Motorcycles are an easy, exhilarating way to get around. No getting stuck in traffic and you can hit the gas pedal to the max. Exciting, right? Well, here’s the catch; although exciting, motorcycles are incredibly dangerous.
A report by the Insurance Information Institute shows motorcyclists are usually 27 times more likely to lose their lives in a crash. The report goes on to show that about 5,000 motorcyclists die every year, while 1,000 others suffer serious injuries.
Despite this prevalence, most motorcyclists know very little about their legal rights after an accident. That is why we took the liberty to highlight the types of damages in a motorcycle accident.
Possible Damages to Seek Compensation for in a Motorcycle Accident
Motorcycle accident damages can be either economical or non-economical. With an experienced motorcycle accident attorney in California, damages in either categories can be compensated. Here’s a break down of each:
Economic damages
Economic damages after a motorcycle accident are quite easy to establish since they’re mainly monetary. They include:
- Medical Expenses and Bills
Due to the lack of protection offered by a car, motorcycle accidents are often, if not always, devastating. They result in traumatic head injuries, spinal cord and neck injuries, broken bones, as well as serious cuts and bruises.
These injuries are costly since they may require extensive surgeries, and specialized therapies that may leave the victim knee-deep in debts. The good news is that one can seek compensation for medical bills.
- Lost Wages
Most motorcycle accident injuries often hinder the victim’s ability to work. This results in loss of jobs since most these victims can’t work normally on getting better. On the bright side, they can always seek compensation for lost wages.
Based on the specifics of the accident, one may claim a portion of what they’d be earning on average, and particularly come in handy if the victim was the breadwinner.
- Loss in Earning Capacity
A motorcycle accident may cause the victim to not only lose their wages for a particular period, but also their inability to work completely. For instance,
A motorcycle accident can not only render the victim jobless, but also cause them to lose their ability to work completely. For instance, one may paralyze completely, making it impossible for them to ever get anything done again. In such a scenario, they may claim loss in earning capacity damages.
- Property Damages
A motorcycle accident puts not only the rider on harms way, but also their motorcycle. If your motorcycle was damaged, you may seek compensation for property damage regardless of how minor the damages may have been.
Non-Economic Motorcycle Accident Damages
Unlike economic damages, non-economic ones are pretty difficult to work out since they’re non-physical. They include:
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
- Emotional distress
Get Professional Help Today
Injured in a motorcycle accident? Get in touch with RS Law Office today and get professional help. Our team of attorneys is highly experienced in personal injuries, and motorcycle accident cases, and will help you get rightful compensation whether you’re dealing with economic or non-economic damages after a motorcycle accident.
