Unfortunately, not all motorcycle rides end safely for the biker and their passengers. Instead, some end in severe accidents that may result in catastrophic injuries. If you’ve suffered an injury you need a motorcycle accident attorney.
If you are recovering from such injuries after a motorcycle wreck, you may be facing high medical bills while you are unable to work to pay for them. The good news, though, is that you may be able to file a lawsuit to recoup those damages if the accident was the fault of someone else.
Building an effective civil case and dealing with the insurance companies can be very tricky, so it could be important for you to speak to a motorcycle accident lawyer. A skilled attorney could negotiate with the insurance companies on your behalf, represent you in court if necessary, and work to help you pursue a settlement to cover all your losses and injuries. En Español.
Some states are governed by tort, or at-fault, auto insurance rules. Under these rules, injured parties must seek accident benefits from the insurance company of the at-fault party—which, depending on the circumstances, may be more difficult than it sounds.
In many cases, insurance companies may try to deny benefits to accident victims or offer them a very low settlement that does not cover the cost of their expenses. This is one area in which a motorcycle accident lawyer attorney could be extremely helpful. They could send a demand letter to the insurance company outlining who was liable for the accident and what injuries and damages the rider sustained as a result.
Insurance companies are generally more likely to act fairly when an attorney is involved since they know attorneys fully understand the rights of their clients. Because of that, they are often more likely to offer a fair settlement, or at the very least negotiate with the accident victim and their lawyer.
In legal terms, the right to file suit after an accident is known as standing to sue. However, not everyone involved in a motorcycle crash in has that right.
Someone hurt in a motorcycle accident has a right to sue if the accident was primarily the fault of someone else. If another driver acted negligently, recklessly, or carelessly in a way that directly caused the accident, an injured rider may be able to seek compensation from them.
Under Chicago’s, and some other states, comparative fault rules, though, a motorcycle rider may also be assigned partial blame in these types of accidents. When this is the case, the courts may assign a percentage of fault to the accident victim in addition to the defendant in the case. If the rider is awarded compensation, it will be reduced by the same percentage. However, if a rider is found to be more than 50 percent at fault for their own accident, they would no longer have the standing to sue.
Most injured motorcycle riders have two years to file a lawsuit after an accident. This is the statute of limitations. While there are some exceptions to this rule, it applies in most motorcycle accident cases.
Because this statute of limitations, it is important that injured riders, speak to a motorcycle accident lawyer right away. Not only may the statute of limitations be running out, but evidence could go missing, and memories of witnesses may fade. Larry Disparti and the attorneys at the Disparti Law Group can help.
With over $1 Billion in recoveries for our clients, Larry Disparti knows how to win. Plus, there is no fee unless we win your case. Contact our Chicago and Tampa motorcycle accident attorneys today. Come join the thousands who say “Larry Wins!”
Chicago Motorcycle Accident Lawyer (312) 600-6000.
Tampa Motorcycle Accident Lawyer (727) 600-6000.