It is worth hiring a motorcycle accident lawyer if you want professional help to pursue the compensation you deserve. If you decide to pursue compensation, there are many different ways that your lawyer can take a lot of the headaches and guesswork out of your experience.
For many motorcycle riders, an accident leaves them with crippling injuries and a growing stack of medical bills. You also may be unable to work due to the severity of your injuries. The idea of taking legal action to recover the compensation that you deserve can be incredibly overwhelming for many accident victims.
How an Attorney Will Help
There are many different roles that your attorney will take on during your case. First, your lawyer will speak with you at length about the accident and how it has impacted your life. It is critical for your lawyer to understand as much as possible about the crash, your injuries, and what you remember.
Next, your lawyer will make sure that you file your lawsuit on time to preserve your rights. You only have two years to file a personal injury claim, according to Ohio Revised Code (ORC) §2305.10.
Your lawyer will also serve as the go-between for you and all of the other parties in the case, including the other driver, insurance companies, and the court. For many people, this is the biggest relief. Most of us have not experienced a legal case before and can feel stressed or apprehensive about the process and whether we are doing things correctly. If you have severe injuries, it can make taking legal action on your own seem impossible.
Here are a few other examples of how your attorney will support you during the legal process:
- Ensure that documents are filed with the court correctly and on time
- Gather evidence to strengthen your case
- Locate eyewitnesses
- Retain experts who can testify on your behalf at trial
- Prepare you for depositions and other required court appearances
- Respond to requests for information from the opposing party
- Work with insurance companies to secure any applicable policy benefits
- Pursue a settlement on your behalf
- Prepare for trial if necessary
These are just a few examples. You can work with your lawyer to ensure that any other needs you may have during the lawsuit are met.
Proving That Another Driver Was Negligent
If you decide to pursue compensation, you will need to prove that the other driver was negligent. There are four elements in proving that someone drove negligently and owes you compensation:
- Duty – The first step of your negligence case requires you to show that the other driver owed you a duty to drive with reasonable care and skill.
- Breach – The second step requires you to show that the other party did not act according to this duty.
- Causation – The third step requires you to prove a link between their failure to act according to their duty and the injuries you suffered.
- Damages – The fourth step requires you to provide evidence to support the financial compensation you are claiming from the other party. In general, you can request compensation for any expense that is reasonably related to the crash.
One of the biggest expenses that motorcycle accident victims face is medical bills. Depending on the speed and severity of the collision that you suffered, you are probably experiencing painful and debilitating injuries. Because motorcycle riders are not protected from the elements like the passengers of a regular vehicle, the injuries can be more severe. Here are a few examples:
- Road rash and skin lesions
- Broken bones and fractures
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord trauma
- Paralysis
- Amputations
- Disfigurement
- Severe bruising and muscle damage
Pursue the Compensation You Deserve
Call the Fitch Law Firm LLC to discuss whether it is worth hiring a motorcycle attorney to help you pursue compensation in your case. The consultation is free, confidential, and there is no obligation to proceed. Call now at (614) 545-3930.