Victims of motorcycle accidents often require extensive medical treatment. They may face a long recovery time, a mountain of medical bills, and the stress of being unable to return to work. If you are in this situation, you are likely wondering about the value of your motorcycle accident claim and whether a settlement will be enough to cover your medical bills and other damages.
The reality is that there is no set amount for motorcycle accident claims. Every situation is different, so the value of your case may be very different from another motorcyclist injured in a collision. There are various considerations that can determine the outcome of your claim.
Tom Kiley, Sr., has been a personal injury lawyer for over 40 years and riding motorcycles for even longer. Armed with the knowledge and experience needed to recover maximum compensation for his clients, he is proud to advocate for the legal rights of Massachusetts motorcyclists.
If you were injured in a motorcycle accident caused by someone else’s negligence, contact Kiley Law Group today. We can investigate your case, determine whether you have a right to receive compensation, and calculate the value of your claim. Call us 24/7 at 888-435-1321 to schedule a free consultation.
How Much Do Massachusetts Motorcycle Accident Cases Settle For?
It is difficult to provide an average motorcycle accident settlement. If a motorcyclist only sustained minor injuries and property damage, the settlement may be under $10,000. However, we have represented some motorcycle accident victims who were left with severe, life-altering injuries. These types of cases have settled for $200,000 or more.
You may be able to search online and find a Massachusetts motorcycle accident calculator, but these only provide a ballpark estimate of what the value of your claim may be. A motorcycle accident lawyer will determine the value of your claim by looking at the physical, emotional, and financial losses that you suffered as a result of the accident.
Factors that may affect the worth of your claim include:
- Liability of the parties involved: If the motorcyclist had been under the influence of alcohol, speeding, lane splitting, or contributing to the accident in any other way, then this could greatly affect the payout of the rider’s claim. Under Massachusetts’ comparative negligence law, a person can still recover compensation if he or she is found to be less than 51 percent liable for the accident.
- Insurance available: All drivers in Massachusetts are required to hold minimum liability coverage. This covers bodily injury of $20,000/$40,000 and property damage of up to $5,000. If the at-fault driver was not insured and you have underinsured/uninsured (UM/UIM) motorist coverage, you should be able to collect from your policy.
- Severity of your injuries: The more serious your injuries are, the more compensation you are likely to receive. Based on the severity of your injuries, you may recover compensation for medical bills, future medical care, pain and suffering, lost wages, and more.
- Property damage: If your motorcycle was damaged in the claim, you may be able to recover damages to repair or replace your bike. Your personal injury lawyer will research the value of your motorcycle to determine its value at the time of the crash.
- Lost wages: Your injuries from the motorcycle accident may leave you unable to return to work. A motorcycle accident lawyer will look at the records from your past income and calculate how much you have lost in wages since the collision.
- Loss of earning potential: Your injuries may be life-altering and prevent you from doing the type of work you were performing prior to the motorcycle accident. In some situations, a victim may be unable to work at all from then on. A lawyer will be able to calculate the cost of your lost income.
- Quality of life: Motorcycle accident survivors may lose a limb, be left paralyzed, or suffer from other debilitating injuries. Previously, you may have been able to work, care for your children, and engage in activities you enjoyed. If any of these things have been taken away from you, your lawyer can demand due compensation for your reduced quality of life.
How Long Does It Take to Settle a Massachusetts Motorcycle Accident Claim?
Just as the value of a motorcycle accident claim varies on a case-by-case basis, so does the length of time it takes to settle a claim. The timeline varies based on the facts of the case, what evidence is available, how the liable party’s insurance company cooperates with your claim, and other factors.
If negotiations with the insurance company go well, the claim may be settled in a few days or weeks. Beware, though, that insurance companies often offer a sum that is far less than what the claim is truly worth. In this situation, your motorcycle accident attorney may recommend filing a lawsuit against the liable party.
Lawsuits can be lengthy and go on for months or even years. At the same time, they can result in large settlements for motorcycle accident victims. At Kiley Law Group, we understand how important it is for our clients to receive monetary compensation as soon as possible after their accidents, so we do everything we can to expedite each case.
Settling During Insurance Negotiations vs. Going to Court
There are pros and cons to settling a motorcycle accident claim out of court. The benefits include: a faster, more efficient settlement is made possible, and out-of-court settlements are typically less expensive and less stressful.
On the other hand, accepting an insurance settlement could mean receiving less money than what is fair and necessary for your bills and new financial needs. A motorcycle accident lawyer will be able to help you determine whether going to trial is worth the extra time and money.
It is important to remember that once you accept a motorcycle accident settlement, the decision is final. You cannot go back later and renegotiate a new deal when your condition has worsened or proven to be more costly than you foresaw. For this reason, it is beneficial to have an attorney on your side who will know how to calculate future expenses for your injuries.
How a Lawyer Can Help After a Massachusetts Motorcycle Accident
After being injured in a motorcycle crash caused by someone else’s negligence, it is up to you whether you want to handle the claim on your own or contact an attorney. However, if you were injured in the collision, there are specific benefits to having an experienced personal injury lawyer on your side.
A motorcycle accident lawyer can:
- Investigate the cause of the accident
- Determine liability
- Evaluate your damages
- Negotiate with the insurance company or liable party
- File a lawsuit
- Take your case to trial
And he or she can take care of all of the above while you focus on your physical and emotional recovery!
Contact a Massachusetts Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Today
If you or someone you love has been injured in a Massachusetts motorcycle accident, then do not hesitate to contact Kiley Law Group. Our firm’s founder, Tom Kiley, Sr., is an avid rider who takes it personally when someone else’s negligence injures a fellow motorcyclist.
While there is no set amount that motorcycle accident victims may receive, our personal injury lawyers can evaluate your losses and help you determine the maximum value of your claim. This may include medical bills, property damage, lost income, pain and suffering, and more.
We take motorcycle accident cases on a contingency fee basis. This means that you do not owe us any upfront costs or fees for our services. We only get paid if you are awarded a case settlement.
Schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with Kiley Law Group today. Fill out the online contact form or call us 24/7 at 888-435-1321.
