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- Motorcycle accident settlements vary based on the circumstances of each case.
- Factors such as treatment costs, accident fault, and insurance details determine possible payouts.
- More severe injuries typically prompt higher settlements.
- The more documentation you have of your costs, the more you can usually claim.
- An attorney can help you push for maximum compensation.
Motorcycle accident injuries can lead to unexpected expenses and leave you with many questions, such as:
- “Can I sue the person at fault?”
- “Which costs can I sue for?”
- “What is the average motorcycle accident settlement?”
The truth is, it’s difficult to cite an average motorcycle accident payout. Compensation amounts vary widely depending on the specific circumstances of the case and the severity of the injuries involved. As a result, the range of potential payouts can be quite broad.
While payouts can vary, the experienced team at NST Law will fight to get you the best possible outcome in your motorcycle accident case. Trust us to handle the details so you can focus on your recovery.
Average Motorcycle Accident Settlement Amounts
Across the board, motorcycle accident settlements typically range from $10,000 to over $500,000, depending on the severity of the injuries and other key factors, including medical treatment, lost wages, and the level of emotional distress. These are just some things that can impact your settlement, and many other factors may also play into settlement amounts.
Key Factors Affecting Motorcycle Accident Settlements
Our team of experienced motorcycle accident lawyers can help if you’re wondering how much your motorcycle claim is worth. We’ll take the time to listen to your story and learn more about how the accident impacts your life. We’ll ask questions to better understand the specific circumstances of your case to identify the factors that may impact your claim, such as:
Severity of Injuries
More severe injuries often result in higher long-term treatment and care costs, leading to larger settlements. A minor fracture that heals quickly would typically mean less significant losses compared to serious injuries like a spinal cord injury or a traumatic brain injury (TBI). These injuries may require a lifetime of care, including medical treatment and personal care costs, lost quality of life, and reduced ability to earn a living.
Liability and Fault
Determining fault in a motorcycle accident involves proving that one or more parties acted negligently. Negligence occurs when someone fails to exercise reasonable care to avoid causing harm to others.
Insurance adjusters rely on documentation like police reports and witness statements to determine fault because these pieces of evidence are generally considered objective and unbiased. If an insurance adjuster or court finds you partially at fault for the accident, your compensation may be reduced by your percentage of responsibility. This is known as comparative fault, which can affect the total amount of damages you can recover.
Missouri, Arkansas, and Tennessee all follow different versions of comparative fault. Missouri allows you to recover compensation as long as you are not 100 percent at fault, but Arkansas and Tennessee require you to be less than 50 percent at fault. All three states reduce compensation by the percentage of fault assigned to the plaintiff.
Economic Damages
Most civil lawsuits involve economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages may include:
- Medical expenses: Past and anticipated future care costs
- Lost wages: Income you were unable to earn due to your injuries, including lost future earning capacity
- Property damage: Accident-related losses to your motorcycle or other personal belongings
Documentation, such as medical bills and pay stubs, can support your claims for economic damages.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are intangible losses related to your accident. They may include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of companionship
Loss of companionship, also called “loss of consortium,” typically applies in wrongful death cases. It represents the loss of the benefits and intimacy of a relationship. Our skilled legal team can help you determine if you’re eligible to claim loss of consortium.
Insurance Coverage
Understanding insurance coverage can help you get the money you need after an accident. In some states, the driver who caused the crash must pay for the damages—states that take this approach utilize an “at-fault” system. In “no-fault” states, each driver’s insurance pays for their injuries up to a certain limit.
Tennessee, Arkansas, and Missouri are at-fault states, meaning the driver responsible for the accident must use their insurance to cover the other party’s injuries and other losses. If your expenses exceed the at-fault driver’s insurance limit and you have bodily injury coverage, your policy may help cover the rest. If the at-fault driver does not have insurance or their policy isn’t enough, you may need to file a lawsuit to recover the remaining damages.
Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage helps if the at-fault driver has no insurance, while Underinsured Motorist (UIM) coverage applies if their insurance isn’t enough to cover your losses. UM/UIM coverage can prevent you from paying out-of-pocket in at-fault states like Tennessee, Arkansas, and Missouri. Some states require UM/UIM coverage, while others make it optional, so checking your policy is important.
