If you’ve been involved in a motorcycle accident, one of the first questions that may come to mind is “How much is my motorcycle accident injury claim worth?” Unfortunately, there is no easy answer to this question, as the value of a motorcycle accident claim can vary widely depending on a number of factors. You may have severe injuries, expensive property damage losses, significant medical bills and other harm sustained by a motorcycle accident. There may also be one or more parties responsible for your injuries, such as an at-fault driver, product manufacturer, or government agency. Hiring a Denver motorcycle accident attorney can help you put an experienced advocate in your corner who knows how to evaluate your case and pursue full compensation for your losses.
If you sustained injuries in an accident in Colorado, contact the personal injury lawyers at Front Range Injury Attorneys today to schedule your free consultation. Our experienced legal team are knowledgeable and zealous advocates for our clients and their cases. We treat our clients as people, not case files. Learn more about how we can help you pursue compensation for your injuries and damages. Contact our Denver law firm to learn more.
Minor vs. Severe Motorcycle Accident Injuries
One of the primary factors that can impact the value of your motorcycle accident claim is the severity of your injuries. In general, the more severe your injuries, the higher the value of your claim. However, even minor injuries can result in significant medical bills and other expenses.
Minor injuries in a motorcycle accident may include:
- Road rash
- Bruises and contusions
- Minor cuts and lacerations
- Sprains and strains
Severe injuries in a motorcycle accident may include:
- Broken bones
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Amputations
If you have suffered severe injuries in a motorcycle accident, you may be entitled to significant compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.
How insurance companies value collision injuries
Insurance companies use a range of tools and enormous departments of adjusters to evaluate motorcycle collision injury claims. They calculate settlement values based largely upon the extent and type of injuries you sustain. They expect to receive medical records including a diagnosis of the injuries, treatment plans and proof of the treatment you received. Insurers look for records to explain whether you reached maximum medical improvement with full recovery or permanent injuries. Along with medical records, they will also review your medical bills as part of the economic damages in your case.
Severe or catastrophic injuries from motorcycle accidents may result in settlements or jury verdicts of hundreds of thousands of dollars–or more. Motorcycle accidents often result in brain injuries, facial injuries, spinal cord injuries, amputations, paraplegia, quadriplegia, scarring, disfigurement, permanent loss of use of body parts and wrongful death. Generally, the more severe the injuries, the higher the insurance company values a motorcycle crash injury claim. More severe injuries often require more medical care leading to higher medical expenses.
Insurance companies also evaluate claims to pay the least amount they believe they can get away with to settle or pay in a jury verdict. They reduce medical bills, deny injuries, dispute the need for treatment and other tactics to make your claim seem like it is worth less than fair value. Hiring an experienced Denver motorcycle accident attorney allows you to put an expert on your side who knows how to fairly value your claim and fight to make sure you don’t get ripped off by the insurance company.
Lost wages and disability damages caused by the crash
Another factor that can impact the value of your motorcycle accident claim is lost wages and disability damages. In addition to medical bills, you may have economic losses from lost wages and other compensation from work. A motorcycle accident may result in short term lost wages when your injuries make you unable to perform your work duties or you miss time to seek treatment. Your injuries may also result in long term wage loss if you cannot perform your job into the future. If your injuries are severe enough to prevent you from working, you may be entitled to compensation for lost wages and future lost earning capacity.
If your physician believes you cannot return to the same job duties or at the same intensity as before the accident, you may qualify for disability benefits as part of your financial recovery. You may have a temporary or permanent disability affecting your ability to do your job and earn your regular paycheck. In addition to lost wages, you may also be entitled to compensation for disability damages, such as:
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
- Pain and suffering
- Future medical expenses
- Home and vehicle disability accommodations
Calculating lost wages and disability damages can be complex, as it requires a detailed analysis of your earning history and potential future earnings. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you determine the full value of your lost wages and disability damages.
Expensive Property Damage
Another factor that can impact the value of your motorcycle accident claim is property damage. Motorcycle accidents can result in significant property damage, including damage to your motorcycle and any other vehicles or property involved in the accident. Motorcycles often range $5,000-$20,000 but depending upon your bike, the replacement cost could be higher. In addition to the cost of repairing or replacing your motorcycle, you may also be entitled to compensation for other property damage, such as damage to your helmet, riding gear, or other personal property.
