What Kinds of Damages Can You Seek After a Motorcycle Accident?

A motorcycle accident can alter your life in a number of ways. Serious injuries are all but inevitable when a passenger vehicle collides with a rider, and they tend to be devastating physically, emotionally, and financially.

If your life was derailed by a motorcycle accident, you’re probably wondering how to go about picking up the pieces. While there’s no way to erase what happened, it may be possible to secure compensation for the associated damages. This, in turn, could allow you to maintain your financial security, so you can continue taking care of your family.

Let’s take a look at the kinds of damages that are recoverable in successful motorcycle accident claims:

1. Medical Expenses

Even with a decent health insurance plan, you may be responsible for quite a few medical expenses in the wake of the wreck. Thankfully, all the costs associated with treating your injuries, including deductibles and copays, should be recoverable.

2. Lost Earnings

If you cannot work while recovering, make sure to log every missed paycheck. You can include each one in the settlement negotiations.

If your injuries cause any lasting limitations that prevent you from returning to the workforce at all, you may also seek compensation for lost earning capacity.

3. The Cost of Replacement Services

Need help with child care or housekeeping while your injuries heal? As long as you can prove any such services are reasonably necessary, you can account for their cost when totaling the damages. Save all corresponding receipts and invoices, so there’s no question as to how much you’ve spent.

4. Other Objectively Verifiable Losses

At the end of the day, virtually all the expenses you wouldn’t have incurred had you not gotten hurt are recoverable. For example, you can hold the at-fault party responsible for repairing or replacing your motorcycle and for covering the home modifications needed to accommodate any disabilities resulting from the accident.

5. Non-Economic Damages

Florida tort law recognizes the fact that unanticipated injuries can be just as devastating physically and emotionally as they are financially. As such, accident victims are usually entitled to compensation for non-economic damages, as well. Examples include loss of enjoyment in life, emotional distress, and pain and suffering.

Since these damages are intangible, they’re a bit harder to prove. With the right legal strategy, though, you should be able to seek funds for them. Widely accepted pieces of evidence include journal entries, psych evaluations, and statements from loved ones and colleagues.

Florida also allows the spouses of injured parties to seek compensation for loss of consortium. This encompasses the harm that their relationship suffered as a result of the accident.

Discuss Your Case with a Motorcycle Accident Attorney in Florida

At Emerson Straw, we fight tirelessly for accident victims. If you were struck by a reckless driver while riding your motorcycle, we’ll leave no stone unturned in your pursuit for compensation. To schedule a free case review with one of our Florida motorcycle accident lawyers, submit our Contact Form or call (727) 821-1500.