In California, the average settlement for a motorcycle accident typically ranges from $20,000 to $75,000, depending on the severity of injuries and damages involved. Cases with more significant injuries that require long-term medical care or result in permanent disabilities or fatalities can yield settlements of $100,000 or more, and some may reach into the millions.
These figures provide a general idea of what to expect; however, a wide range of factors can influence the final settlement amount, and understanding these is crucial to your case. Here is what you need to know about how California motorcycle accident settlements are calculated and why having the team at Salamati Law on your side can help you recover fair and reasonable compensation for your damages and losses.
What Types of Compensation Are Available In Motorcycle Accident Claims?
Compensation in a motorcycle accident claim includes financial losses or economic damages and non-economic damages such as pain and suffering:
- Medical Expenses: Includes current and future medical expenses from the accident—such as ambulance transport, medications, diagnostic tests, surgery, rehabilitation, travel expenses to medical appointments, and any modifications to your home to accommodate your injuries.
- Lost Income and Lost Future Earnings: If you miss work due to recovery, you will be entitled to compensation for your lost wages. If your injuries result in permanent disabilities that prevent you from returning to your profession, your compensation will account for your reduced future earnings as well.
- Pain and Suffering: Beyond physical pain, motorcycle accident victims may suffer emotional trauma, anxiety, insomnia, PTSD, or depression, all of which contribute to the total settlement amount.
- Property Damage: Reimbursement for repairing or replacing your motorcycle and any other damaged property, such as personal items in the vehicle.
How Pure Comparative Negligence Affects Your Settlement
When calculating a motorcycle accident settlement in California, multiple factors play a role in determining compensation. For example, California follows a pure comparative negligence standard, meaning if you are partially at fault for the accident, your settlement will be reduced according to your share of the blame.
For example, if the total damages in your case are $100,000, but you are found to be 20 percent at fault, your settlement would be reduced by $20,000, leaving you with $80,000.
Other Factors That Can Affect Your Settlement
- Liability – Even though negligent driving on the part of motorists is one of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents, liability may be disputed. To seek compensation, your lawyer, given the pure comparative negligence standard, must be able to prove that the motorist was at least partially, if not fully, responsible for causing the accident and your injuries.
- The extent of your injuries – The degree of your injuries will largely influence any damage award since the associated medical bills will be higher. Motorcycle accidents often result in catastrophic trauma, from traumatic brain injury and broken bones to loss of limb.
- Insurance policy of the defendant – a personal injury settlement will also be dictated by the policy limits of the defendant’s car insurance.
The Impact of Catastrophic Injuries
If an accident victim sustains catastrophic injuries—such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, or severe limb fractures— there are long-term repercussions for victims. They may be unable to work and require extensive treatment, multiple surgeries, modifications to their living space, and ongoing rehabilitation. These types of injuries significantly increase the value of a case because the financial and emotional toll is much higher.
In cases like these, settlements can easily exceed $1 million, and some have reached much higher amounts. For example, our team at Salamati Law successfully negotiated a $2 million settlement for a client who suffered a mild traumatic brain injury after a motorcycle accident yet did not miss any work.
However, testimony showed that after the accident, he had a much harder time doing his job as an IT professional for a major law firm because his concentration, thinking, and focus suffered. We were able to demonstrate the true extent of the impact on his daily life and career, which ultimately led to a substantial settlement.
Why You Should Never Settle Without an Attorney
It might be tempting to accept the first offer from an insurance company, especially if you cannot work and are facing financial instability. However, insurance adjusters initially offer low settlements that often fall short of your total losses. They are not in the business of offering you a fair deal—they are in the business of protecting their bottom line.
You need an attorney to maximize your settlement amount. At Salamati Law, we investigate your accident and gather compelling evidence to support your claim, including medical records, police reports, and witness testimonies, ensuring your case is as strong as possible.
We are experienced in negotiating fair settlements, but if the insurance company is unwilling to offer a reasonable payout, we are prepared to take your case to court. In high-stakes cases, experienced legal representation is often the deciding factor between an insufficient offer and a settlement that addresses all your losses.
Schedule a Free Consultation with Salamati Law
Settlements in motorcycle accident cases can vary widely, but a Los Angeles motorcycle accident lawyer at Salamati Law will not settle for less than you deserve. If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, contact us to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation. Our team’s commitment to justice and relentless pursuit of fair compensation make us a trusted legal ally in California. Because we work on a contingency basis, you pay no legal fees unless we successfully recover damages on your behalf.
