Lawsuit Information Center
This page is about motorcycle accident injury claims. Our motorcycle accident lawyers handle serious injury and wrongful death claims arising from motorcycle crashes everywhere. Our attorneys tell you what you need to know, and we take a long look at settlement amounts and jury payouts.
Motorcycle accident cases are different from ordinary car accident cases. The injuries are usually worse. The liability fight is often harder. Insurance companies are more aggressive. And motorcycle riders face a bias that car drivers rarely face. The defense wants the jury to think the rider was reckless before anyone hears the facts.
That is not fair. But it is real.
Motorcyclists are exposed in a way that car occupants are not. There is no frame, no airbag, no seat belt, and no steel cage absorbing the force of impact. A left turn crash that causes a dented bumper for a car driver can cause fractures, road rash, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, amputation, or death for a motorcycle rider.
NHTSA reports that, per vehicle miles traveled, motorcyclists were almost 27 times more likely than passenger vehicle occupants to die in a crash and almost 5 times more likely to be injured. That statistic tells you what every rider already knows. Motorcycle crashes are not small cases when high speed is involved… and even when it is not.
Our lawyers handle these claims everywhere. If you or someone you love was seriously injured in a motorcycle accident, call us at 800-553-8082 or get a free no-obligation case review online.
Challenges of Motorcycle Accident Claims
Motorcycle accidents often lead to high settlement amounts and jury compensation payouts. But it is always a battle to get truly full compensation in any personal injury case, and motorcycle claims have added elements of difficulty.
Riders often face prejudice and are wrongfully labeled as reckless. Defense lawyers and insurance adjusters want to position all motorcyclists as risk takers who are more likely to engage in dangerous or reckless behaviors on the road. Such stereotypes can, consciously or subconsciously, influence individuals’ perceptions, including those in the legal system.
This bias shows up in predictable ways. The defense says the motorcycle must have been speeding. The rider must have been weaving. The rider must have appeared out of nowhere. The rider should have anticipated the car turning left. The rider should have laid the bike down sooner. The rider accepted the risk by getting on a motorcycle in the first place.
Most of that is noise.
The real question is usually much simpler. Who had the right of way? Who violated the traffic rule? Who failed to see what was there to be seen? Who made the unsafe left turn? Who changed lanes without looking? Who pulled out from a driveway, parking lot, or side street without yielding?
You need a motorcycle accident lawyer to ensure your voice is heard and that any misconceptions are dispelled. A well-prepared case that anticipates and addresses potential biases can help ensure that the motorcyclist is treated fairly at the settlement table and in court.
Why Motorcycle Accident Cases Can Have High Value
Motorcycle crash claims can have high settlement value because the injuries are often catastrophic. A rider may suffer multiple fractures, orthopedic surgery, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, nerve damage, severe road rash, disfigurement, chronic pain, or permanent disability.
In serious motorcycle cases, the damages are not just the emergency room bill. The damages may include future surgeries, physical therapy, pain management, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, medical equipment, home modifications, scarring, disfigurement, depression, anxiety, PTSD, loss of independence, and the loss of the simple joy of riding.
That last point matters. Defense lawyers like to reduce these cases to medical bills and diagnostic codes. But the real loss is human. A rider who can no longer work, walk normally, sleep without pain, ride with friends, play with children, or live independently has lost something that cannot be captured by a hospital invoice.
The best motorcycle accident lawyers reframe the case around what the crash took from the person.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle crashes happen for many reasons, but the same patterns come up again and again. Many of these cases involve drivers who simply fail to see the motorcycle. But “I did not see him” is not a defense. It is often an admission.
Common causes of motorcycle accident lawsuits include:
- Left turn crashes occur when a vehicle turns across the motorcycle’s path
- Drivers pulling out from driveways, parking lots, and side roads
- Unsafe lane changes
- Rear-end crashes
- Commercial vehicle collisions
- Road debris or unsafe road design
- Distracted driving
- Drunk or drug-impaired driving
- Speeding by another vehicle
- Defective motorcycle parts, tires, brakes, or helmets
Left turn cases are especially common. The car driver says they did not see the motorcycle. The rider had the right of way. The driver turned anyway. The result is often devastating because the motorcycle has little time and little space to avoid impact.
