Accident victims who suffered injuries and monetary losses often wonder how much they should settle for after a motorcycle accident. However, answering this question can be next to impossible as every accident is different, and victims’ damages can vary extensively. The Legal Information Institute (LII) also notes that damages are compensation for a “breach of some duty or violation of some right.”
The amount of a settlement available will be based on the particular circumstances of a motorcycle accident. However, a fair settlement should cover a victim’s damages comprehensively.
Factors that Determine the Size of a Motorcycle Accident Settlement
Factors that can determine the size of a settlement can include, among others:
Insurance
In the first instance, those injured in motorcycle accidents will recover their due from the at-fault party’s insurance. However, the insurance may refuse to pay out an adequate settlement. In some accidents, the at-fault driver has no insurance, making it tricky for accident victims to recover a settlement.
The Victim’s Injuries and Losses
Injuries in motorcycle accidents can be catastrophic and life-altering. The severity of injuries you suffered and any medical treatment costs you will require will undoubtedly be one of the biggest factors for determining how much you should settle for after a motorcycle accident.
It can be challenging to know exactly how much further treatment an accident victim could require in the future. However, your motorcycle accident lawyer can consult with medical professionals and estimate the expenses of any future medical treatments that you may need.
Property Damage
The extent of property damage you sustained in a motorcycle accident will also influence the amount of your final settlement. For example, if you only had minor damage on your motorcycle, your settlement amount should be smaller than that of an accident victim whose motorcycle is a total write-off.
The Victim’s Ability to Work
Depending on the severity of a victim’s injuries, they may not be able to return to work for some time. They might also become permanently disabled and unable to return to their job at all. If you were hurt in a motorcycle crash and can return to work (but not in the capacity or job that you worked in before), you most likely lost future earning capacity.
Your motorcycle accident lawyer can address your individual circumstances when looking at how much you should settle for in your claim.
Damages You Could Recover After a Motorcycle Accident
If you can hold a negligent driver to account for your motorcycle accident, you could potentially recover various damages, depending on your claim. Damages can include:
Medical Expenses
You could recover all medical expenses connected to the accident, including:
- Surgical services,
- Hospital stays,
- Emergency care
- Medications
- Diagnostic tests
- Rehabilitative therapies
Income Losses
If you suffered significant injuries, you may have lost a considerable amount of income and should look for reimbursement for any losses (and future losses) of income due to an accident.
Pain and Suffering
You could be entitled to a range of so-called non-economic damages for your motorcycle accident, which can include awards for:
- Physical pain
- Emotional anguish
- Inconvenience
- Loss of life quality
- Loss of a limb
- Disability
Since the compensation available will depend on your accident circumstances, you could be entitled to additional or other types of compensation. If your loved one passed away in a motorcycle accident, you could potentially file a wrongful death claim which can allow you to recover compensation, such as:
- Income and benefits from the deceased
- Funeral costs
- Loss of inheritance
Jacoby & Meyers Law Offices Can Help Strengthen Your Claim
Generally speaking, if you suffered only minor injuries, you would not be able to recover as much as someone who suffered a permanent disability or long-term consequences due to a serious motorcycle accident.
However, it can be tricky to generalize. If you would like to find out how much you should settle for after a motorcycle accident, you should speak to a motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible.
How Your Lawyer Will Take Action In Your Case
Your lawyer from Jacoby & Meyers Law Offices can:
- Investigate your claim
- Determine available insurance coverage
- Advise you regarding your legal rights
- Offering legal advice
- Negotiating with insurance companies on your behalf
- Determining the value of your damages and claim
- Proving negligence of the at-fault driver
- Representing you at trial (The American Bar Association [ABA] states that most cases do not make it to court, however.)
Call Our Attorneys Today to Get Started
Timely action can be important for recovering what you deserve, as there are time limits for personal injury and wrongful death claims. Contact Jacoby & Meyers Law Offices today to determine what your claim could be worth and also how you can potentially recover compensation. Call us now for a free case review at (888) 522-6291.