If you’re a commuter or recreation rider, you may know that biking in Las Vegas can be an adrenaline-pumping experience. Like other forms of transit, though, motorbikes come with potential risks — sometimes, accidents happen in an instant.
Hiring a quality bike accident lawyer in Las Vegas can make all the difference in your journey to recovery. This article runs through key questions, considerations, and tips to ensure you’re making an informed decision. You will get everything you need to inform your decision-making.
1. Experience Is Everything
One of the most important things to think about when choosing the right bike accident lawyer is how much experience they have with biking cases in general. Any personal injury attorney can take your case, but one who works with just bike cases will have a better understanding of the particular issues unique to accidents on two wheels.
That attorney will be more apprised of bike laws and local traffic laws, and be better equipped to handle insurers who try to downplay your case. Ask any attorney you’re considering hiring about their experience with bike accidents. Have they taken cases like yours to trial or do they mostly settle out of court? Find out as much as you can about their background, as it concerns your type of accident.
2. Look for a Bike Accident Lawyer Who Knows Las Vegas Roads
Every city is different when it comes to traffic laws and the way car drivers respond to motorbike riders, and Vegas is no exception. An attorney who understands the way things work on the road, from how people drive at different times of day to where you’re most likely to see expressway accidents, will be able to answer any questions you might have.
When you talk to any attorney about your case, ask if they’ve handled other cases in the part of Las Vegas where your accident happened. They should understand the roadways in that area, including what the specific laws are for motorbike riders.
3. Check for Specialization in Personal Injury Law
Yes, you certainly want an experienced bike accident attorney, but you also want one who knows personal injury law. A talented attorney with a focus on personal injury cases will be well-versed in everything to do with your insurance claims, medical bills, and the specifics surrounding any pain and suffering you’re experiencing as a result of your accident.
Find a law firm that practices personal injury law — exclusively if possible. Only then can you know you’re hiring a lawyer with the knowledge and experience to address every aspect of a bike crash.
4. Assess Their Communication Skills
A qualified attorney needs to know how to communicate at every step of the legal process. Make sure this is someone who will listen, speak in terms that are easy to understand, and keep you up to date on how your case is progressing. After all, this is already a nerve-wracking time for you, and the last thing you need is an attorney who won’t take your calls or can’t tell you what’s going on with your case.
When you meet with a lawyer, listen to how they talk. Are they relatable? Do they show interest in your case? A good lawyer will make you feel welcome and instill confidence with good communication skills.
5. Evaluate Their Success Rate
Asking your lawyer what percentage of their cases were successful in the past is important. This is especially necessary if you’re looking to hire a lawyer to recover damages after you’ve been in a bike accident.
Ask the lawyer to provide similar cases and results. Keep in mind that while no lawyer can guarantee a settlement or decision in your favor, those with a history of success in cases similar to yours should have the knowledge and experience to try to earn you meaningful compensation.
6. Reputation Matters
When it comes to hiring this type of lawyer, you want to hear what the word on the street is about them. This is important because a lawyer can have a fancy-schmancy website with some out-of-this-world claims, and when you meet them, they can “wax poetic” about who they are and what they can do. This is a sales pitch that can be very different from the experience.
So you want to make sure you check out reviews, talk to some people in town, and maybe look up some cases and clients in their past and see what kind of experience they had with the lawyers you are looking at and, based on that, decide if they are for you!
7. Understand the Fee Structure
Legal fees can vary. The last thing you want is to be ignorant of how much an attorney charges when hiring one. Many personal injury lawyers, including a lot of those who handle bike accidents, work on a contingency. This means they only get paid when you receive a monetary award.
That payment would be a percentage of the settlement or verdict. Make sure you talk about the fee upfront and make sure it’s clearly stated in your contract. Having an open and transparent fee agreement before you hire a lawyer is a wise move. It can prevent any unsettling surprises down the line.
8. Consider the Bike Accident Lawyer’s Availability
If you’re hiring a lawyer, you want to know they have the time to devote to your case. After a bike accident, you need someone who can be on your side and make sure your case is a priority. If a lawyer is burning the midnight oil already, it means they have dozens of cases in the air and might not have the time to dedicate to your case as it needs.
Take the time to ask about their caseload. Any good lawyer will tell you if they can or can’t handle your caseload. If they do, however, they’ll work with you to make sure all parties involved in the case get the attention they need.
9. Trust Your Instincts
In the end, you know the right lawyer for your case in your gut and your heart. You want someone you feel comfortable with, a lawyer you can trust, and who you know has your back. Listen to your heart and pick someone who makes you feel at ease.
Navigating the Legal Process After a Bike Accident in Las Vegas
In Las Vegas, bike accidents are tricky, but the right legal team in your corner gets you the footing you need as you head down the road to recovery. Your bike accident lawyer in Las Vegas can shape the outcome of your case.
If you have a strong, smart, and experienced one by your side, it means having someone who can argue the case for you. Look for a lawyer that meets all of the above criteria and you’ll find someone that is right for you. You’ll be glad you took the time to go down this road.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws and regulations vary by jurisdiction and may change over time. Reading this article does not create an attorney-client relationship. For legal advice specific to your situation, consult a qualified attorney.
