What Are the Odds of Surviving a Motorcycle Accident?

Your odds of surviving a motorcycle accident will vary depending on the severity of the crash. Unfortunately, because of the minimal protections available to motorcycle riders, these accidents often result in significant injuries. However, data from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows that the national survival rate is 90-95%.

Although that number may sound encouraging, the other side of that means that 5-10% of riders involved in motorcycle accidents are fatally wounded. If your loved one was killed in a motorcycle accident due to the negligence of another party, you could be entitled to compensation. Learn more about your legal options.

Recovering Compensation After a Serious Motorcycle Accident

After suffering serious injuries in a motorcycle accident, there are several types of damages you will likely be eligible to recover from the liable party. Every motorcycle accident is different, and the exact damages that apply will depend on the particular details of your case. Identifying all of the damages you can claim is essential for recovering the full amount to which you are entitled.

An experienced motorcycle accident lawyer can help you determine which damages apply to your case so that you can recover fair compensation for your injuries. There are three primary categories into which all damages can be divided.

Economic Damages

Economic damages are the losses you suffer that impact you financially. Because these damages are monetary in nature, calculating their worth is fairly straightforward. When determining which economic damages you are eligible to pursue, it is critical that you keep in mind that these damages are available for both current expenses and projected future costs.

Among the most commonly available economic damages in motorcycle accident cases are:

• Lost wages
• Decreased ability to earn income
• Property damage
• Medical expenses
• Future medical bills

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages account for all of the other losses resulting from your accident. Because of this, non-economic damages encompass a wide range of losses. Despite the varied nature of non-economic damages, most share the common characteristics of having a profound impact on the life of the accident victim and being irreplaceable.

Due to the significant nature of these losses, the compensation available for non-economic damages often makes up the largest part of the money recovered by injury victims. Among the most commonly available non-economic damages in motorcycle accident cases are:

• Loss of consortium
• Loss of companionship
• Permanent disability
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Mental anguish
• Decreased ability to enjoy life

Punitive Damages

Punitive damages differ significantly from the compensatory damages reviewed above. Instead of compensating the accident victim for their losses, punitive damages are used as a means of punishing the liable party for causing the accident.

Punitive damages are only available in a small percentage of motorcycle accident cases. Talk to an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer to learn more about whether or not your case qualifies.

For a free legal consultation, call 866-499-8989

Collecting Damages After a Fatal Motorcycle Accident

If the worst happens, and your loved one does not survive a motorcycle accident, you may be eligible to file a wrongful death lawsuit. While money is unlikely going to be your first concern after this type of loss, recovering compensation can be critical to helping you move forward with your life.

The financial impact of a death can be significant, especially if the deceased was the primary earner for your household. In addition to recovering the damages mentioned in the previous section, wrongful death cases often qualify you to recover compensation for funeral and burial costs.

An experienced wrongful death lawyer can handle all aspects of your case so that you can focus on your family and take time to grieve. The last thing you need to worry about during this challenging time is building a legal case.

The Cost of Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer

Both motorcycle accidents and wrongful death cases fall under the broader category of personal injury law. People often worry about hiring an attorney in these situations because they don’t think they can afford to do so. However, the majority of personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, which means they don’t collect payment unless you recover damages.

If your lawyer successfully recovers compensation on your behalf, they will receive their fee directly from the money you collect from the liable party. That means that you will never have to pay your attorney out of your own pocket. The fee they do collect will be assessed as a set percentage of the settlement or court-ordered payout.

Your lawyer won’t charge any other fees for their services, and if they fail to win you money, they won’t get paid at all. This means you can rest assured that your lawyer will be well motivated to ensure you recover as much money as possible from the at-fault party.

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Get a Free Consultation From a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Today

When filing a lawsuit after a motorcycle accident, it is essential that you retain experienced legal representation. Whether filing on your own behalf or on behalf of a loved one killed in a crash, recovering compensation can be essential. At Zanes Law Injury Lawyers, we have seen the devastating results of many motorcycle accidents.

Our motorcycle accident lawyers have a long history of helping those impacted by an accident recover the compensation they need and deserve. Reach out to us today by giving us a call, using our online chat tool, or filling out our contact form.

We offer free consultations, so don’t hesitate to get in touch. A member of our legal team will review your case and answer any questions you may have.

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