Riverside Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Every year, more than 80,000 motorcyclists suffer injuries due to motorcycle accidents.
If you have been in an accident, you may need to find a motorcycle accident lawyer to help you recover damages. However, the average personal injury lawyer will not be able to provide the same kind of results as the best motorcycle accident lawyers out there.
So how can you make sure that you find one of the best motorcycle accident lawyers for your situation? Read on to learn all about the simple principles you can apply to help you find a great motorcycle accident lawyer.
Ask Around About Motorcycle Accident Attorneys
You can easily find motorcycle accident lawyer candidates by simply Googling. In fact, you will probably find more lawyers than you know what to do with. The important thing at this stage of the process is to figure out how to find the best candidates for your list possible.
That is when you want to start talking to people that you know. Anybody that you know who has significant experience in the world of motorcycles might be able to give you a recommendation for a great personal injury lawyer.
It is possible that a friend, coworker, or family member has worked with a motorcycle accident lawyer themselves. In that case, they can give you the inside scoop on whether their lawyer did a great job for them.
On the other hand, you might know if this acquaintance has been in a motorcycle accident. But that does not mean that you should not still ask around. There is a possibility that they know someone else who has been in a crash.
Finding a recommendation can be a godsend when you are trying to figure out which motorcycle accident lawyer will be able to help you manage your legal situation.
Look at Reviews to Find the Best Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Once you have finished making your list of candidate lawyers, you will need to narrow down your options. One of the best ways to do that is by looking at ratings. You can find ratings and reviews on review websites.
If you have time, you might want to consider investigating a list of candidates. If you don’t have that much time, you might want to only investigate the lawyers who have the highest overall ratings.
However, before you proceed to hire a lawyer, make sure to read the written reviews as well. They contain a lot more information than the mere ratings.
Find a Bike Accident Lawyer With a Proven Track Record
Ask different lawyers about what kind of accident cases they have the most experience with. You want to settle on a lawyer who has spent much of their career working with people who have been in motorcycle accidents, not other types of accidents.
Once you’ve found a lawyer with vast motorcycle accident case experience, examine their track record. How many cases have they successfully pursued? What’s the average settlement for the cases they’ve handled? An attorney with a great record is more likely to do a good job for you.
Also, ask the lawyer to provide you with client testimonials or any past clients that would be willing to speak about their experience working with the law firm.
Think About Cost
It’s important that you understand exactly how a lawyer you’re considering will charge you. There are three main ways lawyers can bill their clients:
Hourly Billing
Many lawyers charge by the hour. Make sure that you understand what such a lawyer’s hourly rate is and exactly which hours will count.
Sometimes, lawyers require clients to pay a retainer. This is basically an upfront prepayment for the lawyer’s hours and other expenses for the case. The lawyer will draw from the retainer as the legal work goes on, and if the retainer is depleted, the client will be requested to make another payment.
Contingency Fees
Lawyers can charge a contingent fee. This is common in civil suits, such as motorcycle accident cases, where one party is suing another party for monetary damages. Your attorney will collect a percentage of the settlement, which means their pay is contingent on the case resulting in a settlement.
The industry standard can be higher or lower depending on the lawyer and the complexity of your case.
Flat Fee
In a flat fee structure, lawyers require clients to pay a fixed amount. For example, a lawyer might charge an exact dollar amount to prepare bankruptcy paperwork or draw a contract.
In a motorcycle accident case, it’s advisable to choose an attorney who charges a contingency fee. Since the lawyer’s pay is dependent on the outcome of the case, you’re assured that they’ll give their best effort.
Before signing anything, though, clarify with the prospective lawyer that there are no other fees beyond what you have agreed on.
Consider the Personal Element
You want to work with a lawyer with whom you can easily build rapport, as well as a professional with excellent communication skills.
This is especially good to keep in mind when you have multiple lawyers who have similar track records of success. At that point, you will still need to choose between your remaining options.
That is when it is worth thinking about which lawyer you can get along with better. If a lawyer is unpleasant to work with, there is no reason to work with them if you don’t have to.
At the same time, remember to consider the personal element last. The most important thing is that your lawyer can help you successfully navigate your legal problems.
How to Find the Best Riverside Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
After a motorcycle accident, it’s important to find a quality lawyer who can help manage this difficult situation.
To learn more about how to find the right Riverside motorcycle accident lawyer for your case or to speak with an attorney who can provide you with legal counsel, feel free to reach out to The Law Offices of Daniel Kim at any time, day or night.