A motorcycle accident can be terrifying, but once you’re on the path to recovery, it’s time to think about whether you are due compensation. Your case may not be as cut and dry as the other party’s insurance might have you believe, especially if you suffered a serious or complex injury. Here are a few things you are eligible to seek compensation for:

• Medical bills: Getting injured is expensive! You may be facing any number of medical bills due to your injury. This is the most obvious need for compensation, as it shouldn’t be your responsibility to pay for expenses related to an injury that wasn’t your fault.
• Property damage: Another obvious need for compensation is to cover the cost of the property damage you’ve suffered. This includes, but is not limited to, your bike. Also, consider the value of anything else that will have to be replaced due to the accident, such as your helmet, protective gear, and anything you may have been carrying with you at the time.
• Lost income: Typically along with a serious injury comes a substantial amount of lost income, income you and your family were depending on to keep the bills paid, a roof over your heads, and food in the fridge. Typically you’ll determine a per diem of what income you’ve lost per day, and multiply that by how many days you’ve spent or anticipate spending out of work due to the accident.
• Out-of-pocket expenses: You may have other expenses due to the accident, that you wouldn’t have had to pay otherwise. For instance, does going to your medical appointments require an Uber or a babysitter? Have you been charged copays? Keep track of these expenses, as they should be covered as well.
• Pain and suffering: Surviving a motorcycle accident isn’t just a terrifying experience; it’s also often an incredibly painful one. Compensation for pain and suffering is a valid part of your claim, as it recognizes that the impact on your life is much more than just the financial cost of your injuries and your loss of property.
• Emotional distress: The emotional impact of your accident is important too. Serious accidents often leave victims with PTSD and other conditions due to the extreme trauma. Emotional distress can be as much of a disability and have just as much of a lasting impact as a physical impairment, if not more so.
• Lost quality of life: Likewise, it’s important to consider the change in your life in the days, weeks, months, or even years following your accident. Your injury robs you of precious time as you recover, and in some cases, if you might never fully recover.
• Loss of Consortium: Finally, and most tragically, you should expect compensation if you lost a spouse or family member to a motorcycle accident. Not only do you still have bills to pay and a loved one to bury, but now you also have to face the rest of your life without them. No amount of money will make up for their loss, but having enough money to pay your bills can at least reduce your stress and give you space to grieve.

Recovering from a motorcycle accident is tough. Doctor’s appointments, expenses, and the physical and emotional impact can be overwhelming. This is why it’s important for you to have an attorney who rides and is looking out for your best interests. With an experienced  lawyer managing the details of your case, you can focus better on your task at hand: recovering from your accident. To discuss your case in detail, contact Simon Law Group, PLLC, and schedule a consultation today.