I’ve Been Hurt in a Motorcycle Accident in West Palm Beach, FL – Do I Need a Lawyer?
Gregg Hollander | January 20, 2022 | Motorcycle Accidents
Nobody expects to be injured in an accident. So when it happens, you can be left feeling overwhelmed. You may not know how to deal with the aftermath of the accident.
Can an attorney help you if you are injured in a motorcycle accident in West Palm Beach, FL? Here are a few of the things you need to know.
An Attorney Offers You Legal Guidance
After an accident, there are a lot of moving parts. You may find that you need help with the complicated processes of an insurance claim. If you hire a lawyer, you can expect to receive some excellent guidance about what to do after you are injured in a motorcycle accident.
Below is some advice an attorney might give you after an accident:
Don’t Sign Any Paperwork
You should never sign something that hasn’t been combed through carefully. If you hire a lawyer, they can negotiate the terms of any agreements before you sign. Otherwise, you could agree to accept less compensation than you deserve. Or, you could give the insurance company access to private health and personal information when you didn’t intend to.
Don’t Agree to Be Recorded
Most of the time, an insurance representative will ask to record their calls with you. They will claim that this is purely for “accuracy purposes.” However, these recordings can be used against you later. You have a legal right to deny being recorded.
Work Quickly to Collect Evidence
After your accident, you only have a brief window to get the best evidence for your claim. For example, if you fail to get the contact information of witnesses to the accident, it can have a devastating effect on your case down the road. Filing a police report is a great way to start collecting your evidence.
If you hire an attorney, you have a better opportunity to move quickly and keep detailed records. A legal professional will know what kind of evidence you should be looking for. They can investigate your accident to gather the information you need for your claim. They will be able to locate accident reports, traffic citations, video and dash cam footage, and more.
An Attorney Can Help You Build a Case
Hiring an attorney immediately after an accident can help you start building a case from day one. Of course, not all motorcycle accidents require legal action. But if you have an attorney for support, you’ll be ready in the case that legal action does become necessary.
Besides helping you gather evidence, an attorney will help you with the following:
Determining Cause
What caused the collision? Who is to blame? These two questions will determine whether you are entitled to compensation. An experienced attorney will be able to help you answer both questions and gather evidence to support your case.
They can help you prove to the insurance company that another driver is at-fault for your accident. They can also protect you from allegations of comparative fault, which the insurance company may use to devalue your claim.
Standing Up to an Insurance Provider
Motorcyclists are exempt from Florida’s no-fault rules, meaning you can file an injury claim with the insurer of the at-fault driver. You are not limited to your own insurance. Still, insurance providers often seek to reduce, delay, or deny claims. They may even blame you for your accident.
Call an attorney if you find that your provider is not giving you the compensation you are entitled to. A personal injury attorney will review the terms of your coverage and negotiate for full and fair coverage.
If the insurer won’t play ball, you can count on your attorney to file a lawsuit to protect your rights. A lawsuit will put pressure on the insurer to settle your claim or risk going in front of a jury.
An Attorney Can Help You After a Motorcycle Accident
Motorcycle accidents can cause serious injuries and extensive damage. If you are injured in a motorcycle accident in West Palm Beach, FL, your attorney can guide you through every step you need to take after an accident, from handling complex paperwork to helping you obtain the compensation you deserve.
Contact Our Motorcycle Accident Law Firm in South Florida
If you’ve been injured in an accident, please contact our experienced personal injury lawyers in Florida at Hollander Law Firm Accident Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation today. We have three convenient locations in Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, and West Palm Beach.
We proudly serve Palm Beach County, Broward County, and its surrounding areas:
Hollander Law Firm Accident Injury Lawyers – Boca Raton Law Office
7000 W Palmetto Park Rd #500
Boca Raton, FL 33433
(561) 347-7770
Hollander Law Firm Accident Injury Lawyers – Fort Lauderdale Law Office
200 S.E. 6th Street #203
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
(954) 287-0566
Hollander Law Firm Accident Injury Lawyers – West Palm Beach Law Office
319 Clematis St #203
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
(561) 556-7873