The value of economic and non-economic damages you can collect for a motorcycle accident can be difficult to determine. A motorcycle accident lawyer can help you file a claim that accounts for the full value of recoverable damages.
The nature of damages that an injured party can recover varies based on the unique details of their case. Depending on the state, certain laws can limit how much you can collect in damages, or the damages you can receive on the behalf of a deceased party.
What Losses Lead to Economic Damages After a Motorcycle Accident?
Economic damages may be awarded to offset the financial loss incurred by the injured party after a motorcycle accident. We can value the damages based on the following losses:
- Bills from the hospital where you received treatment and other medical appointments
- Future projections of medical expenses
- Wages you have lost while recovering
The value of economic damages can be easier to establish if you have kept receipts and records of every accident-related cost. A motorcycle accident lawyer can help you estimate the value of the damages.
Motorcycle accidents often result in severe injuries that cause temporary or permanent disabilities. These accidents can even cause death. According to the United States Department of Transportation, the fatality rate of motorcycle accidents on weekends (6 pm Friday to 5:59 pm Monday) has increased by 9% from 2019 to 2020.
In the unfortunate event that a family member has died after a motorcycle accident, you may be able to recover damages by filing a wrongful death claim depending on the state.
For a free legal consultation, call 800-333-9999
What Non-Economic Damages Can You Collect After a Motorcycle Accident?
Some damages may not have a financial cost. For example, the damages may stem from the reduced quality of life related to the motorcycle accident.
You may be able to collect non-economic damages depending on your case.
Some of the non-economic damages recoverable after a motorcycle accident may include:
- Psychological distress
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment
- Disfigurement and extreme scarring
- Mental and physical impairment
Some of these non-economic damages may increase with the severity of the injuries sustained in the accident. If a loved one passes away, the court also considers grief and loss of companionship as factors influencing how much the deceased’s family can receive. The awarding of non-economic damages varies significantly from case to case.
Which Parties Pay Damages After a Motorcycle Accident?
The parties responsible for causing the accident should be the ones paying damages. The liable party in a motorcycle accident may be the other driver, the driver’s employer, the state, or the motorcyclist.
In some states, the injured party, or the plaintiff, may have to prove that they have serious injuries that their own PIP insurance may not cover. As with most vehicle accident cases, you may have to build a good case with sufficient evidence proving that the liable parties were negligent. Some states may also have laws that limit how much someone can receive if they were partially responsible for an accident.
Deadline for Damages in a Motorcycle Accident Case
You have a limited period of time to pursue a lawsuit against the liable party. The statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits will vary by state, and the wrongful death statute of limitations may even be different than the personal injury one. A motorcycle accident lawyer will help you begin the claims process as soon as possible after the accident to preserve your right to seek financial justice.
When are Punitive Damages Awarded After a Motorcycle Accident?
Punitive damages can be awarded in certain types of cases. Some states may cap punitive damages if you do receive them as part of your settlement.
The goal of seeking punitive damages is to ensure that the liable party does not cause a similar accident in future. Punitive damages are different from compensatory damages. You may be eligible for these types of damages depending on your case, although they are not common in personal injury cases.
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Discuss Your Case With a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Today
Discussing your case with a lawyer can help answer questions you may have about the damages you can collect for a motorcycle accident. We work on a contingency-fee-basis, which means that if you win, we do too.
Call Isaacs & Isaacs Personal Injury Lawyers today to get started.
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