If you have suffered an injury in a motorcycle accident, you may be wondering what is the average motorcycle accident settlement for these types of cases. The amount of your own injury settlement will depend on several factors, including the severity of your injuries, pain and suffering, the medical costs, the impact of your wreck on your day to day activities, as well as any lost wages due to missed work.
At The Kryder Law Group, LLC Accident and Injury Lawyers, our experienced motorcycle accident attorneys understand how to calculate the full extent of damages in these cases so that our clients can receive maximum compensation in their accident settlement. Because each case is unique, an average settlement number is not really a good indication of what your case might be worth.
In this Article
How to Find Out What Your Case Is Worth
The best way to find out what kind of settlement you might get from the insurance company is to talk to an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer. When calculating a settlement figure for someone involved in a motorcycle accident case, we will take into account both special damages (financial losses associated with the accident) and general damages (non-economic losses). Special damages are usually easier to determine since they include all out-of-pocket expenses related to the accident, such as medical bills and repair costs. General damages are more difficult to quantify since they encompass any physical and emotional pain and suffering caused by the motorcycle crash.
Every Case Is Unique
Every case consists of its own unique set of circumstances, meaning that there is no clear answer regarding what the average motorcycle accident settlement is. A few major factors contribute to the outcome of how motorcycle accident cases settle.
First and foremost, the amount of insurance coverage a person has. If a motorcycle accident attorney from our law firm calculates that your damages amount to $100,000, but the negligent driver’s policy cannot cover this, it will limit how much you can recover from insurance companies.
At The Kryder Law Group, LLC Accident and Injury Lawyers, we understand as personal injury lawyers, how complex these serious motorcycle injury cases can be and how important it is for our clients to receive a fair settlement. We will work with you to develop a strong legal strategy that will maximize your motorcycle accident settlement and protect your rights.
Contact us today for a free consultation. With years of experience in personal injury law, we have the knowledge and resources to effectively handle your case.
The extent of your injuries and any resulting disabilities.
The length of treatment required to recover from your injuries.
Any lost wages due to missed work or earned but unpaid wages.
Damage to personal property such as a totaled bike, helmet, or clothing.
These factors will be used to assess the full value of your personal injury claim so that you can be appropriately compensated. We understand how frightening it can be when dealing with an injury after a motorcycle accident, and we are here to provide professional legal guidance. With decades of experience dealing with insurance companies in motorcycle accidents, our team at The Kryder Law Group, LLC Accident and Injury Lawyers is ready to help you pursue a fair settlement for your case. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Different Types of Damages You Could Recover
In Illinois, motorcycle accident cases can allow victims to cover several types of damages. This can include compensation for financial, physical, and emotional losses to address the various hardships the collision caused. Within these broader categories of compensatory damages, you may be able to recover compensation in motorcycle accident claims for:
Physical pain
Emotional suffering, including post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Healthcare expenses
Lost wages
Diminished earning abilities
Property damage
Ongoing disabilities
Disfigurements
Fatal motorcycle accidents
Since each case is unique, this list does not cover every type of damage you may be able to collect. When you hire our team, we can review the evidence to determine what compensation you qualify to recover.
Overall, the settlement you seek will vary depending on the exact circumstances of your situation. Catastrophic injuries generally yield higher settlements than minor injuries because the accident victim needs greater financial support to account for their medical bills and other losses.
What Types of Motorcycle Accident Injuries Receive the Highest Settlements?
Considering the severity of motorcycle accidents, it is not uncommon for motorcycle accident victims to suffer serious injuries that require expensive medical treatment. The more extensive the treatment that is required, the higher the settlement can be.
Some examples of common severe injuries that can leave a rider with overwhelming future medical expenses and bills include:
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) – The most catastrophic of all injuries that motorcycle riders suffer in accidents are TBIs because they can cause long-term cognitive and physical impairments. Traumatic brain injuries often happen when a rider is not wearing a helmet and their head hits the pavement.
