If you’ve been hurt in a motorcycle accident someone else caused, you may be entitled to significant compensation for the many ways the crash has affected your physical, emotional, and financial well-being. However, pursuing motorcycle accident settlements can be challenging.
Insurance adjusters are paid to minimize or reject any claims they can. Knowing what your claim is truly worth can protect you from an adjuster’s hardball tactics and help you demand every cent of compensation you deserve.
The North Carolina motorcycle accident attorneys at Kreger & Brodish LLP have prepared this guide to give you an idea of what your case could be worth, as well as information about the average settlement for motorcycle accidents. One of our experienced motorcycle accident lawyers can give you a fuller picture of your specific case when we review your situation during a free initial consultation.
Contact us today to get started and find out more about your legal options.
What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident
The steps you take in the days and weeks following a motorcycle crash can mean the difference between recovering the compensation you deserve and facing unfair delays or denials. With that in mind, be sure to do the following:
- Preserve injury-related medical records, including hospital bills, diagnostic scans, and doctor’s notes.
- Compile documents to prove lost income, such as past tax returns, pay stubs, and correspondence with your employer’s HR department.
- Avoid posting about the accident on social media, as the insurer can use anything you say publicly against you.
- Do not accept the insurance company’s initial offer without an attorney’s advice, as it is unlikely to cover the full extent of your losses.
- Contact our experienced North Carolina motorcycle accident lawyers to investigate the accident and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Types of Damages in a Motorcycle Accident Injury Claim
The compensation you recover after suffering severe injuries in a motorcycle accident will fall into two broad categories: economic damages and non-economic damages.
Economic Damages in Motorcycle Accident Cases
Economic damages compensate injured motorcyclists for the financial consequences of the accident. These damages may include compensation for:
- Medical expenses, including emergency treatment, doctor’s visits, diagnostic scans, surgeries, and medications
- Lost wages due to missed time at work
- Reduced earning capacity if a disability forces you to take a lower-paying job
- Property damage to your motorcycle and other belongings
Non-Economic Damages in North Carolina Motorcycle Accidents
Non-economic damages include compensation for less-tangible losses, including:
- Physical pain
- Emotional suffering
- PTSD, anxiety, and depression
- Disability
- Disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Because these damages can be challenging to quantify, you should consult our experienced motorcycle accident attorneys to calculate them. We can determine how much you may be eligible to recover based on past verdicts in your area, as well as the settlements we’ve achieved for other clients.
How Much Can I Receive in a Motorcycle Accident Settlement?
So, what is the average compensation for a motorcycle accident? There is no simple answer to that question. The compensation you may recover in a motorcycle accident settlement depends on the specific details of your case. Some factors that might affect your settlement value include:
- The severity of your injuries and prognosis – More serious injuries generally warrant more significant damages. Permanent disabilities or disfigurement also tend to increase case values.
- Type of damages – Cases involving significant lost wages, long-term medical treatment, expensive medications, or assistive devices often settle for larger amounts.
- Insurance coverage limits – Settlements are often restricted by the at-fault party’s insurance policy limits. Higher limits or multiple policies mean more compensation may be accessible.
- Quality legal representation – Our attorneys thoroughly document losses, aggressively negotiate with insurers, consult experts, and prepare cases for trial to maximize settlement amounts.
What you’re owed depends on the unique factors in your personal injury case. Have an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer from our law firm analyze your case details to provide a reasonable estimate of potential value and the types of financial compensation you could recover in a motorcycle accident claim.
How Much Time Do I Have to File a Motorcycle Accident Claim in NC?
In general, motorcycle accident victims have a maximum of three years to file a lawsuit in North Carolina. That means you may become ineligible to receive compensation if you fail to file your personal injury claim within three years of the accident. Working with our knowledgeable attorneys can help ensure that you do not miss any crucial deadlines. Furthermore, the sooner you contact a lawyer at our firm, the better able we will be to secure the evidence you need for a favorable result.
How Can a North Carolina Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Help?
Retaining legal representation after a motorcycle crash is critical for increasing your chances of securing full and fair compensation. Our attorneys can help by:
- Investigating crash details and collecting evidence to establish liability
- Communicating with insurance adjusters and aggressively negotiating for a settlement
- Filing a lawsuit if settlement negotiations fail or the situation otherwise warrants it
- Retaining accident reconstruction experts, doctors, and vocational specialists to bolster your claim
- Taking depositions from witnesses and preparing extensively for trial
- Alleviating stress by handling all legal matters while you focus on your recovery
What’s more, a North Carolina motorcycle accident attorney from Kreger Brodish LLP will do all this at no upfront cost to you. Instead, we work on contingency, which means we only get paid if we recover compensation for you first. That way, nothing is stopping you from securing the dedicated legal representation you need during a difficult time.
Contact the Motorcycle Accident Lawyers at Kreger Brodish LLP
Life after a motorcycle accident is full of challenges. However, you do not need to face the burden of unnecessary stress when it comes to seeking the total compensation you deserve. The experienced legal team at the law firm of Kreger Brodish LLP understands how difficult your situation is, and we are ready to fight for your rights.
When you choose us, you can rest assured that you will have a dedicated advocate who understands your individual needs. Call us today or contact us online for a free consultation to learn more about how much your motorcycle accident case may be worth.
