Is It Worth Hiring an Orlando Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?

If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident, you may be faced with severe pain, debilitating injuries, high medical bills, and lost wages due to time away from work. Some injury victims believe that they are better off handling the legal process alone. However, this is almost never a good idea.

The Orlando motorcycle accident lawyers at Colling Gilbert Wright have seen the devastation of motorcycle wrecks firsthand. We know how a serious injury can impact almost every aspect of a victim’s life, and we are committed to helping our clients pursue the maximum compensation to which they may be entitled under Florida law.

10 Reasons to Hire an Orlando Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

If you’ve been hurt in a wreck, it is in your best interest to hire a motorcycle accident lawyer to help you. Here are 10 reasons why: 

1. The Insurance Companies Will (Probably) Blame You for the Accident

In most cases, the insurance companies will try to blame motorcycle riders for their own injuries. Since Florida’s “no fault” auto insurance law doesn’t apply to riders, the insurance companies can use this tactic to deny injured riders just compensation. 

2. Even if You Were Partially at Fault, You are Still Entitled to Partial Compensation

Even if you were partially at fault in your motorcycle accident, you are still entitled to partial compensation under Florida law. But, you will need a lawyer to prove that you were not 100% at fault, and you will also need a lawyer to prove how much you are entitled to recover. 

3. Proving Fault Requires Evidence from the Crash Site

Proving fault requires evidence from the crash site. This evidence can disappear quickly, so it is important that you hire a lawyer to conduct an investigation as soon as possible. Skid marks, debris, damaged road signs and barriers, and other types of forensic evidence could all be available (for a limited amount of time) to prove your right to a financial recovery. 

4. Proving Fault May Also Require Evidence from Other Sources

In addition to gathering evidence at the scene of the crash, proving fault may also require evidence from other sources. For example, many motorcycle accidents are the result of distracted driving. If the driver who hit you was talking on the phone or texting behind the wheel, a lawyer can seek the driver’s phone records to prove liability. 

5. Filing an Insurance Claim Might Not Be Your Only Option

Florida has one of the highest rates of uninsured drivers in the nation; and, even if the driver who hit you is insured, his or her insurance still might not cover the full costs of your injuries. Fortunately, filing an insurance claim might not be your only option. An Orlando motorcycle accident lawyer can thoroughly evaluate your case to determine if you have a claim against your motorcycle’s manufacturer, a vehicle manufacturer, a government agency, or another third party. 

6. You Need to Prove How Much You are Entitled to Recover

Regardless of whether you have an insurance claim, a third-party claim, or both, it is up to you to prove how much you are entitled to recover. This includes compensation not only for your medical and repair bills, but for your current and future loss of income, pain and suffering, and other losses as well. 

7. You Need to Know When (and If) to Settle

Eventually, you may receive a settlement offer as a result of your motorcycle accident. If you receive an offer, should you accept it? Your decision could impact your life for years to come, so you need to be absolutely certain you are making an informed decision. 

8. It Costs Nothing Out-of-Pocket to Hire a Lawyer

While many people assume hiring a motorcycle accident lawyer is expensive, the truth is that it costs nothing out of pocket. Motorcycle accident lawyers provide representation on a contingency-fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless you win.

9. You Can Recover More with a Lawyer on Your Side

Even taking your lawyer’s contingency fees into account, you can still recover more with a lawyer on your side. An experienced motorcycle accident lawyer will not take your case unless the lawyer believes he or she can help maximize your take-home amount. 

10. You Only Get One Chance to Assert Your Legal Rights

Finally, when you are entitled to financial compensation for a motorcycle accident, you only get one chance to assert your legal rights. If you try to handle your claim on your own, there is a very good chance that you will receive much less than you are owed—if you receive anything at all. By hiring an experienced Orlando motorcycle accident lawyer, you can give yourself the best chance of success, and you can feel confident knowing that you are taking the right steps to protect yourself and your family. 

Talk to an Orlando Motorcycle Accident Lawyer for Free

If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident and have more questions about hiring a lawyer to represent you, we encourage you to get in touch. We are happy to answer all of your questions in a free, no-obligation consultation. To schedule an appointment as soon as possible, call (800) 766-1000 or get in touch with us online today.