I was Injured in a Motorcycle Accident, do I Need to Retain an Attorney?

With the arrival of spring, more and more motorcyclists will be hitting the roadways. The warmer weather allows bikers to get out and enjoy the scenic rides on the open roads. But riding season also means an increased risk of a motorcycle accident, and motorcyclists who are involved in a crash with another type of motor vehicle are inherently more at risk of a serious injury. 

If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, you might wonder whether or not it is worthwhile to retain an attorney. Maybe you have already been contacted by the insurance company for the other party with a settlement offer to cover your injuries and property damage, and you don’t see the need to hire a lawyer and give them a percentage of the settlement.

There are some circumstances in which it might be okay to take the settlement offer and move on with your life. For example, if you sustained minor injuries and property damage, the facts of the case are straightforward and not in dispute, and the insurance company has given you an offer that you are satisfied with, then accepting the offer might be the right choice.

Even in a scenario like this, however, it is still a good idea to at least talk to a lawyer to review your case and discuss your legal rights and options. This way, you can make the most informed decision on which way you want to go with the case.

If there are any complicating factors in your case, then you should definitely consider retaining skilled legal counsel. Some examples include:

  • There are disputes regarding who was at fault for the accident;
  • An investigation is required to uncover key facts in the case;
  • The motorcycle accident involved multiple parties;
  • You sustained moderate to severe injuries, the extent of which are not yet fully known;
  • Your injuries are likely to keep you out of work for an extended period of time;
  • There is a possibility that your injuries could be permanent and debilitating.

Dealing with the insurance company on your own is a confusing process that is full of potential pitfalls, and if there are complicating factors such as those mentioned above, you may not end up receiving full and fair compensation for your injuries. In fact, you could end up without any compensation at all.

This is especially true if the motorcycle accident occurred in Alabama. Alabama is one of just a handful of states where an injured party can be barred from recovering compensation if they are found to be even 1% at fault for the underlying accident. For this reason, if there is any question at all about who was at fault in your case, it is absolutely essential to get an attorney involved as early as possible in the process, so your legal right to recover compensation can be preserved.

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