After a motorcycle accident in Yuma, you must prioritize your health and safety. Whether you have visible injuries or not, seeking medical attention must be the first step you must take. As a motorcycle rider, you do not have the bodily protection afforded to drivers of bigger vehicles. As a result, you can be vulnerable to serious injuries when a collision with another vehicle happens.
After you have received medical attention, you can start working on your case by hiring a Karnas Law Firm motorcycle accident attorney. You need to wait until the injuries you have sustained have been diagnosed and treated to contact an attorney. This way, you will have a comprehensive picture of them. This information will help your attorney determine the strength and viability of your case.
Things to Discuss During Consolation
Once you are ready to reach out to an attorney following a motorcycle crash, you want to get important information from them. During the initial consultation, you may want to learn about the attorney’s experience handling your type of case and the particular services they provide. Also, you may want to know how extensively the attorney will investigate the crash, including the cause and liability aspects. Other things you may want to learn from the attorney include their track record for settlement negotiations or trial results and if they can provide you with references from previous clients.
How Your Attorney Will Prove Fault
In motorcycle accident cases, proving fault or liability is necessary. Your attorney will thoroughly investigate the accident to determine what caused it and the party that acted negligently. They will review evidence such as police reports, accident scene photos and videos, witness statements, and medical records. They can interpret subtle information you might not be able to access on your own. Also, they can employ accident reconstruction specialists to analyze available evidence and draw conclusions.
During deposition, your attorney may question the liable party under oath to create a record of fault. Fault determination is particularly essential if liability is not clear or being disputed by an insurer. The best attorney will make the most of their experience to assign responsibility and negotiate bigger compensation offers from the insurance company of the at-fault party after establishing fault. They will challenge liability claims to get you maximum damages.
Consequences of Not Hiring an Attorney After a Motorcycle Accident
Working on your case without an attorney may result in lower or zero compensation. You may miss out on important damages like:
- Pain and suffering. These damages can include the costs of physical therapy you may need to address lingering problems from your injuries.
- Medical costs. A more severe injury such as head trauma or a broken bone after a motorcycle accident may require surgeries and extended hospitalization. Not hiring an attorney may result in you not recovering compensation for these damages.
- Lost income. You might miss time from work or face career setbacks after prolonged physical recovery from your injuries. Without an attorney, you may not be able to account for these losses.
- Mental anguish. Anxiety, stress, and depression can be experienced because of the trauma associated with an accidental injury.
- Loss of life enjoyment. Daily activities you used to enjoy such as riding a bike, may not be possible anymore or not fully enjoyed because of the permanent impacts from the accident.
- Emotional distress. A motorcycle accident can result in physical limitations or permanent disability, which can lead to long-term emotional fallout. Proving these damages to the insurance company can be quite challenging. Without an attorney, you may miss out on them.
Failing to recover these damages will result in you paying the full price of your recovery. Also, not contacting an attorney following the accident can make it hard to file a claim on time.
