At least 4,985 people died on American roads in the year 2018 due to motorcycle-related accidents. The cases were a slight decrease from previous years.
Your life and the safety of your bike are at stake each time you hit the ignition button. Accidents are at times an inevitable reality. So, what can you do to prepare yourself in case of any eventualities?
Having the best motorcycle accident lawyer on your speed dial is the first step. You will need someone well-versed with motorcycle laws in case of an accident. This is why your choice of a motorcycle accident attorney matters a lot.
Are you wondering how to select the best motorcycle accident, lawyer? This article simplifies this critical process for you. Here are tips to help you find a reliable attorney.
Contents
- 1 1. Do Your Homework
- 2 2. Ask Around for Referrals
- 3 3. Go for Experience
- 4 4. Consider Location
- 5 5. Reputation Is King
- 6 6. Check Out Bar Associations
- 7 7. Check Out Lawyer Directory
- 8 8. Consider the Payment Process
- 9 9. Lawyer Referrals
- 10 10. Consider Their Approach to Communication
- 11 11. Check Online
- 12 This Is How to Get the Best Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
1. Do Your Homework
Research is an essential part of finding a reputable attorney. First, not every lawyer can handle motorcycle accident-related cases. So, you need to know what kind of legal services you are looking for before anything.
Finding a trustworthy motorcycle crash attorney can be tricky if you rely on the first search result from Google. It would be best if you undertook thorough background consideration of everything related to your case. It helps to know the laws that regulate motorcycle use in your state.
2. Ask Around for Referrals
The next most important thing to do after conducting background research should be to consider referrals. Family, friends, and colleagues who are also bikers might have valuable information. All you need is to have a candid conversation on any suggestions they may have.
Most times, referrals offer the best insights when looking for a motorcycle crash attorney. When an attorney offers exemplary services to a client, the customer is more than willing to recommend such a lawyer’s services to others. Referrals will also not sugarcoat if the kind of services they got from a specific lawyer were below par.
The best part about referrals is that you have the benefit of working with a tried and tested attorney. As such, you’ll have a scorecard on which to base your decision.
3. Go for Experience
A motorcycle accident case can be complex. It takes more than just exposure to a few cases to deliver on your claim.
Your choice of a motorcycle crash lawyer must be based on years of experience in legal practice. Newbies can deliver, but it takes experience to ensure total compensation for damages.
When seeking legal support, your main goal is to get the best result. Unfortunately, many wannabe motorcycle lawyers barely have the requisite experience to win a case. At least five years of active involvement in motorcycle-related cases should suffice.
Working with an experienced attorney accords you the confidence you need. Once you have faith in the lawyer, it becomes easy to trust the process. The lawyer’s experience takes the trophy any day when looking for the best motorcycle accident lawyer.
4. Consider Location
Location matters when seeking legal services from an accident attorney. Most attorneys advertise their services across the board, making it hard to know if they come from your region. The majority of out-of-state law firms will eventually refer your case to other firms within your state.
When this happens, it disenfranchises you from the right to choose a lawyer of your liking. Further, specific motorcycle laws differ from one state to the next. The variance means that you must work with an attorney from your region to avoid the complexities of location differences.
You need a motorcycle accident lawyer who knows the local court procedures. The lawyer can then help you navigate the court process with ease. Further, a local motorcycle accident lawyer is easy to access in case you need specific questions answered.
5. Reputation Is King
Nothing compares to a good name. It takes more than just being an experienced attorney to have confidence in a specific motorcycle accident lawyer. Your best choice should be a lawyer who isn’t tainted with multiple accusations of arrogance or poor communication.
A good motorcycle accident lawyer must present themselves as reliable, time conscious, and dependable. Considering reviews could be a perfect place to start. Here, you’ll get testimonials of past engagements and delivery. If the lawyer has a good reputation, then they will deliver on the mandate.
6. Check Out Bar Associations
Lawyers belong to various associations, which act as regulatory authorities. When looking for qualified motorcycle accident lawyers, state and local bar associations can go a long way in guiding your final decision. The American Bar Association has referral services you can trust.
You only need to visit the station to get specific referrals from within your state. The best part about bar associations is that you have the assurance of dealing with licensed attorneys. It only takes few minutes to peruse through and to settle for the best option.
7. Check Out Lawyer Directory
Times have changed in the age of technology. Today, you can also access adequate information about the best motorcycle accident lawyer from an attorney directory. The lawyer’s directory allows you to find out more about attorneys and their services.
The number of lawyers in the United States increased by over 15% in the last decade. This means that there might be more lawyers in your area than you know. As such, a lawyer’s directory makes it easy to trace and engage such attorneys.
You’ll also get to learn about specific lawyers who are closer to your location through the directory. Most directories also categorize the attorneys based on their specialization. As such, the resource is quite valuable when looking for specific motorcycle accident lawyers.
8. Consider the Payment Process
This is an issue that comprises more than just the cost of the legal services. Ensure that you have a comprehensive understanding of the total cost involved. Most times, lawyers quote a specific cost only to add other additional payments along the way.
Once you have settled for a specific lawyer, your next step should be to negotiate the rates. Ensure that you understand all the costs involved beforehand. The next phase should be to discuss the payment plan.
Some motorcycle accident lawyers opt for a formula that determines the percentage to be paid upon the settlement. This should be an amount that can make up for the financial losses incurred following the motorcycle accident. Choosing a rate will ensure that you don’t end up paying more for the services.
9. Lawyer Referrals
We have all worked with an attorney at some point. Whether it’s during the purchase of a home or other issues, you have likely engaged a reliable attorney. These lawyers could be a great resource when looking for a motorcycle accident lawyer.
Most lawyers know other attorneys in other specialties who are as reliable. If you are looking for a motorcycle crash lawyer to represent you following a motorcycle injury, then considering recommendations is a perfect place to commence your search.
Following up on a motorcycle accident claim with the help of a recommended attorney makes all the difference. The best part about this option is that you have the guarantee that you’ll get exceptional services.
10. Consider Their Approach to Communication
One of the realities of a legal case is that you might need to keep up active communication with the lawyer. You’ll need to ask for specific updates regarding the progress of the case. Dealing with a non-responsive lawyer during such instances can be frustrating.
When choosing a motorcycle accident lawyer, consider the dynamics that may play out in your communication process. A good lawyer can respond to your queries within a short time. It’s also important to know the specific communication options the attorney prefers.
Most people prefer real-time communication via phone calls. It would help to ask your lawyer if he can keep up phone call communication during the process. This will help keep both parties in tabs with the entire process.
11. Check Online
Social media is one of the best places to find out more about a specific attorney and their services. Most motorcycle accident lawyers have social media accounts and other online platforms that have followers. You can use these platforms to get additional information about specific lawyers.
Online platforms are also a perfect source of reviews. You can check out such reviews on their social media platforms and compare notes. This will ensure that you only get to work with only the best in the industry.
This Is How to Get the Best Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Legal representation following a motorcycle accident is vital. A motorcycle accident injury can have immense negative implications on you. As such, you need to find the best motorcycle accident lawyer to help you with your motorcycle accident claim.
Unless you get a motorcycle accident attorney who has the experience, reliability, and exposure to guide you, your claim will be dead on arrival. With these tips, you can now find yourself a reliable motorcycle injury attorney to help with your motorcycle accident claim.
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