If you or a loved one suffered an injury in a motorcycle accident, you could attempt to pursue compensation on your own. However, there are seven reasons why you need a motorcycle accident lawyer and how they can benefit your case by streamlining your insurance claim or lawsuit.
Atlanta motorcycle accident lawyers can help you understand your right to compensation for an accident caused by negligence. They can also help you prove the accident’s cause, build a compelling evidence collection, and file your lawsuit on time. Finally, they’ll manage the mountain of paperwork and communication a personal injury claim will require. Fortunately, most will represent you with no upfront fees or costs.
You Need a Lawyer to Know if Your Accident Constitutes a Valid Injury Claim
Not every motorcycle accident will result in a valid personal injury claim. To file a third-party insurance claim or lawsuit, the cause of your accident must meet the following legal definition of negligence:
- Duty: The at-fault party must follow the rules of the road and exercise care while behind the wheel.
- Breach: The at-fault party’s actions breached their legal duty.
- Causation: The accident and your injuries directly resulted from their breach.
- Damages: The financial losses and psychological harm you suffered due to the accident and your injuries.
A personal injury attorney can help you understand what constitutes negligence and how a solid evidence collection can establish its elements.
For a free legal consultation, call 404-214-2001
A Lawyer Can Prove the Legally Required Elements of Negligence
Evidence is a critical component of your personal injury or wrongful death claim. Your evidence file should include:
- Proof of the accident’s cause: Accident reports, medical records, photos and videos, witness statements, expert testimonials, and insurance correspondence
- Proof of the accident’s costs: Medical bills, tax records, motorcycle repair estimates, and motorcycle replacement costs
Provide your lawyer with any evidence you collected at the accident scene. They will collect all the other evidence your case needs and present it to the at-fault party on your behalf.
A Lawyer Can Help With Complex Motorcycle Accident Cases
Sometimes, establishing why an accident happened is straightforward and easily documented. While having a lawyer can be beneficial in these cases, hiring one can be more helpful if the crash:
- Was caused by someone other than a driver (e.g., faulty traffic signs, a mechanical error, or a manufacturer flaw)
- Involved more than one vehicle (e.g., a chain reaction accident)
- Might require resolving questions of shared liability
A lawyer can effectively navigate complicated cases like these. They will conduct an independent investigation and collect evidence you might find difficult to obtain yourself.
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You Need a Lawyer Who Can File Your Insurance Claim or Lawsuit
Filing an insurance claim often involves piles of paperwork. Managing your claim will also include lots of communication:
- Phone calls
- Email exchanges
- Written correspondence
- Claims forms
One reason you need a lawyer is so they can deal with paperwork and communications. Their involvement can protect you from saying or signing anything that might inadvertently hinder your claim.
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A Lawyer Can Meet the Required Notification and Filing Deadlines
Georgia law limits the time you have to file a lawsuit after a motorcycle accident. Per O.C.G.A § 9-3-33, you generally have:
- Two years from the accident date to file a personal injury lawsuit
- Two years from a loved one’s death to file a wrongful death lawsuit
Additional deadlines could apply to your claim. Insurers typically require you to notify them and file a claim within specific timeframes. Also, if you must seek compensation from a government or municipal agency, you could have as little as six months to file a claim, according to O.C.G.A. § 36-33-5.
A motorcycle accident lawyer can accurately interpret deadlines, identify any potential changes, and file your lawsuit on time.
You Need a Lawyer Who Can Accurately Define Your Recoverable Damages
Accurately assessing your compensation after a motorcycle accident can be more complicated than you might think. You are entitled to recover:
- Medical bills (e.g., hospital, emergency room, ambulance, and prescriptions)
- Lost income (full-time, part-time, and future earning ability)
- Property damage (repairing your bike and compensation for its diminished value or replacing a bike deemed a total loss)
- Disability (e.g., physical limitations or disfiguring injuries)
- Pain and suffering (mental and emotional anguish and loss of enjoyment of life)
A lawyer can help you avoid omitting or overlooking valid recoverable damages. Their familiarity with motorcycle accident claims means they can uncover any hidden damages and fight hard to maximize your settlement or verdict.
A lawyer can also handle settlement negotiations with insurance adjusters and litigate your case if it goes to trial.
A Lawyer Can Fight for Wrongful Death Damages for Surviving Families
Nothing can atone for the loss of your beloved family member. However, your family might be entitled to compensation for the financial hardship that follows the unexpected loss of a loved one. You need a motorcycle accident lawyer who can provide clarity and guidance at an emotionally vulnerable time for your family.
They can request the following wrongful death damages:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Loss of financial support
- Loss of domestic income
- Loss of consortium and care
- Loss of companionship
- Loss of guidance
Hiring a motorcycle accident lawyer might be a smart decision after losing a loved one because of their ability to take an objective look at your case. Once they’ve assessed your situation, they’ll fight for your financial recovery while you focus on caring for each other.
Your Initial Motorcycle Accident Consultation Is Free
If you or a loved one suffered an injury in a motorcycle accident, Kaine Law could help you fight for the compensation you need and deserve. We work hard to provide easy, stress-free legal support. While we focus on your financial recovery, you can focus on recovering from your injuries.
Learn more about why you might need a motorcycle accident lawyer and the benefits of hiring one. Contact our consultation team today.
Call or text 404-214-2001 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
