The feeling of freedom on a motorcycle is unlike any other. It’s the open road, the wind, and the direct connection between you and your surroundings. Whether you were enjoying a weekend ride down U.S. Highway 49, commuting to work along Hardy Street, or heading out of town on U.S. Highway 98, you were doing something you love. In an instant, the careless actions of another driver can shatter that freedom, replacing it with pain, confusion, and overwhelming stress.
Suddenly, you are facing a mountain of medical bills, calls from insurance adjusters, and the inability to work and provide for your family. The physical and emotional trauma can be immense.
At Richard Schwartz & Associates, we understand what you are going through. We know that a motorcycle accident is more than just a legal case; it’s a life-altering event that affects you and everyone you love. When you’ve been injured because of someone else’s negligence, you need more than just a lawyer—you need a dedicated advocate who will treat you with compassion and fight tirelessly for the justice you deserve.
A compassionate and experienced Hattiesburg motorcycle accident lawyer at Richard Schwartz & Associates is here to lift the burden from your shoulders so you can focus on what matters most: your recovery.
Your fight is our fight. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your case and learn how we can help you on the road to recovery.
Schedule A Free Case Consultation
Hattiesburg Motorcycle Accident gUide
- Why Choose Richard Schwartz & Associates for Your Hattiesburg Motorcycle Accident Claim
- The Insurance Company Made Me an Offer. Should I Take It?
- How Do I Know if I Have a Case?
- Compensation Available in a Hattiesburg Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit
- Hattiesburg, MS Motorcycle Accident Claims FAQs
- Contact Our Trusted Hattiesburg Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Today
Why Choose Richard Schwartz & Associates for Your Hattiesburg Motorcycle Accident Claim
When you’re choosing a law firm to represent you after a devastating motorcycle accident, you need a team with a proven track record of success and a genuine commitment to its clients and community. For over 40 years, Richard Schwartz & Associates has been that team for families across Mississippi. Our roots run deep in the communities we serve, and our care for you extends far beyond the courtroom. We have been ranked among the top Personal Injury firms in the state because we combine unwavering dedication with exceptional legal skill.
Here’s why so many Mississippians trust Richard Schwartz & Associates:
- A History of Winning: With over $1 billion recovered for our clients, our results speak for themselves. We have the resources, experience, and determination to take on even the most complex cases and fight for the maximum compensation you are owed.
- Deep Mississippi Roots: We aren’t a national firm that sees you as just another case number. We are Mississippi’s Law Firm. We live and work in the same communities you do, and we are dedicated to helping our neighbors in Hattiesburg and beyond.
- Compassion is Our Guide: Our mission is "Leading with Compassion. Winning with Excellence." We know you’re going through one of the most difficult times of your life. We listen to your story, understand your needs, and provide the supportive, personalized legal guidance you deserve.
- Always Available for You: Accidents don’t happen on a 9-to-5 schedule. That’s why we are available 24/7 to take your call. We offer a completely free and confidential case evaluation to help you understand your legal options with no pressure or obligation.
Your well-being is our top priority. Let our family help yours. We have the experience and the heart to handle your Hattiesburg motorcycle accident claim and ensure your voice is heard.
The Insurance Company Made Me an Offer. Should I Take It?
In the days or weeks following your motorcycle accident, you will likely receive a phone call from the at-fault party’s insurance company. The insurance adjuster may sound friendly and concerned, and they might make you a quick settlement offer. It can be incredibly tempting to accept, especially when medical bills are piling up and you’re unable to work.
It is crucial that you understand one thing: the insurance company is not on your side. Their primary goal is to protect their own profits, which means paying you as little as possible to make your claim go away.
The first offer they make is almost always a "lowball" offer. It is a calculated amount designed to be just enough to tempt you, but it rarely, if ever, covers the full extent of your damages. The adjuster is counting on you not knowing the true value of your claim. They know you’re in a vulnerable position and want to close the case before you have a chance to:
- Understand the full extent of your injuries and the need for future medical care.
- Realize how much income you will lose if you can't return to work for weeks, months, or even permanently.
- Account for the immense physical pain and emotional trauma you have suffered.
Once you accept a settlement and sign their release forms, your case is closed forever. You cannot go back and ask for more money later, even if your injuries turn out to be more severe than you initially thought or you require unexpected surgery down the road.
Never accept an insurance company’s offer or sign any paperwork without first speaking to an experienced Hattiesburg motorcycle accident attorney. We can accurately calculate the true, long-term cost of your accident and negotiate with the insurer on your behalf to ensure you receive a fair settlement that covers all of your past, present, and future needs.
How Do I Know if I Have a Case?
This is one of the most common and important questions we hear from accident victims. You may be unsure of your rights or even blame yourself for what happened. The key to a successful personal injury claim is a legal concept called "negligence." In simple terms, you have a case if we can prove that someone else was careless and that their carelessness directly caused your injuries and losses.
