Hiring a Philadelphia motorcycle accident attorney is beneficial in nearly every type of moderate to severe accident, as well as most minor incidents. Having a trusted advocate who understands the complexities of motorcycle riders in Philadelphia gives you the ability to get legal guidance and support as you need it, and that often means pursuing higher compensation claims as a result.
There are many benefits to hiring an attorney, but the following five could make a significant difference in your ability to recover damages fully under the law.
#1: Handle the Insurance Company for You
Motorcycle riders have a significant amount of challenges to face as they not only prove that the other driver was at fault but also demonstrate that they played no role in that fault. Insurance companies are noted for trying to trick riders into admitting fault. They may also use other details, such as previous tickets or social media posts, to prove you are a reckless rider, even if you were not at the time of the accident.
Because motorcycle riders carry such a significant stigma about being reckless, this often works in the insurance company’s favor, making it hard for you to prove what you are really owed. With the help of an attorney, you gain the knowledge and resources to ensure all evidence available demonstrates who is at fault and what they did to you.
#2: Maximize Your Insurance Claim for Compensation
Motorcycle accidents cause serious injuries. The number of nonfatal injuries in motorcycle accidents continues to increase, according to the National Safety Council. The types of injuries sustained by riders are often far more life-threatening than those experienced by drivers. It is easy to see why since riders have no protection from the vehicle striking their body. This leads to serious injuries and losses.
If you do not tell the insurance company about your losses, you suffer the risk of not receiving compensation owed to you. Your motorcycle accident attorney will know what questions to ask to determine all the ways this incident impacted your health and well-being. Some of the most common types of motorcycle compensation losses include:
- Medical bills
- Ongoing medical losses and care needs
- Long-term rehabilitation
- Physical support
- Loss of earning capacity
- Permanent disability
- Pain and suffering
- Catastrophic injuries leading to loss of sight
- Loss of wages
- Impact on quality of life
Your attorney will know what your losses are and how to value them. This can prove critical to determining what compensation to request from the at-fault party’s insurance policy.
#3: Navigating Fault Questions
Motorcycle riders carry a stigma that they engage in reckless behavior while on their bike. Your motorcycle accident attorney works closely with you to understand what occurred to make it clear who is at fault. To prove this, your attorney will:
- Utilize a network of resources to demonstrate what really occurred, including accident experts and reconstruction professionals
- Gather witness statements that are comprehensive and detailed, verifying your information
- Utilize black boxes from vehicles to document what happened leading up to the accident
- Gathering information from medical reports if there is a concern about intoxication
- Obtaining data from third-party sources such as video cameras
All of this information helps demonstrate who is at fault. In situations where the police label you, the rider, partially at fault, this could impact your ability to seek compensation. Your attorney’s experience may help to reduce the risk that you will face accusations like this.
#4: Your Attorney Handles the Negotiations
Most often, submitting a claim for all of your losses to the insurance company results in questions and denials of coverage. Many times, insurance companies see these figures as negotiable. Some items, like medical bills, are clear and easy to value. Noneconomic damages, such as pain and suffering, are not.
When you have a skilled motorcycle accident attorney working by your side, they handle all of the questions and demands for additional information, medical records, or statements. Then, they negotiate fair compensation for you. This minimizes the risk of being taken advantage of as a victim of such an accident.
#5: Support Throughout the Legal Process
The legal process for obtaining compensation can be complex as it involves numerous steps:
- You file a claim.
- The insurance company asks questions and negotiates.
- If they do not settle, your attorney will file a lawsuit against them.
- A process of discovery occurs, in which the insurance company must take action to investigate what you are demanding.
- Most often, a settlement occurs at this point.
- If not settlement accounts, your attorney takes your case to court and provides comprehensive legal guidance throughout the legal process.
With a motorcycle accident attorney in Philadelphia, you can focus on your healing process and rehabilitation. Your attorney will focus on obtaining fair compensation for you, which is the most it can be under the law, and then negotiate fiercely for you.
Let our legal team at Kwartler Manus fight for your rights. Contact us for a free consultation.