Find The Best Motorcycle Accident Lawyer In San Francisco, CA

How Much Does a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Cost in San Francisco, CA?

California allows motorcycle accident lawyers to charge a contingency fee. Since this fee structure benefits lawyers and injured clients alike, you will find that most personal injury lawyers offer it.

A contingency fee is based on the outcome of your case. In other words, you only pay when your legal situation is resolved. Specifically, you will owe a percentage of the compensation recovered at trial or in a settlement. You put forward no legal fees if your lawyer fails to win or settle your case.

There is no standard contingency fee. The State Bar of California requires all fees, including contingency fees, to be reasonable. As a result, you could see contingency fees varying from 25% to 40%, depending on the lawyer’s abilities and the difficulty of the case.

How to Hire a San Francisco, CA Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Referrals are among the most common ways many lawyers get new clients. If you know someone who has pursued an injury claim, ask about their lawyer. If you do not know anyone who has used a personal injury attorney, consider contacting a lawyer referral service like ConsumerShield.

After you gather some names, schedule a few free consultations to interview lawyers before picking one. Try to schedule a consultation with more than one lawyer so you can compare their approaches.

Ask questions during your consultations, such as:

• How much do you charge?
• What experience do you have in cases like mine?
• What do you expect to happen in my case?
• How often will you provide updates to me?

Pick a lawyer who has knowledge and experience. Also, look for a lawyer with good communication and client-handling skills. Remember that your case could take time to resolve. You should choose a lawyer you feel comfortable working with.

Average Motorcycle Accident Settlement in San Francisco, CA

There is no average settlement amount for San Francisco or even California, but you can get an idea of what you stand to recover by examining the national average motorcycle accident settlement — which is about $99,000.

However, every case is unique, which means the settlement you might expect can vary widely. The primary factors that will affect the compensation you can recover include the:

• At-fault driver’s policy limits
• Severity of your injuries
• Impact of your injuries on your ability to work

Severe injuries that cause long-term or permanent disabilities will often justify larger motorcycle accident settlements than minor injuries.

Filing a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit in California

California’s statute of limitations gives riders two years to file a lawsuit. Thus, in most cases, you will have time to pursue an insurance claim before a lawsuit. If the claim is accepted, you’ll recover compensation without filing a motorcycle accident lawsuit.

An insurance claim describes how the insured driver caused your motorcycle accident injuries. The insurer will review the evidence, including a statement from its customer and the accident report, to decide whether to accept the claim or deny liability.

Your lawyer will negotiate a payout if the insurer accepts liability. You and your attorney will discuss whether to file a lawsuit if the insurer denies the claim.

How Does a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit Work in San Francisco?

A lawsuit begins with a complaint. This filing explains the basis of your lawsuit to the court and the opposing party. The purpose of litigation is to gather evidence and present it to a judge or jury in order to resolve your legal dispute.

Thus, the bulk of the lawsuit will be spent exchanging documents with the at-fault driver and taking witness depositions. As you approach trial, the lawyers will file motions so the judge can decide what evidence the lawyers can present.

Many cases settle before reaching trial. However, if yours does not, your lawyer will present your evidence to a jury. This panel of ordinary people will determine whether your evidence proves the other driver’s negligence.

Typically, your lawyer will include anything that shows the driver’s lack of reasonable care. Some common behaviors that might constitute negligence include failing to yield at intersections, tailgating and distracted driving.

The driver can also present defenses like comparative negligence. Under this doctrine, the opposing lawyer will try to prove that your negligence contributed to your injuries. For example, if you broke California’s helmet law by riding helmetless, you might bear some fault for any head injuries.

California has replaced contributory negligence with comparative negligence. This means you can still recover compensation if you were partially at fault for your injuries. However, the court will reduce your damages in proportion to your share of the blame.

Types of Motorcycle Accident Cases in San Francisco, CA

Motorcyclists are overrepresented in fatal traffic crashes. One way to categorize motorcycle accident cases is by the outcome. If the rider dies in a collision, the family members can file a wrongful death lawsuit against the at-fault driver. If the rider survives, the rider can file a personal injury lawsuit against them.

Get Help Finding a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in San Francisco

If you suffered a serious injury in your motorcycle accident, you may have significant financial losses and expenses. ConsumerShield can help you understand your legal rights and find a lawyer for your case. Contact us for a free case evaluation and a lawyer referral.