Five Factors That Affect the Value of a Motorcycle Accident Claim

Five Factors That Affect the Value of a Motorcycle Accident Claim

Have you been injured in a motorcycle accident? If so, you may be wondering what your motorcycle accident claim might be worth. In this blog, our Pennsylvania motorcycle accident attorney discusses five important factors that affect the value of a motorcycle accident claim.

Five Things That Affect How Much a Motorcycle Accident Claim is Worth

1.  The Conduct of the Other Party

In some cases, the factor of the other driver could affect the value of your motorcycle accident claim. For example, if the driver was intoxicated or under the influence of drugs, you could receive punitive damages, in addition to other damages.

2.  The Type and Severity of Your Injuries

It is easy to see why cases involving traumatic injuries and permanent disability would be worth more than cases involving minor injuries that heal in a few weeks or months. Causes involving severe injuries and permanent impairments have higher medical expenses and larger amounts of lost income. Additionally, the pain and suffering damages tend to be higher in these cases, especially cases involving permanent impairments.

3.  Amount of Insurance Coverage

A motorcycle accident claim could be worth millions of dollars, but if the other driver has minimum insurance coverage and very little assets, the amount you receive could be very low. Motorcyclists can benefit from carrying maximum uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage to help ensure that they have adequate insurance coverage available in the event of a motorcycle accident.

4.  The Location of the Case

The location of a case can make a difference in how much your personal injury claim is worth. Insurance companies monitor the jury verdicts in various districts. Therefore, the company knows how much juries are willing to award to motorcyclists injured in your area. This fact can factor into how much the insurance company is willing to pay to settle your injury claim.

5.  You

Yes, you can have an impact on the value of your motorcycle accident claim. The actions you take after your accident can have a significant impact on the outcome of the case. For example, if you post information about your case online or continue to use social media to document your life, you could harm your claim if any of the information you post could be used against you. Insurance companies carefully monitor social media and online content. In some cases, a judge may grant an insurance company access to social media accounts if the defense can convince the judge that the information posted online is relevant to your case.

If your case goes to a jury, your appearance and your conduct in the courtroom can influence a juror’s perception of the case. Whether or not it is fair, some jurors judge a defendant by his or her words and appearance. Having an experienced trial attorney at your side is essential if your case goes to trial.

Contact The Travis Law Firm for a Free Case Review

Grant Travis is an experienced personal injury attorney who has handled thousands of personal injury claims, including motorcycle accidents. His skills as a negotiator and trial attorney help his clients throughout northwestern Pennsylvania receive the compensation they deserve after an accident.

Call (800) 401-2066 to request a free legal consultation with a Pennsylvania motorcycle accident attorney in your area.