Compensation Available to Motorcycle Accident Victims

If you were injured in a motorcycle accident, you may be entitled to several types of damages. These damages are generally categorized into two types: economic damages and non-economic damages.

The type of economic damages you can recover include:

• Medical expenses: This includes costs for emergency treatment, hospital stays, surgeries, medications, physical therapy, and any future medical care related to your injury.
• Lost wages and earning capacity: Compensation for lost wages covers the income lost due to your motorcycle accident. Compensation for lost earning capacity addresses the impact of the injury on your ability to earn in the future
• Property damage: This covers the repair or replacement of the motorcycle and any other personal property damaged in a collision.

You can also be compensated for non-economic damages such as:

• Pain and suffering: This includes the physical pain and emotional distress suffered due to the motorcycle accident.
• Loss of enjoyment of life: Compensation may be awarded for the loss of enjoyment of activities and hobbies that you can no longer participate in due to your injuries.
• Emotional distress: This includes anxiety, depression, trauma, and other psychological impacts of the motorcycle accident.

Pain and suffering damages are among the most complex to calculate since they’re subjective and don’t have a direct monetary value. The two primary methods used to calculate pain and suffering include the multiplier method and the per diem method.

The multiplier method involves adding up all the economic damages. It then multiplies this total by a number (known as a multiplier) based on the severity of the pain and suffering. The multiplier typically ranges from 1.5 to 5. More severe or long-lasting injuries often receive a higher multiplier. For example, if the actual damages total $50,000 and a multiplier of 3 is used, the pain and suffering damages would be $150,000.

The per diem approach assigns a dollar amount to each day you suffer from your injuries. This starts from the date of your motorcycle accident until you reach maximum medical improvement. The daily rate is often based on your actual daily earnings. Lawyers who use it argue that a day of pain is at least worth a day's pay.

If you were injured in a motorcycle accident, you have plenty of options for seeking compensation. The most common option is pursuing damages from the at-fault driver’s insurance company. This often involves gathering evidence to prove that the driver’s negligence caused your injury. Plus, it involves negotiations and potential litigation.

But what if you were hit by an uninsured driver or an unidentifiable motorist who fled the crash scene? In this case, you would need to pursue damages from your own insurance company through an uninsured motorist (UM) claim.

Depending on which state you’re in, you may already have UM coverage if you operate a car and/or motorcycle. UM is required in some states and optional in others. Even in states, where it’s optional, it’s highly recommended that you get it. UM pays for medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage losses accrued in a motorcycle accident.

Some states also require or offer personal injury protection (PIP) coverage as an optional add-on. This is common in no-fault states and pays for medical expenses and lost wages for you and your passengers.

If you have medical payments (MedPay) coverage, you can recover damages for medical expenses up to the policy limit. This is an optional add-on in many states. You can also turn to your health insurance coverage, which may pay for some medical expenses. However, deductibles and copayment fees may apply.

Initially, there is no fixed amount of money you can expect from motorcycle accident compensation. The amount of money you’re eligible for depends on how severe your injuries are and how they impact your life.

An attorney will need to determine the value of your claim by adding up:

• Current and future medical expenses.
• Lost wages and future earning capacity.
• Property damage or loss.
• Assistance with daily living.
• Transportation to and from medical appointments.
• Pain and suffering related to your motorcycle accident.

Handling a motorcycle accident claim on your own can be risky. You could be outmatched when dealing with insurance companies who don’t have your best interests in mind. With a Law.com Premier Motorcycle Accident Lawyer on your side, the insurance companies won’t be able to use their tactics to reduce your pay.

An attorney will gather evidence to strengthen your claim by conducting a thorough investigation. Plus, they’ll negotiate with insurance companies to secure a maximum settlement on your behalf. If a settlement can’t be reached, an attorney will be prepared to take your case to trial and fight for a fair verdict or court award.

Worried that you can’t afford an attorney? You don’t have to pay any upfront or hidden fees when you hire a Premier Attorney. They operate on a contingency fee basis and only take a certain percentage of your settlement or court award if you’re fully compensated. To get started, contact a lawyer near you and schedule a free consultation.