If you’ve been involved in a motorcycle accident, you’re probably wondering whether it’s worth the hassle of involving a lawyer.
It can be a big mistake not to consult a lawyer after a motorcycle accident. When you don’t consult a lawyer, you might not know your rights or how much compensation you’re entitled to receive. Keep reading to learn why you need a lawyer after a motorcycle accident.
Motorcycle Accidents Are Serious
Motorcycle accidents aren’t like other types of motor vehicle accidents. Most of the time, motorcycle accidents leave a biker with serious injuries.
Motorcyclists are four times more likely to be injured in a crash than other drivers. This is because passengers in a car have the protection of seatbelts, airbags, and the surrounding vehicle. Motorcycle drivers have nothing but a helmet to protect them from injury.
When a motorcycle accident involves another car, the motorcycle driver almost always experiences more severe injuries. There’s also a high likelihood of the biker being thrown from their motorcycle.
Finally, motorcycle accidents are often the fault of another driver failing to show adequate care around the less-protected biker.
All these factors combine to show that a motorcycle accident poses a high risk of serious injury to a motorcycle rider.
The High Cost of a Motorcycle Accident
Motorcycle accidents can result in serious injuries. Common injuries that come after a motorcycle accident include:
- Spinal damage
- Brain injuries
- Fractured or crushed bones
- Burns, cuts, and scars
Some of these injuries are life-altering. All of them can bring the financial consequences of high medical bills and the cost of missing work.
In some cases, motorcycle accident injuries might result in permanent disability. This can mean a lack of earning ability and the additional cost of long-term care.
Even when a full recovery is possible, an injured biker can be left facing a high stack of medical bills that might take years to pay off. When an accident isn’t your fault, this outcome isn’t fair.
Fortunately, a lawyer will help you avoid this scenario. After a motorcycle accident, a motorcycle accident lawyer is your best chance of receiving fair compensation.
The Insurance Company Isn’t Your Friend
Compensation after a motorcycle accident is usually gained through the insurance policies of the biker and the other driver.
The problem here is that insurance companies are for-profit businesses. Payouts are determined by the answers you give the insurance company and the documentation you can provide.
While an insurance representative might seem friendly on the phone, their bottom line is to save their company money. Sometimes, their bonus hinges on achieving this.
Most people don’t realize that by directly dealing with an insurance company yourself, it’s very easy to answer an insurance representative’s questions in a way that disqualifies you from receiving the full compensation you’re entitled to.
A Lawyer Helps to Maximize Compensation
When you work with a motorcycle accident lawyer, you protect yourself from missing out on compensation. Lawyers know how insurance companies work. They know how to submit claims for the maximum amount, and they know what compensation value is attainable for the damages you’ve suffered.
An insurance company might also deny a claim outright. They might try to say that you’re at fault for the accident or that you don’t qualify for compensation due to a technicality.
A lawyer will work to build a strong case in your defense. For example, they might show that the other driver is liable by proving they meet the legal criteria for negligence. An attorney might conduct an independent investigation, speak with witnesses, or involve accident reconstruction specialists.
Every case is different. What’s true for all motorcycle accidents is that there’s always a serious risk of receiving a low payout when you don’t have an attorney fighting for your rights. The smart move is to protect yourself. After a motorcycle accident, always make consulting a lawyer your first step.
