How Much Is a Good Settlement for a Motorcycle Accident?

How much a good settlement for a motorcycle accident is will vary from case to case. Those who suffered more severe injuries may need more money than those who sustained relatively minor injuries. In general, a “good” settlement is a settlement that:

• Covers the money you have already lost or spent because of the accident
• Covers the money you expect to lose or spend in the future
• Allows you to continue to support your family
• Compensates you appropriately for physical, psychological, and financial damages

What Goes Into a Motorcycle Accident Settlement?

Your settlement may consist of two types of compensation: economic and non-economic.

Economic Damages

This is the legal term for financial harm that the motorcycle accident caused. For example, you could sue for compensation based on:

• Lost working hours, or the income that you could not earn while you stayed home to recuperate from your injuries
• Lost earning capacity, or the income that you should have been able to earn throughout your career but now cannot because of a permanent injury
• Medical expenses, or the cost of treatments you need (or will need in the future) to keep you alive, reduce symptoms, or make life more bearable
• Repair expenses, or the cost of fixing or replacing your motorcycle or other personal property

Non-Economic Damages

The physical and mental suffering you have endured since the accident could also entitle you to compensation. Common examples include:

• Pain and suffering, or the negative changes in your physical and psychological well-being
• Disability, or the temporary or permanent loss of use of any part of your body, such as a limb or a sense (sight, hearing, etc.)
• Loss of consortium, or the negative changes in your relationship with your spouse or other close relatives
• Reduced quality of life, or the loss of independence, health, or general well-being brought about by the accident

Wrongful Death Damages

The damages discussed above may apply to personal injury and wrongful death cases. However, if you are filing a wrongful death case after losing a loved one in a motorcycle accident, you may also receive a settlement for:

• Loss of financial support, or the portion of the decedent’s income that would have gone to supporting you
• Funeral expenses, or the cost of laying your loved one to rest
• Loss of companionship, or the fact that the decedent can no longer be a part of your life

Our entire team would like to express our condolences for your loss. We would be honored to help you through this trying time by fighting for a fair settlement.

How to Calculate a Good Settlement

Your first step to getting a good settlement is to begin your case within the legal deadline. According to state law (found at S.C. Ann. § 15-3-530), personal injury victims have just three years to bring a case against the liable party. Cases filed after this date are not legally valid.

We want to help you start your case quickly and efficiently. A motorcycle accident attorney from our firm can calculate a satisfactory settlement by:

• Collecting evidence that speaks to the severity of your injuries, such as photographs and video footage or medical records
• Asking a relevant expert, such as a vocational rehabilitation professional or an economist, to testify on your inability to work and the amount of money you have lost
• Using legal formulas to calculate how much your non-economic damages are worth in dollars and how your expenses may grow in the future
• Helping you navigate laws such as S.C. Code § 15-38-15, which limits certain plaintiffs’ ability to collect damages based on comparative negligence

Getting a Good Accident Settlement

The liable party’s insurance company is, in many cases, responsible for paying any damages their client caused. Unfortunately, insurance companies all too often value profits over people and will do everything they can to avoid paying a fair settlement.

To get a fair settlement that covers all your expenses, you may have to fight the insurance company first. We can confront them on your behalf by:

• Negotiating the settlement: We can arrange to meet with the insurance company’s representatives and pressure them to offer the money you need and deserve.
• Going to court: In some cases, a fair settlement cannot be reached. Instead, we will represent you at trial and aim to persuade the jury to award a fair amount.
• Supporting you: One client, Renee Sigmon, thanked us for the “love and support” we showed during a difficult time. Being able to make our clients feel taken care of is just as important to us as providing professional legal services.

Get a Free Case Review Today

Want help figuring out how much a good motorcycle accident settlement is in your case? Call Hammack Law Firm at (864) 326-3333(864) 326-3333 for a free case review today. We prioritize your well-being above all else and can fight hard to make sure you get the support and compensation that you deserve.