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If you suffered injuries in a motorcycle accident, one of your first steps should be hiring legal counsel to pursue compensation on your behalf. Selecting an attorney is an essential part of the process, and you should base your decision on more than commercials or digital advertising.
Many Rutherfordton motorcycle accident lawyers offer free consultations to injured riders, allowing them to learn more about a prospective attorney before hiring them. Don’t forget to ask the following six questions during your consultation with a motorcycle accident lawyer.
What Is the Average Motorcycle Accident Case Worth?
It is natural for a biker recovering from a catastrophic injury to wonder about the average motorcycle accident settlement. However, the reality is that calculating an average settlement amount is impossible. Settlement data is largely kept private between the parties, so it is challenging to access settlement information outside of scouring news reports.
The good news is your lawyer can help you understand the value of your case without this information. Numerous factors combine to determine how your suit might play out, so an attorney cannot promise a favorable outcome. That said, they can answer questions about the damages you may be entitled to recover and give an educated estimate on what to expect if you are successful.
What Are Your Billing Practices?
One of the most important questions to ask an attorney is, “What do you charge clients?” Lawyers bill their clients in many ways—some more favorable to you than others.
Most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency basis. That means they charge nothing upfront and instead retain a portion of your settlement as their fee. This approach is favorable to you, given that you will never pay anything out-of-pocket and will only pay a fee if your attorney recovers compensation on your behalf.
A clear picture of the fee structure is vital, as it can help avoid misunderstandings. Some lawyers bill by the hour or charge clients in other ways, which can lead to vastly different costs in some cases.
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How Long Will My Motorcycle Accident Case Take to Resolve?
An attorney cannot promise to resolve your case within a set amount of time. Many factors affect how long it takes to reach a settlement or win at trial, and no two cases are identical. However, your attorney can review the facts and advise you of any issues that might slow the process.
For example, a settlement might not be an option if the other side lacks insurance coverage. Most drivers cannot pay for a personal injury claim out of their pocket, making a settlement impossible. Thus, a lengthy trial might be required to get the compensation you need.
Is There a Deadline that Applies to Motorcycle Injury Cases?
There is a deadline for every civil suit known as the statute of limitations. The statute of limitations for personal injury cases varies from one state to another. The circumstances of the lawsuit can also affect how long a plaintiff has to file.
For example, you may have less time to file your lawsuit if the liable party is a government entity. There are also exceptions that may provide you with more time to file. Therefore, speaking with an attorney is crucial, as they can answer any questions about the statute of limitations in your case.
The principal factor is the jurisdiction where you file your lawsuit. In North Carolina, N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1-52 sets the deadline for filing a personal injury lawsuit at three years. The same three-year window applies in South Carolina per S.C. Ann. § 15-3-530. However, wrongful death actions might have a different deadline.
How Much Experience do You Have With Motorcycle Accident Claims?
Experience is a valuable commodity for a personal injury attorney. The more time a lawyer has been actively practicing law, the more opportunities they will have had to hone their skills on cases like yours.
Remember that experience is about more than just the amount of time a person has actively practiced law. You can benefit from an attorney with relevant experience in motorcycle accident cases to have the best chance at recovering financial compensation. So, ask a prospective lawyer how much time they have spent on injury cases—and specifically, do they focus on motorcycle crash claims?
Trial experience is also worth inquiring about. Some attorneys avoid trial at all costs, pushing their clients to accept unreasonably low offers to close the case and move on to the next one. Having an attorney who is unafraid of taking a case to trial is important, as it can lead to better settlement offers.
Have You Handled a Motorcycle Accident Case With Facts Similar to Mine?
Although the facts of every motorcycle accident are unique, you could benefit from working with a lawyer who has handled cases similar to yours. By asking if an attorney has dealt with a case with similar facts, you understand how they might approach your claim. The attorney can describe how that case turned out and what steps they took to secure a fair settlement or jury verdict on their client’s behalf.
Learn More About Your Motorcycle Accident Case During a Free Consultation
These are only some questions worth asking a potential motorcycle accident injury attorney. An excellent strategy to take into a free consultation is to have all your questions in writing. That way, you can obtain all your answers without leaving anything unasked.
At Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC, we understand the importance of your case. We are ready to answer your questions and aggressively pursue compensation on your behalf. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
