Motorcycle operators and passengers are more likely to suffer serious injuries in an accident than most other road users. Not only are motorcycles smaller than most other vehicles but they offer very little protection for riders. Everything from distracted or impaired drivers to bad weather can be a threat to a motorcyclist. Crashes often result in broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, and spinal cord injuries. Some victims are left disfigured or disabled and they are never the same following the accident. If you suffered catastrophic injuries in a Macon motorcycle accident, you’ll want to get compensation as quickly as possible for your motorcycle accident case.
Many crash victims ask their attorneys about how long it will take for them to recover damages. This is understandable. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to predict this since there are so many variables involved. Some motorcyclists get their case settled in three months while others have to wait for three years. Most fall somewhere in the middle of these two extremes. The nature of your treatment and the willingness of the insurance company to settle are important factors.
While it can be frustrating to hear that your case may take years, you need to trust that your attorney is acting in your best interests. Their sole aim is to help you get maximum compensation for all your losses including medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering. Let’s look at some of the things that will affect your settlement. Your Macon motorcycle accident lawyer will explain how these and other factors may affect your case.
Variables in a Motorcycle Accident Case
One of the main factors that affect insurance settlements is medical treatment for your motorcycle accident. Your settlement will take into account your past, current, and future medical needs emanating from the crash. Therefore, you’ll have to wait until your treatment is complete or your doctor says you’ve reached maximum medical improvement. That’s because settlements are final.
If you agree to a particular sum today, you can’t ask for more money later if you realize you haven’t fully recovered. To ensure that your recovery goes as smoothly as possible, you need to follow the doctor’s orders. Make sure you keep all your appointments, take your medication, and get all the treatment that’s prescribed. If your injuries are permanently disabling, your settlement amount should reflect this.
Another thing you need to consider is the willingness of the at-fault party and their insurer to settle the case. If they’re eager to get it all over with, they’ll likely offer you a low sum right away. This way, they will avoid having to go to trial, thereby saving time and money. Your attorney may be able to negotiate with the insurer and get you more money while ending the matter relatively quickly. However, there are cases in which insurance companies hold out for an extremely long time. You may even have to go to all the way to trial to get what you deserve.
At the end of the day, it’s up to you whether you want to settle quickly or fight for more. Your Macon motorcycle accident attorney will advise you based on their experience with similar cases. In some cases, the at-fault party doesn’t have enough insurance to cover the full value of the victim’s losses. You wouldn’t be able to claim more than the amount available no matter how much you negotiate.
Talk to the Team at Calvin Smith Law Today
It can be hard to know what to do after a serious motorcycle accident. If your medical bills are piling up and you can’t go back out to work, you may be tempted to accept any amount of money you can get. Alternatively, you may think that going before a judge and jury is the best way to go even though trials are often time-consuming and costly. Your attorney can help you to make the right decision based on your personal situation.
Call the Macon motorcycle accident attorneys at Calvin Smith Law Today to book a consultation and have all your questions answered. We’ll examine all the factors involved and advise you based on our training and experience. We want to ensure you’re compensated fairly for your losses, so we won’t take the easy way out. Your first consultation is free, and we’ll only get paid when we recover damages for you. This can be via settlement or jury verdict.
