Do I Need an Attorney for My Motorcycle Accident in Kansas City?

Being involved in a motorcycle accident can be a devastating experience. A car offers you at least some protection during a wreck, thanks to the frame of the vehicle. You’re far more vulnerable on a motorcycle, which does not offer the same protection in a crash.

The death rate for motorcycle accidents is approximately 27 times greater than the death rate for car accidents. Even if you survive a motorcycle accident, you may suffer serious injuries. These injuries will likely require significant medical treatment; they may prevent you from working and earning an income.

Missouri is an at-fault state for car insurance. If someone else’s negligence caused your motorcycle accident, you might have a personal injury claim against their insurer. If they’re uninsured or their insurer won’t offer proper compensation, you could be eligible to file a personal injury lawsuit.

You may wonder if you should hire an attorney to help you pursue compensation after a Kansas City motorcycle accident. 

An attorney can improve your chances of securing fair compensation in the following critical ways:

Investigating Your Accident

You need to prove another party caused your accident to recover compensation. This may require conducting an investigation.

Most individuals don’t have the funds, resources, or skills to conduct an investigation on their own. This is one of the top reasons to hire an attorney after a motorcycle accident. A law firm can investigate the scene of the accident, interview witnesses, and more to gather evidence for your claim.

Keep in mind that the negligent party who caused your accident might not be the only one responsible for your injuries. For example, if an accident occurred because of a vehicle defect, the designer or manufacturer may be liable for your damages. An attorney can help you identify all parties responsible for compensating you.

Handling Paperwork & Administrative Tasks

Gathering evidence to prove negligence is just one task in the claims process. 

Other tasks may include:

  • Documenting your losses
  • Coordinating with doctors
  • Filing paperwork by deadlines
  • Corresponding with insurance adjusters

These processes can be demanding. A personal injury lawyer can handle these tasks on your behalf while you focus on recovering from your injuries. They’ll also advise you on how to avoid making any mistakes that could limit your chances of recovering compensation.

Comparative Fault

It’s common for multiple parties to share fault for an accident, including an accident victim. You can still pursue some compensation even if you contributed to your accident. Missouri’s pure comparative fault law will simply reduce your compensation to account for your share of the blame. 

For example, suppose you have $75,000 in damages after your motorcycle accident. However, a jury finds that you were 20% responsible for the crash. You would recover $61,000 of your damages (80%) instead of the full $75,000.

Negotiating

Insurance companies aren’t charities or nonprofit organizations; they are businesses. If an insurer can avoid paying you, they will.

Insurance companies often encourage their insurance adjusters to look for reasons to justify denying claims. If they can’t deny a claim outright, an adjuster will often offer a low settlement package.

You don’t need to settle for less than your claim is worth. An attorney cannot guarantee you a certain amount of money for your claim. However, they can negotiate a settlement in your best interest, one that compensates you for your damages fully.

Additionally, many personal injury lawyers use contingency fees. That means they won’t charge any fees unless they recover compensation for you first. Hiring an injury attorney in Kansas City after a motorcycle crash can maximize your odds of settling for an appropriate sum or being awarded damages in court.

Contact Our Motorcycle Accident Law Firm For Help Today

For more information, please contact Bradley Law Personal Injury Lawyers at your nearest location to schedule a free case evaluation today.

St. Louis Office
1430 Washington Ave Suite #226 St. Louis, MO 63103
(314) 400-0000

Kansas City Office
1509 NE Parvin Rd, Suite A., Kansas City, MO 64116
(816) 408-3448

Or if you would prefer to reach out to us online, please visit our contact us page.