If you got into a Baldwin Park Motorcycle Accident, you might be wondering if an expert motorcycle accident lawyer can help your case. Handling a motorcycle crash case might be overwhelming, especially if you are trying to recover from the bodily injuries caused by the accident. An injury lawyer might help sort out your issue and claim your compensation while you focus on your health recovery.
Read on to learn why hiring a Baldwin Park personal injury lawyer is essential to pursuing a motorcycle accident case.
Do I have a motorcycle accident case?
When a motorcyclist is involved in an accident resulting in injuries or other damages, they may file a motorcycle accident case. This case typically falls under personal injury claims which can be filed if a victim wants to recover compensation for the damages caused by a negligent party.
However, you must remember that you may only pursue a motorcycle accident case if another individual caused the accident. In such cases, you must prove their wrongdoing by presenting sufficient evidence.
How Long Does a Motorcycle Accident Claim Take to Settle?
A motorcycle accident case can take months or years to settle, depending on the nature of the accident. A crash that results in significant injuries can take longer to resolve compared to a collision with minor damages.
The time it takes for a motorcycle case to settle may depend on the following factors:
- proving liability of the negligent party,
- negotiating with the insurance company, and
- calculating the total damages of the crash.
For instance, if you lack evidence to support your claim, the other driver’s insurance provider may refuse compensation. Your motorcycle accident case will take longer since you will need to contest the denial and prove their liability.
A personal injury lawyer can help you gather the necessary evidence to support your claim, defend your case and compute the maximum settlement you deserve.
How Much Is My Motorcycle Accident Worth?
The settlement value of your motorcycle accident will rely on the damage expenses of the crash. Generally, the compensation amount depends on the following factors:
- the severity of your injuries,
- the property damage expenses,
- the Insurance policy limit, and
- the at-fault driver’s degree of fault.
Insurance providers typically check both parties’ degrees of fault when negotiating a settlement. For instance, the at-fault driver was overspeeding when he hit you. During the time of the accident, you weren’t wearing a seatbelt. In this case, the insurance company may insist that you are partially responsible for the crash. As a result, they will offer a reduced settlement value.
A personal injury lawyer can examine the facts of your case when computing for restitution. They will consider all damages, such as pain and suffering, to maximize your payout.
How Can a Lawyer Help Me with My Baldwin Park Motorcycle Accident?
Did you know that motorcyclists are 28 times more likely to die in a vehicle collision than people in passenger cars? When another driver hits a motorcyclist, they might suffer from serious injuries or even wrongful death. Their bodies are more exposed to danger despite wearing protective gear.
When you are involved in a motor vehicle accident in Baldwin, you are entitled to claim compensation for the crash’s physical injuries and vehicle damages. However, pursuing a case entails several tasks where you might need legal guidance.
Gathering Evidence after Your Motorbike Crash
When you are hit by a vehicle, you must gather evidence, such as:
- The other driver’s information, like driver’s license and home address
- Witness testimony
- Photos of the accident scene and damages
- Accident police report
While these documents might help build your case, the other driver’s insurance provider will try to search for ways to discredit the evidence. For instance, the insurance negotiator may say that:
- Insist that the witness testimony is biased and invalid since you took their statement.
- Blame you if the captured damages were not visible enough.
- Dismiss your case if you do not have enough evidence.
An injury lawyer can help you refute these allegations and gather more evidence to strengthen your claim. They will try to tell the story of the accident through photos and search for other documents, such as surveillance or CCTV footage.
Proving Liability
Evidence is necessary to build your case. It will also help you prove who is responsible for the motorcycle accident. If you are at the accident scene, make sure to:
- Avoid apologizing.
When you apologize, you acknowledge that you are accountable for the accident.
- Not overtalk.
It is best to refrain from giving unnecessary information to the other driver, such as what you did before they hit you.
- Refrain from blaming the other driver.
You must avoid accusing the other driver at the accident scene because this might escalate into a further dispute and hurt your case.
If you fail to follow the steps, an injury lawyer can gather the necessary evidence to prove liability and defend your case.
Moreover, if you are proven partially at fault, your attorney can claim compensation based on how much the other driver was liable for the accident. For example, you were 30% liable for the damages of the crash. In that case, you may pursue 70% restitution.
Calculating damages of your Motorcycle Accident (both present and future)
After proving liability, you must calculate the total damages when coming up with the settlement amount. You may calculate the damages, such as:
- medical bills,
- doctor’s prescriptions,
- other health treatments,
- vehicle part repair costs or replacement,
- lost wages.
Aside from these, you may also consider non-economic damages. These are the emotional effects of the crash on you, such as:
- pain and suffering,
- emotional distress,
- Anxiety, or
- PTSD.
How are you going to quantify the non-economic damages? A Baldwin Park personal injury lawyer has experience calculating the emotional effects caused by accidents. They can also pursue other damages, such as wrongful death.
Negotiating a Fair Settlement
Insurance providers will always find ways to reduce your compensation. They may argue that:
- You are at fault for the accident.
- You do not have enough evidence to support your claim.
- Your injuries were not caused by the accident.
Fortunately, a lawyer will always consider your best interests when negotiating a settlement. They will check all evidence and ensure you get fair compensation.
What to Do in a Baldwin Park Motorcycle Accident
If you are involved in a motorcycle accident in Baldwin Park, you must follow these steps to ensure your safety and resolve your accident correctly:
- Check if you have injuries.
- Call 911 immediately or contact the nearest hospital in Baldwin Park.
- If you can, move to a safe location near you.
- Exchange information with the other driver, such as their driver’s license number and home address.
- Gather evidence, such as photos of the accident scene.
- File an initial accident report.
- Cooperate with police enforcement.
- Reach out to an attorney.
A Baldwin Park personal injury lawyer can help you sort out your case. They will:
- Determine who is at fault for the accident.
- Gather evidence.
- Prove liability.
- Calculate the total damages.
- Meet deadlines.
- Communicate with insurance companies.
- Defend your case.
Our Experience with Motorcycle Accident Claims
Jacoby and Meyers Law Offices have handled a motorcycle case of a 23-year-old young man. He crashed his dirt bike into the front of a parked truck, causing severe bodily injuries. The victim won his case because our lawyers proved that the utility truck was wrongfully parked in the middle of the road. He received a $17,500,000 verdict.
As Baldwin Park personal injury lawyers, we can help build your case. We have a winning record in motorcycle crashes and provide the highest quality of service. We make you our top priority.
Call us today at 888-960-0480 for a free consultation. We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to help you.
Call or text 888-522-6291 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