To build a strong motorcycle accident claim, our legal team will work to establish four key elements:
- Duty of Care: The other party (most often, another driver) had a legal responsibility to operate their vehicle with reasonable care to avoid harming others on the road. This includes obeying traffic laws, paying attention, and watching out for motorcyclists.
- Breach of Duty: The other party failed to uphold that duty. This is the "negligent" act. Examples include texting while driving, speeding, making an unsafe lane change, failing to yield the right-of-way, or driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- Causation: This breach of duty was the direct cause of the motorcycle accident and, consequently, your injuries. We must show a clear link between their actions and the harm you suffered.
- Damages: As a result of the accident and your injuries, you have suffered actual losses. These can be financial (like medical bills and lost wages) or non-financial (like pain and suffering).
You don’t have to figure this out on your own. During your free case evaluation, we will listen to your story, review the details of your accident, and give you an honest assessment of your legal options.
Our experienced investigators will then get to work gathering the evidence needed—like police reports, witness statements, and expert testimony—to prove negligence and build the strongest possible case for you.
Compensation Available in a Hattiesburg Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit
No amount of money can undo the trauma of a serious motorcycle crash or give you back the life you had before the accident. However, securing fair compensation is essential for protecting your financial stability and giving you the resources you need to heal and move forward. The purpose of a personal injury lawsuit is to make you "whole" again from a financial perspective by recovering payment for all the losses you have endured.
In a Mississippi motorcycle accident claim, you may be entitled to recover compensation for several types of damages, including:
- All Medical Expenses: Both past and future costs for emergency room visits, hospital stays, surgeries, medication, physical therapy, rehabilitation, and any necessary long-term care.
- Lost Wages: Compensation for the income you have lost while being unable to work during your recovery.
- Loss of Future Earning Capacity: If your injuries are permanent and prevent you from returning to your previous job or working at all, you can be compensated for the income you would have earned over the course of your career.
- Property Damage: The cost to repair or replace your motorcycle, helmet, and any other personal property that was damaged in the crash.
- Out-of-Pocket Expenses: Costs for things like transportation to doctor's appointments or necessary home modifications.
- Pain and Suffering: Compensation for the physical pain, discomfort, and emotional distress you have experienced.
- Emotional Anguish: For the fear, anxiety, depression, or PTSD resulting from the traumatic event.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life: If your injuries prevent you from participating in hobbies, activities, or family events that you once loved.
In some rare cases where the at-fault party’s behavior was particularly reckless or malicious (such as in a severe drunk driving accident), punitive damages may also be awarded. These are intended not to compensate the victim, but to punish the defendant and deter similar conduct in the future.
Hattiesburg, MS Motorcycle Accident Claims FAQs
We know you have many questions, and we are here to provide clear, honest answers. Below are some of the frequently asked questions we receive from motorcycle accident victims and their families.
What if I was partially at fault for the accident? Can I still recover compensation?
Yes. Mississippi follows a "pure comparative negligence" rule. This means you can still recover damages even if you were partially to blame for the accident. However, your final compensation award will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are awarded $100,000 but found to be 20% at fault, you would receive $80,000. Insurance companies often try to unfairly shift blame onto motorcyclists to reduce their payout, which is why having an attorney to protect your rights is so important.
How much does it cost to hire a motorcycle accident lawyer?
At Richard Schwartz & Associates, we handle all personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay absolutely nothing upfront. We cover all the costs of investigating and pursuing your case. We only get paid a percentage of the compensation we recover for you. If we don’t win your case, you owe us nothing. This allows everyone, regardless of their financial situation, to have access to top-quality legal representation.
How long do I have to file a motorcycle accident lawsuit in Mississippi?
In Mississippi, the statute of limitations for most personal injury claims is three years from the date of the accident. While that may seem like a long time, it is crucial to act much sooner. Evidence can disappear, witness memories can fade, and building a strong case takes time. If you miss the three-year deadline, you will likely lose your right to seek compensation forever.
Contact Our Trusted Hattiesburg Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Today
You have been through a traumatic ordeal. You should not have to face the legal and financial aftermath alone. The team at Richard Schwartz & Associates Injury Lawyers is here to be your strength and your voice during this difficult time. As a trusted Hattiesburg personal injury lawyer, we will handle every aspect of your legal claim so you can pour all your energy into healing and rebuilding your life.
When you entrust us with your case, our dedicated legal team will immediately get to work to:
- Conduct a full investigation into the crash to gather evidence and prove liability.
- Handle all communication and negotiations with the insurance companies.
- Work with medical and financial experts to accurately calculate the full value of your past, present, and future damages.
- Protect you from aggressive insurance adjusters trying to get you to settle for less than you deserve.
- Negotiate tirelessly for a maximum settlement that covers all of your needs.
- Prepare to take your case to trial if the insurance company refuses to make a fair offer.
Your fight is our fight. We are committed to ensuring you receive the justice and compensation you are owed.
Contact us today at (601) 988-8888 or through our online form for a free 24/7 case consultation. Let our family help yours today.
Schedule A Free Case Consultation