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When you are in a motorcycle accident you need to get the medical care you need from competent physicians in a good hospital. Almost as important as recovewring physically is recovering financially from a motorcycle accident.
That is what motorcycle accident injury attorneys do - they help you recover financially from a motorcycle accident. There are many things to consider in evaluating motorcycle injury lawyer. What follows is a list - in no particular order of importance because it is usually a cumulative combination of attributes that you should consider.
- Does the attorney ride a motorcycle?
- I think this is important because only a fellow motorcycle rider can appreciate precisely what happened to you and why. If your attorney rides a motorcycle they are aware of how vehicles pull out in front of you, cut you off and otherwise do not see you until it is too late. Furthermore, a lawyer that rides a bike is intimately familiar with the prejudices and biases that exist in society and knows how to deal with them proactively to protect your interests should you need to go to trial. For example there is a lot of bias against motorcycle accident victims that were not wearing a helmet when involved in an crash. I am sensitive to this issue and make motions to exclude all evidence referencing he absence of a helmet.
- Does the lawyer have experience in the applicable law that governs liability in your state?
- This is important because insurance companies - the ones that will probably be paying you in the end - need a persuasive argument based on the law that moves them to recognize the liability of their insure. Without liability there is no case. The knowledge of the law only comes from practicing in that area so you need an attorney that practices in representing motorcycle accident victims.
- Does the lawyer have exposure to or know how to put together medical records accurately and persuasively?
- The lawyer must understand what your medical records mean. Often firms use nurses or other medical personnel to evaluate the medical records and the lawyer will work the law end of the case. In my opinion this creates a disjointed and incomplete representation of the case. At George Tait Law I am an attorney and a nurse. I worked and continue to work at a major trauma unit and have done so for many years. I understand medical records, the terminology, what it means and perhaps most importantly know how to tie the law and the medical proof together to create a very persuasive settlement brochure.
- Does the lawyer or someone else create the settlement brochure?
- This is important because you are paying for the services of an attorney and not a paralegal or assistant. The attorney should put together a settlement brochure in every case that reviews major hurdles that will need to be addressed in a persuasive manner to make the insurance companies pay what they should. If your lawyer does not make a formal settlement brochure you are probably being short-changed. Ask to see the settlement brochure before it is sent to the insurance adjuster to make sure it is accurate and correctly covers all of your concerns. At George Tait Law we create a detailed settlement brochure in each and every case and yes - it is created by me - the lawyer on the case.
- Does the lawyer or his firm use technology to your benefit?
- Costs are repaid to the lawyer out of the proceeds of the settlement (negotiated settlement) or verdict (determined by a jury at trial). We use technology by scanning all documents. This is generally referred to as an electronic or paperless system. This saves costs because we do not have to pay staff to search for records, pay for storage and allows us to have instant access to all of the important documents in your case. Technology facilitates communication between client and lawyer and insurance adjuster and lawyer. Technology also allows us to cheaply and conveniently create a settlement brochure that is attractive, accurate and persuasive. We use pictures, pdf's of pertinent documents and put it all together on a CD or DVD that persuades the adjuster.
- Is your lawyer prepared to go to trial if necessary?
- This is critical - at least in my opinion. The only real power you have to make insurance companies pay what they should is the right to go to trial if the negotiated settlement is not adequate. You have to hold their feet to the fire so to speak. At George Tait Law we prepare as if each and every case is going to go to trial - regardless of size of the case - because we feel that the right to go to trial is an inalienable right to address your grievances.
If you are in a motorcycle accident ask these questions. Recover physically but also recover financially. Make sure your motorcycle accident injury lawyer does all of the above to make sure you recover to the full extent of the law.
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