If you got injured in a motorcycle accident because of someone else’s carelessness, you might wonder how much compensation you can collect for your losses. There is no set amount for motorcycle accident settlements. A California motorcycle accident attorney will have to talk to you and investigate your case before determining the monetary value of your claim.
What Are Injuries & Damages in a Motorcycle Accident Claim Worth
The amount of financial recovery you might be able to pursue will depend on the facts of your situation. Here are a few examples of the types of damages that can be available, depending on the circumstances of your motorcycle accident claim:
- Medical expenses. You can usually recover the reasonable cost of medical treatment you needed for your injuries. This category can include things like the ambulance, emergency room, doctors, hospital, surgery, imaging studies like x-rays and CT scans, diagnostic testing, prescription drugs, pain management, blood transfusions, and physical therapy.
- Lost income. If you missed time from work without pay because of the crash, medical treatment, and recuperation time, you can add this loss to your claim. This item can include lost wages, salary, self-employment, and other forms of regular income.
- Future medical expenses. Some people have to undergo multiple operations or other procedures after the initial medical crisis.
- Diminished earning capacity. You might have to cut back on your hours at work or take a lower-paying job because of your injuries. The difference between how much money you made before for crash and how much you can earn afterward can be compensable.
- Pain and suffering. You can get money damages for the physical discomfort and emotional distress you experienced as a result of the crash and your injuries.
- Other intangible damages. Although they do not come with invoices or receipts, it is possible to include some non-economic losses in an injury claim, depending on the facts of your situation. This category can include things like disfigurement, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and the loss of enjoyment of life.
Factors That Can Impact the Settlement Value of a Motorcycle Crash Claim
Two people in the same motorcycle accident might have vastly different claim values. Factors that can affect the amount of compensation a person can go after in a motorcycle accident claim include:
- The types of injuries. A person who survives the crash with only a broken finger will receive less than someone who broke his back.
- The severity of injuries. A mild concussion will generate a lower claim value than a skull fracture that leaves the person in a persistent vegetative state.
- How well the injured person heals. Just because most people with a particular injury tend to achieve a full recovery does not mean that everyone will do so.
- Residual impairment. A person who has to face ongoing limitations because of the motorcycle accident should get compensated for that loss. For example, a mangled arm is likely to have less strength, function, and range of motion even after the patient completes all of the medical treatments and heals as much as he is going to.
Contact us today for a free consultation. Our California motorcycle accident attorneys can evaluate your claim and navigate through the process of going after the compensation that you deserve.
