Motorcycle accidents cause devastating injuries, long recoveries, and financial ruin. Victims who try to handle the legal process on their own commit mistakes that reduce the value of their claims. Additionally, insurance firms take advantage of the errors to provide low settlements.
In cities like Houston, located in Texas, many victims face these issues. Additionally, claiming compensation for a motorcycle accident in Houston can be challenging due to the complexity of the laws.
So it is important to get legal assistance after a motorcycle accident in Houston. An experienced motorcycle accident lawyer knows these traps and advises clients on how to avoid making costly mistakes that could deprive them of fair compensation.
Knowing the most common mistakes will enable you to understand why legal advice is so vital after an accident.
Missing Deadlines
One of the most common mistakes victims make is missing important deadlines. The statute of limitations varies from state to state and offers a finite window during which one can make a claim. A delay might lead to a loss of the right to recover in its entirety.
In fact, in cities like Houston, coping with such strict timelines can be especially challenging without expert guidance. A lawyer tracks these deadlines and submits all paperwork in the right form within deadlines.
Such proactive support helps protect your rights and prevents insurers from denying your claim on technical grounds.
Taking Low Settlements
Insurance companies are quick to offer settlement amounts, especially if they realize that the victims are in a financial bind. While the first offer seems sweet, it covers only a fraction of the medical expenses, lost wages, and ongoing care.
A motorcycle accident lawyer reviews the entire impact of the accident and negotiates a settlement that amounts to the real expenses. By avoiding settlements that are too quick, the victims have a better opportunity for equitable compensation.
Lack of Evidence
In order to prove fault and damages, there needs to be sufficient evidence in a motorcycle accident claim. Victims mostly fail to gather enough evidence or lose valuable information over time. Lawyers know what evidence is most persuasive, including:
- Police reports and witness statements
- Photos or videos of the scene of the accident
- Medical reports indicate that the causation of the injury
This evidence sustains liability and prevents insurers from denying or downgrading claims.
Miscommunication with Insurers
Directly dealing with insurance companies is risky. Adjusters may provide leading questions or distort statements to reduce payments. That said, some victims unknowingly disclose information that sabotages their claims.
A lawyer acts as a buffer, performing all communication and negotiations on behalf of the client. In this manner, whatever is stated shall not be used against them, and the insurer takes the claim seriously.
Takeaways
Here is a summary of the top mistakes a motorcycle accident lawyer can help you avoid;
- Failure to meet deadlines can result in a case being dismissed.
- Low settlement opportunities do not consider the actual value of injuries.
- Sufficient evidence is essential in establishing liability and damages.
- Attorneys avoid damaging miscommunication with insurers.
