The Top 10 Things to Question a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer at Your Free Consultation
The immediate aftermath of a motorcycle accident can be stressful. It can also be confusing and make it hard to know what your next steps should be. Working with a fort lauderdale personal injury lawyer rather than handling your accident case alone can help you effectively navigate the financial recovery process.
Hiring a motorcycle accident lawyer to represent you is an important step in your pursuit of damages. Choosing the best lawyer to represent you is equally important. This article describes the top 10 questions to ask a motorcycle accident attorney during your initial consultation that can help you make a well-informed choice.
Ask Questions About Your Motorcycle Accident Claim During Your Consultation
A motorcycle accident can leave you with severe injuries and related financial expenses and losses. The four questions below can help you understand the damages you can seek in a personal injury claim.
How Much Is My Motorcycle Accident Case Worth?
The value of your motorcycle accident case will vary depending on the severity of your injuries and many other factors. Your lawyer will request compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and motorcycle damage or destruction. They will also request compensation for your physical and emotional pain and suffering and diminished quality of life.
What if a Family Member Was Involved in a Fatal Motorcycle Accident?
If your family experienced the loss of a loved one in the accident, your lawyer will file a wrongful death claim requesting survivors’ damages and wrongful death damages on your behalf. These can include funeral and burial expenses, loss of your loved one’s income, and loss of their services to your family.
How Will You Prove Compensation Is Warranted for a Motorcycle Accident?
Recovering damages is dependent on proving the at-fault driver’s negligence. Your lawyer will document the legal elements, including duty of care, breach of duty, causation, and damages to calculate a fair settlement for your injuries and losses.
What Evidence Is Needed for a Motorcycle Accident Case?
To prove the elements of negligence, your legal team will build a case file that includes evidence like medical records, police and other first responder reports, photos and videos, and lay and expert witness statements.
Evidence that proves the accident’s financial consequences can include your medical bills, salary history records, and estimates for the repair or replacement of your motorcycle.
Ask Questions About the Personal Injury Attorney’s Experience With Motorcycle Cases
You need to know about the experience and client service outlook of the law firm you choose. When meeting a motorcycle accident lawyer, consider asking the three questions below.
What Are Your Legal Fees and Payment Structure?
Concern about the cost of representation should not deter you from getting legal help when you need it most. Look for a law firm that works on a contingency fee basis. Most personal injury law firms will, meaning you will not have to pay any upfront fees out of your own pocket.
An added benefit—this type of fee agreement can help you avoid a potentially costly delay in filing your lawsuit.
What Does the Motorcycle Accident Legal Process Involve?
Motorcycle accident cases can be time-consuming and complex. The process generally involves your initial consultation, investigation, and damage assessment. It also includes filing an insurance claim with the insurance company, depositions, and discovery sessions. The final step is typically the settlement negotiation process. If a settlement can’t be reached, your lawyer can file a lawsuit and take the case to court.
What Is Your Motorcycle Accident Case Success Rate?
Case results can help you learn more about a law firm’s success rate with cases like yours. Many will offer an online glimpse at a sampling of their financial recovery for previous clients.
Ask Questions About Motorcycle Accident Laws That Might Affect Your Case
Florida’s motorcycle laws can play a significant role in your case. The three questions below can help you determine whether a lawyer has sufficient familiarity with motorcycle, personal injury, comparative negligence, and insurance laws and regulations that could affect your case.
How Do I Know if I Can File a Personal Injury Claim?
If your accident was caused by negligence, recklessness, or carelessness, it fits the legal parameters of personal injury cases. Your fort myers motorcycle accident lawyer will examine the details of your case and determine its validity for you.
How Long Do I Have to File a Motorcycle Accident Insurance Claim or Lawsuit?
According to Florida Statutes § 95.11(4)(e), you generally have two years (recently decreased from four years) to file your personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. Your right to compensation could be jeopardized if the deadline expires. A local attorney can help you avoid this potentially costly consequence.
What if the At-Fault Driver Blames the Motorcyclist for the Collision?
According to Florida Statutes § 768.81, any compensation awarded could be diminished by the percentage of fault attributed to you. If you are found to bear 50% or more of the fault, you cannot recover any damages at all. west palm beach Motorcycle accident lawyers understand how to avoid an inaccurate division of negligence.
Call for a Free Review of Your Motorcycle Accident Case
If you or someone you love was injured in a recent motorcycle accident, contact the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato for a no-cost, no-obligation evaluation of your case.
One of the members of our personal injury firm will listen to your story with compassion and kindness. During your initial consultation, we also address the top 10 questions you may have for one of our motorcycle accident attorneys.
