In case you have suffered an injury because of a two-wheeler accident, the situation can be very chaotic and the pain can be unbearable during the time after the accident. The role of the motorcycle accident attorney is sometimes the turning point which determines whether you get just a small insurance payout or a full and fair recovery – this is particularly true when the case involves injuries, lost wages, or long-term care. In this blog, we will cover when and why you should hire a motorcycle accident lawyer, what the claims process looks like, and how to increase your probability of getting justice and receiving the right compensation.
The Role of a Motorcycle Accident Attorney
When you hire a motorcycle accident attorney, you get more than just the guy who files paperwork on your behalf. These professionals are often involved in:
Investigating the Crash & Establishing Liability
- Collecting police reports, witness testimonies, traffic camera or surveillance videos, pictures of the accident scene.
- Rebuilding the accident: sometimes with the help of accident reconstruction specialists to illustrate precisely what occurred – quite beneficial when insurers attempt to change fault.
- Thinking about additional responsible parties: besides other motorists – poor road condition, debris, defective motorcycle parts, or local government (in case road maintenance was poor) are also involved.
Handling Insurance Companies & Legal Procedures
- Handling insurance professionals who might in fact try to reduce the amount of money paid to you. An attorney takes care of the legal side of the communication, makes sure that the deadlines are respected, and that you are not put under pressure to accept early low payments.
- Submitting claims or lawsuits, creating documents, overseeing the whole legal process.
- Settlements discussions or trial if this is the only choice left. Being good at negotiating or being ready for court can really increase your chances of receiving the compensation you deserve.
Calculating & Recovering Full Compensation
A capable lawyer will not only look at direct costs – he will also take into account everything you might need in the aftermath of an accident:
- Medical costs that have already been incurred plus those that will be incurred (hospital bills, rehabilitation, therapy)
- Wages not received and reduced earning ability when injuries make it impossible for you to go back to work or affect your future employment chances.
- The pain and suffering, emotional distress, and the lowering of one’s standard of living (especially in cases of disfigurement, permanent disability, or very serious injuries like spinal damage or traumatic brain injury).
- Damage to property, including the costs of repairing or replacing the motorcycle itself.
Hiring a motorcycle accident attorney often means you don’t just settle for covering immediate bills - you get help fighting for your full long-term recovery and future security.
Why “Specialized” Lawyers Often Do Better
Motorbike accidents are often subject to intricate liability disputes that carry with them a bias, as in the case of the latter, where many insurers or jury members have already formed an opinion about bikers. Therefore, an attorney specialized in motorbike litigation will often be more successful than a universal personal injury one. He will be aware of the most frequent traps, the tactics of the defenses, and the proper way to present the biker’s case.

What Makes Motorcycle Accident Cases Unique and Difficult
More significantly, motorcycle accidents are legally and factually more complex as compared to regular car accidents. Here’s why:
Bias Against Riders & Prejudices
Motorcyclists are often considered to be reckless by insurance companies and, at times, by law enforcement or juries. Such bias may influence police reports, liability estimates, or settlement offers. A lawyer specialized in this area is essential in providing the legal strategy and robust proof to combat those stereotypes.
Complex Liability – More Than Just “Who Hit Who”
Liability may involve more than just the other driver; it can include several parties. An accident can also be caused by defective parts, improper maintenance of roads, or environmental factors (such as loose gravel or potholes). Determining these requires extensive investigation, expert testimony, and sometimes even litigation.
Hidden or Long-Term Injuries & Costs
Among the different types of motorcycle accidents, the injuries sustained, spinal cord, and brain injuries (TBI), soft tissue injury, etc., are those which do not always demonstrate their impacts right away. Healing may take some time, even years. Hence, the victims without a lawyer to consider future medical expenses, lost salary, and reduced earning ability, will probably be accepting settlements that are much lower than their real needs.
Aggressive Insurance Tactics and Difficult Negotiations
Insurance firms usually prefer to coerce victims into accepting early payoffs – even if the total injuries and damages are not yet appraised. Such a situation may lead to a claim being valued much lower than it deserves. However, attorneys not only assist in rejecting such offers but also ensuring that the victims get just compensation.
How Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Typically Charge
The cost is probably the main issue for those who suffered in a crash but, on the other hand, most motorcycle accident lawyers charge fees that can be worked around the financially strained people.
Contingency Fee (No Win, No Fee) – The Most Common Model
With such an agreement, typically you don’t have to pay anything right away. The attorney’s charge is a portion of the settlement or judgment – quite often approximately 33%, but occasionally going up to 40%, depending on how complicated the case is and at what point it is in the process. So, you are charged only in case of victory – thus taking off the financial burden from you.
Other Fee Models: Hourly or Flat, But Less Common
Certain attorneys or law practices might invoice either by the hour or set amounts for certain services (consultation, paperwork, minor injury claims). In case of hourly rates, they can vary from approximately $100 to $500 per hour. Nonetheless, for major motorbike accident claims, contingency agreements are still the common practice since they make lawyers’ interests coincide with yours in terms of getting compensation.
Additional Costs to Be Aware Of
The following expenses may still be incurred even when lawyers are on a contingency basis:
- Acquisition of medical records, police, and accident reports
- Experts’ or accident reconstruction specialists’ fees.
- Filing fees, deposition fees, and evidence processing in court.
