We Explain Why a Kirkland Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Is Crucial to Your Injury Claim
If you or a loved one was injured in a collision, you have a challenging road ahead of you physically, emotionally, and financially. However, relying on experienced legal representation takes the pressure off you to handle critical case details such as investigating the accident, assigning value to damages, and negotiating with insurance companies. It takes intention and preparation to find the right motorcycle accident lawyer for your case, including knowing the right questions to ask. At Max Meyers Law, we strive to provide trusted information you can use to make the best decision for your situation. Here’s what we recommend for choosing an attorney for your injury claim.
What a Motorcycle Accident Attorney Can Do for You
After you’re hurt in a motorcycle accident, it shouldn’t be your responsibility to manage both your recovery and the claims process. This is especially true if your injuries and property damage are particularly severe, or there’s a question of liability.
While you may already have a family attorney who you depend on to handle certain legal aspects in your life, most don’t specialize in personal injury cases. This experience is critical for a motorcycle accident claim.
A personal injury attorney who understands the challenges bikers face after a crash performs a valuable role in protecting your rights and seeking compensation. They should be able to: 
- Gather evidence that proves negligence.
- Estimate the value of your economic and non-economic damages.
- File a claim or lawsuit on your behalf.
- Continue to develop your case through the discovery process.
- Negotiate a settlement agreement with an insurance company.
- Take your case to trial if you cannot reach a proper resolution.
Every attorney tells you they’ll stand up and fight for you when the insurance company tries to compromise your legal rights. But it’s important to remember that once you file an injury claim, this is your only chance to receive financial compensation for the wrongdoing you suffered. Before you settle on legal representation, it’s crucial to do as much preparation as you can under the circumstances.
How to Search for a Kirkland Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
The aftermath of a motorcycle wreck is overwhelming, and having to get involved in the legal process makes it even more so without the proper guidance. Do your best to thoroughly research potential attorneys. Here are some tips:
- Review professional directories. To find different lawyers and their contact information, the Washington State Bar Association has an online directory of individuals licensed to practice here.
- Ask family members and friends for recommendations. Someone who you know and trust may have direct experience working with a personal injury attorney. Although not every case is the same, their input may be helpful regarding what it’s like to work with a particular law firm, the lawyer’s communication style, and how they strategize on cases.
- Search online for references. In this instance, it’s best to consider objective reviews from actual clients. Sources like Google and Yelp contain objective third-party reviews that aren’t curated or solicited.
Take Advantage of an Attorney’s Free Initial Consultation
Most personal injury lawyers offer a free consultation. This is the perfect opportunity to have someone review aspects of your case and determine its viability and worth—and for you to determine whether you want a particular firm to represent you. However, you and your family need to be prepared for this initial meeting, as you’ll often only have 30–60 minutes of a lawyer’s time.
Here are just a few questions we recommend you outline in advance to make the most of this consultation and give you a good idea of what to expect from an attorney’s approach:
- How many years have you practiced Washington State motorcycle personal injury law?
- How familiar are you with current motorcycle laws?
- Are you a rider or do you have a good understanding of a biker’s lifestyle?
- What type of investigation and discovery do you conduct in cases like these?
- Based on this general assessment, how will you determine the negligent party’s liability and evaluate my damages?
- With the facts available so far, what might hurt my case?
- How do you structure a motorcycle accident case to meet filing deadlines and estimate the time for resolution?
- Do you have trial experience in these types of cases and if so, what was the typical outcome?
- What is the percentage of cases successfully resolved through negotiated settlement compared to by trial?
- Do you work on a contingency fee basis or are there upfront costs? What other fees will I be responsible for and when?
Remember: customer service matters when you’re choosing a motorcycle accident attorney. You’ll work with them for an extended amount of time because claim settlements don’t happen overnight. So also ask about the lawyer’s communication style and response time to calls and emails.
Pay very close attention to how your attorney speaks to you during the free initial consultation. They should explain aspects of the law in terms you understand—you want to trust that they’ll guide you through the legal process with sensitivity and compassion.
Why Experience Matters in Kirkland Motorcycle Accident Cases
These can be high-stakes legal affairs, so you want to hire an attorney who has specific knowledge of the unique factors of these accident claims. Here’s why:
- All too often, an insurance company’s strategy to reduce or deny compensation is to blame motorcyclists for the accident. You need legal counsel who can anticipate this tactic and present comprehensive evidence of their client’s negligence.
- You also want an attorney who knows how to work with expert witnesses to value your damages because motorcycle accident claimants, on average, are more seriously hurt than others involved in motor vehicle crashes.
- Additionally, ask about the attorney's litigation style and how they typically handle cases. Although there’s not a one-size-fits-all style that’s right for every motorcycle accident case, some are more likely than others to take cases all the way to trial and fight until the very end. In the end, your goal is to get a fair settlement or award.
Qualified Testimonials Help You Decide, Too
Consider how your potential attorney has served clients in the past by paying close attention to testimonials. Although previous results they’ve obtained for other clients might not have a direct bearing on your case, it’s always helpful to know that people just like you trusted a particular firm and achieved rightful outcomes.
At Max Meyers Law, our dedicated team strives to uphold our values in every client interaction with deep legal knowledge of personal injury cases, steadfast integrity, and exceptional customer service. After your initial consultation with us, you’ll understand why countless clients have trusted us with their futures.