Santa Clara, CAMotorcycle accidents are gruesome realities of road life. Even after wearing protective gear, disfigurement, amputations, and paralysis is common with motorcycle accidents. Depending on the place of impact, even the best helmet in the market won’t prevent some form of brain injury. However, not all accidents are fatal or catastrophic. That is why riders should always keep a trusted law firm on speed dial in case of any road incident. First, call 911. Then call this number. Visit this motorcycle accident law firm’s website to learn more about your rights, precautions you can take, and nuances of the law, like how negligence contributes to assigning legal fault. Proving a case isn’t easy, but this is where an experienced lawyer can simplify the process. Following are some ways an attorney can help you formulate and solidify a legal case after a motorcycle accident.
1) By Gathering Medical Records
Medical diagnostics and reports are the first steps to proving harm, so you must see the correct medical specialist as soon as possible. Your healthcare bills will be used to calculate your psychological distress and prove that your injury caused lost productivity. With an accurate picture of the damage, your compensation has the best chance of remaining high. Following your recommended treatment plan is important so the at-fault driver can’t hold you responsible for lasting disabilities. Photographs of bruising and gashes can make a difference if your injury affects the soft tissue. So can records of the accident scene.
2) Through Future Damages
It’s not always possible to recover fully from catastrophic injuries. A broken bone or traumatic injury can devastate your quality of life and workability. At best, chronic pain could require a lifetime of expensive medication. At worst, a brain injury can saddle you with a potentially-deadly seizure disorder. You might have a severed limb, or paralysis. Your compensation should incorporate future pain and suffering, so your lawyer will carefully assign value according to your prognosis. If your earning capacity diminishes due to an injury, they’ll factor it into your desired compensation.
3) By Proving the Fault
California doesn’t always assign blame to one party. The state weighs fault in percentages if the plaintiff is partially responsible for the accident. Your desired compensation could drop if your lawyer fails to prove their case. That’s why gathering as much evidence as possible at the accident scene is crucial. Police reports, CCTV footage, and video clips can all play a role in strengthening your case. Your case will be in a sturdier position if you gather evidence from the accident scene or collect witnesses’ contact details.
4) By Protecting You from Insurers
In some
personal injury cases like vehicular accidents, the at-fault driver's insurer may request a statement a statement from you. It's important to exercise caution should this happen. Your words could be used against you, so using a lawyer as your middleman is advisable. This way, mistakes, and confusion won’t ruin your chances of winning a settlement.
5) By Negotiating On Your Behalf
Personal injury cases usually end long before they appear in court. Settlements aren’t always as impressive as the compensation the courts might choose, but they save you a small fortune in legal fees. If your case isn’t as robust as you’d like and you’re reluctant to take the risk of a trial, your lawyer can negotiate a stronger settlement amount by:
- Not taking the first settlement offer.
- Establishing the desired settlement before entering into a negotiation.
- Forcing adjusters to justify an offer that seems low.
- Emphasizing the severity of your pain and suffering.
- Writing a strong demand letter.
6) By Appealing to a Jury
Juries respond to emotive evidence. Your lawyer will collect compelling evidence and expert testimony, then introduce your damages in a way that appeals to their humanity. Experienced lawyers are well-versed in this process, so they’ll argue the case in a way that stays in the jury’s memory until the end of the trial. You stand a better chance if a lawyer can connect with the judge and jury. Personal injury law requires multifaceted skills and knowledge, so you’re always better off with a lawyer. Since motorcycle accidents are often catastrophic and disabling, opening a case before the statute of limitations prevents you from doing so is crucial.
