According to Colorado’s Department of Transportation, in 2022, more than 140 motorcyclists were killed in Colorado, constituting 20% of the state’s total fatalities in traffic. In 2023, while the deaths are down by 22%, more than 20 motorcyclists have still lost their lives in Colorado. Therefore, you’re not alone if you have been in a motorcycle accident. However, recovering from this type of collision over any other is extremely painful as it can cause long-term injuries and also financially put you in jeopardy.
If you have experienced a motorcycle injury and are suffering, your best move forward is to get a lawyer involved. The law is here to protect you and ensure you’re not being unfairly robbed for all that you’re worth. But if you don’t feel convinced about going down the legal route, this article will help. Here are some reasons why a lawyer needs to be on your speed dial:
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1. Lawyers Are Well Versed In State Laws
You cannot legally get compensated if you are breaking the law. This infers that while riding your motorcycle in a state like Colorado, there are specific rules you need to follow. For instance, Colorado has a helmet law for motorcycles. However, if you’re over eighteen, this law doesn’t apply to you, but if you’re a minor, you cannot ride your bike without a helmet. While it may not seem like much, these laws determine whether or not your claim is valid.
The cost of living in some cities like Fort Collins is already lower than in cities like Denver. Hence, it’s only wise to hire a well-reputed lawyer instead of taking matters into your own hands. The best part is you can easily find a motorcycle accident lawyer for Fort Collins accidents, such as Scott O’Sullivan, who provides free consultation. Lawyers are exceptionally detail oriented. They will study your case from multiple angles to determine how to proceed. A lawyer has your best interest; they want to ensure you don’t leave with losses but get what you’re rightfully due.
2. Your Emotional Well Being May Be in Shambles
An accident can mentally and emotionally rattle you. As a result, you may need to be in better shape to deduce how to proceed with your case. Unfortunately, legal cases need your complete attention. You cannot overlook details and need to have a coherent understanding of the events that unfolded. This is why you need an objective third-person perspective on your situation, which a lawyer can provide. Your attorney will have no emotional connection with your situation, so they can study, review and analyze it without ignoring minor details. Your case depends on the information you can gather to prove you are a victim in this predicament.
3. The Insurance Company is a Tough Opponent
Insurance companies will fight you tooth and nail if you try to ask for compensation on your own. Most insurance companies follow rigid rules to minimize the money they need to pay. Hence, they may blame you, leave you confused, or throw terminologies you may not understand, which may ultimately push you to accept a lower payout. But having a lawyer on your side gives you a fighting chance. Lawyers specializing in motorcycle accidents know how to deal with insurance companies equally. They are not intimidated by them; they understand the context and can negotiate on your behalf more seriously.
4. A Lawyer Exposes All Your Damages
Your wounds aren’t the only damages that must be studied while building your case. A lawyer will uncover the impact of this motorcycle accident on your financial, physical, and mental well-being. For instance, if the injuries you sustained caused you permanent disability, which has heavily impacted your lifestyle, that comes under damage. Likewise, if you need to undergo physical therapy, require extensive treatment, and need to pay for expensive procedures, these are included in damages too. So once your case builds up, a lawyer can bring all of these factors into the light to emphasize how much suffering you have endured because of this accident.
5. A Lawyer Can Guide You in Filing A Legal Claim
You may not know enough about filing a legal claim, which is entirely understandable. Filing claims is not common knowledge. As a civilian, it is not unusual to not know what a claim consists of since it doesn’t impact your life. But once you’re in this situation, you must know how to manage your case, and a lawyer can help. An attorney will break down the timeline for you, starting with the statute of limitations. This is the deadline for filing a claim for damages and getting legally compensated.
These vary by state, and in Colorado, you have about three years from the accident date to file a lawsuit. From there, a lawyer will guide you on the details you must provide. You may need to gather evidence like medical receipts, doctors’ notes, and how long you were in the hospital to strengthen your case. But you will not be handling all the grunt work alone; a lawyer will also play their part in drafting your claim, detailing the incident and the victim. Once the claim gets drafted, your lawyer will help you plan your next move and prepare you for one of two outcomes: Settlement or a trial.
6. Understanding Settlements and Trials
Settlements are out-of-court negotiations in which you and the party you’re suing, known as the defendants, mutually agree on what amount needs to be paid. Depending on how these negotiations go, you can end up with five to six figures worth of settlement money. However, to settle, the defendant has to accept the claims against them and reach out to the lawyer. If they disagree with the charges, your case will go to a trial.
This is done within a court and in front of a jury. Trials can be prolonged and indefinite. If you’re lucky, you may get your verdict in a few weeks, but the case can go up to months if new evidence keeps coming to light.
Final Thoughts
Motorcycle accidents are painful incidents to experience, yet they can occur anytime. If you have been in an accident, you must contact a lawyer and use their legal expertise to build a case. This is because as painful as an accident is, it can also leave you in a financially insecure position. Hence, by having a trustworthy lawyer in your corner, you will learn what you’re up against, have a comprehensive understanding of tackling the legal system, and get what is rightfully yours.