Motorcycle accidents often result in severe injuries. If you or a loved one has recently been involved in a motorcycle accident and suffered injuries, it is important to speak with an experienced motorcycle attorney in order to learn about your legal rights. Choosing the right lawyer can make a huge difference in your case.
California motorcycle attorney Johann Hall has many years of experience fighting for his clients who have suffered personal injuries in motorcycle accidents. His practice also includes representation of clients in other types of personal injury cases. Contact our office today to learn more about your legal rights and to schedule a consultation to discuss your potential motorcycle personal injury case.
Helpful Questions to Ask When Hiring a Motorcycle Lawyer
It is often helpful to have an idea of the questions you want to ask an attorney that you are considering hiring for your motorcycle case prior to meeting with the attorney. Below you will find a list of questions you may want to ask a lawyer before you hire him or her to handle your motorcycle accident case.
1. How often do you handle motorcycle accident cases?
Since motorcycle accidents can result in serious and often devastating injuries, you will want to make sure that the attorney you hire to handle your case is familiar with these kinds of cases and understands how much your case may be worth. It is also important to hire a lawyer that has experience in this area so that he or she will be familiar with aspects of the law that often arise in motorcycle cases.
2. What will your attorney fees be?
Most personal injury lawyers charge a contingency fee, meaning that their fee is a certain percentage of your settlement or award that is only taken out when your case is resolved. Put another way, with this type of fee structure, you will not have to pay your lawyer any attorney fees if you lose.
Some attorneys do charge flat rate fees or may even ask certain expenses to be paid upfront, such as fees for a medical expert. Before you hire a lawyer, it is important for you to fully understand the fee structure that you are agreeing to. Do not be afraid to ask questions about the fees or request further clarification, as your potential attorney will want to make sure that you are both on the same page regarding fees prior to signing any paperwork.
3. Do you have any trial experience?
Another good question to ask an attorney before you hire them is whether or not they have trial experience—and if so, how much? While many personal injury cases settle at some point before the trial stage, you will want to make sure that you hire a lawyer from the start who has courtroom experience and who you can count on to take your case to trial, should the need arise. Familiarity with all stages of litigation and local practices are important.
4. How will I be able to reach you?
Availability is another important consideration when choosing an attorney to handle your motorcycle case. Though it is not very reasonable to expect your attorney to be available every time you call, it is reasonable to expect that your phone calls and emails will be returned promptly. When meeting with a potential attorney for your case, it is a good idea to ask them about their availability for your questions and for updates on your case. Different law offices have different office procedures, so you will want to find out how and when your questions will be resolved.
5. What can I expect regarding my case outcome?
While it is true that no one can predict the future, and your attorney will likely remind you of that to make sure you understand that there is no guarantee of expected compensation, your attorney should still be able to give you a general idea of what to expect regarding your case. There are some cases where liability is clear; while other cases may have a more challenging set of facts.
When you meet with an attorney who you are considering hiring to handle your motorcycle case, be upfront and honest about the facts of your case. At minimum, your attorney should be able to tell you whether your case may take some time to resolve and give you an idea of what to expect moving forward.
Contact California motorcycle attorney Johann Hall today to get started fighting for compensation for your personal injuries.