If you are wondering how long does it take to settle a motorcycle accident claim, you have come to the right place! One of the most common questions I receive as a motorcycle accident lawyer is how long does it take to receive a motorcycle accident settlement? The settlement process is quite complex and is centered around a number of different variables.
One of the most important variables is referred to as “maximum medical improvement.” Maximum medical improvement (or MMI) is reached when a person reaches a point in which their medical condition is unlikely to improve substantively. Consider a typical case: John is a motorcyclist is hurt in an accident. He fractures his leg, has some road rash, and two broken ribs. One of the broken ribs punctured a lung, so he had to stay in the hospital for a few days.
A few days after his crash, John contacts us at the Law Firm of Kass & Moses and we agree to represent him. He will be unable to work for eight weeks since he will be in a cast, and he is worried about receiving funds from the settlement quickly so that he can pay his bills. Unfortunately, we need to wait until John has achieved MMI. Eight weeks later, John’s cast is removed and his doctor orders physical therapy for an additional eight weeks. John is initially able to return to work, but discovers that his leg swells each day and he is experiencing a deep ache.
John is ordered to take an additional three weeks off of work and purchase a specialized icing system to ice his leg. Had we settled based on his original injuries, we probably would not have received compensation for the additional time he required off of work, the specialized icing system, or the physical therapy appointments. In John’s case, this represented thousands of dollars that would have been missed had we settled prematurely.
As a motorcycle accident lawyer, it is my job to help my clients get the maximum just compensation they are entitled to under the law. It can be difficult to know initially how will the motorcycle accident claim take to settle. I can offer some preliminary guidelines based on the experience I have of representing injured motorcyclists for over thirty years. However, one of the most important factors is the healing process itself.
For some people, achieving MMI does not mean returning to normal. For example, if someone has a severe traumatic brain injury, they may require ongoing medical care for the rest of their life. They may be unable to return to work at all. In cases like this, MMI is considered reached when the level of healing has plateaued for a significant amount of time.
After a motorcycle accident, when injuries are acute, the insurance company will reach out to you to discuss a settlement agreement. Their goal is for you to accept an early settlement offer. Not only are these offers usually far less than you deserve, but they also do not take into account the healing process. As a very experienced motorcycle accident lawyer I can attest to the fact that healing often does not go as planned.
Most motorcycle accident victims are eager to return to work. No one wants to lay around in pain, and although a week away can seem like a blessing, long periods of time away from work can feel downright depressing. It is important, however, to follow medical advice. If your physician believes you should not be working for a period of time, adhere to their policy. Note: always ensure that you get your doctor’s orders in writing. This can help demonstrate the validity of your lost wages to the insurance company.
How Long Does a Motorcycle Accident Claim Take to Settle?
On average, it takes between six months to a year or more to settle a motorcycle accident claim. This number, however, can vary considerably based on the injuries and the complexities of the case. Although some personal injury lawsuits can be settled quickly, the most complex cases can take several years.
Since time is of the essence, we recommend you seek legal representation as soon as possible after your motorcycle accident. The sooner we begin representing you, the closer you are to a rewarding settlement for your motorcycle accident claim.
During your free consultation, we will discuss your motorcycle accident case. You likely have a number of questions, including how long your motorcycle accident claim takes to settle based on your injuries. We can answer any questions you may have at that time, and are always available to answer any questions that arise in the future.
For a free legal consultation,
call 1-800-668-6729
What Impact do Future Damages Have on My Personal Injury Lawsuit?
We work with medical providers to carefully consider any future medical care or losses you may suffer due to your injuries. If you have suffered minor injuries, you may not require any future medical care. But for serious injuries, we have to consider medical bills and treatments that you may incur in the future. In addition to the costs of medical care, we also need to carefully consider how your injuries impact your life.
Consider, for example, a typical motorcycle accident claim. The injured motorcyclist suffered a broken leg and hip, requiring surgery and inpatient care. The surgeons and physicians were able to treat his injuries, but due to the extent of the damage to his hip, he is no longer able to easily move about. This greatly impacted his job as a mechanic. He tried to return to work but found that the pain intensified and he was unable to move about as required.
This client had spent years as a mechanic and did not know another trade. In order to support his family, he had to learn some new skills. This meant going to a technical trade school and learning cybersecurity. We had to consider the costs of education as part of his claim. In addition, he suffered ongoing hip pain. His doctor confirmed that he would likely need a hip replacement in the future. These costs as well as the associated lost wages and pain and suffering also needed to be considered.
This injury claim may seem complex, but actually situations like this are not all that uncommon. Motorcycle riders experience many different complex injuries. In best case scenarios, injuries from motorcycle accidents heal rapidly and completely. But realistically, many injuries result in some level of long-term pain and disability. Our motorcycle accident lawyers understand this and take it into consideration when seeking fair and just compensation for your motorcycle crash.
No matter how long your motorcycle accident claim takes to settle, we will be by your side every step of the way. At the Law Firm of Kass & Moses, you can reach out to use to discuss your case at any time. Since we maintain a close working relationship with our clients, we are better able to understand the extent of their injuries and how those injuries affect their day to day lives.
For a free case evaluation, contact us today at 1-800-MOTORCYCLE. We can discuss your motorcycle accident claim and help you understand how long it might take to settle.
Call or text 1-800-668-6729 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
