How Much Can You Sue for a Motorcycle Accident?

Victims of motorcycle accidents often want to know how much they can claim in a lawsuit to be compensated for the damages and injuries they experienced. In Arizona, the amount you can sue for after a motorcycle accident depends on several factors, including the severity of your injuries, the level of property damage, and other related costs.

A qualified and experienced attorney can advise you on how to prove fault in a motorcycle accident case to maximize your claim. 

Types of Motorcycle Accident Damages

Damages in a motorbike accident lawsuit are often categorized into two main groups: economic and non-economic damages.

Medical Expenses

These are direct, out-of-pocket expenses you incur due to the accident that can easily be quantified. They could include medical costs, property replacement or repair, and current and future wage loss.

Some motorcycle accidents leave you with serious physical injuries that require extensive medical care. Because bikes don’t offer much protection against impact during an accident, cyclists risk serious injury.

Treating and managing serious injuries costs a lot of money. Bills from doctor and hospital services, prescription medication, physiotherapy, travel costs to and from the hospital, and future treatment can quickly add up.

Include medical expenses in your claim for compensation. The higher the cost of treatment, the more damages you can claim.

Property Replacement and Repair

Whether your motorbike only has a few dings or is totaled, you include the cost of repairing or replacing it in your claim. Keep records of repairs and purchases, including invoices and receipts, because you’ll use them as proof of the costs incurred.

If your motorbike is written off, your insurance company should pay to replace it or reimburse you for the fair market value of your damaged motorcycle so you can purchase another one. The motorcycle’s value before the accident will determine how much you can sue for.

Current and Future Lost Wages

You may miss work for an extended period or have to stop permanently after an accident, depending on the extent of your injuries. Include lost wages in your claim for compensation.

Keep track of how long you stay in the hospital and out of work after the motorcycle accident. This will be used to get an accurate figure of the lost income, bonuses, salary raises, allowances, and any other payment related to your work that you miss.

If you’re unable to work again, the person responsible must compensate you for the lost wages (current and future). The amount you ask for depends on your current earnings and other related payments.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages are the immaterial losses you incur after the motorcycle accident. There isn’t a specific monetary value attached to them, and they can include:

• Physical and emotional suffering
• Mental agony
• Emotional anguish
• Fear, shame, and anxiety
• Loss of enjoyment

Because the amount attached to non-economic damages isn’t as clear-cut as those attached to economic losses, you need an experienced personal injury attorney to help demonstrate the extent of these damages and include a reasonable amount for each in your claim.

A good attorney should ensure that the final settlement covers all damages. Another important question to ask your attorney is how long a motorcycle accident lawsuit takes to settle. This might impact the strategy you use in settlement discussions.

Call Gage Mathers Today!

If you’re looking for a reliable and experienced motorcycle accident lawyer to help you file a successful lawsuit, consult with the experts at Gage Mathers. We handle complex personal injury cases and treat our clients with dignity and respect, so you can focus on recovering from your motorcycle accident. You will be in good hands with Gage Mathers, as proven by our 99.9% success rate!

About the Author

Joseph D'Aguanno

Guided by the belief that being a highly skilled specialist in a narrow field is better than being ordinary in everything, Joseph “JD” D’Aguanno leads Arizona’s best personal injury law firm in Phoenix, AZ. Having extensive cross-training in pre-litigation negotiations and trial lawyer skills, with decades of experience, JD strives to provide clients with the most valuable legal services a personal injury lawyer can provide. Under his direction, Gage Mathers Law Group is an award-winning personal injury law firm providing aggressive representation to victims of a car accident, medical malpractice, dog bite, motorcycle accident, and other injurious events. Gage Mathers is trusted by thousands of lawyers and clients throughout the country because of their reputation for getting clients the maximum compensation they deserve.

Years of experience: Over 24 years
Bar number: 020421
Location: Phoenix, AZ
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