How to Determine the Value of Your Motorcycle Accident Claim
If you are in a motorcycle accident and you decide to file a personal injury claim, one of the first questions that you will likely have is, how much is your claim worth? This is a normal question as motorcycle accidents can be expensive. If someone else is responsible for your accident, then they may also be liable for your costly damages.
How to Determine Fault
One of the first things that we will need to do when filing a personal injury case is to determine fault. This is the process of collecting proof to determine who is liable. This includes things like:
- Photographs from the accident
- Videos from the accident
- Witness statements
- Medical records
Depending on the details of the accident, this may require careful investigation to determine the cause. For example, if you believe that another driver was texting and driving, which is illegal in New Jersey, it may require that we pull phone records. We may also look at the evidence to determine if the other driver was speeding or engaging in another negligent activity.
How to Determine Damages and the Value of Your Case
Once we are able to determine fault, we will need to determine damages. This is how much the accident costs you. This may include things like:
- Medical bills
- Transportation fees
- Lost wages
- Lost benefits
It may also include things like pain and suffering. In addition to the extensive pain that is common in motorcycle accidents, it can also lead to emotional suffering. You may lose your enjoyment of motorcycling, which in some cases, may be compensated. A personal injury lawyer can help you calculate all costs involved in your case.
When to Settle Your Case
It is important to note that most personal injury cases are settled. This means that the plaintiff and defendant agree to an amount without taking the case to trial. This prevents everyone from having to go to court. This is often an agreeable solution as it can save both parties a good amount of time and money. This leads many to wonder if they should agree to a settlement offer. This all depends on the value of your case versus the settlement amount offered.
Why Work With a Personal Injury Lawyer?
There are many reasons to consider working with a personal injury lawyer. Initially, it can be beneficial to work with a lawyer while you focus on your recovery. This way, you don’t have to worry about meeting state timelines, also referred to as a statute of limitation. A personal injury lawyer can also help with calculating the value of your case. This can make it easier to access the fairness of any settlement offers you receive.
Some damages, like that of pain and suffering, can be difficult to place a value on, which can lead to differing settlement amounts. This includes other costs, like diminished earning value, which is the amount of money you may lose due to a new injury or medical condition that prevents you from earning an income. There are a lot of important factors to consider.
Contact a Union County Personal Injury Lawyer to Discuss Your Motorcycle Accident Case in New Jersey
Did you or a loved one sustain serious injuries due to an accident in New Jersey? Don’t let the medical bills pile up while you wait for the negligent party or their insurance company to do the right thing. Right now, you need an aggressive personal injury attorney on your side, fighting to get you the compensation you need, want, and deserve. The skilled attorneys at Birkhold & Maider, LLC represent clients injured because of a motorcycle accident in Hudson County, Union County, Mercer County, Essex County, and throughout New Jersey. Call (973) 947-4670 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation about your case. We have an office conveniently located at 189 Franklin Avenue, Suite 1 Nutley, New Jersey 07110, as well as a satellite office in Hamilton, New Jersey.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.
