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Why should I get a motorcycle accident attorney if I have an accident?
What if I'm injured and need medical treatment?
What about my bike?
How much is my case worth?
How long will it take for my bike to get fixed?
How long does a settlement take?
What does a lawyer do for me that I can't do myself?
What if I'm involved in an accident that wasn't my fault?
A car turned left in front of me. Whose fault is the accident?
What are the first things I should do if I get in a motorcycle accident?
I was injured in a motorcycle accident, but I wasn't wearing a helmet. Can I still recover my medical costs?
Must I tell the police or Highway Patrol if I get involved in an accident?
What sort of costs might I be able to receive compensation for?
Why should I get a motorcycle
accident attorney if I have an accident?
For one thing, it's possible that any other person involved
in the accident is building a case against you right now. In
order to win your case, you need experienced guidance, which
our law
firm can provide.
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What if I'm injured and need medical treatment?
There are many potential sources to cover your medical
expenses, but there are differences between them. Because it
can be confusing and you want to maximize the coverage available
to you, an attorney can help guide you through the processes
while you focus on your recovery.
| You may be eligible for medical
insurance coverage from your employer, and your
motorcycle insurance may help pay medical expenses as
well. If you were working when the accident occurred,
Worker's Compensation payments may be available, and you
may even be eligible for government assistance, such as
Medicare. |
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What about my bike?
At the very least, you should have a photograph of it before
it's destroyed or replaced. Damaged parts, or even the whole
bike, may want to be retained as evidence, and qualified attorneys
can best make these judgments.
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How much is my case worth?
Unfortunately, because of the number of variables, there's no
simple answer or calculator. On the one hand, your case is worth
what a jury of strangers think it's worth. On the other hand,
it may be worth what an insurance
company or defendant is willing to pay. Things that can
factor into any settlement include medical costs, wages lost,
and other amounts you had to pay. If the case is resolved by
a jury who reviews all the facts, they may base their decision
on how bad they think the accident was. They frequently want
to see how much damage the bike or your riding gear received.
A bent up bike or helmet that shows results of the accident
are concrete pieces of evidence the jury can take into consideration,
as is the state of your riding apparel.
| You may be able to receive compensation
for injuries. The more permanent the injury, the more
value it has for settlement or trial, as does the injury's
affect on your daily life. Before you can be compensated
for any injury, however, it must be documented by a medical
professional. Also, medical related costs for the future
will be taken into account. |
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You may want to pretend that you're a juror on your case and,
based on the evidence that will be shown in court, think honestly
about what you'd award the plaintiff. Doing that may help you
see what evidence would be helpful, especially when you realize
most jurors don't want to be there and don't know you.
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How long will it take for my bike to get fixed?
We know that motorcyclists love their bikes in a way car
owners rarely do. We also know that insurance companies rarely
make quick settlements on motorcycles, mostly because they don't
understand motorcycles or their value. Motorcycles, especially
ones that have been modified or enhanced with after-market parts,
are a mystery to them.
| Giving your insurance company the proper
damage claim through the proper channels will speed up
the process. You may even want to get help from motorcycle
dealers or other, knowledgeable people to determine your
bike's true worth, something the insurance company may
not know. |
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How long does a settlement take?
Insurance companies usually take as long as they can before
paying their bills, just like everybody else. Your claim is
a bill for them. Also, they will try to reduce the settlement
amount as much as they can, and this is where having a attorney
can really help. If your case needs to go before a court, it
can take over a year before the trial begins.
| The attorneys at our firm excel in preparing
your case, usually to the point where the opposition realizes
they have no major issues to raise against you. This can
result in an out of court settlement, which will save
time and money. |
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What does a lawyer do for me that I can't do myself?
Studies show that accident victims with a lawyer do much
better than those who try to handle the case themselves. The
attorney, through his experience in similar cases, gathers all
the information relevant to your case. You may not think of
such things as how the accident changes plans you had for your
future, but Los Angeles Motorcycle Lawyers takes
all this into account. You may not understand your medical records,
but we can, and we can make sense of it to a jury. Good attorneys
will point out how your scars may cause you shame, or how loss
of movement in your arm makes it hard for you to shave and maintain
your appearance.
Attorneys also can locate experts who are beneficial to your
case as well as throroughly prepare it for a jury or adjuster
to consider. Experienced lawyers know what the defendant will
claim and will have already prepared arguments supporting your
side. They know that once a case is settled, it's resolved for
all time and won't miss things that could have helped your case.
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What if I'm involved in an accident that wasn't my fault?
Motorcycles are much more likely to be hit by a car than
another car is, mostly because of visibility. Drivers of cars
just don't see motorcycles, and this is even more true for drivers
of trucks and buses. Many other situations can cause you to
have a wreck through no fault of your own. If you're in such
an accident, after getting medical attention and the other driver's
license and insurance details, you should contact an attorney
to insure that all your rights are met, including any possible
compensation claims.
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A car turned left in front of me. Whose fault is the accident?
Someone turning left in front of you is almost always liable
for a collision with someone going straight in the other direction.
Exceptions to this rule are when the vehicle going straight
was speeding or running a red light.
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What are the first things I should do if I get in a motorcycle
accident?
If you can't immediately meet with anyone from Los Angeles
Motorcycle Attorneys, it is important that you say as little
as possible.
| Do not sign anything or admit any fault
until you have discussed your case with your attorney.
If you can, take photos of any injuries you've received
and of your bike. Keep copies of any medical bills or
other expenses. For more detailed information, visit our
post motorcycle
accident procdures page. |
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I was injured in a motorcycle accident, but I wasn't wearing
a helmet. Can I still recover my medical costs?
Even with a mandatory helmet law, your failure to comply
probably won't prevent you from recovering for injuries if someone
else is liable for the accident. If it can be shown that your
failure to wear a helmet contributed to your injuries, however,
that may be relevant.
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Must I tell the police or Highway Patrol if I get involved
in an accident?
You must notify the police if the accident involves a death
or injury, or if the property damage was more than $500.
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What sort of costs might I be able to receive compensation
for?
Medical expenses
The cost of future medical care
Repair or replacement cost of your motorcycle
Rental costs
Medical treatment outside of what your insurance covers
Loss of earnings, present and future
Out of pocket expenses
Pain and suffering, including emotional injuries
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