If you or someone you love has recently suffered injuries or property damage in a motorcycle accident as a result of someone else’s negligence or reckless behavior, you may be entitled to seek certain forms of monetary compensation. These forms of compensation can be helpful should you be suffering increasing medical bills, all while being unable to return to work. However, many people wonder what the average motorcycle settlement amount in Georgia is.
Factors Which Impact a Georgia Motorcycle Accident Settlement
The calculation of a motorcycle accident settlement amount will be based on several factors involved in the claim. These factors include:
- The severity of the sustained injuries: The main factor that will influence the amount of compensation you may be able to receive in any personal injury claim is the severity of the injuries you have sustained. The more extensive and severe the injury, the higher your medical costs will likely be and, therefore, the higher the compensation amount you may be able to recover.
- The medical expenses incurred: Another large factor impacting a settlement amount is the nature and worth of the medical expenses you have had to pay in order to seek attention for your injuries. This calculation not only takes into account the medical bills you have already received but also any costs of ongoing care or other services, such as rehabilitation or necessary prescription medications.
- The impact of injuries on earning ability and quality of life: A settlement amount will account for more than just the monetary aspect involved in your injuries. It will also take into account the way in which the accident has affected your life. Severe injuries may cause ongoing physical or emotional issues, reducing your enjoyment of certain activities you used to enjoy doing. It can also affect future employment.
- The extent of property damage: Another important aspect of any personal injury settlement is the amount of property damage involved in the claim. If you have suffered damage to your motorcycle, you may seek compensation for repairs or replacements and can seek the monetary value of these repairs or replacements through your settlement.
- Pain and suffering sustained: If you have suffered ongoing physical pain, emotional distress, or a lower quality of life due to the accident, you may be able to seek a higher amount of compensation. Factors like the severity of the injury, how long the pain is expected to last, and any pain or emotional management are reviewed to determine the value of your potential settlement.
- Evidence available: The strength and clarity of any evidence involved in your case will help your settlement amount. Good evidence supporting your claim can help you throughout negotiations with the involved insurance companies and can offer a clear account of what occurred and who is to be held legally and financially liable. Police reports can offer this kind of necessary evidence along with any documentation of the road and accident scene.
- The actions of the at-fault party: If the actions of the liable party are deemed to be exceptionally reckless or negligent, this could offer you a chance at a higher amount of compensation in your motorcycle accident settlement.
Damages Recoverable in a Motorcycle Accident Claim in Georgia
In most motorcycle accident cases, there are several forms of damages recoverable. These damages are typically split into two different categories: economic and non-economic:
- Economic Damages: These damages include the real financial loss due to the injury sustained in an accident and can cover expenses like hospital stays, doctor’s visits, medicines, rehabilitation, treatment, and surgeries, along with lost wages. These lost wages can include both the income you would have earned from the time of your injury and future earnings if you are unable to return to work.
- Non-Economic Damages: These damages include compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, mental anguish, and the impact of your injuries on the overall quality of your life.
It is important to remember that the types of damages available to you in your motorcycle accident injury claim will ultimately impact the monetary value of your settlement.
Motorcycle Accident Settlement FAQs
Q: How Much Can a Personal Injury Lawyer Charge in GA?
A: A personal injury lawyer in Georgia does not generally charge any attorney fees. Instead, by working on a contingency fee basis, personal injury lawyers will receive a percentage of the final settlement amount contingent on securing a win in your case. This means there are no upfront costs and your attorney only gets paid if you do.
Q: What to Do Following a Personal Injury Accident?
A: If you suffer a personal injury accident, the first thing you will want to do to protect your own safety is to move yourself to a place where you are out of harm’s way. You will then want to call the police and medical services so that a report may be filed and you can be checked over for injuries. You will also want to gather the contact information of any involved party or eyewitness, but avoid making any statements of fault.
Q: Who Can Be at Fault in a Motorcycle Accident in GA?
A: There are several parties who may be at-fault for a motorcycle accident in Georgia, depending on the exact nature of the accident and what is determined to have caused it. Potential parties who may be held liable for a motorcycle accident can include other drivers sharing the roadways, the employers of certain drivers, the manufacturers or designers of any defective or malfunctioning car or bike parts, and the municipalities in charge of road maintenance.
Q: What If a Settlement Cannot Be Reached Through Negotiations?
A: If a settlement cannot be reached through negotiations with the liable party and their insurance company, your attorney from Barnes Law Group has the legal knowledge and experience necessary to represent your claim through litigation in court before a judge and jury. We can gather the necessary evidence and call eyewitnesses forward to help prove liability in your claim.
Speak With a Trusted Personal Injury Lawyer Today
If you have suffered a motorcycle accident in Georgia and are curious about seeking compensation from the liable party, the personal injury lawyers at Barnes Law Group are here to help. Contact our offices today for more information.