You should call a motorcycle accident lawyer immediately after the accident. Starting your case as soon as possible helps your lawyer protect your right to compensation.
Friedman & Simon, L.L.P. handles motorcycle accident cases, and we will begin working as soon as you reach out to us.
- Benefits of Contacting a Lawyer Immediately After an Accident
- Questions Your Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Will Answer
- Start Working With a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer From Our Firm
Benefits of Contacting a Lawyer Immediately After an Accident
Seeking legal representation sooner than later benefits you in several ways.
Gathering Evidence Before It Disappears
Motorcycle accident lawyers from our firm will use evidence to support your claim. Hiring a lawyer right away may allow them to secure evidence from the scene of the accident before it’s removed or cleaned up.
Lawyers will also speak with witnesses. Memories fade over time, and witnesses sometimes forget what happened as days or weeks pass. Getting statements right away allows your lawyer to develop an accurate understanding of what happened during the collision.
Communicating with Insurance Agents
Drivers report their accidents to their insurance company following collisions. Agents from the other insurance company may also reach out to you, attempting to get you to admit to causing the collision. Their goal is to pay you nothing or as little as possible. They are trained to obtain information from you, often in a very friendly manner, that can be used against you. When you speak with them directly there is a good chance you are unwittingly helping them against your own best interests. These agents often ask you for a recorded statement and contact you repeatedly.
Working with a lawyer provides you with a barrier to these conversations. You can have your lawyer handle all communication with insurance agents. The sooner you hire a lawyer, the sooner they can take over the conversations with insurers.
Ensuring You Meet Deadlines
According to New York Civil Practice Laws & Rules § 214, drivers only have a limited amount of time to file a lawsuit after a motorcycle accident to seek compensation for their losses. Waiting too long to file a lawsuit risks your right to recover compensation. Certain factors can give rise to even shorter statutes of limitations.
For example, if a road defect or some other circumstance potentially creating municipal liability is a factor, a shorter statute would apply. Additionally, other, even shorter deadlines could apply. Using again the example of potential municipal liability, a Notice of Claim would have to be filed within 90 days of the accident.
These examples are provided to emphasize the importance of having an experienced and dedicated lawyer review the specific details of your accident so that all applicable deadlines can be identified and addressed.
A motorcycle accident lawyer from our firm understands all the time limits associated with personal injury lawsuits. Your lawyer ensures all the appropriate paperwork gets filed on time and provides you with information regarding the status of your claim.
The sooner you start your case, the sooner we will identify liable parties in your accident, gather evidence, and determine the value of your case.
For a free legal consultation, call 516-932-0400
Questions Your Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Will Answer
In addition to providing you with legal assistance, a lawyer with our firm will answer any questions you have after the collision. Examples of these questions include:
How Do You Respond to a Motorcycle Accident?
The steps you take following your motorcycle collision impact your case. Typically lawyers will advise you to:
- Contact the police to report the accident
- Take pictures of your injuries, the accident scene, and the license plates of all involved vehicles
- Get contact information from the driver who hit you and any eyewitnesses
Learn more about the steps to take following your collision by taking advantage of your free consultation.
What Damages Should You Seek?
Your potential compensation depends on the severity of your injuries and how they change your life. Our lawyers will work to determine how much you should seek.
Generally, the following types of damages apply to motorcycle accident cases:
- Lost wages if you missed work due to your injuries
- Diminished earning capacity if you cannot return to work
- Diminished quality of life if you suffer permanent impairment
- Medical bills, including long-term care
- Pain and suffering
- Scarring and disfigurement
What Are Some Potential Motorcycle Accident Injuries?
Motorcycle accidents cause many injuries each year, according to the Insurance Information Institute (III). These injuries may include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and concussions
- Traumatic amputations
- Road rash
- Broken bones and fractures
- Injuries to the spinal cord
- Injuries to organs
You should seek medical care quickly if you sustained an injury in a motorcycle accident.
Why Is It Important To See a Doctor?
Motorcycle accident injuries can worsen without treatment. You deserve to prioritize your health, so see a doctor as soon as possible. We will begin working on your case even if you are still receiving treatment.
In fact, medical documentation can help us support your claim or lawsuit. Your doctor can provide vital evidence that links your injuries to your accident.
Medical documentation also allows us to determine how much compensation to seek. If you refuse treatment, an insurer may argue you contributed to your losses and work to deny or undervalue your claim.
What Will Legal Representation Cost?
You may be concerned about how much it will cost to hire a lawyer. Luckily, our firm takes motorcycle accident cases on a contingency-fee-basis. This means we will not charge you upfront or hourly fees to begin your case. We will take a percentage of any settlement or verdict we secure on your behalf.
Victims shouldn’t have to worry about incurring further losses after an accident. If you are from Long Island, a motorcycle accident attorney in Hempstead from our team can take care of all legal matters. We do not want to add to your stress. We want you to focus on your physical recovery.
Start Working With a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer From Our Firm
Contact a lawyer from our firm immediately after your accident to begin receiving professional assistance.
Start discussing your case now with our multilingual staff at Friedman & Simon, L.L.P. Call us to learn more.
Call or text 516-932-0400 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form