At times, motorcycle accidents can be a life-altering incident. Unlike car drivers, motorcyclists have minimal protection, which mainly results in serious injuries and higher medical bills. If you have been involved in a crash, you may wonder: how much compensation do you receive for a specific motorcycle accident? The answer depends entirely on various factors, including the severity of the injuries, liability, lost income, and other relevant considerations.
In this particular blog, we will talk about the key components that influence the motorcycle crash settlement, explore how a specific motorcycle crash settlement calculator aids you in estimating your claim, and provide deeper insights regarding typical motorcycle accident compensation payouts.
What Determines Motorcycle Accident Compensation?
According to the expert motorcycle accident attorney from Abercrombie P.A., motorcycle accident compensation isn’t one-size-fits-all. The amount that you receive will solely vary based on the circumstances of your accident. Here are certain factors that influence your settlement.
Severity of Injuries
The more serious your injuries are, the higher your potential motorcycle accident compensation payouts. Furthermore, minor injuries, such as bruises and sprains, can result in medical expenses of a few thousand dollars.
Some of the serious injuries include broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, and spinal damage that can mostly lead to hundreds of thousands or even millions in compensation because of long-term care needs and permanent disability.
Medical Expenses
However, medical costs are a significant component of any sort of motorcycle crash settlement. These consist of:
- Surgeries
- Emergency room visits
- Physical therapy
- Prescribed medications
- Follow-up appointments
- Even the existence of assistive devices like wheelchairs and braces
Always keep documentation of all treatments and expenses intact, just to support your claim.
Lost Wages and Loss of Earning Capacity
If your injuries prevent you from working temporarily or permanently, you are entitled to motorcycle accident compensation payouts for the lost income. Suppose you fail to return to your previous job due to the existence of a specific disability. In that case, you can easily claim for loss of future earning capacity, which will undoubtedly increase the value of your settlements.
Pain and Suffering
Primarily, it refers to the physical and emotional distress caused by the accident. At the same time, it becomes harder to quantify both pain and suffering, which are valid parts of motorcycle accident compensation payouts. The more severe and lasting the pain is, the more this portion of your claim might be worth.
Property Damage
However, your motorcycle is likely to sustain damage or be totalled in the crash. Furthermore, compensation mainly includes the repair or replacement value of the bike, as well as the cost of damaged items such as jackets, helmets, and saddlebags.
Liability and Fault
In certain states of Florida, the amount of compensation that you receive is mainly affected by your degree of fault in the accident. For instance, if you are found to be around 20% at fault for the crash, your compensation will be reduced by that significant amount. Certain states use comparative negligence laws, while others follow contributory negligence rules that might bar recovery if you remain slightly at fault.
Using a Motorcycle Crash Settlement Calculator
There are times when no calculator can predict the exact amount of your settlements. It is the motorcycle crash settlement calculator that provides a ballpark estimate. These tools use data like
- Total medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Expected future medical costs
- Property damage
- Estimated pain and suffering
- Level of fault
For instance, someone who certainly suffered a fractured leg in a motorcycle accident, with USD 25,000 as medical bills, and USD 10,000 in lost wages, will receive anywhere from USD 50,000 to USD 1,50,000 in total compensation depending on the pain and suffering and legal representation as well.
It is essential to note that these calculators are generally rough tools, according to experts from Abercrombie P.A. However, speaking with an experienced personal injury legal representative is the perfect way to determine the full value of your case.
Average Motorcycle Accident Compensation Payouts
What are motorcycle accident compensation payouts? Here are certain averages based on the types of injuries and case complexity.
Minor Injuries
Minor injuries typically include scrapes, sprains, and minor fractures. The compensation amount ranges from USD 5000 to USD 20,000.
Moderate Injuries
Moderate injuries mostly deal with broken bones and a concussion. The compensation amount ranges from USD 20,000 to USD 100,000
Severe Injuries
Severe Injuries consist of spinal damage, TBI, and permanent disability. The compensation amount ranges from USD 100,000 to USD 1,00,000+.
Wrongful Death Cases
For wrongful death cases, you may be entitled to compensation of up to USD 250,000. It depends on several million, depending totally on circumstances.
These are mostly general figures. The actual amount varies based on the insurer, our lawyer’s negotiation skills at Abercrombie P.A., and the accuracy of the evidence.
Maximise Your Motorcycle Crash Settlement
To get the maximum compensation that you deserve after an immediate motorcycle accident, here are specific tips.
Seek Immediate Medical Attention
It creates a record and ensures that your injuries are treated correctly.
Document Everything
Always keep all the receipts, reports, and photos that are related to your property damage and injuries.
Avoid Early Settlement Offers
At times, insurance companies do offer lowball motorcycle crash settlement. Never accept one without any sort of legal advice.
Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer
You should hire an attorney who is experienced in motorcycle accident cases, is skilled at negotiating higher payouts, and efficiently navigates through legal complexities.
Final Thought
When asking about exactly how much compensation you get for a motorcycle accident? There has been no single answer. The settlement depends on your injuries, expenses, liability, and more. While tools like the motorcycle crash settlement calculator do offer rough estimates, a legal professional provides you with a clearer picture based on real-world experience and local laws.
Somehow, if you or your loved one has been involved in a motorcycle accident, never settle for less than you deserve. Understanding your rights and the actual value of your claim is the first step toward fair motorcycle accident compensation payouts.
