Denver Motorcycle Accident Injury Attorneys

A motorcycle accident in Denver can leave riders facing serious injuries, an insurance company using tactics designed to minimize their payout, and confusion about how to build the strongest possible claim. Understanding what insurers do not want you to know, why talking to an attorney matters, and how legal representation can strengthen the value of your case can make a real difference in your recovery.

At Walker, Billingsley & Bair, our Denver motorcycle attorneys want riders to understand the tactics insurance companies use, why meeting with an attorney after a crash is so important, and how an attorney increases the value of a motorcycle accident claim. Below, we walk through each of these topics in detail.

What Insurers Don't Want Denver Motorcycle Accident Victims to Know

Insurance companies are some of the richest and most powerful corporations in the country, and they invest heavily in reducing the rights and compensation available to hardworking Iowans so they can increase their own profits. However, what they don't control are the judges and juries that ultimately decide the amount of compensation if you have been hurt in a motorcycle accident. There are several things the insurance company does not want you to know.

The Insurance Company Is Legally Allowed to Mislead You

There is no law requiring the insurance company for the other side to tell you the truth or do anything in your best interests. This is why an adjuster will sometimes act like a friend and try to build trust, a routine that is especially common when injuries are serious. It is a bad idea to trust an insurance adjuster, since their job is to pay you as little money as possible. They are not required to treat you fairly, and in fact may receive promotions and bonuses for building a track record of paying less than cases are worth.

You Do Not Have to Give a Recorded Statement

The insurance adjuster may tell you they need a recorded statement to evaluate your claim, but you have no obligation to give the insurance company for the other side one. The reason they want a recorded statement is so they can ask you questions in a way that lets them later use your answers against you. Your credibility is very important in any injury case, which is why the insurance adjuster will try to damage it right away.

They Will Not Pay Your Medical Bills as You Incur Them

The insurance adjuster may tell you to send your medical bills to them, but this does not mean they will actually pay them. This is a strategy used to get you to settle your case for less later, once you start receiving collection calls from creditors, hospitals, and doctors. In motorcycle accident and personal injury cases, it is best to have medical bills paid by your health insurance or medical payments coverage under your own policy, since it could be years before your case against the other side is resolved.

Why You Should Talk to a Denver Motorcycle Accident Attorney

When a motorcycle accident occurs, the last thing that the victim and his or her family are usually thinking about is taking legal action, instead thoughts are typically focused solely on the victim's injuries and recovery. While a motorcycle accident can be entirely overwhelming and emotional, and talking to a motorcycle accident attorney may not feel like a natural step to take, meeting with a lawyer is imperative.

Damages From Serious Injuries

Even when motorcyclists are riding with proper safety gear, serious injuries such as head and brain injuries, broken bone injuries, burn injuries requiring skin grafts, and soft tissue injuries are common. Even if the motorcyclist has health and motorcycle insurance, these damages can be expensive. If the injuries have a prolonged estimated recovery time, the rider may be unable to return to work and earn an income, and may need to pay for special therapy or healthcare. Having an attorney on your side can help you recover damages for all of these expenses.

Gathering the Right Evidence

Part of recovering damages will be proving the fault of the other party. To prove guilt, evidence will be incredibly important to your claim. Types of evidence that you may need to show fault include physical evidence from the accident scene, medical documents, doctors' statements, and medical bills, eyewitness testimony, police reports, key facts about another driver such as a history of driving offenses, and possible proof of intoxication of another driver.

Negotiating With Insurance Companies

Who pays for your damages, your insurance company or the other driver, will depend upon a variety of circumstances, including who was at fault and the type of insurance that you have. Regardless, having an attorney on your side who can handle negotiations can be a relief. Often, insurance companies will attempt to offer accident victims settlement amounts that are far too small to cover adequate damages. If the number is large, it can be tempting to accept, even when it is lower than it should be. To avoid a situation like this from occurring, the advice and negotiating skills of an attorney are very helpful.

A Legal Resource

An attorney serves as a resource for any and all legal questions that you may have about the accident, fault, and the types of damages that you are entitled to. If filing a personal injury lawsuit is within your best interest, an attorney can guide you through the process, as well as the state's statute of limitations, which is two years.

How a Denver Injury Lawyer Strengthens Your Case Value

When you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, the insurance company's first offer rarely reflects the true value of your claim. Without proper legal representation, you could be leaving thousands of dollars on the table. A personal injury attorney has the experience and knowledge to uncover the full value of your claim that insurance companies are trained to minimize or hide.

Documenting Causation and Future Medical Needs

An attorney increases case value through several strategic actions, such as obtaining doctors' reports and medical opinions when necessary to prove causation between your injuries and the accident. Your attorney also secures expert opinions on the cost of future medical care. Insurance adjusters often focus only on current medical bills, ignoring the long-term financial impact of your injuries, so your attorney will record your future medical needs to ensure you receive payment for your full recovery, not just your immediate expenses.

Navigating Subrogation Claims and Liens

An attorney can add significant value by managing subrogation claims, which are claims made by your health insurance or motor vehicle insurance seeking reimbursement from your settlement. Doctors, insurance companies, welfare benefit plans, and employers may also assert liens claiming they are entitled to all or part of your recovery. Your attorney reviews and analyzes the validity of any liens on your case, challenging incorrect or excessive claims that would reduce your settlement, which often results in substantially more money in your pocket from the same settlement amount.

Comprehensive Investigation and Policy Review

To maximize case value, attorneys conduct thorough investigations that strengthen their clients' positions, including gathering police accident reports, medical records, and bills. When necessary, they hire investigators to interview witnesses, locate additional witnesses, and collect other evidence such as photographs of vehicles and accident scenes. Attorneys also analyze your insurance policy to identify coverages you may have that could pay all or a portion of your medical bills while the claim is pending.

Avoiding Mistakes That Cost Thousands

An attorney helps you avoid common mistakes that could cost you thousands of dollars, such as giving recorded statements to insurance adjusters, accepting quick settlement offers before understanding the full extent of injuries, missing important filing deadlines, or failing to properly document damages. Iowa personal injury attorneys typically work on a contingency fee basis, meaning they only get paid if your case is successful, so all of the tasks performed to maximize your case value are done at no upfront risk to you.