These are not “accidents” in the sense that no one could have prevented them. They are often rule violations. Drivers must look, yield, and wait until it is safe to turn. When they fail to do that, riders pay the price.
Our Comprehensive Approach to Building Your Case
From the moment we are retained, our primary objective is to gather all necessary evidence to build a formidable case on your behalf.
Liability Evidence
Beyond acquiring the police report, we visit accident scenes, photograph the aftermath, and, when available, obtain witness statements. In complex cases, we engage motorcycle and auto accident investigators to reconstruct the crash, ensuring we have a comprehensive understanding of the event.
Liability evidence can include scene photographs, traffic camera footage, nearby business surveillance footage, dash cam video, vehicle damage, skid marks, gouge marks, debris fields, black box data, 911 calls, police body camera footage, witness statements, and cell phone records.
The earlier this evidence is preserved, the better. Video disappears. Vehicles get repaired. Witnesses forget. The road gets resurfaced. Insurance companies start building their defense immediately. You need someone building your case just as quickly.
Medical Evidence
Recognizing the severity of motorcycle injuries, we meticulously compile all medical records, bills, and, when needed, secure statements from treating physicians addressing the extent of injuries and their long-term implications.
Medical proof is not just about showing that you were hurt. It is about connecting the injury to the crash, showing the full extent of the damage, and explaining what the injury will mean in the future.
In serious motorcycle cases, medical evidence may include ambulance records, trauma records, orthopedic surgery reports, neurology records, brain imaging, spine imaging, pain management records, rehabilitation records, physical therapy records, psychological treatment records, impairment ratings, future care opinions, and life care planning.
Wage Loss and Property Damage
Accidents can lead to missed work or even long-term disability. We present a comprehensive wage loss claim, and when your motorcycle sustains damage, we strive to recover its full value.
Wage loss claims can be simple when someone misses a few weeks of work. They become much more complicated when the rider is self-employed, works in construction, runs a business, loses overtime, loses promotion opportunities, or can never return to the same job.
A serious injury can change a career. That loss has to be proven.
| Value Factor | Why It Matters | Effect on Value |
|---|---|---|
| Clear Liability | The cleaner the fault-proof, the harder it is for the defense to blame the rider. | Raises value |
| Objective Injury Proof | Fractures, surgery, imaging, scars, hardware, nerve damage, and brain injury are harder to dismiss. | Raises value |
| Comparative Fault | The defense will argue the rider was speeding, weaving, or could have avoided the crash. | Can reduce value |
| Rider Bias | Some jurors assume motorcyclists are risk takers before they hear the evidence. | Must be overcome |
| Future Care and Disability | Permanent injury, future surgery, work restrictions, and life care needs can drive major verdicts. | Raises value |
| Insurance Coverage | A strong case can still be limited by low policy limits unless other coverage exists. | May cap recovery |
What To Do After a Motorcycle Accident
Some motorcycle cases are unnecessarily lost before the victim calls a motorcycle accident attorney. Here are seven things you want to make sure you do from the beginning.
1. Check for Injuries and Call 911
First and foremost, determine if you or anyone else is injured. If injuries are apparent or even suspected, call 911 immediately.
Even if there are no visible injuries, you should still inform the authorities about the accident. Their report will be vital if you decide to pursue a legal claim.
2. Move Off the Road If Possible
If it is safe to do so, and you are physically able, move yourself and your motorcycle out of the traffic flow, ideally to a nearby shoulder or safe spot. This minimizes the risk of a second crash.
If you cannot move, try to set out hazards or signals to alert approaching vehicles of the accident.
3. Seek Medical Attention
Always prioritize your health. Even if you believe your injuries are minor, you want to see a doctor after trauma, particularly a motorcycle accident.
