There is no average compensation for motorcycle accident victims since the types and amounts of recoverable damages will vary significantly from one injured party to another. It can even vary greatly between a motorcyclist and a passenger injured in the same accident while riding the same bike.
The compensation you receive depends on the severity of your injuries and how long it takes for you to recover. Those factors will affect the value of your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. A Florida motorcycle accident lawyer’s careful assessment of your losses can help you maximize your financial recovery.
Assess Your Motorcycle Accident Medical Bills and Other Economic Damages
The costs of your motorcycle accident injuries start accruing right at the crash scene. For example, the treatment expenses you could recover include:
- Ambulance bills
- Emergency room
- Hospital admissions
- Surgical procedures
- Medical devices
- Rehabilitation costs
- Therapy expenses
Always follow your doctors’ instructions and receive all prescribed care. Then, track the past and current cost of your treatment and obtain a written prognosis to understand your potential future expenses. Finally, be sure to include potentially overlooked costs, like over-the-counter and prescription medications and treatment-related travel costs.
Document Your Lost Wages and Motorcycle Repair or Replacement
You can recover damages for the time your injuries prevent you from returning to work, including:
- Full- and part-time income
- Lost vacation days
- Gig economy income
- Freelance income
- Business losses
Even if you have repaired your bike, the crash likely diminished its resale value. You can recover the repair costs plus this diminished value by including them in your compensation request.
Non-Economic Losses
This category of damages compensates you for the pain and suffering you’ve experienced due to the collision. While you won’t have bills or invoices to calculate their value, a motorcycle accident lawyer can put a dollar figure on its impact on your daily life.
Filing Too Late Could Put Your Motorcycle Accident Compensation At Risk
The vast majority of motorcycle accident claims settle without going to court, but that doesn’t mean you won’t have to file a lawsuit. Accordingly, keep these deadlines in mind:
- Florida Statutes § 95.11 generally gives you two years to file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit.
- Florida Statutes § 768.28(6)(a)(1) generally gives you six months to notify a government agency of a pending lawsuit
- Florida Statutes § 95.051 outlines possible exceptions to the statute of limitations
Meeting the filing deadline can be challenging, but a personal injury lawyer can track it and ensure you file your lawsuit on time and in the appropriate venue.
Find a Personal Injury Lawyer, Near Me
(855) 529-0269Prove the At-Fault Party’s Negligence to Recover Any Damages at All
You cannot sue the person or entity whose actions caused your accident without proving they were negligent. You’ll want to investigate the crash thoroughly to identify the following components of a negligence claim:
- Duty of care: Each party must operate their vehicle safely and per the rules of the road.
- Breach of duty: Any action taken that contributes to the motorcycle collision.
- Causation: Evidence of the link between the at-fault parties’ actions and the cause of the accident.
- Damages: The economic and noneconomic losses caused by the at-fault party’s breach.
The liable party’s legal and insurance representatives will demand proof of these elements, which means building a compelling and persuasive evidence collection.
Evidence That Proves Negligence in Your Motorcycle Accident Injury Claim
Your evidence file is a crucial part of your compensation claim. It will include two important components: proof of the cause of the accident and its costs.
Your case file should include:
- Official reports: Police, mechanical, traffic, and accident control.
- Medical records: Treatment protocols and prescribed medication.
- Photos and videos: Dashcam, traffic cam, and smartphone.
- Insurance communication: Policy, claim forms, and correspondence.
- Employment records: Paycheck stubs and direct deposit records.
- Motorcycle records: Repair bills and replacement estimates.
If you hire a lawyer to represent you, they will handle evidence collection. You can focus on healing while they research and track down all the evidence you need and compile it into a clear and cohesive case file.
A Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Can Help You Maximize Your Compensation
Your injury claim could benefit from the legal service and support of a personal injury lawyer familiar with similar claims, applicable laws, and motorcycle insurance claims. A local attorney can:
- Accurately assess your compensation
- Establish the at-fault party was negligent
- Compile documents that prove your case
- Canvass for photos and video footage
- Manage verbal and written communication
- Complete and submit insurance claim forms
- Respond promptly to your questions and concerns
- Negotiate a favorable monetary settlement
- Represent you in court if necessary
A lawyer can also provide you with ongoing and informative progress reports that help you stay current as your claim progresses.
You Could Get Legal Support for Your Injury Claim at No Out-of-Pocket Cost
You do not have to forgo hiring a lawyer or risk a potentially costly delay before doing so. A law firm in your area will accept your case on a contingency fee basis. Here is how that benefits you:
- The law firm covers all the costs of preparing your claim
- You pay no retainer, upfront fees, or hidden costs
- You only compensate the law firm if it wins your case
Thus, you do not have to pay legal or attorney’s fees if the motorcycle accident attorney fails to secure compensation. They take on all the risk, allowing you to employ one without worrying about the cost.
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Learn More About Motorcycle Accident Compensation
If you or a loved one sustained an injury in a negligence-based motorcycle accident, you could be entitled to compensation. The motorcycle accident lawyers at Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers can help you get fair and appropriate compensation.
Don’t settle for “average” motorcycle accident compensation. Let our family fight for yours to get the money you deserve. Contact our consultation team now.
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(855) 529-0269