The Average Settlement Amount for Motorcycle Accidents in Georgia

Finding the “average” settlement amount for a motorcycle accident is tough, because every case is different. There are several factors that weigh into the calculations for a settlement package (like severity of injuries, extent of medical bills, etc.) and these factors are almost never the same from one case to the next.

Settlements could be $30,000 or as much as $1.5 million—our firm had a $14 million verdict for one of our cases, but it was for product liability, not a motorcycle accident. If you want an idea of what your case is worth, the best thing to do is contact a Georgia personal injury attorney.

How Much to Ask for in a Motorcycle Accident Settlement

When you ask your insurance company for a settlement amount, it will be in the form of a demand letter (which your attorney can write for you). Before sending it, however, you need to determine what your case is worth.

Your motorcycle accident attorney can calculate the value of your case by using a settlement formula. Generally, you should ask for double what your case is worth in your demand letter. It might seem like a large amount, but it gives you room to compromise.

How Settlement Amounts Are Calculated in Georgia

Motorcycle accident attorneys take a list of key factors in your case and add them up to figure out how much your case is worth. Then, they determine how much you should ask for in your settlement.

The most important factors in determining a settlement amount are:

• Injury severity: Injuries are the biggest factor for determining settlement amounts in Georgia. The more serious the injuries, the more treatment and recovery time required. More treatment means higher medical expenses. Severe injuries can also prevent you from returning to work, eliminating the ability to earn for yourself.
• Wearing safety gear: Helmets are required by law when riding a motorcycle in Georgia. If you weren’t wearing one when your collision happened, it could result in a lower settlement amount for you. You could be seen as partially negligent in the accident because, technically, you were breaking the law by not wearing a helmet.
• Total medical expenses: Medical expenses from a motorcycle accident can include hospital stays, doctor’s visits, surgeries, emergency room visits, physical therapy, rehabilitation, prescription medication, and any other special treatments needed for the injuries.
• Quality of life impact: Quality of life refers to how difficult your injury makes living your daily life. Long-term pain, limited mobility, or changes in appearance can make life harder than it used to be. The results of the injury could reduce your enjoyment of life.
• Property damage: If your motorcycle was damaged in the accident, the cost of the damages could be substantial, and these would factor into your settlement as well. Your insurance policy for your motorcycle might be able to cover some of the damage as well.
• Pain and suffering: Pain and suffering after the accident are difficult to measure, but they will still be part of the settlement amount. Your personal injury attorney will look at things like how long your pain lasts, how it affects your daily activities, and if you have to use long-term pain management treatments. Your attorney will also include your emotional distress in the pain and suffering amount—anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or other mental health issues caused by the accident may be part of it as well.
• At-fault party’s actions: If the at-fault party showed gross negligence or recklessness, such as being under the influence of drugs or alcohol while driving, the settlement amount could be higher. The insurance coverage the at-fault person has, as well as their available financial resources, can affect negotiations and change the settlement amount as well.
• Evidence: It’s more likely to have a higher settlement amount if your case has clear and convincing evidence. Witness statements that report what happened at the scene, police reports that document the accident scene and road conditions, and medical records detailing the extent of the injury are key pieces of evidence that can strengthen your claim and get you a better settlement.

Georgia Settlements and Insurance Coverage

The limits of your insurance coverage can factor into the settlement amount as well. The minimum insurance coverage required by Georgia law isn’t usually enough to cover damages from a bad motorcycle accident.

It’s also important to determine who is at-fault in the accident, as it will affect whose insurance coverage is used. If the responsible party’s insurance coverage isn’t enough, you can use your own insurance. Uninsured motorist or underinsured motorist coverage may be applicable, if it’s included on your policy.

The laws about insurance coverage and liability after motorcycle accidents are a bit complicated. It helps having a personal injury lawyer who knows how to navigate this situation and can advocate for you and your interests.

How Long It Takes to Settle a Motorcycle Accident Case in Georgia

Settling a case can take a few months or over a year. It depends on the time it takes to gather evidence, how the insurance company responds to negotiations, and if other parties are cooperative. Since each case is different, the timeline for each case varies as well.

Damages Awarded in Georgia Motorcycle Accident Cases

If you get a settlement for your motorcycle accident case, it will include both economic and non-economic damages. You should have an idea of what kinds of compensation are available so that nothing is left out during settlement talks.

Economic Damages

Economic damages represent all your financial losses from the motorcycle accident. These losses are clearly measured by looking at invoices, receipts, financial papers, and medical bills. We can also look at your pay stubs to calculate lost wages, if the accident prevents you from working (temporarily or indefinitely).

Non-economic

Non-economic damages are the losses that aren’t so easy to measure. Pain, suffering, and overall quality of life are the main ones. When your attorney calculates these non-economic damages, they’ll attempt to show how the accident has impacted your daily life, hobbies, and personal relationships.

Punitive

In some cases, a judge may order punitive damages. They’re more rare than economic or non-economic damages, however, because they only apply when the at-fault party was reckless, extremely careless, or intentionally committed the act. Examples are drunk driving,

Getting a Better Settlement with Legal Representation

You aren’t required to have a lawyer represent you after your motorcycle accident, but your chances of getting a good settlement are probably higher if you do. Negotiating with insurance companies takes skill and experience—they’ll try to offer you the lowest settlement they can get away with, which often isn’t enough to cover all your losses.

If your insurer isn’t willing to pay, you may have to file a lawsuit to recover the damages you lost. Navigating the civil courts is tricky without legal training, and the judge will expect you to know and understand how court cases work if you represent yourself. And they won’t go easy on you if you don’t fully understand what you’re doing.

With a Georgia motorcycle accident attorney to help you, the process can go much more smoothly. Your attorney can:

• Communicate with the insurance company on your behalf
• Help you draft a demand letter when asking for a settlement
• Gather all available evidence and testimony related to your accident
• Calculate how much your economic and non-economic damages are worth
• Negotiate with insurers and the other party’s attorneys
• File all the appropriate paperwork with the courts
• Represent you at trial if needed

Hire the Scott Pryor Law Group After Your Motorcycle Accident

Our attorneys understand that you’ve been through a devastating, life-altering accident and that you’re just looking for some relief. You have serious medical bills, you can’t work, and you feel like a burden on your family. The Scott Pryor Law Group can help you negotiate for a fair settlement that can help you recover financially, and start to put your life back together.

Schedule your free consultation today so we can begin discussing your case.

Scott Pryor

Managing Attorney | CEO

Scott is a U.S. Marine Veteran. He is a member of the State Bar of Georgia and is listed in the top 1% of trial attorneys in the nation by the Litigator Awards. He is also a member of Super Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers, the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association—Champion Level and sits on the Communications Committee of GTLA and the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum.

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