Motorcycle Crash Settlement Examples: What to Expect

PRESS RELEASE
Published April 20, 2024

Riding a motorcycle unleashes a sense of freedom and thrill that no four-wheeled vehicle can match. Yet with the exhilaration comes increased danger, as riders lack the metal protection drivers enjoy. When motorcycle accidents happen, devastating injuries often result.

If you suffered harm in a motorcycle crash, obtaining fair compensation is crucial. However, calculating settlement values after these incidents proves complex.

Below, we break down everything injury victims should know about motorcycle accident settlements in New York. With realistic expectations, you can better equip yourself to secure the maximum payout to cover damages.

Determining Fault and Liability After Motorcycle Crashes

The first step towards any injury settlement is establishing legal liability. Using investigative techniques and evidence gathering, our motorcycle accident lawyers determine precisely who caused the collision.

New York utilizes pure comparative negligence doctrines, meaning multiple parties can share fault percentages. Even if you were partially responsible through actions like speeding, you still recover damages reduced by your allocation of blame.

Proving liability relies on motorcycle attorneys conducting comprehensive inquiries, including:

  • Interviewing eyewitnesses
  • Retrieving police reports
  • Analyzing road conditions
  • Reconstructing how the crash occurred
  • Pinpointing sources of driver distraction or intoxication

Building an ironclad argument around liability paves the way toward securing you sufficient compensation.

Calculating the True Cost of Motorcycle Accident Injuries

Once determining the party at fault, our focus shifts towards calculating total damages stemming from a motorcycle crash. Compensation categories typically include:

Economic Losses

  • Ambulance rides
  • Hospitalization
  • Medications
  • Rehabilitative services
  • Medical equipment
  • Lost income
  • Loss of future earnings

Non-economic Harm

  • Pain and suffering
  • Loss of companionship
  • Emotional distress
  • Disfigurement or disability

Documented evidence like treatment records and pay stubs help accurately gauge financial damages. Whereas harm like depression or reduced mobility proves trickier to quantify.

Our skilled motorcycle accident attorney in Brooklyn possesses robust knowledge in pricing all damage elements - including intangibles through verifiable methodologies. We incorporate case histories, expert recommendations, and jury studies while computing sums reflecting true losses.

What Settlement Timelines Should You Expect?

Typically motorcycle incidents traverse three resolution pathways:

  1. Insurance Settlements
  2. Pretrial Negotiations
  3. Jury Verdicts

Insurance Settlements

Attempting direct negotiations with insurers often brings swifter resolutions, usually wrapping up within several months. But companies may extend discussions hoping victims accept unreasonably low amounts out of desperation.

Pretrial Settlements

If talks stall, filing a motorcycle injury lawsuit prompts more earnest bargaining. Savvy legal representation equals higher settlements pretrial. Yet the process consumes more time - lasting around one to two years on average.

Jury Verdicts

Occasionally motorcycle accident cases reach trial when settlement offers still pale compared to losses. While lengthening timeframes to approximately three years, jury awards frequently deliver more substantial sums better matching damages.

Recovering what you rightfully deserve sometimes requires patience throughout an intricate legal process. But our lawyers help smooth out complications while constantly pushing your case towards maximum recompense.

What Impacts Motorcycle Accident Settlement Amounts?

Myriad factors determine how motorcycle incident settlement offers take shape:

  • State negligence doctrines
  • Shared fault allocations
  • Applicability of injury caps
  • Policy maximums and umbrella coverage
  • Severity of damages
  • Motorcycle safety gear used
  • Witness and police testimony
  • Supporting documentation strength
  • Negotiation experience

Higher settlements correlate to elements like:

  • Intensive injuries causing disability
  • Long hospital/rehab stays
  • Totaled vehicles
  • High lost wage amounts
  • Clear liability arguments
  • Defendants with robust coverage

Lesser compromises associate with aspects such as:

  • Minor wounds like scrapes
  • Property damage as sole loss
  • Partial victim fault

While precise motorcycle settlement averages remain hard to pinpoint, our lawyers utilize past case experience to benchmark potential value ranges and structure demands accordingly.

Why Legal Representation Proves Crucial

Motorcycle riders suffer onerous repercussions from accidents warranting substantial remuneration. Yet crash victims already endure painful recoveries without also having to haggle legal intricacies alone.

Retaining reputable motorcycle accident counsel brings better outcomes through attorney assistance including:

  • Evidence Investigation - Lawyers locate supporting materials cementing fault arguments to boost settlement leverage.

  • Legal Guidance - We demystify confusing court procedures so clients concentrate on healing.

  • Resolution Knowledge - Understanding timeframe norms and settlement influencing factors allows properly calibrating expectations.

  • Negotiation Talent - Seasoned attorney negotiation abilities typically extract greater insurance payouts.

  • Courtroom Advocacy - If settlement talks fail, representation ensures your rights remain protected before a judge and jury.

Don't jeopardize securing coverage for present and future accident harms. An adept personal injury law firm's engagement smooths out claim complexities.

Recovering What You Deserve After Motorcycle Crashes

Navigating post-accident legal, medical, and financial challenges leaves many riders overwhelmed. Yet assistance exists in pursuing fair remedy for your motorcycle incident losses.

With compassionate counsel and honest direction, clients secure sufficient compensation following devastating collisions. We simplify matters allowing greater peace amid recovery.

Don't endure alone - a trusted advocate can secure you everything required to move forward. Reach out today to start mapping out your road to justice.

At Held Held and Held, personal injury lawyers have served Brooklyn motorcycle crash victims for over 50 years. Contact us at 718-342-5529 for tailored representation yielding your best settlement through expertise and dedication. Consultations come free of charge. Let our family stand beside yours.


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