Compensation for a motorcycle collision depends on various factors unique to the accident and the injured party. Therefore, the average settlement for motorcycle accidents can range widely based on the case’s circumstances.
Motorcycle riders are more vulnerable to injuries because bikes are less visible than cars and lack the protection of enclosed vehicles. They can suffer severe injuries, including road rash, soft tissue injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and other wounds. A motorcycle accident lawyer in Michigan can determine how much financial compensation you could recover from your accident.
What are the average settlements for a motorcycle accident?
Because every case is different, there is no accurate “average” settlement amount for a motorcycle accident claim. A reasonable settlement for a motorcycle accident resulting in catastrophic injuries would look very different from an appropriate settlement for minor cuts or road rash.
At Christensen Law, our motorcycle accident attorneys will do the work to determine how much compensation you could be entitled to receive. After we evaluate your claim, we will negotiate aggressively for the maximum settlement possible. In the past, our relentless efforts have resulted in motorcycle accident settlements as high as $1.25 million.
Should I settle with insurance or hire a lawyer?
Some people might be tempted to save money on legal fees by handling their claims on their own. However, motorcycle accident claims are rarely straightforward. Severe injuries, expensive medical bills, and societal biases against motorcyclists can make it challenging for crash victims to recover the compensation they are entitled to.
Unless you sustained only damage to your vehicle and no injuries, it’s almost always best to hire a motorcycle accident lawyer. An experienced attorney can help you evaluate the full extent of your losses, establish a solid foundation for your claim, and maximize your take-home compensation.
Unfortunately, the goal of any insurance company is to pay out as little as possible to protect its bottom line. A motorcycle accident lawyer, however, has every incentive to fight for you. At Christensen Law, our lawyers represent motorcycle accident victims on contingency, which means we won’t charge anything upfront. Our lawyers only get paid if we recover compensation for you. And since we get paid as a set percentage of your recovery, your goals will be entirely aligned with ours.
You should hire a motorcycle attorney that regularly takes cases to trial, and wins. Insurance companies knows the lawyers that simply settle cases and move on to the next case, and knows the lawyers that will try cases to a jury and likely will win. The trial attorneys always get better results for their clients. Christensen Law has tried more traffic crash cases than any law firm in Michigan.
How can a lawyer get me the compensation I deserve?
A Michigan motorcycle accident lawyer can help you defend your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve by:
- Conducting an independent investigation of the crash to uncover critical evidence and determine who was at fault
- Interviewing eyewitnesses who saw the crash occur
- Consulting with medical professionals and occupational specialists who can testify about your injuries and future ability to return to work
- Hiring accident reconstruction specialists to diagram the crash
- Communicating and negotiating with the insurance company and other attorneys on your behalf
- Managing necessary paperwork, documents, and deadlines
- Representing you in court, if the insurance company refuses to make a reasonable settlement offer
What Is the Value of Your Michigan Motorcycle Accident Case?
Personal injury claims usually cover economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are monetary expenses from a motorcycle accident, such as medical costs and lost income. In contrast, non-economic damages are intangible losses related to the crash’s physical, mental, and emotional pain and suffering.
Calculating Economic Compensation
Calculating your economic damages involves adding up your bills and receipts, but there is more to it than that. You also must ensure you fully understand the scope of your injuries and medical needs so that you obtain enough compensation to pay for all your ongoing and future treatment.
In addition, economic damages will vary for each person. For example, a 25-year-old with permanent disabilities from spinal cord injuries will likely qualify for more compensation for future lost income than a person in their 50s or 60s. Someone with more responsibilities may recover more for replacement services like child care and home maintenance.
Factors that can influence your motorcycle accident settlement include:
- The severity of your injuries
- The extent of your medical treatment
- Your age at the time of your crash
- Your current income
- How much work you missed and whether you can return to your job
- Whether you will make a full physical recovery
- The insurance coverage available
Calculating Non-Economic Compensation
Non-economic damages are subjective and, therefore, more challenging to value. This is another reason it is difficult to determine average settlements for motorcycle accidents for injured riders.
Generally, professionals can use two methods to determine compensation for pain and suffering in motorcycle accident claims:
- The multiplier method. With this method, your economic damages are multiplied by a number between one and five. Your multiplier depends on how much your injuries interfere with your daily life and the extent of your physical pain, mental anguish, and emotional suffering.
