How Much Is a Motorcycle Accident Case Worth?

Dealing with a motorcycle accident in California can be difficult – especially if you suffer serious or catastrophic injuries that lead to costly medical bills and interrupt your daily life. Before you accept a quick insurance settlement, it is critical to discuss the potential value of your motorcycle accident case with an attorney you can trust.

Damages Available for Motorcycle Accidents in California

It can be difficult to assign a value to a motorcycle accident case, as there is no such thing as a reliable “average.” Settlement values can vary drastically from case to case according to the facts involved. Some claims are worth around $10,000 to $30,000, while others have values that reach into the millions for catastrophic injuries.

The types of damages available to motorcycle accident victims typically include:

• Existing and future medical bills
• Short-term, long-term or permanent disability costs
• Scarring or disfigurement
• Lost wages, income and future capacity to earn
• Property damage repairs or replacement
• Physical pain and emotional injuries
• Loss of consortium
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Wrongful death damages (if the motorcyclist died)

Adding up all of your compensable damages typically takes gathering relevant bills, receipts and out-of-pocket costs. When it comes to calculating your future losses, however, you may need help from medical, financial and accounting experts.

What Factors Influence Motorcycle Accident Case Values?

A variety of factors can affect how much an injured motorcyclist receives from an insurance company after an accident in California. These include the severity of the victim’s injuries, which are often significant in motorcycle accident cases. In general, serious and catastrophic injuries result in higher settlements due to the amounts necessary to treat and live with these injuries.

The insurance available to cover a victim’s losses can also influence final settlement value. Motorists in California must carry at least $30,000 per person in bodily injury insurance, plus $15,000 for property damage. The limits on the at-fault party’s policy – in addition to any first-party coverage available – can determine how much the case is ultimately worth.

Motorcycle cases are different from standard car accident cases due to rider bias. Insurance companies are biased against motorcyclists, and often apply defenses such as assumption of risk and comparative negligence to try to reduce payouts. These are just some of the factors that can influence and alter the value of a motorcycle accident claim in Los Angeles.

Why You Should Contact a Los Angeles Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Insurance companies stay in business by creating profit margins whenever possible. They accomplish this by diminishing claim payouts and even denying valid claims. The initial settlement value assigned to your case by an insurance claims adjuster will most likely be far less than you deserve.

A certified personal injury attorney in Los Angeles, on the other hand, will work for you and want you to recover the greatest amount of financial compensation available. You can trust a lawyer to negotiate with insurance claims adjusters for you to fight for a fair and full settlement. Although most motorcycle accident cases in California reach settlements, an attorney can also bring your case to trial, if necessary, for maximum results.

Don’t accept the first settlement offered to you by an insurance company, even if you are eager to resolve your motorcycle accident claim. You generally cannot reopen a closed case once a settlement has been accepted. Instead, bring your case to an experienced motorcycle accident attorney for an accurate case evaluation. The motorcycle lawyers at Rose Klein & Marias, LLP will review your case for free.