Vehicular accidents can happen at any time at any place. It may be due to numerous reasons. While a person may be protected from serious injuries in the form of airbags, steel frame, or other automobile safety features, a motorcyclist does not get the benefits of these features. Moreover, bikers are usually stereotyped as reckless and irresponsible. In any case, motorcyclists can still be involved in serious accidents some of which might prove fatal also. It is imperative for motorcyclists to get proper legal representation. To do that, they have to avail of the services of the best motorcycle accident attorneys with experience and knowledge under their belt.
Motorcyclists are more vulnerable during an accident than an automobile driver. They are 35 times more likely to be involved in a fatal accident than a four-wheeler driver is. While the chance of a four-wheeler driver being involved in an accident-related injury/death is 20%, the same is a staggering 80% for motorcyclists.
Statistics for California
∙ Motorcycle fatalities went up to 5,286 in 2016 from 2,320 in 1994
∙ Six percent rise in the number of deaths from 2015 to 2016 according to the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) in the Governors’ 2018 report.
∙ Motorcycle accident deaths in California accounted for 15.1% of total vehicular deaths in 2016.
∙ Decrease in fatalities from 2016 to 2017 by 28.3% in California.
Motorcycle Accident Attorney- 5 Tips to Choose the Best
Do not wait to speak to a lawyer
As per the Californian Statute of Limitations for Motorcycle accidents, the person involved in the accident gets 2 years to file for a claim or lawsuit. However, that does not mean you wait for more than a year to speak an attorney. An attorney needs to file the proper paperwork and build the case. The longer you wait to finalize a lawyer, the harder it will be to prove that the injuries or fatality was a result of the accident. Fast action is imperative to build a strong case. Speak to a lawyer as soon as possible from the date of the accident.
Check the Specialization of the Attorney
Not all attorneys are specialized in motorcycle accidents. Some may specialize in tax laws or some may practice business laws. An attorney specialized in motorcycle accidents will know of minor details, which others might overlook. So, find a lawyer who has the proper knowledge to help your case.
Success Rates
Get the details of the attorney’s experience, their referrals, and success rates. You do not want an inexperienced lawyer to handle your case. Make sure the attorney you choose has your best interest and would win the case for you.
Communications
More than often, a lawyer will be working on multiple cases at the same time. Therefore, you need to be clear of how the communications are going to happen between you and your lawyer. Sometimes the lawyers would handle your case directly, while at other times their subordinates might be working on your case. Hence, a clear line of communication is essential for both you and your lawyer to be on the same page.
Plan of Action
When an attorney takes your case, you need to know how they plan to prepare for it. What is going to be their game plan? You need to be sure of their work ethics. A few questions that you need to ask them are
∙ What is their plan for your case and how will you benefit from it?
∙ How will they work with insurance companies?
∙ How will they negotiate settlements?
Find the right attorney for your motorcycle accident
Riding a motorcycle is a lot of fun but it comes with its fair share of risks. Accidents are traumatic experiences. If you get into an accident, make sure you have a good motorcycle accident attorney to help you and your loved ones with your accidental needs.