Being in an accident can be a painful and trying time in anyone’s life. Sadly, when in a motorcycle wreck, those on the motorcycle often sustain much more serious injuries than those in a vehicle. With nearly 5,000 fatalities as a result of motorcycle wrecks in 2016, motorcycle crashes are certainly serious events. If you or a loved one have been injured in a motorcycle crash it is imperative to have a competent attorney by your side to help you with your case.

Although personal injury attorneys are plentiful, it is important to be careful who you select. The right or wrong attorney can make or break your case.

When selecting the best motorcycle accident lawyer in Albuquerque, be sure to ask for referrals, look up customer reviews and ask these 5 key questions.

1. Have You Handled Motorcycle Accident Cases Before?

Not all personal injury attorneys are created equal. The same can be true of accidents, not all accidents are the same. When choosing the right attorney for your case, be sure he or she has ample experience in dealing with accidents similar to yours. You do not want to be their first motorcycle accident case.

2. How Often Do the Cases You Handle Go to Trial?

Personal injury cases typically have one of two outcomes: settlement before trial or settlements due to a trial. The amount of your settlement can be directly tied to whether or not your case goes to trial. Often insurance companies attempt to settle for a much lesser amount in hopes not to take the case to trial. You want to make sure your lawyer is willing to go to trial for you and confident in the courtroom.

3. What Specific Attorney Will Be Working on My Case?

Although a law firm may advertise one particular attorney or your initial case evaluation is conducted by one specific attorney, you want to confirm who will be working on your case. You want to speak directly to the attorney that will be handling your case.

Even though attorneys regularly delegate some tasks to junior attorneys or other staff members, you want to ensure that you work directly with the attorney of your choosing.

4. How Can I Help to Improve My Case?

Gaining a settlement for your case is not a passive process. Contrary to popular belief, to have a successful case after a motorcycle accident, you must assist your attorney in defending you. Don’t be afraid to ask your attorney for advice. Your injury attorney may advise not posting anything on social media, to go see another doctor for second opinions on injuries or to gather various documents. Following the advice given by your attorney can be invaluable to your case.

5. Do You Operate Based Off of Contingency Fees?

While having a motorcycle accident is a very emotional event hiring an attorney regarding your accident is a major financial decision. Be wary of attorneys that are not forthright regarding payment or fees. Most personal injury attorneys work based on contingencies. What this means for the client is your attorney is not compensated unless you recover funds. Once you determine this is how your chosen personal injury attorney conducts business, discuss the fee percentage. Never be afraid to have candid conversations about financial terms with your attorney.

The best motorcycle accident lawyer in Albuquerque will be able to provide satisfactory answers to all of these questions. Not only will asking these questions help you choose the right attorney, but the answers will help you be more knowledgeable.