Average Motorcycle Accident Settlement Amount

Sustaining an injury in a motorcycle accident is a source of stress. For instance, a back injury can result in persistent pain and numerous appointments with a physical therapist. The mounting medical expenses, lost income due to missed work, and out-of-pocket expenses can take a toll on you.

When faced with such bills, you may wonder about the average settlement amount to plan your finances. The question has no simple answer because every motorcycle accident is different.

There is no average settlement, as each case has different circumstances. Some injured victims receive higher settlement values, while others receive lower values. The value of your settlement depends on several factors.

More importantly, working with a trusted motorcycle accident attorney can often increase your chances of receiving a fair settlement value for your losses.

Motorcycle Accident Stadistics

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, 82,686 people sustained injuries in motorcycle accidents in recent years. Victims of motorcycle accidents must cope with mounting medical bills, lost wages, and emotional anguish.

You may be entitled to compensation if you sustained an injury in a motorcycle accident due to someone else’s negligence. Although compensation for injured victims is protected by personal injury laws, understanding the average settlement amount can help protect your rights.

Consider speaking to a trusted motorcycle accident attorney at The Barnes Firm who can provide legal guidance as you seek compensation from the liable party.

What’s the Average Motorcycle Accident Settlement in NY?

The settlement amount for motorcycle accident injuries is determined individually, with a different result for each person. Even when two people suffer similar injuries, the settlement value can vary considerably based on a variety of factors.

Some of the factors that determine the value of a settlement amount include:

• Severity of injuries
• Insurance limit of the at-fault party
• Emotional trauma
• Length of treatment plan
• Long Term consequences of the injury
• Availability of Evidence

Average Motorcycle Accident Settlement Examples

The average motorcycle accident settlement amount can vary significantly, ranging from $7,500 to over $1 million, depending on the specifics of each case.

The Barnes Firm understands the impact motorcycle accidents have on victims and their families. In this overview, we present a list of motorcycle accident settlement examples from our successful cases, illustrating the range and depth of compensation achieved. These examples highlight our commitment to advocating for our clients’ rights and securing the financial support they deserve.

• $1,840,750.00 – Motorcyclist hit by a bus, sustaining leg, arm, wrist, pelvis, and spine injuries.
• $1,250,000.00 – Motorcyclist struck by vehicle – sustaining neck, back,shoulder, leg, and hip injuries.
• $ 1,125,000.00 – Client struck by bus while riding motorcycle causing ankle, knee, back, rib, and brain injuries.
• $ 500,000.00 – Client was struck on motorcycle – sustaining road rash, shoulder, foot, ankle, and knee injuries.
• $500,000.00 – Client was struck by left turning vehicle causing spine, arm, and leg injuries.
• $475,000.00 – Motorcyclist struck by left turning car – sustaining wrist and arm injuries.
• $460,000.00 – Client was hit by vehicle on motorcycle, sustaining leg injuries.
• $ 425,000.00 – Client hit by left turning vehicle, causing foot, wrist, and neck injuries.
• $ 325,000.00 – Motorcyclist was struck by truck – sustaining foot injuries.
• $ 300,000.00 – Client sustained shoulder and rib injuries in a motorcycle accident.
• $250,000.00 – Client was injured in a motorcycle accident.
• $250,000.00 – Motorcyclist struck by another vehicle causing leg and hand injuries.
• $250,000.00 – Motorcyclist hit by vehicle making a left turn – sustaining face and leg injuries.
• $242,500.00 – Client was hit by a left turning vehicle resulting in shoulder injuries.
• $200,000.00 – Motorcyclist hit by left turning vehicle – sustaining spleen, chest, head, and knee injuries.
• $175,500.00 – Client sustained foot, leg, ankle, and upper body injuries in a motorcycle crash.
• $160,000.00 – Motorcyclist injured by car running stop sign causing rib, neck, head, and back pain.
• $160,000.00 – Motorcycle accident resulted in road rash, arm, leg, and foot injures to client.
• $153,500.00 – Client sustained head, neck, back, elbow and wrist injuries in a motorcycle accident.
• $125,000.00 – Motorcyclist hit by left turning vehicle – resulting in client’s death.
• $100,000.00 – Motorcyclist hit vehicle that turned in front of client sustaining injuries.
• $100,000.00 – Motorcyclist hit by another vehicle sustaining head, back, and arm injuries.

Disclaimer: each case is unique, and past results do not guarantee or predict future outcomes. Settlement amounts can vary based on individual circumstances and legal factors (Read more on How The Average Motorcycle Accident Settlement Amount is Determined).

How The Average Motorcycle Accident Settlement Amount is Determined

The value of a motorcycle accident settlement largely depends on evidence, facts, and unique circumstances regarding the case.

Here are the two main aspects that affect a motorcycle accident settlement:

• Damages: A severe motorcycle accident with substantial vehicle damage and physical injuries is likely to result in a more significant settlement value.
• Liability: Most states operate on an at-fault basis where a liable driver must be proven responsible for the resulting damages. Consequently, the at-fault drivers pay for the resulting damages and injury-related losses.

Factors That Affect A Motorcycle Accident Settlement

The circumstances of your case will determine how much you will be entitled to in compensation for your losses.  Here are the factors of the average accident settlement amount:

Extent of Your Injuries

The severity of your injury will determine the average settlement amount for a motorcycle accident. An accident victim who suffered a minor broken bone is likely to obtain a lower settlement value compared to a victim who sustained a traumatic brain injury.

