Month: August 2022

Your life can change in an instant when someone else fails to see you on your motorcycle and causes a crash. An experienced lawyer can help you recover.

Motorcycle accidents often involve serious injuries and property damage. In fact, motorcycle riders are 29% more likely to die from a crash than passengers in other vehicles. When you are facing astronomical bills and an altered future, it can be hard to know what to do next. You need a motorcycle accident lawyer who understands what you’re going through and can assist you with a personal injury lawsuit.

At the Falcon Law Firm, we specialize in handling motorcycle accident cases and focus on providing the best legal representation available. We do the hard work of seeking compensation from those who may be liable so you can heal from your injuries. We also want you to understand more about how to select the right motorcycle accident lawyer for your case.

Contact us today at (732) 660-1200 for a free review and consultation. Our attorneys are here to protect your rights and pursue justice on your behalf while you focus on healing.

How Do I Find a Good Local Lawyer?

You should begin your search by looking for an attorney who has experience litigating motorcycle accident cases like yours. Ask other riders who have had accidents who they hired for help. An attorney who rides or frequently works for riders will have more in-depth knowledge of how motorcycle accidents are different from other vehicle crashes.

Your lawyer should be familiar with the special risks motorcycle riders face. Riders are frequently the victims of hit-and-run accidents, and often grievous injuries that extensive medical evaluation. For an individual who must be airlifted to a specialty hospital, or those who are in a coma after the accident, the full amount of damage may not be apparent for weeks. Hiring a personal injury lawyer who regularly works with motorcycle riders can be critical to ensuring your injuries are fully treated for as long as needed.

Motorcycle riders also face a risk of crashing from bad road or weather conditions. In some instances, what seems like a simple case of a rider losing control may actually form the basis of a lawsuit against other parties for causing dangerous conditions for a motorcycle. Drivers who drift or change lanes without looking can leave a rider without a safe path. Poor road maintenance can cause a rider to spin out and crash into a guardrail. Spills and debris left uncollected from other vehicles could endanger other motorists. 

Your attorney should investigate all possible causes for your accident to find who is responsible. Just because you lost control of your bike doesn’t necessarily mean it’s your fault.

What Are the Potential Damages in a Motorcycle Accident Suit?

A claim for damages after a motorcycle accident could include:

• Economic damages:
  • Hospital bills, such as ICU, ER, and surgery
  • Transport costs, including ambulance or helicopter (“life flight”)
  • Physical therapy
  • Special treatments, such as skin grafts or burn therapy
  • Medications and medical devices
  • Loss of income
  • Travel costs for ongoing medical treatment
  • Motorcycle repair or replacement
• Non-economic damages:
  • Pain and suffering
  • Scarring or disfigurement
  • Loss of limb or limb function
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Loss of companionship within a marriage or family members
  • Mental anguish, including conditions like PTSD or depression

Because motorcycle riders are less protected, their accidents are often fatal. If you or a loved one dies from a crash, your family can seek all the damages listed above, plus expenses for your burial, funeral, and the loss of their family member by filing a wrongful death action.

The attorney you select should have a proven history of comprehensive settlements and verdicts. What you ultimately receive depends largely on what your attorney knows to ask for during negotiations or trial.

“Punitive damages” are another source of compensation that are essentially “punishment” damages. They are often awarded by a judge when a defendant’s actions were egregious or deliberate, such as reckless or intoxicated driving.

What Questions Should You Ask When Hiring a Lawyer?

It’s advisable to write down the questions you have before you meet with your lawyer and take notes on the answers you receive. After the initial consultation, a good attorney will also make themselves available for any other concerns you have later on. In essence, you are conducting a job interview, and the attorney should work to earn your business.

Not every lawyer will have the combination of qualities you need for your situation. You can often find a great deal of detail about their knowledge and past cases on their website and social media profiles, such as LinkedIn. Look for testimonials and indications that they have specifically handled motorcycle accident cases before.

Some key questions you should ask when hiring a lawyer include:

• How much experience do you have? There is something to be said for years spent in the courtroom and negotiating. Your lawyer should have been in business for a while, with a relatively recent background in handling cases like yours.
• Do you specialize in certain areas of law? Some lawyers will have certifications in specific fields, although this is not required to be successful. Ask how much of their practice is spent in areas like motorcycle accidents or car accidents to get an idea of their strengths and professional focus.
• How much compensation do you think I can receive? A qualified lawyer will be able to assess your losses and describe what types of compensation are reasonable to expect. They also will help you develop a full accounting of damages, which could total more than you realize.
• Do you work on contingency fee? Ask what their standard fee schedule is and whether they work on a contingency fee basis. Many lawyers will set a percentage of the final settlement for their fee as their payment, meaning you don’t have to pay upfront. In contingency fee arrangements, if the lawyer doesn’t achieve a settlement or verdict away, you don’t owe any payments for their services.
• How long will my case take? Each case is unique but your lawyer should be able to give you a rough estimate for the time needed to settle or win your suit. For example, a standard timeframe for personal injury cases is between 6 months and 2 years.

