Accident, 30 years after the last one!..Attorney?

[gymbo87]

I was involved in an accident yesterday, when a person drove through a stop sign. I swerved and managed not to hit the car, but the bike and I hit pavement. Overall, I have to say I was very lucky, I only missed the car by about 18 inches. I believe a police officer monitoring traffic witnessed the accident, as he was right there with his bike, within seconds. Other witnesses also testified to negligence of the driver, so I believe fault won't be an issue on my part. My injuries consist of some road rash, soreness, and a fractured rib, not to mention the pain factor. Would it be wise to speak with an attorney in this matter? Can anyone share a positive experience with the larger nationaly advertised motorcycle attorneys, or would a private firm be more helpful?  ..Jimbo

[Momz]

GET A LAWYER NOW!
Your insurance and the car drivers insurance are gonns battle on that one.
Also check your medical insurance, for any lingering medical problems.

[Jeff K]

If you have yet to have an issue with recouping your losses. Why would you need to seek an attorney?
 ???

[Valker]

A lawyer will cost 30-40% of any settlement.

[tank_post142]

and you don't need to bother shutting the gate until the horse gets out. you don't really need to spend money on a condom until there's a good chance shes knocked up.

you'd probably do best to follow these guy's advise, after all insurance companies and lawyers are there to help you , the victim, rather than the any corporate interest or shareholder's money.

PLEASE NOTE: green is the universal color for sarcasm .

[art]

I had exactly the same thing happen to me on an 18 hour old Gold wing.GET A LAWYER.I didn't because the cage driver admitted guilt to the cops.I had the same injurys and got screwed by the Ins.co.GET A LAWYER

[Bonzo]

Lawyer up! Get a good one, don't accept anything more than 1/3-2/3!

[steve 3054]

WOW!!!   Is this what we have come to, a sue  crazy society???.  Sorry, but for me, your alive, a couple of bumps.  The insurance company should fix your bike.  You will heal.  Getting a check for $25,000 may make you feel better, but in the long run it will not be worth the trouble you will have to go thru to get it... just my 2 cents

[X Ring]

This isn't about suing anyone.  It's about making sure he doesn't get screwed over by the insurance companies. 

Marty

[sugerbear]

the lawyer should ask about "stacking" as my lawyer called it. and yes, your ins company will act like the other guys ins. give you as little as possible, no matter what your injuries/damage is.
it's now you against them. your ins company is NOT your friend.

[cookiedough]

If you have a decent insurance company especially local that you can sit down and talk to them about recouping all your medical visits/bills from the other drivers' insurance company and they go to bat for you, then I'd skip the lawyer if AFTER ONLY you go see a dr. to make sure no internal injuries or damage anywhere.  DO NOT sign anything and DO NOT settle on anything whether in writing or over the phone until you know your are o.k.

I am pretty sure you will get out of your cycle from the insurance company what is coming to you.  If not, ask for more with what you feel your cycle is worth to repair.

We were involved in an accident when a lady ran a stop sign and hit my dad's car going 30 mph.  My mom was in back seat and got whiplash and a sore neck for several months afterwards and went to dr.  The other driver's insurance company kept calling every week to see how my mom was since they were afraid they were going to sue them and ask for 100,000 dollars or more.  We are not like that but after several dozen times at calls and when my mom was feeling better from whiplash,  they offered like 6 grand in payment for pain and suffering and my parents took it.  At the end of the phone call, the lady with their insurance thanked my parents for settling on such a low amount since they have had instances where people ask for 100's of thousands of dollars for pain and suffering.  Agree that the world now is a sue first, ask questions later society and NOT the right thing to do.

Now, if the other insurance company is a total jerk and pisses you off, by all means let them have it and get a lawyer if they do not agree to a fair settlement for injuries, pain and suffering, and repair costs of cycle.  

Also, make darn sure you get a copy of the accident report the cop filled out because you will need it if ever you have to go to court to prove the other driver was at fault.  NEVER, EVER take the other driver's word that they have insurance and will pay for it since more times than not they do not have insurance or a dime to their name.  I had to go thru that once and so did my mother in law and both times the police accident report held up in a court of law and after say 10 months our claims were settled one way or the other to our satisfaction.  

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

This isn't about suing anyone.  It's about making sure he doesn't get screwed over by the insurance companies. 

Marty

Exactly. The insurance companies care about you the way a cat cares about a mouse. If you're an ABATE member they should have a preferred lawyer who is familiar with riders and offers a discount to ABATE members. At least that's how it works in Indiana.