How Long does a Motorcycle Accident Claim Take to Settle?

If you’ve been injured in a bike crash and are seeking compensation for your medical expenses, pain, and other losses, you might be wondering how long it takes for a motorcycle accident claim to settle. Unfortunately, there’s no average timeline for motorcycle accident claims.

Since each collision is slightly different, cases can span from as short as a few months to a couple of years. While we can’t estimate how long it will take to obtain the average personal injury settlement, we can explain the factors that may prolong or shorten your case length. 

Knowing Your Rights Is Important

Since auto accident cases involve a number of different steps, many factors can contribute to your case length. Learning about the following factors can help you get a rough idea of how long it might take for an attorney to wrap up your case. 

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Your Economic and Non-economic Losses

Motorcycle accident victims may face a variety of economic and non-economic losses. Economic losses are concrete expenses or financial setbacks for which an attorney can pursue reimbursement. Depending on the financial and employment-related challenges the collision has caused you, your lawyer may seek the following economic damages:

• Current and future medical bills
• Out-of-pocket medical costs
• Vehicle repair or replacement expenses
• Lost wages
• Decreased earning ability

Non-economic losses are often referred to as intangible losses because they don’t have a concrete dollar value. It’s your attorney’s job to assign a monetary value to your non-economic losses and pursue full compensation for them. Your non-economic losses may include:

• Pain and suffering
• Mental distress
• Diminished quality of life

The amount of time it takes to settle your motorcycle accident claim may depend on the economic and non-economic losses you’ve taken. If the crash has caused significant financial and emotional upsets in your life, it could take longer for your attorney to calculate and pursue adequate compensation.

Your Injuries

If your injuries are minor, it might not take your attorney as long to reach a settlement than if you had suffered a catastrophic injury. However, if you’ve required extensive medical attention for a serious condition, your lawyer may have to seek compensation for a handful of expensive medical bills.

Recovering that much compensation may take time and coordination with your healthcare team. While severe injuries may extend the time it takes your claim to settle, you can rest assured that a skilled attorney can work hard to get you the compensation you need as quickly as possible.

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The Investigation of the Accident

Claims for complicated motorcycle accidents involving multiple drivers can take longer to settle than the average collision claim. The more parties involved, the more evidence your attorney must collect, which can add significant time to your case length.

Even if you were injured in an accident where only one other driver was involved, your lawyer will still have to gather and analyze the following pieces of motorcycle accident evidence: 

• The official police report
• Blood tests
• Traffic camera and CCTV footage
• Photos of the accident scene and your injuries
• Your medical bills and records
• Witness testimonies
• Statements from accident reconstruction experts

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The Insurance Company’s Willingness to Offer Fair Compensation

While you’d think insurance companies would have your best interests in mind, insurers are known for offering lowball settlements, denying claims, and taking a stubborn approach to negotiations. If your insurer is unwilling to offer the compensation your attorney asks for, you could be facing weeks or months of negotiations.

The good news is that your lawyer will deal with insurers for you. It’s actually recommended that you avoid speaking to your insurance company, as they may try to get you to admit fault or say something that hurts your claim. Your attorney can communicate with your provider and take your case to trial if adjusters don’t cooperate.

Whether or Not You Have to Go to Trial

If insurers fail to offer a fair payment, you may have no choice but to take your case to trial. A court case is almost guaranteed to add to the amount of time it takes to settle your motorcycle accident case, but an experienced attorney can use their courtroom skills to reach a verdict as quickly as possible.

Fortunately, most personal injury cases never go to trial, as they’re settled during insurance negotiations. However, if you’re advised to file a lawsuit, it must be submitted before Arizona’s deadline for personal injury suits.

Arizona’s Filing Deadline

According to A.R.S. 12-542, you have two years from the date of your motorcycle collision to file a civil suit. Filing a suit even a week after Arizona’s deadline could prevent you from getting the money you need to pay your medical bills, replace your lost income, and manage the pain and emotional distress you’re experiencing.  

While most accident survivors don’t have to file a lawsuit, it’s best to plan for the worst and contact an attorney ASAP. Doing so will help you file your suit before the deadline if you have to go to court.

Deadline for Wrongful Death Suits

If you’re filing a claim on behalf of a loved one who passed away in a motorcycle crash, it’s important to familiarize yourself with Arizona’s statute of limitations for wrongful death lawsuits. The law states that you have two years from your loved one’s death to take legal action.

You could risk losing your right to compensation if you wait too long to hire an attorney and get started on your case. Contact a lawyer today to find out how long it might take to settle your motorcycle accident claim and to ensure all important paperwork is filed on time. 

Contact a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Today

Since unexpected developments and obstacles can prolong your case length, it’s hard to say for certain how long it takes for a motorcycle accident claim to settle. What is certain is the impressive amount of commitment and energy the team at Zanes Law can put into your claim.

Our motorcycle accident lawyers are passionate about the services they provide to injured riders in Flagstaff, Phoenix, Tucson, and other locations throughout Arizona. Contact us today to schedule a free case evaluation and find out if you’re eligible to file a claim. If we agree to take you on as a client, we’ll pursue every last penny of compensation you deserve.

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