You should also choose a lawyer with experience in negotiating last-minute settlements that may come right before a case is scheduled for trial. When they have built a solid case for you, this gives them powerful bargaining leverage to work out the most satisfactory offer as quickly as possible.

The attorneys at Falcon Law Firm recognize that personal injury sufferers and their families are likely dealing with financial hardship after an accident. That is why we invest our office’s resources to build cases upfront, and only earn our fee if we successfully settle or win your lawsuit.

What Are the Signs of a Good Lawyer?

Along with experience in litigating cases like yours, you want a lawyer who “feels right.” This means they are comfortable to talk with, and you’re able to connect with them. Like all people, lawyers have different communication styles and personalities, and the best attorney for you will be someone you can rely on and trust throughout the process.

Good lawyers build relationships with their clients by listening to their stories and honestly reviewing their options. A good local lawyer will answer all your questions before you sign an agreement. They will be interested in providing the best legal counsel they can.

A good lawyer will also be willing to go to trial and fight for the justice you deserve. A lawyer should negotiate with insurance companies for a settlement, but also be prepared to litigate on your behalf if that is in your best interests. After a motorcycle accident caused by another’s negligence, you deserve a lawyer who will fight for full compensation to improve your health outcomes, your family’s cohesion, and the financial security of your future.

Contact the Motorcycle Accident Lawyers at the Falcon Law Firm Today

The motorcycle accident lawyers at the Falcon Law Firm stand ready to put our exceptional skills to work for you. We have recovered millions in settlements and verdicts for our clients, devoting careful, personal attention to every detail of each case. We help you recover the maximum compensation available to you.

Our team of attorneys and legal professionals will work tirelessly to gather evidence and build a strong case to protect your rights. We will also help you organize treatment and motorcycle repairs so you can focus on healing after your crash. Falcon Law Firm always goes the extra mile to meet with and support our clients.

If you or a loved one have been injured in a motorcycle accident, contact us today through our online form or call (732) 660-1200 for a free consultation.

Commercial trucks are an important part of our economy’s livelihood, carrying cargo across the nation. But when an accident happens involving a vehicle weighing over 80,000 pounds, other motorists often face severe injuries as a result. Your life can change in an instant during a truck accident, leaving you with huge expenses and an uncertain future.

The New Jersey-based Falcon Law Firm has years of experience handling truck accident cases and helping the victims of someone else’s negligence or actions. Contact our offices today online or by calling (732) 660-1200—we also serve areas of neighboring Pennsylvania, and have experience in holding national and international transport companies accountable.

Read on to learn about damages you could recover and who can be held liable in a truck accident.

How Much Is Truck Accident Lawsuit Worth?

When the driver of a massive 18-wheeler loses control, there is tremendous potential for property damage and physical injury. Passenger cars and even other trucks can be involved in follow-on accidents that compound the loss. Victims face astronomical medical bills and the risk of lifelong disability or death from the worst collisions.

The lawyers at Falcon Law Firm work for the highest compensation possible for each of our clients. Our lawyers can discuss what you can realistically expect based on your situation.

Most victims recognize that they can seek reimbursement for medical expenses. A qualified truck accident attorney can help you develop a list of both economic and non-economic damages to seek. 

Economic damages are usually easy to document, such as:

• Hospital bills, including for ICU, ER, or surgery
• Auto repair or replacement costs
• Medications
• Medical devices
• Lost wages

Non-economic damages are more subjective but affect your life just the same. They include:

• Emotional distress
• Physical pain and suffering
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Isolation from society
• Scarring and disfigurement

At Falcon Law Firm, our skilled attorneys are experts at translating non-economic damages into specific amounts for the court to consider. We consult with financial and medical professionals to ensure we seek all the compensation you deserve for how your life has been affected. Contact us at (732) 660-1200 for a free consultation.

Are Truck Drivers Always at Fault?

Truck drivers are responsible for safely handling large, heavy vehicles that sometimes carry “hazmat” cargo. They receive specialized training and often have years of experience driving in all conditions. Despite this, they are still subject to fatigue, mistakes, and overwork.

If a driver neglects maintenance or inspections, drives dangerously, or engages in distracted driving, they may be held liable. However, some truck accidents occur from factors beyond the driver’s control, such as:

• Faulty components: Hundreds of parts and systems on a commercial truck have the potential to malfunction, whether from overuse or defective manufacture.
• Hazardous or unbalanced cargo: Truck cargo is sometimes flammable, toxic, or hard to secure. Improperly loaded freight could shift on the road, sending dangerous materials into traffic.
• Driving conditions: Heavy rain or sleet, limited visibility, debris on the road, and other drivers can all contribute to serious truck accidents.

