Legal•Info

When To Hire A Motorcycle Accident Attorney

When should you hire a motorcycle accident attorney? The answer to this is easy for most people you should hire an attorney if you have been in a motorcycle accident. While, for the most part, it is a good idea to hire a motorcycle accident attorney, there are some cases that may not warrant an attorney. For example, if you hit a tree on your bike, it was totally your fault, and you suffered only minor injuries, you probably do not need to hire an attorney. However, if you have a motorcycle accident resulting from damaged roadways, confusing signs, faulty traffic lights, or roads that are covered with debris, you should probably hire a motorcycle accident attorney to help you file a claim against the city.

Because of the very nature of a motorcycle, accidents are a common hazard, and unlike car accidents, the potential of having a fatal accident is high. It is reported that anywhere from 70-80 percent of all reported motorcycle accidents result in injury or death, while the injury/fatality rate of passenger vehicles is 20 percent. There are several reasons for this. Motorcycles offer no protection from the elements and absolutely no protective barrier between the roads and car drivers. Recent statistics show that per 100 million vehicle miles traveled, the number of reported motorcycle accidents was 776.57, while the number for passenger cars involved in accidents per 100 million miles traveled was 423.13.

If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident where other parties are involved, and you or other parties have been injured or your vehicles have suffered damages, you will have to hire a motorcycle accident attorney to help you navigate through the red tape with insurance companies and of course, your state's complex legal system.

An experienced motorcycle accident lawyer or personal injury attorney will be well-versed in motorcycle laws at both the state and local levels, they will understand your state's personal injury laws, and they can help you recover monetary compensation for injuries including: medical expenses, loss of wages, pain and suffering, motorcycle damage, and other accident related costs.

When searching for motorcycle accident attorneys in your area, it is best to seek out attorneys that are also very familiar with the different types of bikes, ones who are not biased towards motorcyclists, and those who have an understanding of the motorcycle culture. In general, personal injury attorneys will be able to help you with your case, but be sure to ask about the number of motorcycle accident cases they have handled. Most experienced attorneys have handled hundreds, if not thousands, of cases.

If you are ready to hire an attorney, it's in your best interest to seek counsel right away. Your claim must be filed within a specific amount of time following the motorcycle accident. This time period is called Statute of Limitations and varies state-to-state. Some states require you to file within six months, while others may allow years, depending on the variety of circumstances. Simple cases may take several months to resolve, while more complicated cases could take several years.