A motorcycle accident — even a relatively minor one — that involves another driver can be a devastating setback. This is especially true if you have to deal with a mountain of legal issues that piles up as the result of insurance claims and potential settlements. Keep reading to discover just three reasons why you should consider retaining the services of a knowledgeable and experienced attorney if you are a motorcycle rider who has been involved in an accident.

Negotiating a Settlement

After you and another motorist have been in an accident, it is likely you will receive a settlement offer from an insurance company. While the amount of this offer may at first glance seem fair, it is impossible to judge objectively without context. Fortunately, a motorcycle attorney can fight on your behalf, using legal precedent and the facts of the case to negotiate a better settlement. Without knowledge of either, it's highly unlikely you can argue for a better settlement on your own.

Navigating Bureaucracy

While you may feel up to the task of navigating the legal system when healthy, it is a different matter altogether when you are confined to your own home or perhaps even a hospital. Having to fill out paperwork and submit it for review by the court on certain dates may be a near-impossible task on its own if you have suffered major injuries. An attorney, on the other hand, can take care of all the bureaucratic elements of your case and leave you able to focus on recovery. 

Proof of Experience 

A large part of your case may rest on proving to the court that you are a responsible motorcycle operator. Your attorney should be able to effectively prove that you are currently licensed, properly insured, and have any other necessary qualifications required by your state in order to legally ride. If you have a history of careful riding that is free of other accidents, then your attorney can leverage this to your advantage as well. Furthermore, a motorcycle attorney can use state-specific laws in your favor. For example, in California, motorcyclists are permitted to ride in between lanes, as long as other cars are moving slowly or stopped completely. If you have been cut off by a car or truck while splitting lanes in California, for instance, your attorney can gather eyewitnesses to corroborate your story and get a fair settlement.   

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