Here’s a Guide to Find Out How Much Your Motorcycle Claim is Worth
Motorcycle accidents can happen at any moment. As per Forbes, 83,000 motorcyclists were injured in 2021. The causes can range from reckless driving to hazardous road conditions. In addition, the accident can be of any type – a collision with another vehicle, a slip on gravel, or a sudden obstacle.
However, regardless of the type of motorcycle accident, the aftermath can be devastating. If you have been hurt in a motorcycle accident, you should seek help from a knowledgeable motorcycle accident lawyer.
They can guide you through the legal complexities and also help you determine the worth of your claim. Let’s dig in!
How to Find Out Your Motorcycle Accident Claim’s Worth
If you have found a lawyer who accurately entails the worth of your motorcycle accident claim, you are in the wrong place. While the motorcycle accident lawyer can surely help you determine the claim’s worth, they cannot quote an exact amount. Why? It’s because the value of the claim varies depending on various factors, such as:
- Fault and Responsibility: You should find out who was at fault for the motorcycle accident and whether you bear any responsibility
- Number of Defendants: The presence of multiple defendants can complicate the claim process, as liability may be shared among them.
- Insurance Coverage: Find out how much liability insurance coverage the defendant has. Also, factor in your insurance – health insurance, motorcycle coverage, etc.
- Degree of Negligence: If the accident was a result of gross negligence and reckless driving by the defendant, you should get more compensation than usual.
Before calculating the losses, you need to know the full extent of your losses. For economic losses, you can just add all your expenses together.
Calculating non-economic losses is a bit more complicated. You can use one of the following methods to calculate non-economic losses:
- The multiplier method: A value between 1.5 and 5 will be assigned to you depending on the severity of your losses. The total economic losses will be multiplied by this assigned value to determine non-economic losses.
- The per-diem method: A value will be assigned for your days. This value will be multiplied by the total number of days it takes for the victim to recover.
Types of Damage Awards You Can Receive for Your Motorcycle Accident Claim
The following are the awards you can expect to get for your motorcycle accident claim:
Compensatory Awards
These types of damage awards compensate you for the losses and expenses incurred due to the accident. Compensatory damages awards include:
- Medical Expenses
Motorcycle accidents may result in injuries, and you may need to be admitted to a hospital. This adds up to your medical expenses, such as
- Hospital stays
- Ambulance services
- Surgeries
- Follow-up doctor visits
- Necessary medications
- Assistive medical devices (i.e., crutches, wheelchairs, or prosthetics)
- Rehabilitation costs (i.e., physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, etc.)
- Lost Wages
When you are injured, it’s difficult to resume your work. This may result in lost wages or, in some cases, losing the job. However, in response to your claim, you can expect compensation for wages lost due to missed work during recovery, as well as potential future earnings if the injury affects your ability to work.
- Property Damage
The property damage reward aims to compensate you for the repair and replacement costs of properties damaged in the accident. It can be your motorcycle or other things like gear, etc. The compensation amount can vary depending on factors like the market value of the damaged property, the extent of the damage. In the event of a repair, you can expect to get a temporary transport source for your daily activities.
- Pain and Suffering
The injuries will cause extreme pain for the victim. This is a type of loss that is not computable, as it is personal to the victim. These types of losses are called non-economic damages. This will cover both the emotional pain and the physical pain.
Punitive Awards
Punitive damages are given when the defendant was found guilty of the offense. These go beyond compensatory damages and are ordered to ensure others stay away from such crimes.
Conclusion
In conclusion, if you are a victim of a motorcycle accident, you should immediately get in touch with a motorcycle accident attorney. They can help you determine the worth of your claim.
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Here’s a Guide to Find Out How Much Your Motorcycle Claim is Worth