In the aftermath of a motorcycle accident, it’s normal to wonder whether you need a personal injury attorney or not. You are not required to have legal representation, and when an accident seems minor you may think that it’s not worth the hassle and expense of dealing with insurance adjusters.
But especially with motorcycle accidents, you may not see the full extent of your injuries until some time has passed. Having an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer on your side can help ensure that you get the compensation you are due, even if you didn’t know you needed it right away.
If you or your loved one have been injured in a motorcycle accident in Maryland, Virginia, or Washington, DC, the motorcycle accident lawyers at Regan Zambri Long will review your motorcycle accident case and help you pursue the maximum compensation you deserve.
The best time to consult with a motorcycle accident attorney is immediately after the accident. The compensation available to you goes beyond immediate medical expenses and covers property damage, as well as pain and suffering. The sooner a qualified motorcycle accident lawyer starts investigating your case, the better picture he or she will be able to build your legal claim and the compensation you deserve.
At Regan Zambri Long, we offer all potential clients a free case evaluation. A no-obligation consultation with one of our motorcycle accident lawyers will determine whether you have a personal injury claim from your motorcycle crash and outline the steps for claiming your compensation.
To claim compensation for your motorcycle accident we must prove that the liable party committed negligence—and unfortunately, negligence is prevalent on the road. Distracted driving, speeding, breaking road laws, road debris, and poor road maintenance are examples that contribute to the more than 80,000 motorcycle accidents that occur each year.
Even if you aren’t ready to decide on hiring an accident lawyer, a free consultation with Regan Zambri Long will help you understand your options and next steps, and connect you with qualified lawyers for when you are ready to pursue legal action.
Each state has a statute of limitations for personal injuries and you must file your claim within that time frame or you forfeit your right to compensation. Maryland and Washington, DC, give victims three years to file a claim, while Virginia gives victims two years. This may seem like plenty of time on the surface, but lawsuits require a lot of legal legwork before filing. In the event of a wrongful death lawsuit, the clock starts ticking from the date the death occurred. The statute of limitations for wrongful death lawsuits are:
Your experienced lawyer will investigate the accident to ensure that the liable party was negligent (and that it can be proved) and review your medical situation. Your attorney may wait to take action until you have reached a point of maximum recovery so that the value of your case is more clearly defined. Though waiting can help maximize your compensation claim, you’ll want to make sure your attorney is keeping your state’s statute of limitations in mind so that you do not miss your window.
Consulting with an attorney early on can also help you both keep track of important documents and records that will be required in settlement negotiations or litigation. Waiting to consult a lawyer until your recovery is accomplished, though tempting, could prove to be a headache and hassle for you.
A motorcycle crash is a kind of personal injury, so you may wonder why you need to hire a motorcycle accident lawyer instead of a general injury lawyer.
A motorcycle accident lawyer will have experience specifically with motorcycle crashes and a history of success with motorcycle accident cases. At Regan Zambri Long, our track record includes a $1.6 million settlement for a motorcyclist who suffered an amputation after being struck by another motorist and a $1.2 million settlement for a woman who was seriously injured when dangerous road construction caused her to be thrown from her motorcycle.
Even when the facts of an accident seem cut and dried, the liable party may still try to avoid taking responsibility and paying compensation. It is important to have an experienced motorcycle lawyer on your side to fight against lowball settlement offers and fight for the most compensation available.
Additionally, you will be busy recovering from your injuries and adapting to long-term or permanent changes due to your injuries. Your qualified lawyer will represent and pursue your best interests legally so that you can focus on healing physically and mentally.
Some motorcycle crash injuries are obvious and manifest themselves immediately. Broken bones, road rash, and lost limbs or digits are noticeable right away. Other injuries can take time to be revealed. Concussions and other traumatic brain injuries, internal bleeding or injuries, and whiplash are examples of physical injuries that may take time to manifest in the aftermath of a motorcycle accident.
Additionally, compensation covers pain and suffering beyond your physical injuries. If your motorcycle accident causes mental anguish, anxiety getting back on the road, or other kinds of suffering, you are entitled to compensation for that as well.
Unfortunately, motorcycle fatalities have been on an upward trend for the last few years, with 5,579 fatal accidents in 2020, according to the Insurance Information Institute. We know that it’s impossible to place a dollar value on the life of a loved one, but if you have lost someone you love in a motorcycle accident, Regan Zambri Long’s compassionate legal team is here to help you.
