Average Injury Settlement for Motorcycle Accidents in Michigan

Key Takeaways

• Motorcycle accident cases generally settle between $75,000 and $200,000, but outliers are possible due to various factors.
• While the severity of injuries plays a large role in the value of a settlement for a motorcyclist, insurance limitations also have a significant impact.
• Because of the difficulty of pursuing motorcycle accident cases and the urgency of compensation given the likely extent of injuries sustained, contacting an experienced Michigan law firm for your case is always beneficial.
• No matter how serious your motorcycle accident was, you can benefit from having help from a lawyer to negotiate with insurance providers, gather evidence, and represent you in court if it comes to that.
• At Matz Injury Law, our main priority is fighting for the maximum payout for your motorcycle accident claim. Our experience getting a reliable jury verdict in a motorcycle accident lawsuit makes us aggressive advocates for victims.

Riding a motorcycle can be liberating, but getting in an accident can land you with serious injuries. These motorcycle accident injuries can be life-altering, and fighting through the legal system to get compensation for damages suffered can seem impossible when all you are trying to do is cope with your injuries.

Matz Injury Law can help you navigate this difficult time to pursue fair compensation for injuries suffered in a motorcycle accident. It can be useful to know what the average motorcycle accident settlement in Michigan is to give you an idea of possibilities, but hiring our experienced motorcycle accident attorneys will help you fight for maximum compensation. Let’s take a closer look at how Michigan motorcycle settlement cases work.

How Much Are Most Motorcycle Accident Settlements in Michigan?

Motorcycle accident settlements tend to be worth between $75,000 and $200,000, but the exact figure is going to vary by individual case. Considering how dangerous motorcycle accidents are, the injuries tend to be more severe. These severe injuries often incur damages that are greater than what most insurance policies will cover, so the value of the average settlement is often limited by insurance benefits. 

Compensation for lost wages, for example, will vary widely depending on how much the accident victim was earning at the time of the accident. An accident that puts someone who makes $100,000 per year out of commission for three years is going to warrant $300,000 worth of compensation for lost wages. That value would only be $90,000 for a person who makes $30,000 per year.

Related Article: Average Soft Tissue Injury Car Accident Settlement

Matz Injury Law’s Past Motorcycle Accident Settlements

At Matz Injury Law, we have a long history of winning successful settlements for our Michigan personal injury clients. In fact, we have earned over $300 million for our clients over the past several decades.

Recent motorcycle accident cases

• We had a previous client whose family member was killed in a motorcycle accident. We won a settlement of $4,150,000 from three insurance companies.
• In another instance, we won a $490,000 settlement for a 42-year-old woman who was involved in a motorcycle/automobile crash.
• In Genesee County, a couple was struck by an oncoming car while riding a motorcycle. We managed to get them a $3,000,000 settlement for damages suffered.
• A 41-year-old woman was injured in an accident while riding on the back of a motorcycle, and we managed to win $300,000 in compensation from an uninsured motorist settlement.

Motorcycle Accident and Wrongful Death Case

We had one case a few years ago that was particularly complex to deal with. Two young men were riding their motorcycles at night when they were both struck by a car while waiting at a stop sign. One of the riders was killed, and the other was seriously injured. We represented both.

We managed to get a $50,000 settlement for the family of the wrongful death victim solely because of their underinsured motorist coverage. Meanwhile, the injured rider, who had to undergo multiple surgeries and extensive medical treatment, won $250,000 because he had a larger available personal injury protection (PIP) policy. This illustrates that the value of insurance tends to be a greater deciding factor than the actual value of the injuries.

Our team examined the evidence at the scene (including some doorbell security footage) to prove how the accident happened so we could pursue compensation. Had the family not hired a skilled Michigan motorcycle accident lawyer, they may have never found the at-fault driver to seek damages.

What Factors Impact a Motorcycle Accident Settlement?

Common factors that can directly influence your motorcycle accident settlement amount include:

• Damages and Injuries Suffered
• Lost Wages
• Insurance Policy Limits
• No-Fault Accident Considerations
• Attorney’s Contingency Fees

Damages and Injuries Suffered in a Motorcycle Accident

Any factor relevant to the amount of damages suffered in an accident will impact a motorcycle settlement. Among the most basic are medical expenses. The more serious injuries sustained are, the more compensation will be required to cover the cost of medical bills. In terms of lost wages, what matters is how much the accident victim was earning at the time of the accident. Someone being out of work for a year where they make $100,000 at their job is going to warrant greater compensation for lost wages than someone out for the same period of time with a salary of $50,000.

