The Best Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Research has found that the city of Downey possesses some of the most hazardous intersections in California. In fact, Lakewood Blvd. and Firestone Blvd. ranked as the fourth most dangerous intersection in the state. The intersection at Florence Ave. and Old River School Blvd. also made the list. This is concerning for all motorists, especially motorcyclists.
If you were hit by a negligent driver while on you’re bike, it’s critical that you find the best motorcycle accident lawyer to represent you. Without experienced legal representation, the success of your accident case could be severely compromised. Consider these six valuable tips for finding an experienced lawyer after a motorcycle accident.
1. Research Motorcycle Accident Lawyers in the Area
The first thing to do is start researching motorcycle accident lawyers in Downey. With hundreds of personal injury lawyers to choose from in Southern California, it can be overwhelming to find the most qualified for your case.
However, the lawyer you pick shouldn’t just practice personal injury law, they should also have experience with motorcycle accidents and possess knowledge of California’s accident and motorcycle laws.
For instance, because California recognizes negligence per se, drivers who have broken a law can assume automatic guilt for an accident. When this happens, the person might be considered to have breached their duty of due care and is found to be guilty of negligence. This is an area that an attorney with in-depth knowledge of California’s personal injury laws can assist with. In addition, consider these two other areas of research.
Track Record
The lawyer you hire should have a clean track record without any disciplinary actions to their name.
The easiest way to check for disciplinary actions is by visiting the California Bar Association website. Type in the name of the lawyer or their license number. From here, you will be able to see if their license is active and whether they have had any disciplinary actions against them.
Another way you can check the track record of a potential motorcycle lawyer is by looking up the law firm’s rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). This rating reflects the quality of their business practices.
Client Reviews
If you want to find the best motorcycle accident lawyer, read any available reviews from past clients on platforms like Google Reviews, Yelp, etc. This can give you valuable insights into how clients are treated, and whether they have a track record of positive case outcomes.
2. Look Into the Law Firm’s History
Another important step to ensure you’re hiring the best motorcycle lawyer is to analyze the law firm’s history. Factors to consider are:
- The length of time the personal injury law firm has been in operation
- How long the motorcycle accident lawyer has been licensed
- The law firm’s success rate in winning motorcycle accident cases
- The different types of personal injury cases the law firm has worked on
In addition to looking at the overall law firm, you can also read up on individual attorneys to learn about their careers. This will give you insight into their areas of specialization and experience.
3. Get a Referral From Friends or Family
Personal referrals from someone you know can be a valuable source of information when looking for a lawyer after a motorcycle accident.
However, don’t let a glowing referral tempt you into hiring a lawyer who doesn’t have experience with motorcycle accidents specifically. Unless your friends or family also filed a motorcycle accident claim, their recommendation may not be the best fit.
4. Confirm Legal Fee Arrangements
Motorcycle accident lawyers follow different payment structures, so it’s important to confirm how law firms bill for their services. Some of the main types of legal fee arrangements are:
- Flat fees: a single rate for the case in its entirety
- Contingency fees: only charging for legal services after a case is won
- Hourly rates: charging a specific rate by the hour
- Retainer fees: a type of deposit for ongoing legal help
With flat fees, clients know exactly what they will pay for an attorney’s services. However, it is not common for an attorney to charge a flat fee for a personal injury case.
Hourly rates result in less predictable costs for clients, but in simple cases, they can work out to be more cost-effective than contingency fees.
Contingency fee structures are very common among personal injury law firms because they benefit both the clients and the firm. Under a contingency fee structure, clients do not have to pay unless the attorney wins the case. The attorney’s fees then come out of the final settlement. This allows accident victims access to legal help that they might not have been able to afford if they had to pay upfront or out of pocket.
In addition to these common legal fee structures, a motorcycle accident lawyer might also bill for the following:
- Paralegal costs
- Filing costs
- Expert testimony
- Court fees if the case goes to trial
5. Be Wary of Unrealistic Expectations
If you want the best motorcycle accident lawyer for your case, be wary of those who make guarantees before investigating the accident.
Medical treatment should be nearly completed, damages calculated, and other losses accounted for before the estimation of a case’s outcome can be determined. Personal injury cases are unpredictable and are dependent on multiple variables, such as:
- The severity of your injuries and their long-term effects
- Current and future medical costs
- Lost earnings
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Degrees of comparative fault
Because California operates on a comparative negligence model, it’s possible for both parties to share liability. In most cases, an attorney won’t be able to estimate your percentage share of liability until they have access to all the case facts and evidence.
If an attorney promises you high settlement amounts before they have even investigated your case, take this as a red flag.
6. Have Options for the Best Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Do not make a final decision until you have met with your top choices. Consultations are a critical stage where you can gauge a potential attorney’s level of professionalism, evaluate their premises and staff, and speak to them in detail about your case. Some attorneys offer a free consultation to get started.
Understand Your Options When Seeking the Best Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
If you’re in need of the best motorcycle accident lawyer, you are in the right place. Promenade Accident Attorneys specializes in motorcycle accident cases. Our attorneys have years of experience defending the rights of traffic accident victims. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.