You are still entitled to compensation for the anguish you are enduring and for funeral expenses. Our team will handle the bulk of the claim so that you can grieve without worrying over the details of your case.
While you are in no way legally required to hire an attorney for your motorcycle accident claim, legal representation is always in your best interest. Your motorcycle accident attorney will deal directly with the insurance company and the liable party’s legal counsel so that you can focus on your recovery.
No one wants to accept responsibility for an accident, even if they are at fault. And even when it’s owed, most insurance companies don’t want to pay compensation. Your motorcycle accident attorney will know how to work with (or fight with) insurance companies and other lawyers to recover fair and full compensation on your behalf.
Knowing how much your motorcycle crash is worth will depend on the facts, and your attorney will help you calculate the value of your claim so you can recover the maximum financial compensation.
Your motorcycle accident attorney will also have the expert witnesses and contacts necessary to prove the liable party’s negligence and corroborate the value of your claim.
After a motorcycle accident, you are eligible to claim compensation for both economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages cover the more tangible losses you suffered, including:
Non-economic damages cover the less tangible losses you suffer after the accident. These can include:
Calculating the value of your claim is more complicated than simply tallying up the various bills you have accrued after the accident. Continued and/or long-term medical costs, lingering suffering or distress, and changes to your work capability may all cost more than you immediately realize. Our qualified motorcycle accident attorneys know this and will help you account for future losses when calculating how much compensation you are owed.
Some accidents are caused by one party’s negligence and other accidents are caused by multiple parties’ negligence. When a motorcycle accident lawyer at Regan Zambri Long reviews your case, they will determine who is responsible and make compensation claims with all liable parties. This can include:
Regan Zambri Long’s motorcycle injury lawyers are committed to seeking justice and holding the liable party accountable for the accident. You are entitled to compensation and we will fight to make sure you receive it.
Not all lawyers and law firms are equal. You may have to meet with several firms and/or attorneys before finding someone who is a good match for you. Hiring an attorney is a personal decision, but there are key characteristics that excellent motorcycle accident lawyers have.
You must be able to trust your attorney. He or she will be pursuing your best interests and must be able to make decisions on your behalf such as working with the insurance company. If you cannot trust your lawyer to make decisions you agree with, you may need to look for another attorney.
Your attorney must also have a track record of success. It is not enough for a lawyer to simply meet all the legal deadlines. Recovering full and fair compensation on your behalf takes skill and hard work, which will be reflected in the success of your counsel.
Finally, compassion ties it all together. At Regan Zambri Long, we understand that you will have physical and emotional trauma to work through after a serious motorcycle accident. That’s why we do everything we can to carry the weight of your claim or wrongful death lawsuit. We have won successful settlements and recoveries for clients just like you, so you can trust us to pursue justice on your behalf with compassion and determination. Call us for your free case evaluation today at 202-960-4596.
Whether a motorcycle accident is minor or catastrophic, the victims deserve compensation to pay any expenses, such as medical bills, caused by another person’s negligence. An experienced motorcycle accident attorney will gather evidence to recover compensation for your significant injuries. They will work to prove the other driver’s negligence with data collected from police accident reports, witness statements, and other methods of proving negligence.
At Regan Zambri Long, our team of experienced motorcycle accident lawyers is committed to pursuing justice and holding liable parties accountable for their negligent actions. Whether your claim is against another motorist, a parts manufacturer, or a government or road maintenance body, we’ll fight on your behalf until we recover the maximum compensation you are due.
Our legal team has decades of cumulative experience that we will bring to bear on your case. We bring the personal service of a small firm and the legal prowess of a larger firm. We’ve recovered millions of dollars for our clients, and we will do the same for you.
Loss of limb, traumatic brain injury, chronic pain, or the wrongful death of a loved one will change the way you interact with the world. Though no financial compensation can reverse another person’s negligence, it can help you adjust to your new reality.
Whatever the facts of your claim or personal injury lawsuit, the attorneys at Regan Zambri Long can handle it. We work on a contingency basis, meaning you don’t pay anything until we’ve won a settlement or verdict in your favor. Call us for your free case evaluation today at 202-960-4596.