There are over 8,666,185 registered motorcycles in the US. Unfortunately, about 5,000 of these drivers die on the road each year.
If you were recently in a motorcycle crash, it’s important to find a lawyer you can trust. With their help, you can build a case to cover your losses. They can help you fight for the compensation you deserve.
Here are eight factors to consider before choosing motorcycle accident lawyers for your lawsuit. With these tips, you can find an experienced, knowledgeable legal team ready to take your case. They’ll represent your best interests, even as you’re healing from the crash.
Don’t wait to make your case! Get started with these tips for finding a lawyer you can depend on today.
1. Experience and Expertise
There are currently over 135,221 personal injury lawyers and attorneys employed in the US. Not every personal injury lawyer will suit your case, though. Instead, you need to narrow down your options.
Some personal injury lawyers specialize in auto accidents. Thatdoesn’t mean they have enough experience in motorcycle crashes, though. Instead, focuson personal injury lawyers who specialize in motorcycle accident lawsuits.
You can rely on their previous experience and expertise. They’ll know which laws and procedures are relevant to your case. Choosing someone with irrelevant experience might impact the outcome of your case.
You can start your search online by exploring directories, including the:
- Martindale-Hubbell law directory
- Best Lawyers and Best Law Firms by US News & World Reports
- Your local bar association website
Focus on looking for a lawyer who has years of motorcycle accident experience. How long have they practiced lawand specialized in motorcycle cases?
How many cases have they handled in their time as a lawyer?
Your local bar association website can give you a brief biography of each lawyer on your list.Choosing someone with motorcycle accident experience will give you peace of mind in their abilities.
Ask Around
Ask your friends and family members if they’ve worked with a law firm in the past. You can learn from their previous experience. Ask questions like:
- What did you like about working with your lawyer?
- Did a lawyer take your case or a paralegal?
- Did they keep you up-to-date regarding the status of your case?
- What roadblocks did you hit during the case?
- How did your lawyer help you overcome any complications?
- Did your lawyer handle the case with your best interests in mind?
- What was the result of your lawsuit?
- How much did you win?
- Were you satisfied with the result of your case?
- Would you recommend I work with the same attorney, or someone else?
Getting referrals from people you trust can help you get a strong start with your search.
Now that you have a list of motorcycle accident lawyers to research, you can start narrowing down your options.
2. Courtroom Experience
It’s not enough for a lawyer to have previous motorcycle accident experience, though.Look for motorcycle accident lawyers with courtroom experience, too.
You don’t want a lawyer who prefers to settle their cases out of court. They could fail to accomplish your goals. Beyond that, they might accept a lowersettlement to avoid a trial.
You can schedule a free consultation appointment with each lawyer on your list. As you meet with them, ask about their courtroom experience.
Do they have a strategy in mind for your case? How do they intend on arguing the other party was negligent for the crash?
If they want to avoid a courtroom, search for another lawyer.
3. A Strong Track Record
Road traffic accidents could become the fifth leading cause of death by 2030. Not every family receives compensation when they lose a loved one, though.
As you research the motorcycle accident lawyers in your area, focus on searching for a winner.
How many cases have they handled over the years? How many of those cases did they win? Were those wins recent?
Look for someone who has won cases recently. You might notice their track record has improved over time. That indicates they’ve learned from their experience.
Ask about their most recent motorcycle accident case. Was the case similar to yours? What was their strategy for handling that case?
How much compensation did they win for their client?
Choosing a lawyer with a strong case record will give you peace of mind.
4. Availability
As you contact different law firms in the area, make sure you know who will handle your case. Are they an associate or partner? If they lack experience, will other motorcycle accident lawyers supervise them?
Look for a lawyer who is available to handle your case. How many other cases are they juggling at the moment? Will they have time to dedicate to your lawsuit?
If they’re juggling too many cases at once, they might neglect your lawsuit. They might miss deadlines when handling your paperwork, too.
Each case has a statute of limitations. If the statute of limitations lapses, you’ll lose your chance to file your lawsuit. Instead, look for a lawyer who is available to meet every deadline.
5. References and Reviews
Ask each lawyer on your list for references and reviews. Have they handled a motorcycle accident case that’s similar to yours? Try to speak with that client.
You can ask the client about their experience working with that attorney.
Did they experience any issues while working with that attorney? How were those problems resolved?
Would they recommend you look for a different lawyer instead?
Try to learn from their first-hand account. Speaking to someone who was once in your shoes can help you prepare for your case.
You can also read reviews on the law firm’s Better Business Bureau, Google My Business, and Martindale-Hubbell listing.
6. A Strong Skill Set
During your consultation appointment, pay attention to how your lawyer communicates. Do they sound confident? Would you want them speaking on your behalf?
It’s important to find a strong communicator to handle your case. Are they easy to understand, or confusing? If they confuseyou, chances are they’ll confuse a jury, too.
Look for someone who is confident in their own abilities as well.
You’ll also need a lawyer with an analytical mind. They’ll need to listen to opposing counsel before developing a counterargument. If they can’t analyze information on the fly, they might struggle with your case.
Will they develop a custom legal strategy for your case? If they constantly rely on the same strategy, they might fail to strengthen your lawsuit.
How do they plan on gathering evidence? Do they have a network of experts they can rely on? If you sustained injuries, they might want to call a medical expert.
How do they plan on proving the other party was negligent for the crash?
It’s not enough to find someone who is confident. You’ll also want to make sure they can persevere, even if you have a difficult case. Will they commit themselves to your case?
Are they only interested in a paycheck?
Pay attention to the lawyer’s listening skills as well. Did they interrupt you when you explained what happened? Are they empathetic, or more interested in maintaining their track record?
If the lawyer doesn’t care about what you’re going through, they might not care what happens with your case.
Instead, focus on finding a lawyer who has the experience, expertise,and skills you need.
7. Ethics and Good Judgement
As you research the motorcycle accident lawyers on your list, don’t forget to check their bar association standing. Are they licensed to practice in your state? Is their license up-to-date?
If their paperwork isn’t up-to-date, cross them off your list immediately.
See if they have any complaints filed against them as well. Did that lawyer recently get in trouble with the board? Cross those lawyers off your list.
Try to find a lawyer who is ethical and uses good judgment during a case. Otherwise, they might question their moral values. You don’t want to choose a lawyer who uses sleazy methods.
Ifthey’re willing to lie on your behalf, they might lietoyou as well.
8. The Right Fee Structure
As you schedule consultation appointments with each lawyer,ask about their fee structure.Comparing lawyer fees will help you determine the average in the area. If someone undercharges for their services, it’s likely too good to be true.
Don’t focus on finding the cheapest lawyer available. Instead, remember you’ll likely get what you pay for.
What fee structure does each lawyer use? Will they work on a retainer, or contingency fee basis?
If it’s the latter, the lawyer will only receive payment if theywin your case.A lawyer who works on a contingency fee basis might feel more motivated to win your case.
Take the time to review everything that’s listed in the contract. Are there any hidden fees you need to know about? Make sure everything is in writing to avoid potential disputes.
Make Your Case: 8 Qualities to Look for in the Best Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
Don’t let the statute of limitations lapse for your motorcycle accident case. Instead, use these tips to find the best motorcycle accident lawyers in the area. With these tips, you can find a lawyer ready to fight on your behalf.
Searching for a Houston motorcycle accident lawyer? We’re here to help.
Contact us today to discuss the details of your case.