A severe injury requires a higher settlement value to cater for various damages, including:

• Medication
• Physical therapy
• Out-of-pocket expenses
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional anguish

Do not assume the severity of any injury. Instead, see a health provider for a comprehensive medical examination. While bruises and lacerations may seem minor, they pose a risk of infection, internal injury, or scarring.

Liability

You may still be entitled to compensation if you were partly liable for a motorcycle accident. Under comparative negligence, you may still be entitled to compensation if your contribution to the accident was less than 50%.

However, the compensation you’re entitled to is reduced by the percentage of your fault. For instance, if you were lane splitting before an accident, an act that made you 40% at fault, your settlement may be lowered by 40%.

The Injuries Impact on Your Life

In addition to the financial impact of an injury, the physical harm can affect other vital aspects of your life. Suppose you sustained a spinal cord injury that makes it challenging to get down and play with your kids or be intimate with your partner.

In that case, you deserve compensation for a reduced quality of life or the loss of enjoyment of life. If you sustained a severe injury or lost a loved one due to the injury, you could develop mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, phobias, or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

The Long-Term Impact of the Injury

When determining the value of a motorcycle accident settlement, a jury considers the current and future injury-related losses.

You may obtain a higher settlement value if an injury caused the following injuries:

• Lack of independence
• Inability to pursue hobbies
• Reduced earning capacity
• Chronic pain
• Long-term medications
• Resulted in permanent or long-term disability

The Importance Of Determining Accident Liability

After a motorcycle accident, injury-related costs begin accumulating, necessitating a financial plan to cover those expenses. The most critical step in meeting these costs is determining liability for the accident.

After identifying the liable party, you can pursue compensation by either filing an insurance claim or a lawsuit. More importantly, working with a motorcycle accident attorney can help you identify the liable party and initiate steps to recover injury-related costs.

How Motorcycle Accidents Are Calculated

The value of a motorcycle accident settlement depends on the at-fault party insurer and the coverage. You may also require representation from a motorcycle accident attorney to protect your interest in the claim.

While an insurer may consider the severity of your injuries, medical expenses, and lost wages, they will likely table a low-settlement offer. An attorney’s role is to evaluate the settlement offer based on your injuries and negotiate a better deal covering your losses.

Common Causes of Motorcycle Crashes

Unsafe Lane Changes

An unsafe lane change occurs when a car abruptly changes lanes and crashes into another vehicle. It can also happen when a car changing lanes causes dangerous conditions, leading to a crash.

Riders can help avoid unsafe lane change accidents by signaling before changing lanes, checking blind spots, or changing one lane at a time.

Alcohol Use

Alcohol intake slows down your response time, which increases the likelihood of accidents. If the front car brakes suddenly, your brain takes longer to process the hazard, making it difficult to prevent an accident.

Tailgating

Some riders habitually follow vehicles too closely, a traffic violation in New York state. When a driver tailgates, they cannot stop in time when the driver in front stops or makes a turn. An aggressive tailgater can distract or frighten the front motorist, increasing the chances of an accident.

Dangerous Road Conditions

Riders may struggle to navigate dangerous road conditions like potholes, sinkholes, or broken asphalt. For example, hitting a pothole can cause a driver to lose control and crash into an oncoming vehicle.

Statute of Limitations for Motorcycle Accident Claims in NY

The statute of limitations is the window where an injured victim should file a lawsuit for compensation.

Someone who’s sustained an injury in a motorcycle accident has up to three years to file a lawsuit from the date of injury. If you file a personal injury lawsuit more than three years after the lawsuit, the court may dismiss the case because it violates the statutes of limitations.

Why You Need To Contact A Motorcycle Accident Attorney

The input of a motorcycle accident attorney is as vital as determining the liable party in an accident. Irrespective of your contribution to the accident, working with a legal professional can protect your interest in a claim.

Here are a few benefits of a motorcycle accident attorney:

• Proving the Extent of Your Injury: Your ability to obtain a fair settlement value for your losses depends on demonstrating your physical harm. An attorney can apply their experience to compile various pieces of evidence, including medical records, video surveillance, specialist reports, witness testimony, and motorcycle accident reports.
• Represent You in Court:  If an insurer tables an insufficient offer or refuses to settle, you may need the court’s intervention. A motorcycle accident attorney can represent your case before a jury or a judge to obtain a court order that compels the at-fault party to compensate for your injury-related losses.

More importantly, an attorney will counter the insurer’s defense attorney, ensuring a fair hearing of your case.

Get in Touch With an Experienced Motorcycle Accident Attorney

You deserve compensation if you’ve sustained an injury in a motorcycle accident due to someone else’s negligence. An experienced motorcycle accident attorney can apply their knowledge and skills to pursue compensation that matches your injury-related losses. The Barnes Firm Injury Attorneys is a team of legal professionals with decades of experience representing injured victims. Contact us online or at (800) 800-0000 for a free case evaluation.

If you sustained a traumatic brain injury, you may require hefty finances to cater to medication, surgical costs, and long-term care. You’re also likely to be out of work for an extended period, leading to loss of income.

Consider engaging a professional from The Barnes Firm, with over 500 years of combined experience representing injured motorcycle accident victims.

Richard Barnes – President of The Barnes Firm

Richard Barnes: “As President of The Barnes Firm, I have dedicated my career to achieving justice in hundreds of cases for the victims of injuries caused through the fault of others. Additionally, I have been honored to have been elected Best Lawyer and a Super Lawyer”

Years of Experience: 30+ years
LinkedIn Profile: Richard Barnes