Average Motorcycle Accident Settlement
If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident due to the fault of another, then the law may entitle you to sue for compensation. Motorcycle accidents can have severe consequences, often leading to significant injuries and complex legal claims. You’re likely to be wondering about many aspects of your legal claim, from whether it’s actionable, to what the “average motorcycle accident settlement” is so that you can compare and contrast. But navigating these complicated questions isn’t easy without the help of a legal professional. That’s why we encourage you to consult an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer for guidance at the start.
Contact 1-800-THE-LAW2 for a free consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer in our network.
Of course, if you’d like to learn more about the average motorcycle accident settlement, and motorcycle accident litigation issues in general, then keep reading! We’ll cover many of the basics so that you have a better understanding.
How much injury compensation will I get for my motorcycle accident?
If you’re injured in a motorcycle accident, then you could be entitled to compensation for any losses that you sustained due to the defendant’s negligence, recklessness, or intentional misconduct. Claimable losses include, but are not limited to:
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Loss of property
- Medical expenses (i.e., medical bills for whatever medical treatment you received to deal with your injuries, supported by your various medical records)
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of companionship
- And more
Compared to a typical car accident, motorcycle accidents often result in more severe injuries, which can lead to higher settlement amounts.
Bear in mind that damages vary from case-to-case, as your personal circumstances (and the facts of the accident) are unique.
For example, if you’re unemployed at the time of your motorcycle crash, then your wage loss damages are likely to be zero (or close to zero). By contrast, if you have a high-paying job, and you’re forced to take some time off from work after the accident, then your wage loss damages are likely to be significant. This can lead to substantial discrepancies in outcomes on a case-by-case basis, which is why it’s so important to speak to a qualified motorcycle accident attorney for a clearer understanding of what you can expect.
Why do most personal injury disputes result in a settlement?
It’s true that the large majority of personal injury lawsuits conclude in a settlement. In fact, industry observers estimate that as much as 95 percent of disputes are concluded through a settlement and not trial litigation.
Why?
Well, as a general rule, personal injury trial litigation tends to be:
- Resource-intensive
- Inherently uncertain
- Distracting
- Public
- And more
For example, all litigation is inherently uncertain.
Even if you think you have a strong case for the damages you’re claiming, it’s possible that the court will reject your legal arguments, or will award you less compensation than you thought you’d receive ideally. Thus, to avoid the inherent uncertainty of litigation — and the other negative factors — most parties prefer to negotiate a “certain” settlement that accounts for all aspects of the dispute. This saves a lot of time, energy, and resources.
How long does a motorcycle accident settlement take?
Motorcycle accident cases vary significantly, so there’s really no time that encapsulates the “average motorcycle accident settlement.” The timeline can also be influenced by how quickly the insurance company processes your claim and negotiates a settlement. Some disputes can take a week to conclude, whereas others can take months or even over a year! Don’t make too many assumptions about litigation and settlement until you begin the process and have had detailed conversations with your personal injury attorney about your case.
What is the average settlement figure?
There is really no accurate answer to the “average motorcycle accident settlement” question. That’s because most settlements are not publicly accessible information — they are privately negotiated and handled.
For instance, looking at motorcycle accident settlement examples can provide some insight into the range of possible outcomes.
Because the public data is extremely limited, there’s no accurate assessment we can make for an average motorcycle accident settlement. Further, knowing these numbers is simply unimportant to understanding your own case (and settlement potential). Every dispute is different, after all, and you’ll have to base your expectations on entirely different factors from other motorcycle accident disputes.
Settlement potential is typically based on the total damages you’re entitled to, modified by the certainty of your “win” should the case proceed to trial. So, for example, if you’re arguing that you’re entitled to $100,000 in damages, but both you and the defendant agree that you have a 70 percent likelihood of securing those damages should the case proceed all the way through to trial, then a reasonable settlement would hover around $70,000 (e.g. 70 percent of the total damages).
What factors could influence my settlement offers?
Many different factors can influence your motorcycle accident claim settlement offers, including:
- The hostility of the defendant and their willingness to settle
- The financial resources available to the defendant
- The negative publicity that the parties could encounter if the case were to proceed through the litigation process
- The strength of your legal argument
- The strength of the evidence supporting your liability claim
- The strength of the evidence supporting your damages claim
- And more
For example, suppose that you are suing a delivery truck company whose driver hit you while you were riding your motorcycle. The delivery company is concerned about litigation since it is public and could have a negative impact on their brand perception and business (if people start to believe that their delivery drivers are not safe operators). As such, they might be more willing to offer you a favorable and early settlement to avoid any sort of public litigation issues that could arise.
Understanding these pressures — and how to leverage them to your advantage — is part of the job for a skilled motorcycle accident lawyer. Make sure to discuss these opportunities with your lawyer when you have your initial consultation.
How much do experienced motorcycle accident lawyers cost to hire?
Generally speaking, most motorcycle accident attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, so they don’t cost anything upfront or out-of-pocket — instead, they provide legal representation in exchange for a percentage cut of whatever compensation they’re able to secure on your behalf. This percentage cut can vary depending on what you’re able to negotiate (25 to 40 percent or more) when you hire them.
The costs associated with a motorcycle accident lawsuit can vary, but understanding the fee structure is crucial.
In a contingency fee arrangement, you don’t pay unless (and until) you “win” compensation through a settlement, trial award, or some other means. If you don’t “win,” you don’t have to pay fees to the attorney. That makes pursuing your legal claims a lot less risky and a lot less financially burdensome.
The best part is that your attorney’s incentives will be aligned with your own. Not only do they get paid only if you “win” (so they’re incentivized to put in efforts into ensuring that you actually get compensated), but they also get paid more when you get paid more, due to the percentage fees. This means that they work to maximize your compensation. It’s not just about getting a quick buck off your case. That makes this form of legal representation substantially more client-friendly.
Contact 1-800-THE-LAW2 for a Free Legal Consultation
If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident due to another’s fault, then you could be entitled to sue for compensation in motorcycle accident cases. That being said, the legal process can be overwhelming and confusing — especially for a first-time plaintiff. We encourage you to get in touch with experienced motorcycle accident lawyers who can help you navigate litigation effectively from start to finish.
Contact 1-800-THE-LAW2 for a free consultation with a qualified local motorcycle accident attorney in our network. During this initial consultation, you’ll have the opportunity to discuss your case in more detail and to learn more about your next steps (and your strategic options) given the circumstances. Pick up the phone and call us today to get started! Motorcycle accident settlements aren’t always easy to understand, so it’s important to talk to a professional.
We look forward to assisting you with your motorcycle accident case.
