If you have suffered an injury in a motorcycle accident, you may be wondering, “What is the average motorcycle accident settlement for these types of cases?”
The amount of your particular motorcycle accident injury settlement will depend on several factors, including the severity of your injuries, pain and suffering, the medical costs, the impact of your wreck on your day to day activities, as well as any lost wages due to missed work.
At The Kryder Law Group, LLC Accident and Injury Lawyers, our experienced motorcycle accident attorneys can help you determine the potential value of your motorcycle accident case and work to secure the maximum settlement for your injuries.
Factors That Affect the Size of Motorcycle Accident Settlements
There is no simple answer to what a typical motorcycle accident claim amount may worth, as every motorcycle crash case is unique.
However, there are several factors that can impact the final settlement amount:
Severity of Injuries
The severity of injuries, such as broken bones, brain injuries, or spinal damage, is the key factor in determining a higher settlement amount.
Pain and Suffering
Motorcycle accidents can cause severe physical and emotional distress, leading to ongoing medical treatment, loss of life enjoyment, and mental anguish.
Medical Costs
Motorcycle accidents generate significant medical expenses, including hospital stays, surgeries, rehabilitation, and ongoing treatment.
Impact on Daily Life
Injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident can impact your daily life in many ways. This may include the inability to work, perform household tasks, or participate in activities you enjoy.
Lost Wages
If your injuries lead to missed work, you might get compensated for both current and future lost wages, especially if you’re left with a permanent disability.
Different Types of Damages You Could Recover
In Illinois, motorcycle accident victims can be compensated for financial, physical, and emotional losses to address the various hardships the collision caused. Within these broader categories motorcycle accident claims may recover losses like:
- Medical bills
- Physical pain
- Emotional suffering, including post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Healthcare expenses
- Lost wages
- Diminished earning abilities
- Property damage
- Ongoing disabilities
- Disfigurements
- Fatal motorcycle accidents
What Types of Motorcycle Accident Injuries Receive the Highest Settlements?
Motorcycle accidents often result in serious injuries that require costly medical treatment, leading to higher settlements. Examples are:
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the most severe injury motorcycle riders can suffer in accidents, often leading to long-term cognitive and physical impairments.
- Spinal cord injuries (SCI) vary in severity and can lead to paralysis, chronic pain, and loss of sensation.
- Neck and back injuries, including muscle sprains, strains, herniated discs, and spinal injuries, can result from the impact of a crash.
- Accidents often result in fractures, especially in the arms and legs, necessitating surgery or comprehensive treatment.
- Road rash is an extremely painful type of friction burn that may require skin grafts or other treatments to heal properly.
- In severe accidents, riders may undergo amputations, increasing settlement values due to the need for long-term care, rehabilitation, and loss of ability to partake in previous activities.
- Internal organ damage can be life-threatening and require emergency medical treatment or surgery.
- Soft tissue injuries are non-visible injuries such as whiplash, soreness, and stiffness.
How Minimum Insurance Requirements Impact the Value of Your Case
A motorcycle rider must have bodily injury liability insurance coverage and property damage liability insurance in Illinois. According to the Illinois Secretary of State, drivers must maintain an insurance policy with the following coverage:
- $25,000 for the injury or death of one individual
- $50,000 for the injury or death of two or more individuals
- $20,000 for damage to another person’s property
Insurance minimums can directly affect your final settlement amount—your motorcycle injury claim may depend on the driver’s coverage. If the at-fault driver is uninsured, filing an insurance claim might be impossible. In such cases, a experienced motorcycle accident lawyer can help with a personal injury lawsuit to seek financial recovery.
What to Do If You Don’t Get a Fair Settlement
If the insurance company doesn’t offer a fair settlement, motorcycle accident lawyers can use your personal injury claim evidence to file a lawsuit.
A personal injury lawyer from our team will then assist you in seeking damages in court.
How Long Do I Have to File a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit?
You are required to file a personal injury lawsuit within two years of your motorcycle accident to seek damages in court—as detailed under 735 ILCS 5/13-202. If you have lost a family member in a motorcycle or car accident then, 740 ILCS 180/2 requires you to file a wrongful death lawsuit within two years of their passing.
Let The Kryder Law Group, LLC Accident and Injury Lawyers Handle Your Personal Injury Case
Many motorcycle accident victims want to know what the average settlement for motorcycle accident cases is before they get started with their case. In truth, your own accident settlement amount will depend on evidence, regulations, and negotiations.
What we can tell you is that each motorcycle accident attorney at The Kryder Law Group, LLC Accident and Injury Lawyers is well-versed in the claims process as motorcycle accident attorneys and can fight for your rights.
We understand the hardships that come with being injured in an accident and are dedicated to helping our clients obtain fair compensation.