Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Chatsworth, CA
When motorcyclists select an insurance provider to provide them with coverage in the event of an accident, they tend to do their research. As a group, bikers don’t tend to make decisions lightly. From which bike to ride to which safety gear to wear, they are generally discerning. This approach usually extends to the process of selecting an insurance provider. It can, therefore, be jarring to discover that, in the wake of an accident, one’s “trusty” insurance provider won’t always support a collision victim in the way they should. Insurance companies are in business to make money and dole out profits to themselves and their shareholders, and they, therefore, don’t tend to put their policyholders first. This is one of the many reasons why it is important to consult with an experienced Chatsworth, California motorcycle accident lawyer in the wake of a collision. The team at Barry P. Goldberg, A Professional Law Corporation understands that one must approach negotiations with an insurance provider critically to ensure that accident victims receive all the benefits that they are entitled to.
Doesn’t my insurance policy cover me no matter what?
Your insurance agent is supposed to honor the terms of your policy. You purchased that policy, and it serves as a contract that generally ensures extensive and comprehensive coverage in the event of an accident. However, when you report your motorcycle accident to your insurer, they may try to underpay your claim for a variety of reasons. The insurance provider will work diligently to represent their own best interests, even if they are not the same as yours. Some insurers even tell clients that they have no right to file a claim at all. It is therefore generally a good idea to avoid speaking with your insurance provider about your accident until after you’ve spoken with an experienced Chatsworth, CA motorcycle accident lawyer. Our firm can help to ensure that you receive a fair settlement from your insurer.
Why should I hire a motorcycle accident lawyer?
You would be well-advised to consult a Chatsworth, CA motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible after your accident and certainly before your insurance company moves on to addressing the situation directly. Especially if either the other party’s insurance company or your own company tells you that you have no claim, and there is no need to take it any further, the advice of a Chatsworth, CA motorcycle accident lawyer may make all the difference in how much you recover.
Insurance companies love it when you trust them as the authorities regarding the amount you are due. They are very practiced at telling you whatever it takes to make you drop a case or to settle for less than that to which you are entitled. Without a capable Chatsworth, CA motorcycle accident lawyer on your side, you might miss out on full reimbursement, That includes payouts for medical care, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
If you were injured in a motorcycle accident, contact a Chatsworth, California motorcycle accident lawyer from the law offices of Barry P. Goldberg. who can protect your best interests and ensure that you receive the maximum amount of compensation for your damages. We represent motorcyclists who were injured by negligent passenger car and truck drivers. The more serious your injuries, the more important it is that you receive a settlement that takes into consideration your losses and medical treatment needs. We can help you. Call us without delay to talk to a respected motorcycle accident lawyer in your area. If your injury prohibits you from coming to our office, a lawyer from our firm can meet with you in your hospital room.
Tips to Keep in Mind After a Motorcycle Accident
When you set out on a motorcycle, you are probably aware of the risks you are taking. Despite your best efforts to ensure safety and drive defensively, you can never control the actions of other drivers. You probably know that while taking extra precautions such as wearing a helmet, donning protective clothing, avoiding inclement weather and more can help, nothing can ever fully prepare you for the unexpected. If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, contacting a Chatsworth, California motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as you can is important. You may have assumed some risk when you hit the road, but that doesn’t mean you should be held responsible for the costs associated with your injuries if someone else caused them. The experienced team at Barry P. Goldberg, A Professional Law Corporation can help you to successfully navigate the legal aftermath of your accident and help you to make an informed decision about your legal options.
Tip #1: Seek Medical Attention Immediately
Above all else, it’s important to make sure that you make sure you are okay. It’s possible that you may believe that you escaped your accident unharmed. While this is less likely to be the case following a motorcycle accident, it’s important that you seek medical care as soon as possible regardless of how you feel. When faced with danger, your body’s natural response will be to produce adrenaline, a hormone that may actually mask your injuries. Seeking medical care ensures that any injuries sustained are properly diagnosed and treated. It can also provide key evidence should you take legal action with the help of a Chatsworth, CA motorcycle accident lawyer.
Tip #2: Refrain From Speaking with Insurance Companies
If your motorcycle accident was serious enough, insurance companies may contact you directly with a settlement offer. Although this may seem benign, it’s not in your best interest to speak with an insurance adjuster or lawyer without legal representation from a Chatsworth, CA motorcycle accident lawyer. Unfortunately, the insurance company may attempt to get you to admit fault or minimize your injuries. This can have a significant impact on the settlement you may be entitled to.