Spinal cord injuries – These can range from mild to severe and often result in paralysis, chronic pain, and loss of sensation.
Neck and back injuries – Muscle sprains and strains, herniated discs, and other spinal injuries can occur due to the force of impact in a crash.
Fractures – Accidents can cause broken bones, particularly in the arms and legs which may require surgery or other extensive treatment.
Road rash – This type of friction burn is extremely painful and may require skin grafts or other treatments to heal properly.
Amputations – In severe cases, riders may need to have an arm or leg amputated due to the damage caused by the accident. This can add to the value of a settlement because the rider may require long-term medical care and rehabilitation and may no longer be able to enjoy the same activities they once did.
Internal organ damage – Injuries to an internal organ can be life-threatening and require emergency medical treatment or surgery.
Soft tissue injuries – These are non-visible injuries such as whiplash, soreness, and stiffness.
These types of motorcycle injuries often can require extended medical treatment and cause long-term pain and suffering, which can lead to higher settlements. Our team at The Kryder Law Group, LLC Accident and Injury Lawyers understands that anyone involved in a serious motorcycle accident needs experienced representation to recover the compensation they deserve.
How Minimum Insurance Requirements Impact the Value of Your Case
A motorcycle rider must have bodily injury liability insurance and property damage liability insurance in Illinois. According to the Illinois Secretary of State, drivers must maintain an insurance policy with the following coverage:
$25,000 for the injury or death of one individual
$50,000 for the injury or death of two or more individuals
$20,000 for damage to another person’s property
These insurance minimums can have a direct correlation to your final settlement amount—your motorcycle injury claim may be subject to these limits depending on the driver’s level of coverage. Moreover, if the person responsible for your motorcycle collision is uninsured, you may not be able to file an insurance claim at all. In that case, you could file a personal injury lawsuit against them to help you seek financial recovery.
You Could Recover Damages Through a Lawsuit
If you are looking for assistance with your motorcycle accident claim, one of the personal injury and motorcycle accident attorneys, from our law firm at The Kryder Law Group, LLC Accident and Injury Lawyers can provide the legal advice you need. We understand the hardships that come with being injured in an accident and are dedicated to helping our clients obtain fair compensation. An experienced motorcycle accident lawyer will help you catalog your damages before negotiating for a settlement that reflects the extent of your losses.
What to Do If You Don’t Get a Fair Settlement
However, if we are unable to get the insurance company to give you a fair offer, we may be able to take the evidence in your claim and form a lawsuit. A personal injury lawyer from our team can then help you fight for damages in court. This will require following specific steps and taking other state laws into account.
How Long Do I Have to File a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit?
You are required to file a personal injury lawsuit within two years of your motorcycle accident to seek damages in court—as detailed under 735 ILCS 5/13-202. If you have lost a family member in a motorcycle accident, 740 ILCS 180/2 requires you to file a wrongful death lawsuit within two years of their passing. These deadlines are important to your motorcycle accident lawyers to keep in mind because once they pass, you become ineligible to file. An experienced motorcycle accident or experienced personal injury attorney from The Kryder Law Group, LLC Accident and Injury Lawyers can provide the legal guidance you need to understand and meet the statute of limitations in your case.
Let a Lawyer Handle Your Personal Injury Case
Many motorcycle riders and victims want to know what the average settlement for a motorcycle accident is before they get started with their case. In truth, your own accident settlement amount will depend on evidence, regulations, and negotiations.
What we can tell you is that any experienced motorcycle accident attorney at The Kryder Law Group, LLC Accident and Injury Lawyers is well-versed in the claims process and can fight for your rights. We will get the best possible outcome for you and your loved ones. As your case moves forward, our firm can provide many legal services to work tirelessly for your financial recovery. Call today.
If you have suffered an injury in a motorcycle accident, you may be wondering what is the average motorcycle accident settlement for these types of cases.
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