Motorcycle crashes usually result in more fatalities than car wrecks because motorcyclists have no protection from the impact of a collision.
In 2019 alone, there were 3,948 motorcycle collisions in Georgia, with 139 proving fatal. While many riders survive, they often suffer from significant internal and external injuries depending on the nature of the collision.
If you sustained injuries in a motorcycle crash, Georgia law permits you to recover compensation from the at-fault party. While you may be eager to learn the potential value of your claim, it’s important to remember that common factors may affect your settlement value. Understanding what key factors may affect a fair settlement for a motorcycle accident is vital as you move through the lawsuit process.
For a free consultation with our Georgia motorcycle accident lawyers, please contact us online or call (706) 354-4000 today.
Is There an Average Motorcycle Accident Settlement?
You may have searched for a motorcycle accident settlement calculator to determine an average settlement value. This tool may sound helpful, but unfortunately, most settlement calculators cannot factor in important aspects of your claim. For example, these settlement calculators do not consider intangible losses, such as the psychological and emotional pain resulting from your accident.
The most useful way to accurately determine an average value for your claim is to speak with an experienced attorney. Your personal injury attorney conducts a detailed investigation, gathers evidence, and analyzes the data to determine your claim’s value. Once the value of your claim has been determined, your attorney can negotiate a fair settlement for your motorcycle accident.
What Factors Affect a Georgia Motorcycle Accident Settlement?
Various relevant factors may impact the overall value of your settlement. The following factors are ones that commonly affect an average motorcycle accident settlement.
Determination of Fault
Georgia is an at-fault state, meaning drivers must pay for damages caused by their negligent conduct. Establishing negligence is vital to recovering the motorcycle accident settlement you deserve.
Evidence gathered at the scene of the crash, witness statements, police reports, and other documentation help your attorney establish that the other driver was negligent and is liable for your damages. Because proving negligence is complex, even the most seemingly straightforward claim benefits from the knowledge and skill of an experienced personal injury attorney.
Insurance
Georgia law requires all drivers to carry liability insurance in the following minimum amounts:
- $25,000 for bodily injury per person per incident
- $50,000 for bodily injury per incident
- $25,000 for property damages per incident
These minimum coverage amounts may appear substantial. However, those suffering from serious injuries may find these amounts fail to cover all of their damages. Unfortunately, an injured victim may only collect compensation up to the driver’s policy limits on an insurance claim. If you find your damages exceed these limits, your attorney may suggest pursuing a personal injury lawsuit to recover the total value of your losses.
Severity of Injury
The more severe your injuries, the greater your compensation can be. A serious injury usually requires intensive, long-term medical care, costing thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. An injured victim may need disability accommodations and extensive rehabilitation. Some people never fully recover and need medical assistance for the rest of their lives.
In addition to high medical expenses, these catastrophic injuries can make it impossible for a victim to work. Lost wages and loss of future earnings should also factor into your negotiations for a fair settlement for a motorcycle accident.
Emotional and Mental Trauma
Injuries suffered in a motorcycle collision often affect victims emotionally. A motorcycle crash is a jarring experience. Many injured riders find their daily lives are deeply impacted by depression or anxiety after their crash. A Georgia motorcycle accident settlement includes these intangible losses. However, due to their subjective nature, they are difficult to prove without the assistance of a qualified personal injury attorney.
Number of Defendants
The number of defendants in a motorcycle collision may vary and influence a settlement’s value. For example, if your motorcycle crash resulted from a driver’s negligence and a poorly maintained roadway, you may be able to sue both the driver and the entity responsible for maintaining the roadway for your injuries.
Contact Our Georgia Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
At Blasingame, Burch, Garrard & Ashley, P.C., our attorneys have secured over $800 million in recoveries for our clients in the last decade.
We pride ourselves on offering each client personalized legal services tailored to their needs. We rely on our extensive resources, high skill levels, and 200 years of combined legal experience to create positive outcomes for our clients.
Connect with our firm online or by phone at (706) 354-4000 today to schedule your initial consultation and find out how we can help you. We offer free consultations and there is no cost unless we recover money for you in your case.
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