Tip #3: Gather as Much Evidence as Possible
Evidence will play a key factor in the outcome of your motorcycle accident case. Your Chatsworth, CA motorcycle accident lawyer can help to ensure that you gather evidence that can support your need for a settlement. Your lawyer may recommend that you gather:
- Driver’s Information
- All Medical Documentation
- Any Additional Documentation Outlining Your Expenses
- Photographs or Videos of Your Injuries
- Police Reports
- Eyewitness Information
Tip #4: Contact Your Insurance Company
You will need to contact your insurance company to report the accident after you’ve spoken with a Chatsworth, CA motorcycle accident lawyer. While they may attempt to elicit a statement from you, it’s important to remember that doing so without first consulting a motorcycle accident lawyer can put you at a disadvantage.
Motorcycle accidents are traumatic, amidst the physical pain, a motorcycle accident can also result in severe emotional damages. Facing such an onslaught of issues in addition to medical bills that are piling up and missed time away from work can be incredibly stressful. For the help you deserve, contact our firm today.
How are damages determined for a motorcycle accident injury claim?
Motorcycle accidents are fairly common, though the severity of the accident and the damages incurred varies widely. When the accident causes the motorcycle rider an injury, the damage cost usually escalates dramatically. This is because medical treatment is expensive, and a serious injury can have catastrophic consequences for the motorcyclist.
When our Chatsworth, CA motorcycle accident lawyer accepts a case, one of the first priorities is to determine the damages suffered by the rider and the financial value of each damage. Once the value of the case is worked out, our motorcycle accident lawyer files an injury claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. After the insurer reviews the claim, they will either deny the claim or else offer an amount of money to settle the claim.
Very often they will offer an amount that is less than they are actually willing to pay. Our motorcycle accident lawyer in Chatsworth, CA will enter into a negotiation process to increase the insurer’s offer. If the insurer is unwilling to pay a reasonable settlement, our motorcycle accident lawyer may recommend to our client that they pursue a lawsuit against the at-fault driver and their insurance company in order to recover their damages. However, a lawsuit is rarely necessary when our motorcycle accident lawyer represents a client because in most cases they can negotiate a fair settlement.
What damages can I expect to recover from my motorcycle accident?
After a review of your case by our motorcycle accident lawyer from the law offices of Barry P. Goldberg, you will have a clear understanding of what injury-related damages you suffered in the collision are compensable. They can greatly vary from one accident to the next, but some types of damages are more common than others in motorcycle accidents. Here is a shortlist of damages that are usually recoverable after a motorcycle accident lawyer files a claim on behalf of their client:
- Medical treatment costs for injuries suffered in the accident. This may include future medical treatment costs as well as what has already been performed.
- Over-the-counter and prescription medication costs, including refills as ordered by the motorcyclist’s physicians.
- Physical rehabilitation.
- The amount of income that the motorcyclist has lost because their injury prohibits them from working.
When should I seek medical treatment?
Even if you feel fine immediately following the motorcycle crash, pain from your injuries can sometimes begin days afterward. You should always seek medical treatment as soon as you can after being involved in a motorcycle accident. Make an appointment with your primary care physician, and if you are in pain don’t hesitate to visit the emergency room. Your health should be your number one priority at this time, so don’t hesitate to seek medical assistance even if you’re unsure of whether or not you’re injured. Speaking with a Chatsworth, CA motorcycle accident lawyer can wait until after your wellbeing has been evaluated.
Evidence
After your motorcycle accident, try and obtain the following list of information:
- The police officer’s name, badge number, and the police report number
- The other party’s full name, contact information, and insurance information
- The make, model, license plate number, and VIN number of all vehicles involved
- Names and contact information for any witnesses to the accident
In addition, be sure to take multiple photos of the motorcycle and of all other vehicles involved, if you can. If you’re not in a position to gather this information, your Chatsworth, CA motorcycle accident lawyer will ensure that all relevant information is collected as soon as possible.
Dealing with Insurance Companies
Insurance adjusters may try to pressure you into quickly accepting a settlement that won’t even come close to covering your medical expenses, let alone compensate you for your pain and suffering. Dealing with the insurance companies involved in a motorcycle crash can be a daunting task. The best move is to speak with a Chatsworth, CA motorcycle accident lawyer who will negotiate with your insurer and the other party’s insurance company on your behalf to maximize your recovery.
If you would like to know more about the damages you are eligible to recover from a negligent driver, contact the law offices of Barry P. Goldberg to speak with a motorcycle accident lawyer Chatsworth, CA clients recommend to have your case reviewed.