There’s no doubt that motorcycles are very thrilling, and that’s one of the major reasons why so many people love to ride them, however, it seems like it’s much easier to have a motorcycle accident than any other.
That's probably because motorcyclists are so focused on speed and adrenaline, that they sometimes forget about their own safety.
And of course, at times, it's because other drivers were careless.
And once something like this happens it can cause serious, potentially life-threatening injuries, and financial damages too.
If you've been in a motorcycle crash, and you would like to fight for the compensation you deserve then you must find yourself a good lawyer, and today, I'll show you how to do it.
First See If The Attorney Has Dealt With Motorcycle Accidents Before
This is by far the most important thing to do during this process. Keep in mind that no matter how skilled, and intelligent a certain legal expert is, if he or she hasn’t dealt with these sorts of incidents before, then there’s no point in having them “on your team”.
Although a motorcycle accident is perceived as a personal injury case, don’t forget that a general personal injury advocate may not have any experience when it comes to motorcycle crashes.
And of course, it’s of huge importance to have someone who has a plethora of it. But don’t worry. There are a lot of seasoned solicitors that have dealt with similar cases (or exactly the same) as yours.
That’s particularly the case with the state of Massachusetts. Consequently, if you reside in this state, then make sure to find a Massachusetts motorcycle accident lawyer who is going to give everything that’s in his/her power to get the best possible outcome. Attorneys who usually deal with these sorts of cases are known as motorcycle accident lawyers.
Cast Your Eyes On The Performance History
This is another essential factor that mustn’t be overlooked. If it’s possible, ensure to take a look at the performance history of a certain law firm. Namely, they typically publish the performance rates on their sites.
If you notice that their success rates are high when it comes to cases that are similar to yours, then it means that they’ll be able to help you get the compensation you deserve.
While checking this information, be sure to look for both out-of-court settlement success and in-court battles.
If you conclude that this person is very successful when settling cases, however, not as much when it comes to court, then I do not think it would be advisable to take this individual into consideration.
How come? Well, that's because you may run into some hurdles and obstacles if your case goes before a judge. I would like to remind you that there are lots of law firms that tend to hide this information (referring to the court cases) so be very careful.
Let’s Not Forget The Contingency Fees
Fortunately, there is a bunch of personal injury advocates who work on a contingency basis. So what do I mean by that? It means that that person is going to take a certain fee if you get the compensation.
And that’s a great thing because it means that you do not need to stress over this thing in order to have a solicitor by your side. The average fee is somewhere between thirty percent to forty percent.
This rule doesn't apply if your case goes to court. If it falls within this previously mentioned range, then it means that the attorney you've selected is complying with the industry standards. Of course, since you're not obligated to know any of these facts (regarding the contingency fee), I honestly hope that your lawyer is going to properly explain everything to you and will provide you with a fee contract that you’re supposed to sign.
I would like to remind you that in some instances, you might be responsible for out-of-pocket expenses as well.
You Need Someone Who Is Invested
You’ve been through a lot and it’s completely understandable if you’re looking for someone who is trustworthy, caring, and devoted. Even though at first glance, every advocate seems very invested, sadly, that’s not always the case.
The most caring and professional solicitors are the ones who want what’s best for their clients and you need somebody who is going to advocate on your behalf. Since you weren’t the one who caused this accident, you need to have a legal expert on your team who is going to hold the other party accountable for their actions and will give you the compensation that you deserve.
If by any chance you notice that the attorney you’re interested in doesn’t look particularly invested in you and your case, then I would advise you to steer clear of that person and look for someone else.
Do Not Focus Solely On One
If you want to pick the best possible lawyer, then you shouldn’t focus solely on one. In fact, it would be more than advisable to jot down several names that seem like solid options before you make any final decision.
This way, you'll have more options and some form of a backup plan in case the person that seems like a good match at first glance, isn't exactly the best option after all.
So what are you supposed to do in these instances? How are you going to be able to determine if someone is right for you? Namely, one of the most important things that you can do during this process is to ask the questions that are relevant to you.
And please do not forget to ask anything that’s pivotal for your case. If you’re scared of forgetting something, then you can write down all questions on a piece of paper. If you want your meeting to be successful, then you should bring crucial things for your case, like police reports, medical reports, and pictures/video proof.
I know that finding a good advocate is not a piece of cake, however, as you can see, there are truly awesome steps that you can take that are going to help you select a legal expert who is going to leave their heart in the court.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Olivia Poglianich
Content Strategist
Olivia Poglianich is a nomadic brand strategist and copywriter in the motorcycling and adventure space who has worked with brands such as Visa, Disney and Grey Goose. Her writing has taken her all over the world, from a Serbian music festival to a Malaysian art and culture event. Olivia is a graduate of Cornell University and is often writing or reading about travel, hospitality, the start-up ecosystem or career coaching. Her latest interests are at the intersection of web3 and communal living, both on and offline.
