How To Find The Best Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

A motorcycle accident can happen in a matter of seconds.

California ranks No. 1 in the United States for total number of motorcycles on the road. Nearly 800,000 are registered, and many are used all year round. Florida, Texas, and Ohio are some of the other states well known for motorcycles, but Ohio barely clears half of California’s number.

Add high population density and areas of severe traffic congestion and you have a serious problem.

Despite the high visibility of motorcycles in the Golden State, many motorists are not aware of the safest ways to share the road. The average motorcyclist is aged 48 and has more than 20 years of experience. That means many millions of accidents are caused not by the motorcyclist, but by other drivers.

Many drivers of cars, trucks, vans, and SUVs do not know what to expect from motorcycles and may not act in reasonable ways when they need to make quick decisions in traffic. And that could lead to serious accidents. In 2019, motorcycle fatalities accounted for 14% of all motor vehicle crashes in the United States.

That number was more than double the total for motorcyclist deaths in 1997.

In large urban centers like Sacramento, the potential for fatal accidents is heightened. The notorious Capital City Freeway is the site of frequent accidents, including fatalities. Any way you look at it, motorcycle operators need to be especially vigilant when they are driving here in the Golden State.

Knowing that, it’s crucial to get a good motorcycle accident lawyer like ours at The Weinberger Law Firm if you are in a crash.

Why You Need A Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Sacramento Motorcyclists Can Count On

Even if you are not injured in your crash, it is critical to get in contact with a motorcycle accident lawyer.

Under the U.S. Constitution, Americans are innocent until proven guilty. However, there is often an unspoken presumption of guilt when motorcyclists are summoned to court. Too many people – including some judges – subscribe to the old-fashioned idea that motorcycle riders are impulsive and irresponsible.
Of course, this is 2021, not 1921. Antique notions about motorcycle gangs no longer hold sway over the public imagination the way they once did. Even so, motorcyclists will often find themselves needing to take extra steps to show that they did not contribute to an accident. In this cause, a good lawyer is their best ally.

In the course of a hearing, a motorcyclist may be called upon to show:

That the motorcycle was in sound condition and has received regular maintenance
That the motorcyclist operated the vehicle in a responsible way and was not impaired
That the motorcyclist took action to drive defensively and reduce the odds of a crash

It would be something of an overstatement to say that every driver involved in an accident is held to the same exacting standards. This is even true if you, as a party to the accident, have sustained injuries with significant costs in medical bills or lost wages. Even if you have no plans to sue, you may still need a lawyer.

Is all of this true here in Sacramento? You’d best believe it!

Sacramento is one of the best places to live, in one of the most forward-looking states in the United States. But even so, you could find yourself dealing with officers of the court who make assumptions about you as a motorcyclist. The No. 1 duty of your motorcycle accident lawyer is to protect your legal rights.

And not just any California personal injury lawyer will do.

You want one who understands your situation and will fight for you.

Finding A Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Sacramento Trusts

There are thousands of California personal injury attorneys out there.

But as a motorcyclist navigating the aftermath of an accident, take special care to choose the right one. Yes, it is important to reach out to a lawyer as soon as possible – ideally no more than 72 hours after the accident. But it is just as vital to the outcome of your case that you find the best lawyer for you.

The research you’re doing right now is a valuable first step.

Here’s how to make sure you’ve got a motorcycle accident lawyer Sacramento motorcyclists can really rely on:

Gather Information About the Circumstances of Your Accident
The first thing to do after any accident is see a doctor. This helps make sure you haven’t suffered a concussion or internal injury that might worsen over time. Next is to document what you remember about the accident, but do not share this information or even mention it to anyone except a law firm. This is for your own reference and may help if you need to recount the details of the event in the future. Don’t rely on your memory alone!
Start in Your Local Area
It’s always best to see a lawyer within about an hour of your location. Not only is this convenient and easier for you, it also means your lawyer should know local laws inside and out. Local ordinances established by the city of Sacramento can affect your case in ways you might not expect. While you could work with a lawyer from any part of California, this extra layer of protection will serve you well in the long run.
Expect Professionalism
Attorneys should be held to the highest standards of professionalism. In this day and age, that starts with their website. Does it look trustworthy? Are there clear, complete explanations about the lawyer’s credentials and what he or she can do for you? Is contacting them easy? If you call and leave a message, do you get a response quickly? All of this helps you know whether a lawyer will give you the time and attention you deserve.
Look at Reviews and Testimonials
Many successful lawyers have testimonials on their websites from satisfied clients. However, you should also look at third-party websites such as Yelp. Business owners can’t control what reviewers post on these sites. You can also use the attorney search function on the State Bar of California website to make sure the lawyer is fully licensed to practice in your area and find out about any serious complaints on their record.
Get Your Questions Ready
Before you sit down with a lawyer – whether in the office, on the phone, or by video – be sure you know what questions you want to ask. There may be many things you don’t know, but your own concerns should always serve as a starting point. The lawyer you work with should be willing and able to give you complete answers to your questions and not make you wait to talk to an office staff member instead.
Don’t Be Afraid to Talk to More Than One Lawyer
Remember, you are not committed just because you have spent some time talking to a lawyer. You need to sign an agreement before attorney-client confidentiality exists between you. You have the right to talk to as many law firms as you wish. You can even ask for a second opinion on what you’ve been told previously.

For advice from a Sacramento lawyer you can trust, contact us.