Types of Compensation for Motorcycle Accidents

The San Diego motorcycle accident lawyers with Law Tigers can help you pursue a personal injury claim after a motorcycle accident to claim compensation for the losses you suffered because of the crash. Substantial losses can cause your life to spiral out of control, but a motorcycle accident settlement can help you weather the storm and have financial stability. There are two general types of compensation for motorcycle accidents: economic and non-economic. Courts may also award plaintiffs punitive damages to punish the offender. 

Economic

This first types of compensation is economic. Economic compensation includes compensation for all your losses with a definite dollar amount. A motorcycle accident attorney from a firm like Law Tigers can gather all records of your expenses to calculate your losses and ensure you receive adequate compensation. 

Medical Bills

First, a settlement will contain money to pay for medical bills your accident generates. This would include emergency medical treatment, surgery costs, hospitalization bills, and continuing medical expenses, such as prescription medications, medical equipment, rehabilitative services, or in-home medical care. Compensation for medical bills is often the most significant portion of any motorcycle accident settlement. 

Lost Income

Your injuries might also leave you unable to work for an extended period. A settlement can also include money for the time you missed work. Lost income doesn’t only mean hourly wages or salary but could also potentially include overtime pay, lost sick days or vacation days, missing bonuses, and lost tips if you work in a tipped position.  

Diminished Work Capacity

An injury can also leave you permanently disabled and unable to perform specific job functions. An injury can reduce the capacity of work you can handle or even require you to switch careers entirely. A settlement may include compensation that is calculated based on your current earning capacity, future projected earnings, cost of living, and total work-life expectancy. 

Property Damage

The last major type of economic loss is property damage. If your motorcycle or other property sustained damage during the accident, a settlement should reimburse you for those items. 

Non-Economic

Non-economic compensation exists for intangible losses that do not have explicit monetary value. The classic example of a non-economic loss is pain and suffering. Other examples of non-economic losses include:

• Emotional distress and mental anguish
• Loss of life enjoyment
• Loss of consortium or companionship
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Diminished quality of life

California does not have an explicit formula for calculating a victim’s non-economic losses, but various factors can affect the amount, including the severity of the injuries, the duration of the harm, and the injured party’s previous quality of life. There is no cap on non-economic compensation in California, except for a $250,000 cap in medical malpractice cases. An attorney can also help here by gathering evidence and arguing about the toll on your life the injuries have taken. 

Now that you know the different types of compensation, fill out a free case evaluation with Law Tigers so they can help you get the maximum payout after an accident.