Jurisdiction
Each state has different car accident laws, and local courts and juries can impact how much compensation you receive. Missouri and Tennessee are known for awarding high compensation packages, while Arkansas tends to favor defendants. In Missouri, lawmakers are currently discussing changes to various rules governing lawsuits, including what types of evidence can be used in court.
No matter where your accident happened, it’s important to work with a knowledgeable personal injury lawyer who understands the laws in your local court system and the overall “climate” for lawsuits in your state, which may influence how your case is handled.
Examples of Motorcycle Accident Settlements
Having secured over $2 billion in client verdicts and settlements, we know firsthand how varied settlement amounts can be. On the high end, our motorcycle crash lawsuit settlements include more than $1 million for a husband and wife who were severely injured by a driver who crossed in front of them. We also obtained $1 million for a man who suffered significant injuries when a truck driver turned in front of him in traffic.
The value of each settlement depends on available evidence and the individual circumstances of each case.
Calculating Your Motorcycle Accident Settlement
When you partner with a trusted attorney, they work with you to calculate the value of your claim based on the losses you’ve experienced.
Your attorney will assess your economic losses, such as medical bills and lost wages, so keeping all bills and statements related to these losses is essential, as they help support your claim and potentially increase the compensation you can receive.
Non-economic damages, like pain and suffering, are harder to calculate because there are no bills or statements to prove their value. Attorneys and insurance companies typically use the multiplier method, which involves multiplying your economic damages by a number between one and five. The severity of your injuries and other factors will determine the multiplier used to calculate your non-economic damages.
How To Maximize Your Motorcycle Accident Settlement
Your actions following a motorcycle accident can affect the compensation you receive. To support your claim and maximize the amount you can receive:
- Seek medical treatment immediately: Get treated right after the accident, even if you don’t feel hurt. Medical records are crucial for documenting and linking your injuries to the accident.
- Gather strong evidence: Collect photos, police reports, and witness statements right after the accident. This evidence helps your lawyer build a stronger case.
- Work with a lawyer: Choose an experienced injury accident lawyer with a proven track record to help navigate the legal process and fight for the compensation you deserve.
- Avoid accepting quick insurance settlements: Insurance companies may offer low settlements to resolve claims quickly. Always consult a lawyer before accepting any offer.
Also, limit your communications with the other party involved. After an accident, anything you say to the other party or their insurance company could be used to reduce your motorcycle accident settlement. Having a trusted lawyer handle communication helps protect your rights and prevents you from unintentionally admitting fault or weakening your claim.
Motorcycle Accident Laws
Each state’s motor vehicle accident laws can affect the compensation you may receive and whether you can file a lawsuit.
Missouri follows the rule of pure comparative negligence, meaning an injured person can sue for damages if they are partially at fault. However, the court will reduce their award by the percentage of fault assigned to them.
In Arkansas and Tennessee, courts use modified comparative negligence to assign fault. Under this rule, you can only recover damages if you are less than 50 percent at fault for the accident. As with pure comparative fault states, the courts in Arkansas and Tennessee will reduce your compensation based on your percentage of fault.
It’s also important to understand your state’s statute of limitations, which sets a deadline for when you can file a lawsuit. For example:
- Tennessee: One year
- Arkansas: Three years
- Missouri: Five years
- Mississippi: Three years
- Illinois: Two years
The statute of limitations typically starts on the date of your accident. This means the clock starts immediately after the incident, so acting quickly is crucial to protecting your legal rights.
How an Attorney Can Help With Your Motorcycle Accident Claim
It’s essential to consult with a skilled attorney as soon as possible so you don’t miss your chance to seek compensation. Putting together a claim takes time and can further delay your settlement if you’re not prepared. At NST Law, we’ll work to maximize your settlement by:
- Investigating the accident to determine fault
- Gathering evidence to support your claim
- Negotiating with insurance companies to optimize settlement payouts
- Representing you in court if necessary
Our skilled motorcycle accident attorneys are committed to pursuing maximum compensation for our clients. This goal is one of our six pillars of service, alongside resourcefulness, compassionate care, accessibility, trust and transparency, and personalized service.
Contact Our Motorcycle Accident Attorneys
At NST Law, we are the Champions for the Injured and are passionate about the communities we serve. Our client reviews, and testimonials show our dedication to our clients, and we’ll be equally dedicated to your case.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, don’t wait—Call The Champs today at 800-529-4004 or contact us online for a free consultation.
