The average settlement for a motorcycle accident is hard to calculate because of the many factors that go into valuing damages and negotiating an agreement. Victims who experienced similar accidents may have drastically different injuries and treatments. Their jobs and financial circumstances before a collision can further impact their recovery.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the fatality rate for motorcyclists in collisions is 28 times higher per mile traveled than the rate for vehicle occupants. Many more sustain lasting injuries that require extended medical treatment, ongoing support, and long-term care. The cost of their injuries and care could bankrupt a family without a settlement that covers their needs.
Securing a fair settlement based on your own injuries is key in a motorcycle accident case. An attorney can help you add up your economic losses and estimate the value of your non-economic losses to arrive at a settlement that appropriately addresses your damages.
Factors That Impact the Value of a Settlement Agreement
An attorney has to consider several factors when calculating a client’s damages. Some factors that could affect the value of a settlement include:
- The severity of the accident victim’s injuries
- The medical care necessary to stabilize and treat their injuries
- Their salary and time away from work
- Their property damages
- Any ongoing or future care needs their injuries require
- Whether the insurance company accepts liability on their policyholder’s behalf
- Whether there is shared fault, known as contributory negligence
- Whether the case settles or requires a civil trial
- The value of other damages, both economic and non-economic, as identified during the investigation
This is why calculating the average settlement for a motorcycle accident case is of no practical value to any one individual claimant. Each of these factors can affect the final outcome. Personal injury lawyers strive to understand how these pieces fit together to best serve their clients. What the “average” outcome is irrelevant. What is of great importance is winning the compensation that a particular injured claimant needs and deserves.
Putting a Fair Value on Your Motorcycle Accident Claim
In order to understand what a motorcycle crash claim could be worth, we need to identify and value our client’s losses and calculate the overall sum of these damages.
Our team knows the most common types of recoverable damages and how to spot more unusual expenses and losses in these accidents. We value claims by collecting bills, receipts, estimates, and other documents and working with expert witnesses including, as needed, vocational rehabilitation and medical specialists, life care planners, and economists.
Our team also accepts wrongful death cases, filing claims for our clients based on New York Estates, Powers & Trusts (EPT) §5-4.1. These cases have additional damages to consider. If you are a family member of a motorcycle accident victim, we are sorry to hear about your loss and extend to you our heartfelt condolences. We hope that you will contact us to discuss your wrongful death case. We are dedicated to winning the compensation that you, as the surviving family member of a motorcycle accident wrongful death victim, need and the justice that your departed loved one deserves.
Let a Motorcycle Accident Attorney Help You Understand the Value of Your Case
As a part of handling your claim, a motorcycle accident attorney will estimate an appropriate settlement value for your damages. We will need to take many steps before we can offer this information, including fully investigating your collision and learning as much as possible about your injuries and prognosis. However, we will provide you with the services you need to develop the strongest case possible during this time, including:
- Keeping you updated on your case
- Identifying the liable parties
- Speaking with all parties about your case on your behalf
- Gathering evidence that supports your claim
- Estimating a fair settlement value for the case and collecting proof of your damages
- Fighting relentlessly to win the best possible case result for you
The sooner you reach out to our team, the greater the opportunity we have to build the strongest case possible by gathering additional evidence that could disappear if there is a delay in moving forward. This could include surveillance video of the collision, physical evidence, witness statements, and more. There is also a statute of limitations that applies to filing a lawsuit in a New York personal injury accident case.
Talk to a Motorcycle Accident Team Member About Your Claim
You can speak with a team member from the Friedman & Simon, L.L.P. office for free today. Our firm offers complimentary case assessments and consultations to motorcycle accident victims. We also handle motorcycle accident claims based on contingency.
Our motorcycle accident team members are passionate advocates for the injured, ready to fight for the financial recovery you deserve based on your accident. We often meet potential clients in hospitals or their homes, either on Long Island or another part of the New York metropolitan area.
Contact Friedman & Simon, L.L.P. today by calling (516) 932-0400.