When Should I Call a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?
If you were involved in a motorcycle accident and suffered injuries, you should call for help from a motorcycle accident lawyer as soon after the accident as possible. When you call a law firm, you will first speak with a representative who will evaluate your case before you begin working with a lawyer.
If you were hospitalized for your injuries, you can contact an attorney’s office when you are discharged and in the comfort of your own home, or you can even call immediately while you are still in the hospital. It is always a good idea to call a law firm right after an accident while the evidence is still fresh and you and other witnesses are more likely to recall the events that led up to the crash.
Reasons to Work with a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Motorcycle accidents are among the most devastating types of collisions that transpire on U.S. roadways. If you are lucky enough to survive a collision while riding a motorcycle, the chances of a victim suffering a serious or life-threatening injury can be high.
Some of the more common injuries that are often suffered in motorcycle accidents include:
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Spinal cord injury (SCI)
- Fractures
- Internal injuries
If you suffered an injury that led to serious or permanent damage, you will likely need to cover the costs of expensive medical care. Depending on the type of care your doctor has recommended, treatment could last for months, years, or even the remainder of your life.
Because medical care can be so costly, you should call for help from a motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible so they can determine if you are entitled to seek compensation. This can help you pay for the medical treatment you need both now and in the future.
In addition to determining if you are eligible to pursue compensation for your injuries, a motorcycle accident lawyer Long Island or a lawyer motorcycle accident Floral Park (depending where your accident took place) can also help you take the next steps and file a claim or lawsuit. They will explain your best course of action depending on your situation, evaluate your claim’s worth and assign a monetary value to it, send a demand letter, and be there by your side until you get the damages you deserve. Some of the ways a lawyer can help you seek the compensation you might be entitled to include:
An Attorney Can Help File an Insurance Claim
If you suffered serious injuries, the amount you may be seeking from the other party’s insurer could be high. Unfortunately, because insurance companies could try to save as much as possible when they fulfill claims, they might offer you less than what you are entitled to or even deny your claim. Some reasons the insurance adjuster might offer for lowering your claim value or denying your claim include:
- You caused the accident, not the policyholder. Even if you know the other driver in the accident was responsible for causing the crash, their insurance company may try to cast some of the blame on you. When this happens, the value of your claim may be lowered or denied. Thankfully, you can count on your lawyer to help you gather evidence—given that evidence is available—to show your actions were not the primary cause of the collision.
- Your injuries were not a result of the accident. If you had any injuries prior to the accident and they worsened as a result of the crash, the insurer could say the incident wasn’t responsible for causing them. Instead, the adjuster might refer to these injuries as pre-existing conditions and claim they aren’t covered because you already had them. To refute this, an attorney can collect medical records and letters from your doctors that show your condition worsened as a result of the motorcycle accident.
Your Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Can Manage Your Personal Injury Lawsuit
In the event you are unable to recover all the compensation you are entitled to, whether it is because the driver was underinsured, uninsured, or their carrier didn’t want to cover your claim, our Glen Oaks, NY personal injury lawyers may be able to help you file a personal injury lawsuit against the driver. Most plaintiffs pursue compensation to recover expenses linked to medical bills, vehicle repairs, therapy, lost wages, etc., but you can take a step further and seek non-economic damages as well. While it is hard to assess and collect money for non-economic damages, your attorneys will help you do just that.
Personal injury lawsuits are a type of civil action an accident victim can take when they want to hold another party liable for their negligent behavior. For example, if a driver made an unsafe lane change and the accident left you with serious injuries and losses, you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit against them.
In your lawsuit, you can request that you are awarded compensation for the following losses:
- Pain and suffering
- Lost income
- Past and future medical expenses, including the cost of medical care, surgery, therapy, medical supplies, medication, and more
New York State does limit the time you have to file your lawsuit, which is referred to as the statute of limitations. According to Civil Practice Law & Rules (CVP) §214, you generally only have three years to file your lawsuit. Although this seems like a long period of time, it can pass by rather quickly.
Contact the Office of a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Today
If you were severely or permanently injured in a motorcycle crash in New Hyde Park and you would like to know if your injuries and losses warrant compensation, contact the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP at (866) 878-6774. Our firm can evaluate your case and advise you on your next steps forward.