There are two types of law firms that deal with this matter differently; some will initially cover these expenditures and later take them out of the settlement; others will either demand the clients to pay them at the beginning or request the payment later on. The matter should be made precise before entering into a contract.
Cost vs. Value: Why Hiring a Lawyer Often Pays Off
Due to the intricate nature of motorcycle accident claims, victims who have legal representation through attorneys usually get much larger settlements than unrepresented victims – sometimes even 3 to 3.5 times more. This trend of higher settlements usually more than covers the cost of hiring an attorney and other expenses, thus making it financially sensible to seek legal representation.
The Right Time to Get Legal Help
Immediately After a Crash (If Injuries or Damages Exist)
In case your accident caused harm, hospitalization expenses, income loss, or property damage, it is generally better to get legal advice without delay. A lawyer’s early participation will save the evidence (pictures, testimonies of witnesses, and the video of the traffic), will make sure the notices or lawsuits needed are filed in time, and will also protect you from the quick settlement offers coming from the insurance companies.
When Insurance Companies Contact You Quickly or Offer Early Settlement
An insurance company ringing you up shortly after the accident, asking to get a signed statement, or insisting on a fast settlement – these are usually warning signs. Taking the offer early can imply that you are surrendering your rights to recover the entire amount of damages. A skilled lawyer can take care of the talks and inform you when the proposals are reasonable (or not).
If Liability is Complex or Disputed
In cases where more than one party could be to blame, like the other driver, the road maintenance authority, or the manufacturer, it will be essential to have comprehensive legal work to determine who is legally responsible. Normally, this is a tough task without the assistance of an attorney.
For Severe Injuries or Long-Term Impact
In case of grave injuries – fractures, internal trauma, probable disability – you will probably endure a long-term medical expense, less salary, and possibly even a disabled state. In such scenarios, an attorney makes sure that future damages (not only immediate bills) are taken into account.
Key Qualities to Evaluate in an Attorney
| What to Check | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Experience with motorcycle accident cases | Specialized cases require knowledge of typical crash patterns, liability issues, and defense strategies relevant to riders. |
| Track record of settlements/verdicts | Past success (especially in serious injury cases) suggests the firm can handle complex claims and negotiate effectively. |
| Free initial consultation / contingency fee structure | Enables you to evaluate your case without financial risk or upfront payment. |
| Willingness to handle full case workload (investigation, experts, trial if required) | Good representation means being ready for trial if insurers won’t settle fairly. |
| Clear communication and realistic expectations | You deserve transparency about possible outcomes, costs, timelines — avoid firms that overpromise. |
Questions You Should Ask Your Attorney Before Hiring
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“What percentage of your cases go to trial vs settle out of court?”
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“Do you front investigation and expert-witness costs, or will I be asked to pay upfront?”
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“Have you handled cases similar to mine (injury type, liability issues)?”
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“What is your typical contingency fee scale depending on case complexity or stage?”
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“How will you communicate with me throughout the process?”
Why Choosing the Right Attorney Early Matters
It is better to have a well-prepared lawyer after an accident before anything else, because there will be a better evidence preservation, your legal rights will be safer, and your case is likely to be stronger – primarily when it comes to battles for just compensation.
FAQs About Motorcycle Accident Attorneys & Claims
Do I really need a lawyer after a motorcycle accident?
Generally speaking, in cases where the motorcycle accident caused hurt, hospital treatment, loss of income or big damage to the property, hiring a lawyer is always the best choice because he or she can help take back a lot more than you would be able to if you were alone. In fact, most victims who do not seek legal help get stuck with unreasonably small settlements.
How much will it cost me to hire one?
The majority of motorcycle accident lawyers charge through a contingency-fee arrangement, which signifies that they will only receive their payment in case they win or settle your lawsuit. The usual fees are approximately 33% to 40% of the amount recovered. In the event that your case does not succeed, in most instances you will not have to pay anything in legal fees (however, there may still be some related costs).
What kinds of damages can I claim?
You may be eligible for:
- Medical expenses (both previous and prospective)
- Income loss / decreased earning potential
- Physical and mental suffering / emotional distress / worsened quality of life
- Damage to property (bicycle repair or replacement)
Can I still get compensation if I was partially at fault?
Yes – in numerous places, shared fault will not instantly rule you out. It is possible that your compensation will be decreased according to your portion of the fault. A skilled lawyer can assist in making the case that your liability should be the least possible.
When should I contact a lawyer after the accident?
ASAP – preferably right after the accident if anyone got hurt or if there is a lot of damage. Contacting early keeps the proof, filing time, and the possibility of being pushed to a settlement by the insurance companies at the right time.
What if the insurer offers a quick settlement – should I take it?
Not before getting a lawyer’s advice. Insurance firms frequently try to settle quickly to keep their payouts small – before the total of injuries, future medical treatments, and lost wages is fully calculated. An attorney can assist in explaining whether that proposal really covers your future requirements.

Kohan & Bablove Injury Attorneys was founded by three former defense attorneys who were tired of helping insurance companies and big corporations save money by paying the least amount possible to resolve claims. We wanted to open a law firm where we could use our years of experience handling the toughest and largest claims to benefit the individual. Each of us were tired of being cogs in the wheel that focused on paying the least amount possible to injured persons regardless of injuries or the validity of their claims.