According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), nearly 80% of motorcycle accidents result in injury. Motorcycles are not designed to provide riders with as much protection as other vehicles. That aspect, although enjoyable, also makes them more hazardous.
If you or a loved one have suffered injuries on a motorcycle, you need to speak with an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer in North Las Vegas today. Your lawyer can help you hold the negligent party liable for your accident and work to collect maximum compensation for your injuries. Call Pacific West Injury Law to learn more.
Investigating Your Motorcycle Accident
Investigating your motorcycle accident is the first step toward determining your options. This requires experienced motorcycle experts who can partner with your legal team. They will recreate your accident, speak with witnesses, and review police reports to fully understand who and what caused your motorcycle accident and injuries.
Evaluating Your Claim
When you first meet with a motorcycle accident lawyer, they will need to review as much detail about your case as you can provide. Be prepared to share with your lawyer:
- Medical records
- Doctor’s notes and prescriptions
- Pictures or videos of your accident and injuries
- Description of medical procedures
- Description of your pain
- Amount of time you have spent out of work
Your lawyer can help you sort out all these issues to move forward with confidence. Understanding what comes next can give you relief and allow you to take the time you need to focus on your health and well-being.
Filing Your Claim
Once your North Las Vegas motorcycle accident attorney has gathered the facts of your accident, they will file a personal injury claim for damages on your behalf. Filing a personal injury claim is an essential step in your ability to recover maximum compensation for your motorcycle accident injuries.
Your lawyer will allege that someone else caused your accident by failing to adhere to road safety rules in your personal injury claim. They will use details from their investigation to help support this claim and collect every dollar you deserve so you do not end up paying out of pocket for your medical expenses and financial losses.
Statute Of Limitations
You must act fast. After the date of your accident, Nevada law only gives you two years to file your personal injury claim. If you miss this deadline, your case could be barred.
It means you may lose the right to sue the responsible party. Missing this critical deadline could leave you and your family with financial hardship as you are forced to pay for your medical expenses out of your pocket. Avoiding this situation is vital to your physical recovery.
What Is My Motorcycle Accident Worth?
Unfortunately, there is no clear answer to this question. But working with a knowledgeable attorney can give you a good idea of the full value of your claim.
Based on the circumstances of your accident, your lawyer can help you create an accurate estimate of your monetary needs. They will consider:
- Your time spent out of work
- How many and the severity of your medical procedures and surgeries
- Time spent in the hospital
- Your medical prognosis
However, the financial costs only play a small role in determining the true value of your claim. Many non-economic damages must be taken into account when calculating the value of an accident claim.
A legal professional can help you estimate how much your case is worth, considering all these factors. It’s important to note that most of your medical needs may come in the future, so only considering your existing medical expenses will be insufficient.
Damages You Can Collect After A Motorcycle Crash In North Las Vegas
After a motorcycle accident caused by another party, you will be eligible to recover many different damages. Your lawyer may fight to collect compensation for you, including:
- Emotional distress
- Lost wages and earning potential
- Loss of companionship
- Current and future medical expenses
- Rehabilitation costs
- Property damage
- Permanent disability
Depending on the severity of your injuries, you may spend a great deal of time out of work. In the most extreme cases, you may never be able to return to work in the same capacity or at all.
This severely limits your ability to earn a living and provide for your family. With the help of a skilled lawyer, you can increase your chances of recovering maximum compensation.
Pain And Suffering
In addition to the damages listed above, Nevada law allows for the recovery of pain and suffering damages for victims of negligence. These damages can significantly increase the amount of money you can receive from your personal injury claim.
Depending on the exact details of your motorcycle accident, your lawyer may try to collect pain and suffering damages from the negligent party. This allows peace of mind that you and your family will have no worries about paying your bills so that you can focus on your well-being.
Punitive Damages
In extreme cases, you may also be eligible to collect punitive damages. These damages are meant as a form of punishment for the at-fault party. Punitive damages are only awarded in cases where the liable party acted in a manner that was criminally negligent or with the deliberate intention of causing harm.
An experienced North Las Vegas motorcycle accident attorney will be able to help you identify if your case qualifies for punitive damages.
Maximizing Your Settlement
Per the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS), most personal injury cases settle out of court. A settlement can be an excellent option for resolving your motorcycle accident personal injury claim.
However, you want to make sure that you are collecting a fair and reasonable amount. That’s where the skill and experience of a motorcycle accident lawyer in North Las Vegas can prove invaluable.
To maximize your settlement, your lawyer can aggressively negotiate with the insurance company representing the at-fault party. Without a lawyer, many victims find that they settle for far less than their case is worth, leaving them with bills and expenses to cover out of their pocket. Working with a legal representative can help you avoid this situation.
The Cost Of Hiring A Motorcycle Accident Attorney
While your motorcycle accident attorney will likely make a significant amount of money off your case, hiring them won’t actually cost you anything. You will never pay your attorney out of your own pocket, so anyone can afford legal representation, no matter their financial situation.
Motorcycle accident lawyers typically work on a contingency fee basis, which means that their payday is directly tied to the money you receive from the liable party. When you hire a motorcycle accident attorney, you will agree to pay them a fixed percentage of the money recovered from the at-fault party.
This fee is the only one that your lawyer will receive for their services. That means that if you don’t get paid, neither do they. Even though your lawyer can earn big if you recover significant compensation, the money you collect with the help of an attorney will likely be so much greater than what you would get on your own, that the real cost is in not hiring a lawyer.
Talk To A North Las Vegas Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Now
Working with the right lawyer can make a difference in your personal injury claim. You deserve a lawyer guiding you who has the experience of helping motorcycle accident injury victims like you successfully recover from their injuries and suffering. Contact Pacific West Injury law today online or by giving us a call. The blue bear cares for you.