Insurance Policy Limits

One of the most important factors in a motorcycle accident settlement is insurance policy limits. Since motorcycle accidents are often quite serious since there is no 5000-pound steel cage around the rider like there is in a car, medical bills alone tend to be high. Because of this, the maximum insurance limitations are often reached without having enough to cover the entire cost of the damages. In no-fault accidents specifically, insurance is among the most important factors since that may be the only path to get compensation at all. Of course, it is always important to speak to a lawyer first before deciding how to move forward and if you should accept any settlement offers.

Contingency Fees For Motorcycle Accident Claims

Of course, one factor in settlement amounts is the attorney fees. Most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, which means they don’t get paid unless they win your case. The typical amount they take from the settlement after winning is 33%, but Matz Injury Law works to keep more money in your pocket. Instead, we only charge 22% if we win.

How Can a Michigan Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Help?

A motorcycle accident lawyer offers serious benefits for any kind of personal injury claim. Remember, insurance adjusters are working for the insurance company, not for you. Insurance providers profit by denying as much compensation as possible, and their adjusters work to that end. A lawyer, on the other hand, works in your best interests and will fight for the fair settlement you deserve.

Lawyers can also help in particularly complex personal injury cases. The aforementioned case regarding two motorcycle riders getting hit by a car while at a stop sign actually required us to look through a series of Ring camera footage to determine how the accident even happened. Lawyers will know where to look for evidence that could potentially make or break your case.

When you are facing a serious injury like any of the following, holding the at-fault party accountable for your losses could be critical for your long-term health, quality of life, and lifespan. Motorcycle injuries often include:

• Traumatic brain injury
• Spinal cord injuries resulting in paralysis
• Disfiguring road rash
• Broken bones and complex fractures
• Open wounds and lacerations

Filing a personal injury lawsuit in these cases may require using your medical records to demonstrate the complexity of your injuries and the long road ahead for your recovery. There are times when this could mean recovering damages from a negligent driver to pay for modifications to your home, loss of your ability to work, and the onset of chronic pain. Let us pursue the at-fault driver to maximize your claim. Without a skilled Michigan attorney, proving these losses is more challenging.

Related Resources

• What Causes Motorcycle Crashes in Michigan?
• Michigan Personal Injury Settlements FAQ
• What to Do if a Fatal Crash Results in a Loved Ones Death

Why Clients Choose Matz Injury Law

At Matz Injury Law, we have decades of experience representing accident victims throughout Michigan. We work to make the recovery process as easy as possible for you, which is why we offer virtual consultations and keep in personal contact with our clients. While based in Southfield, we drive all across Michigan to visit with our clients and offer a personal touch. We know that every accident is unique, so we listen to the details of our clients’ experiences and use that knowledge to pursue maximum compensation for damages. Plus, our 22% contingency fee rather than the standard 33% puts more money in our clients’ pockets at the end of a settlement.

Take a look at what some of our previous clients had to say about our services.

Testimonials

“Wow! What an amazing attorney, Mr. Steven Matz. His guidance & expertise set my family’s mind at ease & we are all forever grateful for such a wonderful person. Thanks again, Mr Steven Matz.” — Natasha S.

“I cannot speak highly enough of Steve and his team! Everyone is so friendly and professional. Steve always kept me in the loop during the whole process and I tried to do the same. I love that Steve is such an honest person, he’s not going to sugar coat anything but he’s also not rude about it either. Whenever I needed to talk to Steve he was always there and still always will be. I know I can always trust him and if I need anything he will help me out. I seriously couldn’t have asked for a better lawyer to share this journey with. If I had to do it all over again, I wouldn’t change my lawyer and if I ever need a lawyer again he will always be my first choice.” — Kristina K.

Contact Matz Injury Law to Fight for Your Settlement

If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident in Michigan, Matz Injury Law can help. Our Southfield personal injury attorneys have extensive experience with Michigan motorcycle accidents and can handle the legal process while you focus on recovery. Contact our team today by calling 1-866-22Not33 or filling out our online contact form for a free consultation.