When Should You Hire a Lawyer?
It’s common for individuals to feel unsure whether or not to contact a motorcycle accident lawyer Wheaton MD trusts after an accident. Motorcyclists may feel as though they can settle a claim easily with an insurance company when an accident only results in vehicular damage, or that they won’t need to file any claim if the accident is minor enough. Although it may not be wise to take every single accident case to court, certain factors or situations may exacerbate the consequences of a motorcycle accident. Contacting a capable motorcycle accident lawyer Wheaton MD can depend on could be an injured claimant’s best chance at obtaining a fair settlement.
At Cohen and Cohen, P.C., our lawyers understand that motorcycle accidents can be very complex. We know that motorcyclists face many risks on the road that other passenger cars, trucks, and SUVs don’t have to worry about. It’s important to our firm to make sure that all drivers — motorcyclists included — can have an equal opportunity to pursue and win compensatory damages for injuries caused by another driver’s mistake.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident, and if any of the following details play a role in your case, you might wish to contact a motorcycle accident lawyer Wheaton MD can offer for legal counsel:
1. The accident was caused by poor road conditions:
Single-vehicle accidents can be just as traumatic for motorcyclists as multi-vehicle accidents. When a motorcyclist collides with a fixed object, he or she can easily be ejected from the seat and suffer very serious injuries.
If the motorcyclist collides with a fixed object because of his or her own error, it is not likely that the individual will be able to make an injury claim. However, the motorcyclist may be able to collect damages if the accident was caused or exacerbated by poor road conditions that the local government should have attended to.
It’s important for drivers to be aware that not all poor road conditions will justify a legal claim. If a driver crashed because he or she hydroplaned over a puddle after a rainstorm, for example, he or she might not be able to collect damages. If the motorcycle hit a large pothole, however, a skilled motorcycle accident lawyer Wheaton MD can offer may be able to claim that the municipality’s maintenance department could have filled in the pothole, thereby preventing the accident.
It is also important for drivers to note that if this type of accident occurs, the motorcyclist will likely be filing an injury claim against the local government. The processes of filing an injury claim against a town, city, or state municipality are often similar to the processes of filing a claim against an individual or privately-owned organization. However, the government may be less willing to work with the claimant or provide a settlement without definitive proof of liability; in some cases, the government may demand that the matter be taken to court. Injured claimants in these situations will almost certainly benefit from the legal counsel of an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer Wheaton MD depends on.
2. Another driver caused the accident but his/her insurance company is disputing your claim:
Working with a lawyer could be essential in this case. A top motorcycle accident lawyer Wheaton MD can provide may be able to represent your interests in court or in settlement negotiations with the insurance company, and this might allow you to collect financial damages.
Although many insurance companies conduct their business ethically, it’s still important for drivers to remember that insurance companies are businesses. The more money paid out in claims, the less profit the company will earn overall. It’s possible for an insurance company to dispute liability in an accident so that it will not have to pay as much in settlement money. In some cases, it’s possible that an insurance company will refuse to pay another claimant at all; an insurance agent could even attempt to get the claimant to admit partial liability for causing the accident.
If a motorcyclist is injured in an accident but is having this sort of issue with another driver’s insurance company, it may be beneficial to work with a Wheaton MD motorcycle accident lawyer. An experienced lawyer may be able to help an injured claimant by representing him/her in settlement negotiations with the insurance company. Ensuring that the claimant does not accidentally — and falsely — admit responsibility is another benefit of working with a skilled motorcycle accident lawyer Wheaton MD can provide.
3. You have sustained serious injuries:
For anyone operating or riding on a motorcycle, even a minor accident could lead to very serious injuries. It is possible for these injuries to be disabling for a long period of time, or even permanently. When a motorcyclist suffers a life-altering injury that requires extensive medical care, winning an injury settlement might not just be an option — it could be a necessity.
Serious injuries could be physical or psychological — or both — and long-term effects of these injuries may last for years after the accident. Medical bills can quickly pile up and become difficult to pay if the injured motorist also loses wages. A severe injury that is permanently disabling could mean that the individual cannot return to his or her job at all, or has to take another job that can accommodate the disability.
A skilled motorcycle accident lawyer in Wheaton MD can provide may be able to help the injured motorcyclist cover these costs by reaching a settlement.
Regardless of how your injury happened, Cohen and Cohen, P.C. may be able to help.
At Cohen and Cohen, P.C. our legal team understands the complex nature of motorcycle accidents. We know that a minor accident can easily lead to serious injuries, and we believe that motorcyclists should be able to receive adequate compensation when this happens. To schedule a free consultation and case evaluation with a motorcycle accident lawyer Wheaton MD residents can turn to after a motorcycle accident, contact the lawyers at Cohen and Cohen, P.C. today.
