How to Find a Motorcycle Accident Injury Attorney

We have all seen motorcyclists on roadways on beautiful spring and fall days. However, as much as people enjoy riding motorcycles, there is always the potential for a serious accident. Of course, motorcycle accident victims’ injuries can be catastrophic. Indeed, rarely do motorcycle accident victims escape without a hospital trip for treatment of fractured bones road rash or other severe injuries. Therefore, if a motorcycle accident injures you, you need an experienced motorcycle accident injury attorney. 

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

There are several causes of accidents involving motorcycle riders and motor vehicles:

• texting and driving

• driving under the influence

• speeding

• failing to follow traffic signals or signs

• driving an ill-maintained vehicle (i.e. unsafe to drive)

• distracted by any other means

Notwithstanding the above, left-hand turns by motor vehicles in front of motorcycles cause a large percentage of motorcycle accidents. 

However, not all risks associated with riding a motorcycle concern other drivers. For instance, alcohol and other drugs can impair a person’s judgment and cause dangerously reckless behavior. 

Consequently, motorcyclists who drink alcohol or use drugs before they ride are taking a severe risk.

All things considered, the best steps motorcycle riders can do to protect themselves is to wear protective head, eye, and body gear. In addition, motorcyclists should always maintain an acute awareness of their surroundings and road conditions while riding. 

However, accidents that occur because of the negligence of another driver are not as easy to prevent.

What Types of Injuries Does a Motorcycle Crash Cause?

Of course, people get injured in a motor vehicle accident involving two cars. However, in car accidents, the drivers are protected by the frame of their car, seat belts, etc. 

Conversely, there is no “shell” to protect motorcyclists when they are driving. 

Therefore, it is not surprising that motorcycle accidents cause many types of injuries:

• Soft tissue

• Bruises, lacerations

• Bone fractures

• Road rash

• Concussions, head injuries

• Shoulder, back and neck sprains/strains

• Damage to internal organs

• Brain injuries, including traumatic brain injury

• Amputations of limbs

• Spinal cord/paralysis

• Wrongful death 

Serious injuries that a person gets in a motorcycle accident can mean hospitalization for days or weeks. Additionally, once the injured person is released from the hospital, she will have multiple follow-up visits with a doctor. 

Last, people who get a motorcycle accident injury may also need multiple visits for physical therapy.

What Are My Damages in a Motorcycle Accident Case?

There are multiple damage claims you can make in a motorcycle accident case:

Medical expenses 

You may seek compensation to recover all your medical bills (even those for which insurance paid).

Lost wages

As part of your motorcycle accident claim, you may recover the wages you lost because you had to miss work because of the accident.

Pain and suffering

This type of damage is subjective. Nonetheless, it is widely recognized in personal injury law. As a result, you can tell the jury how badly your neck sprain hurts you.  

In addition, you can tell the jury how you got chiropractic treatment for weeks and you still have pain and stiffness in your neck. That is pain and suffering.

Disability

Furthermore, you can tell the jury about the lingering injuries you have and how they affect you. Perhaps you work in a Home Depot and are required to lift or move boxes and other bulky items. But your neck injury interferes with that. You can tell that to the jury about your disability.

Future medical treatment

If you suffered a head injury or compound fracture of a limb, you may need medical and physical therapy treatment for the foreseeable future. You (and your doctor) can tell the jury about your expected future treatment.

Loss of consortium

If a motorcycle accident killed or severely injured your spouse, the jury can compensate you for the loss of the affection, advice and companionship spouses show each other. 

This claim is recognized in personal injury law. It is called the loss of consortium. 

How to Find the Best Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in 2022

There are plenty of attorneys to pick from. However, to get the best motorcycle accident attorney for you, you may have to do a little research.

Lawyer Referral

Perhaps the lawyer who represented you when you bought your home can refer you to a motorcycle accident attorney.

Bar Associations 

Most state and local bar associations have lawyer referral services. Consequently, you can contact them for the name of local motorcycle accident lawyers

Google Search

Searching on Google for a “motorcycle accident lawyer near me” will get you a long list of lawyers and more than one law firm.

Lawyer Directories 

Online lawyer directories, such as Martindale Hubbell and Avvo, lets you find local lawyers based on their area of practice. Some of the directories offer client and peer reviews and ratings of the attorneys. 

What Are Some Tips in Hiring a Motorcycle Accident Attorney?

Of course, interview any attorney you are considering in his or her office. You should get a free consultation.

Is the office neat? Does the staff seem competent and professional? Are phones answered promptly? 

If the answer to these questions is “yes,” that’s a good sign.

If not….  

You should ask the attorney several questions before hiring them, such as how long they have been an attorney and how many motorcycle accident cases they have handled?

Additionally, personal injury attorneys handle all types of personal injury cases. But how many motorcycle accident cases like yours has the attorney handled?

Likewise, you will want to know if the attorney you are interviewing is the attorney who will be handling your case. 

Some other questions asked and answered:

Why should you contact a motorcycle accident lawyer?

The answer is that motorcycle accident cases can be complicated. You want an experienced motorcycle accident attorney to help you. 

Why do some lawyers specialize in motorcycle accidents only?

Well, most don’t. As stated above most personal injury attorneys handle all kinds of personal injury cases. However, some attorneys may have built a reputation for handling motorcycle cases. Therefore, other attorneys frequently refer motorcycle accident cases to them.

What are the fees for an accident attorney?

Most, if not all, personal injury attorneys charge a contingency fee. That means they will take a percentage of your final settlement or jury award. However, they do not get paid if there is no settlement or jury award. 

What is my motorcycle accident injury claim worth? 

It all depends. Who caused the accident? Were you partially at fault? Can you prove the other driver solely caused the accident? How bad are your injuries? Are the settlement offers from the insurance company fair?

In short, you will need the help of an experienced motorcycle accident injury attorney to answer these and other questions.

Experienced and Knowledgeable Motorcycle Accident Injury Attorney Lawyer

 If you, a close friend or a loved one have been injured in a motorcycle accident because of another driver’s negligence, you need an experienced motorcycle accident injury attorney. We will investigate the accident and fight to get you the compensation you deserve. Contact us at our Hammond office at 219-200-2000 or online at alexmendozalaw.com for a free consultation.