hiring them.
– State specific experience: This means to hire an attorney who knows the local laws of the local states like Los Angeles motorcycle accident lawyer, Atlanta motorcycle accident lawyer, Colorado motorcycle accident lawyer.
Each will know the tactics and the juries and the laws on their specific areas and this gives you an advantage.
– Strong track record: If they have a strong track record of winning their previous cases then you can safely hire them without worrying.
– Honest communication about fees and processes: There are some lawyers who try to delay the topic about their fees and then you might get shocked later after knowing them.
So, always ask for their fee before hiring them to avoid any misunderstanding later.
– Willingness to go to trial if needed: You should hire a lawyer who is willing to go to trial for you if the offers are still too low and the companies are not willing to pay the compensation you deserve.
Final Thoughts
Motorcycle accident is very traumatic itself and this is without adding the financial pain. Insurance companies are not on your side, and without help, you risk walking away with only a fraction of what you are legally owed.
A motorcycle accident attorney:
– Calculates the true lifetime cost of your injuries
– Negotiates powerfully with insurers
– Prevents unfair blame
– Handles stressful communication and paperwork
– Prepares to sue if needed
– Costs you nothing unless they win
So getting a motorcycle accident lawyer could be the smartest financial decision of your life after a crash. Because they are always worth the price and you will not regret it later.
Note: This article is for informational purposes only and does not give any legal advice. So, always talk to a a qualified motorcycle accident lawyer for advice on your situation.