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Factors To Consider When Looking For A Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
It can be exciting to enjoy a motorcycle ride on a beautiful day. However, motorcycle accidents can result in life-altering injuries, so it’s important to find a good lawyer if you’ve been hurt in a crash. Since 1985, the motorcycle accident attorneys at Moore Law Firm in Mobile, AL, have helped thousands of injury victims recover compensation for their medical bills, pain and suffering, and other damages. When you’re looking for a motorcycle accident lawyer, keeping these tips in mind can help you find an attorney who meets your specific needs.
Experience Is Crucial
Personal injury law is complex, and each case presents unique challenges. Motorcycle accident cases can be tough to prove, so you want to find an attorney who is well-versed in this area of the law. Don’t hesitate to ask about a lawyer’s knowledge and the extent of their experience handling (and winning) motorcycle accident claims. Inquire about how many motorcycle cases they have settled and how much experience and success they have had litigating personal injury lawsuits in court.
While online reviews are helpful, it’s also prudent to request a few references and ask other clients about their experience working with a particular attorney. A competent attorney should be more than willing to provide references and answer any questions you may have. If they refuse, keep looking.
Communication Is Key
In any personal injury claim, you may have to discuss sensitive matters with your legal team, so it’s important that you mesh with their communication style. First impressions are vital – were you fairly comfortable with your initial interactions with a certain motorcycle accident lawyer? It’s also critical to find out who will be the main contact for your case, the best ways to get in touch, when your lawyer will be available, and how often you will be updated on your case.
Finding a responsive, compassionate attorney who cares about their clients can put your mind at ease and help you feel more confident about the personal injury claims process. For example, if you contact a law office when looking for an attorney and they don’t get back to you for a couple of days, cross them off your list. Working with a personal injury lawyer who is spread too thin is not only a hassle; because they don’t have enough time for your case they may not be successful in recovering the maximum compensation you need and deserve to get well and move on with your life.
Get The Specifics Of Fees And Billing Practices
Most motorcycle accident attorneys work on contingency, which means you won’t owe attorney fees unless they make a monetary recovery for you. Instead, they take a certain percentage of your settlement or award when your case is over. Ask for an estimated percentage they will receive for attorney fees if you receive a settlement or award. Keep in mind that fees can vary depending on several factors, including the complexity of your case.
Many personal injury lawyers don’t require clients to pay any up-front costs for other services such as investigators, expert witnesses, medical records requests, court filing fees, and other expenses. It’s also important to be clear on whether you will be responsible for paying these additional fees when your case is completed. You may owe them even if your case isn’t successful, and the last thing you want is to be hit with an unexpected bill months or years down the road. Make sure to carefully read any agreement and ask any questions you may have before signing it. If an attorney gives you vague answers about fees, it’s probably not a good idea to hire them.
Go Local
Because these cases can be quite complex, an attorney needs to be well-versed in state and local traffic and motorcycle laws. Personal injury laws also vary from state to state, so you want someone who is familiar with Alabama tort law. Laws surrounding wrongful death claims also can be challenging to understand, so if you’ve lost a loved one, it’s crucial to find an experienced local lawyer.
For example, Alabama has a strict pure contributory negligence standard, which means an injured party is barred from recovering any damages if they are partially at fault for a motorcycle accident. This is a very important distinction when it comes to proving fault in a motorcycle accident case, as insurance companies try their best to paint motorcyclists in a negative light and push blame for a crash onto you. A knowledgeable Alabama motorcycle accident lawyer will know how to counteract their assertions of the fault and work to prove that the other party is fully liable for damages.
Contact A Motorcycle Accident Attorney To Learn More
If you or a loved one has been hurt in a motorcycle accident, our personal injury attorneys at Moore Law Firm can evaluate your case, advise you of your options, and fight to help you recover the compensation you deserve. Contact us online, call 251-445-7602, or use the convenient chat feature on our website to schedule a free consultation today.