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If you suffered injuries due to the negligence of another driver, and you are dealing with the repercussions of that event in the forms of medical bills, lost wages, and repair costs, you may be considering what the average settlement for a motorcycle accident is. A settlement from the at-fault driver’s insurance company could help alleviate a lot of the unnecessary stress you are handling, but you could make a mistake by accepting the first offer.
Every accident is different, and approaching your claim with the intention of collecting an average settlement would be misguided. Regardless of pre-existing statistical support—such as data presented by the Insurance Information Institute—there really is no such thing as an average settlement. There are numerous factors that can influence the settlement value you may end up collecting, rather than the one the insurance company is willing to offer.
Additionally, you may not want to accept the first offer from the insurance company. An insurance company is like another other company. They are in business to make a profit. Their priority is to protect the company, and if they can keep their costs down by offering a smaller settlement than what you require, they just might do so.
Injuries Associated With Motorcycle Accidents Which You May Have Suffered
Motorcycle riders do not have the same level of protection as a driver in a car. They do not have steel and plastic surrounding them in the event of a crash. Even the most innocuous of accidents in a car operator can be quite catastrophic for a motorcyclist.
If you suffered injuries in a motorcycle accident—even if they are minor—we advise you to see your doctor or a healthcare provider as soon as possible. Your injuries could be obvious, slow to manifest, or internal and undetected. You may face:
- Whiplash
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) or a concussion
- Neck, back, or spine injuries
- Broken bones or joint injuries
- Permanent disability, lost bodily functions, or even paralysis
- Disfigurement to the face or body
- Internal bleeding
- Organ failure
- Cuts, lacerations, scrapes, and bruises
- Burns
Each of these injuries carries a physical, mental, and financial burden to your life. Their effects could be short and your injuries may heal quickly, or you could be left with a life-changing condition. You deserve to receive a fair settlement for your injuries—not just one that you believe to be “average.”
The Damages You May Claim After a Motorcycle Accident
Medical bills and motorcycle repair costs are not the only things you can claim for compensation. You may also be able to claim other losses following a motorcycle accident, things that an average settlement may not cover. You could also collect compensation for:
- Lost wages for time away from work
- Reduced earning capacity if you can no longer perform your job the same
- Past and future medications, surgery, or therapy,
- The cost to repair property damage other than your vehicle
- Diminished quality of life, if you can no longer do the things you once enjoyed
- Mental distress, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, or anxiety
- Permanent disability and alterations to accommodate for changes to your life and living space
- Pain and suffering
- Any out-of-pocket costs
A Lawyer Can Help You Pursue a Wrongful Death Lawsuit
If you lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident, please accept our condolences. You are undoubtedly dealing with a heavy loss. Putting together a wrongful death claim for compensation is probably not your priority. You should be aware, though, that there are things you can request in a settlement offer. Your wrongful death claim could include:
- Burial and funeral costs
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of support and protection
Discover the Actual Value of Your Motorcycle Accident Claim Today
You should not just accept the “average” settlement for a motorcycle accident offered by the at-fault driver’s insurance company. Let us help you calculate your actual losses so we can effectively negotiate a fair settlement offer for you.
A motorcycle accident lawyer with George Sink, P.A. Injury Lawyers may be able to help. You may be missing things that you had not considered for your financial recovery. When you hire us, we want you to just focus on getting better—leave the rest to us.
Call us or fill out our online form today for a free case review. Also, we work on a contingency-fee basis. We only collect attorney’s fees when you recover a fair settlement or a court award. Do not settle for average. You deserve what is fair, not just the “average.”