Your attorney from Falcon Law Firm will fully investigate your crash, and work to identify all the relevant parties who may be held liable.

What Parties Can Be Held Liable in a Truck Accident Case?

At Falcon Law Firm, our lawyers know it takes a thorough investigation to determine who is actually at fault in a truck accident. Researching evidence such as police reports, camera footage, and insurance claims allows our team to create a plan for proving liability for all parties involved.

You may think you only need to file a personal injury suit against the truck driver, but it may be possible to seek damages from a parts manufacturer or other drivers for their reckless driving. There may be other entities that bear responsibility, such as:

• Carrier companies: These own the trucks and employ the drivers. They usually face the legal burden of any lawsuits. They also hire and train drivers and set inspection protocols for equipment.
• Truck manufacturers: When trucks are poorly designed or produced, you could include the truck makers in your claim.
• Tire manufacturers: Tires that can’t hold up to the tremendous demands of long-haul trucking can blow out, causing multi-car pileups through no fault of the driver.
• Government agencies: While it’s rare to sue the government successfully, it’s possible to demonstrate that negligence from road maintenance teams contributed to your accident.

By following the evidence as far as it goes, your attorney ensures that all potential avenues of compensation are pursued. This greatly increases the chance that all of your losses and damages are covered, for injuries already suffered, and any ongoing care you require.

A holistic understanding of truck accidents and all who are responsible for a crash is essential when building a comprehensive case. Reach out to our offices today by calling (732) 660-1200 — we’ll explore all of your legal options together, and find the best course of action for you and your family.

What if Multiple Parties Caused the Truck Accident?

When multiple parties are responsible for your truck accident, it can be confusing to know how to proceed. Insurance companies will also complicate your case when negotiating a settlement, and this is where you can rely on the personal injury lawyers at Falcon Law Firm. We focus on figuring out who is at fault and how to advance your claim so you can focus on recovering from your injuries.

There are many factors to consider if more than one individual or company is part of the collision, including:

• Is the truck driver an employee or a contractor? – A driver’s employer can be named as a defendant, but what if the driver is a self-employed contractor for a company?
• Was an Uber or Lyft driver involved? – Rideshare companies carry insurance on their drivers, but only under certain circumstances.
• Did someone suffer a medical emergency while driving? – If a driver has a heart attack or stroke, deciding if they are at fault is very complex.
• Did substances play a role in the crash? – Alcohol and illegal drugs are known causes of dangerous driving, but what if a motorist took a prescription drug that affected their driving unexpectedly?
• Did the crash involve a vehicle with a recall problem? – Many thousands of cars are recalled each year for transmission or other issues that could cause a driver to lose control.

As you can see, trying to determine who is at fault can be complex. Many states have comparative negligence laws that allow a percentage of blame to be assigned to multiple parties. This helps you pursue each individual or company that played a part in your accident.

How Is Liability Determined?

In determining who is at fault, your truck accident attorney will gather evidence showing how each party was involved. A qualified attorney will build their case using sources such as:

• Police reports
• Video footage from traffic, security, and dashboard cameras
• Photos of the accident scene
• Crash scene investigator reports
• Medical records
• Witness testimony
• Analysis of road conditions
• Vehicle maintenance records
• Truck driver training records
• Motorist driving records
• Cell phone records

This documentation can create a clear picture of how everyone involved in the crash behaved or was influenced. For example, a driver who is distracted by their cell phone could weave in front of a truck, causing a chain reaction collision without realizing it. Thorough research into traffic camera footage and witness statements would ensure that the right parties are brought to justice. 

The legal team at the Falcon Law Firm can help you explore all possible avenues for compensation for your truck accident. Reach out to us today to discuss how we can help you understand your options.

Contact the Truck Accident Lawyers at the Falcon Law Firm Today

Recovering from a serious truck accident takes time and patience. When you are healing, you need a trusted advisor from the Falcon Law Firm to do the hard work for you. We have successfully claimed millions in settlements and verdicts for our clients. While you rest, we don’t; we work tirelessly to ensure your case is strong.

Our truck accident lawyers are ready to put our three decades of experience to work for you. We negotiate with insurance companies and opposing attorneys to reach the best outcome for you. If a satisfactory settlement can’t be obtained, we will seek remediation in the courts for you. 

The Falcon Law Firm is here to help you and your family in the worry and confusion after your truck accident. Contact us today using our convenient online form or call (732) 660-1200 for a free consultation.