Proving a property damage claim may require professional evaluations of damage and repair costs, receipts for replacement purchases of riding gear, helmets, or personal property, and appraisals for a destroyed motorcycle.
Non-economic losses caused by a motorcycle accident
Finally, non-economic losses can also impact the value of your motorcycle accident claim. Under Colorado personal injury law, you are entitled to recover non-economic losses associated with your injuries. These are forms of harm that do not relate to a financial expense or loss. These forms of damages are more difficult to quantify because they are subjective and there is no bill or record you and your attorney can produce to show an objective value of these damages.
Non-economic losses may include:
- Physical pain
- Emotional suffering
- Psychological distress
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Diminished enjoyment or quality of life
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of a family member’s care and company
Non-economic losses can be significant, especially in cases involving severe injuries. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you determine the full value of your non-economic losses. A motorcycle accident causing serious injuries or loss of life will most likely lead to greater non-economic damages than a minor collision. If your case goes to trial in Colorado, the jury will decide the value of your non-economic damages if you win your case. At trial your motorcycle accident lawyer will present evidence to help the jury understand the ways your injuries affected your life and the fair value of those effects.
Determining the Value of Your Motorcycle Accident Claim
So, how do you determine the value of your motorcycle accident claim? There are a number of factors that can impact the value of your claim, including:
- The severity of your injuries
- The cost of your medical bills
- The cost of repairing or replacing your motorcycle
- Lost wages and future lost earning capacity
- Disability damages, such as loss of enjoyment of life and pain and suffering
To determine the full value of your claim, you should consult with an experienced personal injury attorney. An attorney can review the details of your case and help you understand your rights and options for pursuing compensation.
In general, the value of your motorcycle accident claim will depend on a number of factors, including the severity of your injuries, the cost of your medical bills and property damage, and the impact of your injuries on your ability to work and enjoy life. By working with an experienced personal injury attorney, you can ensure that you receive the full compensation you deserve for your injuries and other damages.
Conclusion
If you’ve been involved in a motorcycle accident, the value of your claim will depend on a variety of factors. It is important to seek the advice of an experienced personal injury attorney who can help you understand your legal rights and options for pursuing compensation.
When you meet with an attorney, they will likely ask you a variety of questions to help them understand the details of your case. Some of the questions they may ask include:
- What were the circumstances surrounding the accident?
- What injuries did you suffer as a result of the accident?
- What medical treatments have you received for your injuries?
- Have you missed work as a result of your injuries?
- Have you experienced any other losses as a result of the accident?
By answering these questions honestly and openly, you can help your attorney build a strong case on your behalf.
In general, the value of a motorcycle accident claim will depend on the specific details of the case. However, there are some general guidelines that can help you understand what your claim may be worth.
For example, in cases involving minor injuries, the value of the claim may be relatively low, typically ranging from a few thousand to tens of thousands of dollars. In cases involving more severe injuries, the value of the claim may be much higher, potentially reaching hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars.
To determine the full value of your claim, your attorney will likely need to conduct a thorough investigation of the accident and your injuries. They may also consult with medical experts and other professionals to help them better understand the extent of your injuries and the impact they will have on your life.
In addition to helping you understand the value of your claim, an experienced personal injury attorney can also help you negotiate with insurance companies and other parties involved in the accident. Insurance companies often try to minimize the value of claims, and having an attorney on your side can help ensure that you receive the full compensation you deserve.
Colorado motorcycle Accident Lawyers
If you sustained injuries in a motorcycle crash caused by someone else’s negligence, our Colorado motorcycle accident lawyers may be able to help. Learn more about our experienced lawyers throughout the state including:
- Denver
- Arvada
- Aurora
- Boulder
- Centennial
- Colorado Springs
- Fort Collins
- Greeley
- Highlands Ranch
- Lakewood
- Longmont
- Pueblo
- Thornton
Front Range Injury Attorneys represents motorcycle collision victims in all four corners of Colorado. Contact our law firm today for a free consultation.