There are times in life where it makes sense to do it yourself. For example, during the pandemic many people chose to cut their own hair. Beauticians and barber shops were shut down, and people were left to fend for themselves: either take it on themself or resort to unruly locks. But having a motorcycle accident attorney can help your case tremendously!
If you have been hurt in a motorcycle accident, however, going it alone can greatly diminish the amount of compensation that you receive. Hiring a motorcycle accident lawyer, especially one that specializes in representing motorcycle cases, can mean the difference between receiving a paltry sum from the insurance company and receiving compensation that is fair and just.
Motorcycle accidents tend to be more complicated than other motor vehicle crashes. The physics that control the way that motorcycles respond in braking and impact situations are not the same as they are for other vehicles. This can impact the way that the case is viewed, especially to an outsider like the insurance company’s adjuster.
Why Was I Offered So Little Money from the Insurance Company?
Many cases start the same: someone is hurt in a motorcycle accident. They go to the hospital for treatment and then return home to tend to their injuries. Almost immediately they begin to receive phone calls from the insurance company. The adjuster will ask questions about the accident and about the injuries incurred. Many times they will offer a small amount of compensation. Sometimes this tiny sum is not even enough to cover basic medical expenses.
The goal of the insurance company is to get you to settle your case as quickly as possible. But this nearly always works against the injured biker. Countless times I have worked with motorcyclists who discovered, days after their accident, that their injuries were worse than they initially thought. Perhaps their pain has increased, or maybe their range of motion has become more limited. In cases of a concussion, they may feel they have some ongoing symptoms that are worsening.
This is why it is important to not settle your case right away. Instead, speak to a motorcycle accident lawyer from the Law Firm of Kass & Moses. With over three decades of experience, we have encountered countless times in which insurance companies have tried to take advantage of accident victims. We fight for the rights of injured bikers.
Simply put, going it alone, attempting to represent yourself, is not a good idea. Motorcycle accident claims are complicated. We employ a skilled team of specialists, dedicated to seeking justice for injured bikers. In some cases we seek out video footage from nearby businesses. In other cases we might bring in a forensic specialist to help recreate the accident.
Whether your case was simple or complex, we know the proper way to seek compensation that is fair. We know that a fair settlement requires more than just the insurance company throwing out a number. It involves taking the time to wait for your injuries to heal. Without allowing time for healing, there is no way of knowing if you may need future treatment or if you may suffer from ongoing pain and disability after you have healed.
I have seen far too many people agree to an offer of compensation, only to find out that their injuries were more significant than they initially expected. After you sign your agreement to compensation, you may no longer seek additional compensation, even if you can prove your injuries are more severe.
For a free legal consultation,
call 1-800-668-6729
Why Are Motorcycle Accident Claims So Challenging?
A motorcycle accident claim can be complicated. There are dozens of factors that must be considered when determining what level of compensation is fair after a motorcycle accident. It requires more than just an understanding of your medical bills and pain and suffering. It requires a great understanding of motorcycle law, how insurance affects your compensation (both your insurance and the insurance of the other party involved). As a motorcycle accident lawyer for over thirty years, I have seen numerous cases go wrong when someone tries to represent themselves.
Some people choose to represent themselves with the misguided belief that they will get more money that way. A motorcycle accident lawyer is paid a portion of your settlement, but not until you have been compensated. This means that if your lawyer does not get your compensation, they do not get paid. Further, they receive more money only when they earn more compensation for you. Therefore, it is in the best interests of your motorcycle accident attorney to get you as much compensation as possible.
Insurance companies are used to negotiating with injured consumers. When they receive and investigate a motorcycle accident case, their sole purpose is to limit compensation to as little money as possible. The insurance company benefits by paying you as little as they can get away with. And without a motorcycle accident lawyer by your side, the odds of you getting fair compensation for your accident are against you.
What Happens If I Try to Go It Alone?
As a personal injury lawyer, I have had many people come to me after being involved in a motorcycle accident. Many of them have talked to the insurance company and have received offers of compensation. Even in major accidents in which significant injuries occurred, these offers are often less than $1,000. This is hardly enough to pay for a visit to Urgent Care.
The frustration that these accident victims face is real and valid. After all, for years they have paid their insurance premiums. The accident was not their fault. And the losses they face are significant. In addition to property damage, they have medical bills, pain and suffering, and lost wages. The economic damages (the costs of medical treatment, time away from work, and property damages) are generally fairly easy to tally. But pain and suffering in these cases can be severe, and can be more difficult to compute.
An experienced motorcycle accident lawyer, like one of the team at the Law Firm of Kass & Moses, can help you understand the ‘value’ of your injuries. Often clients are surprised to find that the estimated value of their case is much, much higher than they were initially offered by the insurance company.
Click to contact our personal injury lawyers today
How Much Does a Motorcycle Accident Attorney Cost?
Few of us are in a financial situation that allows us to pay out thousands in medical bills. And some people are intimidated by the thought of paying legal bills on top of that. It is important to understand how your personal injury lawyer is paid.
Your personal injury lawyers do not charge an hourly rate. There is no cost for a case evaluation. You will not pay anything unless and until we settle your case. At that time, a predetermined fraction of the settlement will be paid out to us. The rest will come to you. That means it is in our best interests to get you as much money as possible. Instead of the insurance company who works against you, trying to prevent you getting a fair settlement, we work in your favor, trying to get you a just settlement.
Motorcycle accident lawyers do not receive compensation until your case is closed and you have been paid. This is often reassuring, especially when medical treatment associated with your injuries results in mounting bills. You can rest assured that you will not pay a dime until the outcome of your case is determined.
Even the best motorcycle accident lawyer will tell you that no two motorcycle accident cases are alike. The accident scene and the victims of the accident represent just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to determining the value of a case. The injuries as well as the prescribed course of treatment are also important. Required time away from work must be calculated in as well as pain and suffering. If you have suffered injuries, you likely face emotional trauma, as well.
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now
How Does Insurance Affect My Settlement?
Another major factor when it comes to determining the value of your case is the insurance that both you and the other party carry. Many times, the other party either is not insured or does not carry enough insurance to provide for your claims. In such cases, it is beneficial to have UI/UIM insurance. This under-insured/uninsured motorist coverage is part of your policy and pays out of the other party’s insurance is not sufficient. It also can pay in cases of hit and run.
For a free consultation and case evaluation, contact one of the experienced motorcycle accident lawyers at the Law Firm of Kass & Moses today. With a simple phone call to us at 1-800-MOTORCYCLE, a motorcycle accident attorney on our team can set you on the path to recovery. Let us handle the insurance companies while you focus on your health.
Call or text 1-800-668-6729 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
