Find A Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Near You

 How to Choose the Best Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

You’ll find a lot of options in your town for all sorts of personal injury attorneys. Ads are everywhere, and you may get overwhelmed by the number of options. Here are some key considerations to keep in mind when looking for the best motorcycle accident attorney for your needs.

Get a Referral

Start within your network. If you ride, you likely know others who ride and have been in an accident. See who they used and whether or not they’d recommend them. This is an easy way to find someone that you trust, knowing that they helped a friend or family member in a similar situation.

Ask About Motorcycle Accident Experience

Personal injury attorneys come in a variety of flavors, so don’t assume that an auto accident attorney has the experience that you need as the victim in a motorcycle accident. Get someone who deals with motorcycle accidents every day. Specifically ask how many motorcycle cases they’ve handled in the past year. This way, you know that they understand the nuances and intricacies of motorcycle accidents. This knowledge helps you get the best possible settlement for your case.

Review Their Track Record

Find out how the lawyer has fared in their motorcycle cases. You want to know how many cases have led to settlements and how many have been lost. Obviously, you’re looking for someone who gets reasonable settlement amounts in most of their cases. When inquiring about their history, also inquire about their courtroom track record. Some attorneys may focus on out-of-court settlements but if your case doesn’t settle, you’ll need a good litigator to take your case to court.

Ensure They Work on Contingency Fees

Most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency basis, meaning they take their fee from the award you get. This means that there should be no fees out of pocket for you to retain the attorney and have them work on your behalf. The industry average fee ranges from 33% to 40%, or possibly more if the case goes to trial. As long as it falls within this range, you are working with someone who is following industry standards. Your lawyer should explain the fee structure to you and give you a fee agreement to sign. Be aware that you may be responsible for out-of-pocket costs in addition to the contingency fee.

Ask About Their Communication Schedule

Motorcycle accident cases can take a long time to settle or go to court. Ask the attorney what their communication schedule is. You should expect to hear from your attorney about the progress of your case every few weeks. You should also be able to easily reach the attorney if you have questions. Make sure that they have an office setup that facilitates communication.

Why You Need a Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Without an attorney, the insurance company will likely offer to pay medical bills and fix your bike and that is it. However, there’s a lot more to a case than just the medical bills. Your motorcycle accident lawyer will make sure that lost wages and pain and suffering are included in the negotiations. Ultimately, getting a lawyer means that you have an advocate on your side fighting for the biggest award possible, and they have the legal expertise to navigate the claims process to do so.

Interview Several Motorcycle Accident Lawyers

Before you make a final decision, talk to at least three motorcycle accident lawyers to see who you have the best feeling about. Consultations should be free, so there is nothing to lose by talking to multiple lawyers. Get a feel for their personalities. The last thing that you want is to feel like you’re a number in their caseload, instead of someone important to them.

Find Accident Lawyers Near You

Identifying your options is the first step in choosing a motorcycle accident lawyer. You should always work with a local attorney, as they have the necessary licenses and qualifications to practice in your area. They also know the motorcycle accident laws pertinent to your case. 

You can identify local motorcycle accident lawyers in three ways: asking friends for recommendations, completing a Google search, or checking with your local bar association. 

RECOMMENDATIONS

Receiving recommendations from family members, friends, or neighbors is one of the most reliable ways to identify trustworthy motorcycle accident attorneys near you. For example, if you have any friends who have worked with lawyers for motorcycle accidents in the past, you can ask them about their experiences.

GOOGLE SEARCH

If you cannot receive any personal recommendations for an attorney in your area, you can also try completing a Google search. We recommend searching for “motorcycle accident lawyer near me” or adding your city name into the query. Google should show you a list of potential candidates in your general area. 

LOCAL BAR ASSOCIATION

Most counties and major cities have a bar association, which is a professional association of lawyers within that area. You can perform a Google search for “(your city) bar association” to find your local organization. 

Many bar association websites have a “find a lawyer” feature that you can use to review all of the personal injury lawyers in your area. Some of these organizations also have a lawyer referral program, allowing you to speak with a professional from the bar to help you find a lawyer who meets your needs. 

If you have no other leads, using this feature can help you identify reputable, qualified lawyers in your city.

2. Narrow Your Search

Once you have identified several potential candidates, you can begin narrowing your searches to one attorney who will provide the best representation for your case. We recommend condensing your list by reviewing each candidate’s experience and licenses, interviewing your choices, reviewing their work styles, and discussing each lawyer’s fees. 

REVIEW EXPERIENCE AND LICENSES

Motorcycle accident attorneys fall under the broader category of personal injury lawyers. While any personal injury lawyer could help you with a motorcycle collision case, not all of these lawyers have relevant experience and training in motorcycle accidents. Instead, we recommend searching for an attorney with specific motorcycle accident experience. 

You can review an attorney’s experience by reading about their success stories on their websites. Many lawyers also have an online “About Me” page that you can read to learn about their education, experience in the legal field, and specialties. 

Along with reviewing an attorney’s experience, you should also ensure that they have the proper licenses to practice in your area. 

INTERVIEW YOUR TOP CHOICES

After ensuring that all of your candidates have the necessary licenses and experience, your next step is to interview them. Most lawyers offer a free consultation, during which you can discuss the details of your accident and learn how they plan to help you. 

While consultations may seem like a way for a lawyer to interview you, you can also use these meetings to interview the attorney. You should feel free to ask questions like:

How many motorcycle accident cases have you taken on? 

Is my case very different from your previous cases? 

If I hire you, what is your plan to help me? 

What percentage of your motorcycle accident cases have ended in a settlement?

Asking these questions can help you identify whether an attorney is right for your case. For example, if a lawyer does not have a plan in mind to help you, you may not be able to trust their practices. 

Additionally, asking questions can show the lawyer that you are serious about finding the right person for your needs. Sometimes, showing your passion about your case can lead an attorney to step up and put more effort into assisting you. 

GAUGE THEIR WORK STYLES

During your interview with an attorney and any other times you communicate with them, you can gauge how their personality may reflect their work style. 

Some attorneys are more direct, tough, and serious, while others are more laid back and go-with-the-flow. While both personality types can create a successful attorney, you may mesh better with one than the other. 

Along with ensuring that you get along well with an attorney, we also recommend seeking out an attorney with the following characteristics: 

Professionalism

Your motorcycle accident is serious to you, so your attorney should take it seriously as well. Attorneys show that they take you seriously by treating you with professionalism and respect.

Compassion

 Attorneys should also show compassion toward you as they help you navigate your case. If your motorcycle accident was severe, you probably feel a lot of stress and sadness surrounding the crash. A compassionate attorney can help you through your case without adding to your stress. 

Attention to detail

 Details can make or break a successful accident claim. If an attorney does not pay attention to detail during the interview, they may overlook important evidence that could assist your case. 

Commitment

 Finally, you should be sure that your attorney devotes their full attention to your case. If an attorney seems to have several other cases on their plate, they may not have enough time to give you their best effort. 

DISCUSS PAYMENT

Before you settle on a motorcycle accident lawyer, you should be sure to ask about each attorney’s fees and associated costs. You may find that an attorney who otherwise seems perfect is simply too far out of your price range. Establishing a lawyer’s fees upfront can help you avoid losing more money in your case. 

3. Make Your Choice

Once you’ve gathered all the above information, you will have the necessary resources to choose a motorcycle accident lawyer to represent you. At Law Tigers, we make finding a reputable, trustworthy attorney easy. You can search through our site for experienced motorcycle accident attorneys in your area who have the skills necessary to represent you well.