- The per diem method. Under this method, each day of your suffering is assigned a dollar amount, often based on your income. Your settlement includes the compensation amount for each day from the time you sustained your injury until you fully recover.
Damages Included in a Michigan Motorcycle Crash Settlement
Personal injury settlements and jury verdict amounts depend on the types of damages you can claim. Specifically, an average settlement for a motorcycle accident in Michigan may include the following damages:
- Ambulance transportation and emergency medical care
- Surgeries
- Hospital stays and doctor’s office visits
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation
- Medications and medical equipment
- Long-term nursing services
- Life care
- Lost income, earnings, and employment benefits
- Lost earning capacity
- Household services
- Scarring
- Disfigurement
- Disability
- Depression, stress, and anxiety
- Emotional distress
- Diminished quality of life
- Loss of enjoyment
- Wrongful death compensation for a fatally injured loved one (e.g., funeral expenses, lost income, etc.)
A personal injury attorney will listen to you, consider the unique circumstances of your case, and identify all your losses so we can pursue fair compensation on your behalf. We cannot know the average injury settlement for your motorcycle accident without learning much more about you. Still, we can promise to fight for the maximum amount of compensation possible.
Your Options for Seeking Motorcycle Collision Awards in Michigan
You can pursue a fair settlement for a motorcycle wreck in Michigan in several ways:
No-Fault Insurance
Under Michigan’s No-Fault insurance system, most motorists must purchase personal injury protection (PIP) insurance. However, the law does not require motorcyclists to have PIP. However, you can seek medical damages with a PIP claim against the following parties if you suffered injuries in a car accident or truck accident:
- The owner of the vehicle.
- The driver (if different from the owner and the owner does not have PIP)
- Your motor vehicle insurer or coverage you have through someone in your household (if there is no insurance available through the car or truck driver)
- The motorcycle owner’s motor vehicle insurer (if you are not the owner and you do not have vehicle insurance)
- The at-fault driver’s employer (if the accident occurred while they were on the job)
- Government entity or company responsible for road maintenance, repairs, or upkeep
Michigan Assigned Claims Plan (MACP)
If you have no PIP coverage options, you can seek benefits through the Michigan Assigned Claims Plan (MACP). If approved, you will submit a claim and be matched with one of six participating PIP providers that will pay for your medical care, rehabilitation, and recovery.
Personal Injury Lawsuit
If your medical expenses exceed your PIP coverage, you may be able to seek compensation from an at-fault party with a liability claim or personal injury lawsuit. Acting against a liable party may allow you to secure non-economic damages not recoverable through PIP.
Seeking Legal Help for Motorcycle Crashes
Negotiating with the insurance company for economic and non-economic damages can be complicated, especially if you are recovering from severe injuries. A skilled motorcycle accident attorney will help you gather medical records and other evidence to support your motorcycle accident claim. They will handle all communication related to your case and represent you in settlement negotiations with the negligent driver, their insurance company, and their legal counsel.
Christensen Law can help you understand more about the above options and assist with seeking awards through every available channel. We aim to help you recover financial compensation so you can return to your normal life.
How Long Do You Have to Pursue Your Claim in Michigan?
You should start on your insurance claims right away. If you must take legal action to get a fair motorcycle accident settlement, Michigan Compiled Laws § 500.3145 allows one year to sue for No-Fault benefits. Michigan Compiled Laws § 600.5805 allows three years to sue for personal injury or wrongful death.
Time limits for filing a motorcycle accident lawsuit can vary depending on the circumstances surrounding your accident. For example, minors who suffer injuries in a motorcycle crash in Michigan can file suit within one year of turning 18.
If you do not file your case within the statute of limitations, the court will likely bar you from pursuing damages. Avoid missing critical legal deadlines by contacting a Michigan motorcycle accident attorney as soon as possible after a motorcycle crash. A skilled personal injury attorney can begin gathering evidence immediately while you focus on recovering from your injuries.
Call Us Today for a Free Consultation After a Motorcycle Accident
If you or a loved one suffered harm in a motorcycle collision, a personal injury lawyer with our firm can seek compensation that helps you get back on your feet. We will protect your rights, prove you deserve compensation, and fight to ensure you and your family do not pay out of pocket for an accident you did not cause.
Christensen Law has more than three decades of legal experience we can put behind seeking a motorcycle accident settlement for you or your loved one. Call us today for a free consultation. We serve personal injury clients on contingency.
