In 2017, the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) recorded almost 5,000 fatalities that resulted from motorcycle accidents. While that number is 5.6 percent lower than the motorbike fatality rate of 2016, motorcycle accidents remain overrepresented in overall fatal traffic deaths.
According to the GHSA report, motorcycle accident fatalities occur 28 times more often than deaths resulting from passenger vehicle mishaps. Additionally, motorcyclists represent 14 percent of all traffic-related fatalities. Apart from fatalities, though, many motorcycle riders also get injured.
If you’re involved in a motorcycle accident in Los Angeles, make sure to contact a motorcycle attorney right away. They are the ones who can help you file for the damages and compensation listed below, which you rightfully deserve after suffering personal injury because of someone else’s negligence.
When you are injured in a motorcycle accident, you must file a personal injury claim. In the process, you’ll definitely hear the term “economic damages.” This refers to the tangible expenses and financial losses that are a direct result of the accident that caused your injuries.
The calculation for the compensation you’re entitled to receive from economic damages is straightforward and simple. Among the bills and expenses considered under economic damages are:
Apart from those, you may also claim compensation if you need to retrofit your home to accommodate any disability that resulted from the accident. Transportation costs for going back and forth to doctor appointments, as well as payment for caregivers, may also be considered tangible, accident-related expenses.
If economic damages are straightforward, tangible expenses that can be proven with bills and other documentation, non-economic losses are subjective in value. The amount of compensation you’ll receive should reflect the damage to your quality of life, including your mental and emotional wellbeing.
Non-economic damages typically cover the following:
Because these claims are subjective, debates ensue when they come up. Usually, non-economic damages are calculated by determining your projected recovery time, the severity of your emotional trauma, whether your injuries are permanent, and how much these injuries will disrupt your everyday life. Although you cannot put an exact monetary value to these intangible losses, it’s still important to be compensated for them.
If the motorcycle crash you were involved in was caused by extreme negligence or malicious actions, you may file for punitive damages. This often comes into play when the other party’s behavior was exceptionally reckless. From its root word, punitive damages are intended to punish the negligent person to keep them, and others like them, from engaging in similar behavior.
An example of negligent behavior that may warrant punitive damages is driving under the influence of alcohol or illegal substances. Operating a motor vehicle while drunk or high constitutes reckless conduct and it’s something that a person may likely do again. So, it makes sense to penalize them to discourage future recklessness.
The computation for damages and compensation for injuries sustained from motorcycle accidents can leave lots of room for interpretation- or for misinterpretation. This is especially true with non-economic and punitive damages.
So, if you’re involved in a motorcycle or any vehicular accident, don’t hesitate to contact LA Car Accident Lawyers. Our experienced lawyers have dealt with many motorcycle accidents, so we know how to turn the situation to your advantage.
If you need legal representation in Los Angeles, contact us today.
