Road traffic crashes could become the fifth-leading cause of death by 2030. If you were in a motorcycle accident recently, there is a chance your medical bills are piling up. Instead of paying out-of-pocket, consider consulting a motorcycle accident lawyer.
They can fight for your rights and help you earn the compensation you deserve.
Before hiring the first lawyer you meet, take the time to review your options. Here are eight questions you should ask a motorcycle accident attorney. By asking these questions, you can find the best attorney for your case.
Start your search by asking these ten questions today!
Don’t want to read the full blog? Watch the video.
1. How Experienced Are You With Motorcycle Cases?
There are over 135,221 personal injury lawyers practicing in the US. Unfortunately, not every lawyer you come across will have the know-how you need. Before choosing a lawyer, make sure to look for someone who specializes in motorcycle accident cases.
Many sub-categories fall under personal injury law.
A few include slip and fall incidents, product liability cases, and car crashes. You could choose a lawyer with a broad specialty. However, it can benefit your case to have a motorcycle accident lawyer at your side instead.
A lawyer with the right specialty will have previous case experience relevant to your case. They will also know which procedures and laws to research. If there is a similar case they can reference to, it could help build your argument.
A lawyer with a broad focus, on the other hand, might fail to keep track of motorcycle lawsuits and procedures relevant to your case.
Take the time to learn about the general experience, too. How long has the lawyer practiced law? How long have they practiced their specialty?
Choosing a lawyer with years of experience will give you peace of mind that they are capable of winning your case.
2. Do You Have Courtroom Experience?
It is not enough for a lawyer to have years of experience practicing law. During that time, they should have years of courtroom experience, too.
You might find a lawyer who prefers to settle cases out of court. Does that fit your goals? If not, you do not want to end up with a lawyer who is apprehensive about going to trial.
Instead, keep looking. Find a motorcycle accident lawyer who is comfortable navigating courtroom proceedings.
You can schedule a free consultation with each lawyer before you find a motorcycle accident attorney you want to work with. During your consultation, pay attention to their communication skills. Do they speak with confidence?
Are they clear and concise as they answer your questions?
If you do not think a lawyer has the communication skills to speak on your behalf, continue your search.
3. What is Your Success Rate?
About 5,172 motorcyclists died in crashes in 2017 alone. Many families never receive compensation after they lose their loved ones. It is vital to find a motorcycle accident attorney with a strong success rate to win your case.
Ask how many cases they have won. How many of those cases were recent? Make sure to determine how many of those wins were relevant to your motorcycle accident case.
You can also ask them for more detail about their recent cases. Did they try a case like yours? What was their legal strategy for winning that case?
How much was the compensation for that case?
Learning more about an attorney’s success rate will give you peace of mind that they are capable of winning your case. If they are new to practicing law and do not have a record of wins, you might want to keep looking.
4. Who Will Work on My Case?
If you consult a law firm about your case, the first person you speak with might not act as your lawyer. Make sure to determine which motorcycle accident attorney will work on your case.
That way, you can research their unique professional history before signing a contract.
Make sure the lawyer you work with is licensed to practice in your state. Are you working with a motorcycle accident Tampa based lawyer? Check Florida’s bar association website.
You can explore that site to make sure their license is up to date. If it is not, look for someone licensed to practice in the area.
5. What Legal Organizations Do You Belong To?
Some personal injury lawyers are active members of national associations. Does the lawyer you are researching belong to trial advocacy or personal injury law groups? Their membership could indicate they are up to date with techniques, laws, and trial strategies.
For example, are they part of the American Association of Justice?
Their expertise could help strengthen your case.
Do you know what steps to take after sustaining injuries from a motorcycle accident? Make sure to prepare yourself for the process.
6. What is Your Current Caseload Like?
Before hiring a motorcycle accident attorney, make sure to ask about their current caseload.
Do they have time to dedicate their attention to your case? Are they juggling many cases at once? If they are busy, they might fail to give your claim the attention it needs.
They could also miss essential deadlines.
How long will it take before they can get to your case? Can they begin immediately?
Ask your lawyer if they have time to get to your case before the statute of limitation lapses.
The statute of limitations is the timeframe you have to file your lawsuit. For most injury claims in Florida, the statute of limitations is within four years of the accident.
If your lawyer is busy, they might not get started on your case until the last minute. Waiting too long could impact when you receive the compensation you need to cover your medical bills.
Speaking with a lawyer’s previous clients can tell you more about their abilities.
7. How Much Compensation Can I Expect?
As you meet with each motorcycle accident attorney, ask them how much they expect to win for your case. The compensation should cover your medical costs, property loss, loss of income, and pain and suffering.
Speaking with more than one lawyer will help you determine a realistic outcome for your case. If someone promises above the average, you might want to look elsewhere.
8. How Much Will I Pay in Attorney’s Fees?
It is also important to ask if your potential lawyer works on a contingency fee basis.
Some lawyers expect payment regardless of whether they win or lose your case. If you are already dealing with lost wages and medical bills, this can cause a financial burden. If you lose your case, you might not have the money to afford legal bills on top of everything else.
Instead, consider choosing a lawyer who works on a contingency fee basis. These lawyers will not require payment unless they win your case. They will only ask for a percentage of your award.
Make sure to agree on this percentage before signing a contract.
Choosing a lawyer who works on a contingency fee basis will encourage your lawyer to win your case. The incentive will push them to maximize your payout to ensure they receive a high payment as well.
A law firm that works on a contingency fee basis will also bear the risks of the litigation. If they fail to win your case, they lose money—not you.
The Contract
During this step, make sure to review the motorcycle accident lawyer’s contract in depth. If you have any questions, make sure to ask them before signing on the dotted line.
Some lawyers will require you to pay disbursements and costs regardless of the case’s outcome. Even if the lawyer loses, you might still need to pay for:
- Court fees
- The medical expert’s testimony
- Cost of depositions
During the course of your case, your lawyer might need to front out-of-pocket costs. Does your lawyer have the financial resources to see your case through to a verdict? These costs can range between 3 to 5% of the case’s gross compensation.
If your lawyer does not have the funds to cover these expenses, they might have a difficult time trying your case. It could also impact the compensation you receive.
Reviewing the contract before you sign it will help you manage your expectations. Otherwise, you might not realize expenses are stacking up until it is too late.
Steer Toward Compensation: 8 Questions to Ask a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
You do not want to choose a lawyer who lacks the experience and know-how you need. Instead, look for someone who can maximize your claim. By asking a motorcycle accident lawyer these questions, you can choose someone qualified to win your case.
Ready to build your case? We’re here to help!
Contact us today for a free case evaluation today.
