Answering Some Fairly Routine Questions About Motorcycle Accident Lawsuits
A motorcycle accident can be an event that has instant life-changing repercussions due to the severe injuries that can result from these accidents. Not surprisingly, many motorcycle accidents will end up with people working through the legal system. Unfortunately, many individuals have a fairly underdeveloped understanding when it concerns these lawsuits. To help you with making sound choices for your legal needs, you will want to make sure that you understand the answers to a few common questions concerning motorcycle accident lawsuits.
Can You Still Pursue A Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit If You Failed To Wear A Helmet During The Accident?
There is a common misunderstanding that people will be unable to pursue damages against the party responsible for the accident if you were not wearing a helmet at the time of the incident. While it is often a legal requirement to wear a helmet when operating a motorcycle on public roads, it must be noted that failing to comply with this requirement will not bar you from pursuing damages. Rather, the judge or jury will be tasked with evaluating the approximate damages that were directly caused by your failure to wear the helmet. For this reason, wearing a helmet is the safety-conscious and legally sound decision to make.
How Are Deaths And Permanent Medical Needs Addressed?
Depending on the severity of the motorcycle accident, it is possible that you will face ongoing medical needs. Not surprisingly, these needs can be extremely expensive, but they may be a requirement for you to live or minimize the pain that you experience. When this type of care is required, the estimated future costs of the care can be claimed in the lawsuit. As a result, you may be eligible to receive compensation to cover these potentially crushing expenses.
Will The Courts Appoint An Attorney For Those Who Are Unable To Afford To Hire One?
Many individuals may be under the impression that they do not have the money necessary to hire an attorney to pursue these cases. As a result, they may think that the courts will appoint an attorney to their case, but this is only applicable when individuals are facing criminal charges. Luckily, this does not have to prevent you from pursuing these matters or having professional representation. Most motorcycle accident attorneys operate under a contingency fee. These fees are structured so that you are only responsible for paying legal expenses in the event that the attorney can obtain compensation for your claim. Furthermore, these professionals will often cover the expenses necessary to pursue the matter until the case can be settled. At the end of the proceedings, the attorney's fee as well as the court expenses required to pursue the case will simply be deducted from the final settlement or verdict.