Being injured in a motorcycle accident might take you out of commission for a while, and your bills may pile up while you are unable to work and earn an income. This is a challenging predicament for many accident victims, and you may seek justice through the civil courts. An experienced attorney can help you file an injury case against the person responsible for the accident.
Your attorney can help you explore various legal options, including lawsuits, insurance claims, settlements, and more. They should also assess your damages to determine how much your claims are worth. These damages may include economic losses, like medical bills, and non-economic injuries, like pain and suffering. To support your claims for damages, we need evidence showing how the defendant negligently caused the accident, which may be challenging depending on your case.
Call our motorcycle accident attorneys with the Law Office of John J. Sheehan at (617) 925-6407 and receive a free, private case assessment.
How An Attorney Can Help You After a Motorcycle Accident
Accident victims sometimes try to manage their legal claims alone, but this is usually not a good idea. The legal system may be more complex than you are prepared for, and an experienced attorney should help you navigate the system while protecting your rights and interests.
First, a qualified lawyer should help you explore legal options that can help you get fair compensation. No two cases are the same, and different plaintiffs might benefit from different legal options or strategies. You might find a lawsuit is the best option, or perhaps an insurance claim or a private settlement works better.
Second, your attorney should assist you in identifying and evaluating all your damages. Larger damages like steep medical bills and the cost of replacing your motorcycle might be obvious, but you might have other damages you have not thought of. Your lawyer will help you make the most of your claim and get the most compensation possible.
One of the most important parts of your case that your lawyer should help you with is legal paperwork. This might seem mundane, but paperwork and proper documentation are crucial parts of the judicial system. If paperwork is not filed the right way, your case might encounter hurdles or even grind to a halt.
Available Damages in Framingham Motorcycle Accident Cases
The damages in your case may vary based on how you are injured, what losses you suffer, and the mental and physical toll of your injuries. The more serious your injuries and damages, the greater your compensation may be.
Your economic damages represent your financial losses from the accident. Medical costs are known for being costly, and they might be obscenely expensive if your injuries need extensive care. Also, the cost of replacing your bike and other personal items should be accounted for. If your injuries prevent you from working, we should also include claims for lost earnings.
We must also consider non-economic damages, which tend to revolve around subjective personal experiences rather than monetary costs. Physical pain, mental turmoil, psychological trauma, and reductions in your quality of life might not come with a price tag, but they still deserve fair compensation.
Collecting Evidence and Records to Support Your Case
Evidence is the lifeblood of your case, without which your claims cannot possibly succeed. Finding strong evidence can be challenging, but it can be found in some surprising places.
Some evidence might be found at the scene of the accident. You might take photos of the aftermath and record videos of the surrounding area to preserve details about the crash. You might also find dashcam or security camera footage of the accident.
More evidence may come from the doctor and hospital that treated your injuries after the crash. Medical records may shed light on how you were hurt and the extent of your treatment costs. This may be very helpful in cases where plaintiffs expect to recover before they are in front of a jury, and their injuries might no longer be outwardly visible.
Do I Have to Have a Trial for a Motorcycle Accident Case in Framingham?
A trial is an opportunity for justice for some, but a legal headache for others. Whether you demand to have your day in court or you would rather explore other options, the need for a trial depends on your unique situation.
Generally, when an accident victim files a lawsuit for damages, they should expect to end up in court eventually. Trials do not often happen right away, and there may be numerous hearings and meetings before your trial date, but a trial will likely be on the court’s schedule.
Not every plaintiff takes their case to a full trial. Many cases end in settlement agreements, and the parties might never even see a jury or courtroom. If the parties reach a private settlement, there is no need for a trial, and plaintiffs waive their right to one and may not file one later if they change their minds.
How Criminal Charges Might Affect Your Motorcycle Accident Case
Some motorcycle accidents involve more than mere negligent behavior from defendants. Some people are criminally charged for causing the accident, depending on the circumstances.
If the defendant was under the influence of drugs or alcohol during the crash, they will likely be arrested and charged with a DUI. The police may conduct chemical testing to measure the driver’s blood alcohol concentration, which we can later use to support your civil claim for damages.
In other cases, negligent drivers flee the accident scene to avoid being caught by the police. Leaving the accident before the police arrive is a hit and run and may be met with serious criminal charges. Additionally, the police may need to investigate to determine the driver’s identity before you can take legal action against them.
Call Our Framingham Motorcycle Accident Attorneys for Support
Call our motorcycle accident attorneys with the Law Office of John J. Sheehan at (617) 925-6407 and receive a free, private case assessment.