Vehicle accidents nearly always involve insurance companies. Many accident victims do not like dealing with insurance companies because they can be difficult to deal with and victims want to focus on recovery. If you have a lawyer, your motorcycle accident lawyer can deal with the insurance companies for you. This is the most effective way of handling your case under most circumstances since your lawyer can handle negotiations and legal processes without much work from you on a regular basis.
Having a lawyer handle your case gives you access to resources that you might otherwise not have. Discuss your case with a lawyer before taking action to make sure that it is in your best interest to file a motorcycle accident lawsuit.
Reasons to Hire a Lawyer
Hiring a lawyer to help you deal with your lawsuit offers you support when dealing with legal matters. Unless you have extensive training in law, legal processes, and negotiations, you may struggle to manage your lawsuit effectively. Having a lawyer allows you to focus on your recovery while getting your lawsuit started.
According to the California Department of Insurance, there are regulations in place that force insurance companies to act in a fair manner. However, insurance companies are notoriously difficult to deal with. Your lawyer can deal with the insurance company for you to make the process easier. There are parts of the process where you will still need to be involved, but your lawyer can handle most of the issues.
One area where your lawyer will likely do a lot of the work is in negotiating a settlement. The insurance company may offer you a settlement agreement with terms that include a much lower amount of compensation than you deserve. Your lawyer can renegotiate the agreement so that you can get the amount of compensation that you need.
Possibly Recoverable Compensation
You can claim compensation for nearly any expense related to your recovery as long as it applies to one of the causes of action. Medical expenses are a common claim due to the extent of those expenses. Property damage claims related to vehicle damages are also common. However, there are other claims that you can file, too. Property damage covers more than just your motorcycle. It includes your riding gear and any other damaged personal property.
If you are out of work for an extended period of time, you may be able to claim lost wages in your lawsuit. This will help replace a part of your income that you lost from being out of work. There are other claims that you can file, and when you work with a lawyer you can identify any claims that apply.
Statute of Limitations
If you decide to take legal action against the person who caused your accident, then you should do so as soon as possible. Many accident victims take a long time to start the legal process, which limits the amount of time that they have to get their lawsuit filed. There is a statute of limitations that defines how long you have after the accident to file your lawsuit. If you missed the deadline, your case may be thrown out on a technicality and you will lose your chance to claim compensation.
In California, there are two statutes of limitations that you have to be aware of. According to the California Courts, you must file personal injury claims within two years and property damage claims within three years. Your lawyer will likely try to file these claims at the same time, although it is possible to file property damage claims after the personal injury statute has expired.
Missing your opportunity to collect compensation and get help paying off your expenses may leave your finances in a vulnerable position for years. Make sure that your lawyer has enough time to build and file a strong lawsuit by beginning the legal process as soon as possible. Many lawyers offer free consultations so that you can talk to a lawyer about your case and then decide whether you want to move forward with them or not.
Seeking Legal Action
Seeking legal action after an accident is intimidating for victims. This is one of the reasons why discussing your case with your lawyer before taking action is a good idea. Every case is different, and you can get personalized feedback from a lawyer about your case. Most lawyers offer consultations with no obligation to continue the lawsuit, so you could get legal advice about your case without taking further action.
Call Now for a Free Consultation
If you are worried about dealing with the insurance company after your accident, hire a lawyer. Your lawyer can deal with the insurance companies for you. Take legal action to claim the compensation that you are entitled to. Get legal help from Pintas & Mullins Law Firm by calling us at (800) 223-5115 for a free consultation.