Adrenaline masks pain. Riders often discover hours later that the “minor” pain was a fracture, concussion, ligament injury, or internal injury. Medical treatment protects your health and creates a record that connects your injuries to the crash.
Retain all documentation related to medical visits, treatments, and medications. Your motorcycle accident attorney will collect these records too. But having two versions helps avoid mistakes.
4. Document Everything
Gather essential details from all parties involved in the accident. This includes names, contact details, driver’s license numbers, and insurance information.
Use your phone to take photographs of the accident scene, vehicle positions, road conditions, your injuries, motorcycle damage, debris, skid marks, traffic signals, and any other pertinent details.
If there are witnesses, get their contact information and a brief account of what they saw. Witnesses can disappear quickly. A neutral witness can be the difference between a strong case and a he said, she said fight.
5. Talk to Your Insurance Company Carefully
Report the accident to your insurance provider as soon as possible, detailing the incident and any damage to your motorcycle or personal property.
Would it be better to engage a motorcycle accident lawyer first? Absolutely. You really should not be talking to the other insurance company until you have contacted a lawyer. Even if your eventual path is to handle your own accident claim, you should still consult a lawyer first.
Document all interactions and communications with your insurance agent or company representatives.
6. Keep Records of Everything
Maintain a thorough and organized record of everything related to the accident. This includes photographs, medical records, communications, and any out-of-pocket expenses. These records are crucial for building a robust legal claim.
Save receipts for prescriptions, medical devices, transportation, motorcycle storage, towing, rental vehicles, home care, missed work documentation, and anything else tied to the crash.
7. Consult an Attorney
Research who is the best motorcycle accident lawyer for you. Our law firm can help you. We are very good at this, and our personal injury attorneys have a track record in the courtroom and at the settlement table. But let us not pretend there is only one good motorcycle accident lawyer out there. There are also other great motorcycle accident attorneys who can help you.
Hire a reputable motorcycle accident attorney with a history of success in the courtroom.
| Evidence | Why It Matters | What It Can Prove |
|---|---|---|
| Scene Photos and Video | They preserve the road, vehicle positions, visibility, debris, damage, and traffic controls. | Right of way, impact angle, road condition, and whether the driver should have seen the rider. |
| Witness Statements | Neutral witnesses can defeat the defense story that the rider was reckless. | Speed, lane position, use of turn signals, driver distraction, and crash sequence. |
| Police Report and 911 Calls | Early statements can lock in what the parties and witnesses said before litigation began. | Fault admissions, location, citations, injuries, and immediate crash details. |
| Medical Records | They connect the injuries to the crash and document the severity of harm. | Causation, surgery, permanency, future care, pain, disability, and work limits. |
| Accident Reconstruction | Experts can explain speed, perception, reaction time, visibility, and crash mechanics. | Who had time to avoid the crash and whether the defense speed argument is real. |
| Insurance and Coverage Investigation | The best liability case means little if no one finds the available coverage. | Liability coverage, umbrella coverage, employer coverage, UM coverage, and other recovery sources. |
How Motorcycle Accident Settlement Amounts Are Calculated
Settlement amounts in motorcycle accident lawsuits are determined based on a combination of economic and non-economic factors. These factors are designed to compensate the injured party for both tangible and intangible losses.
Here is a detailed breakdown of how these amounts are generally calculated.
Medical Expenses
This is often a substantial portion of a claim. Medical expenses include past medical bills and future medical costs.
Past medical bills include all the bills from doctors, specialists, surgeons, hospitals, physical therapists, chiropractors, rehabilitation providers, pain management doctors, and other providers related to the accident.
Future medical costs matter in serious cases. If the injury requires ongoing medical care, the costs will be estimated. This might include surgeries, therapies, medications, injections, medical equipment, prosthetics, mobility aids, and home health care.
Lost Wages
If the victim missed work due to the accident, they should be compensated for lost income.
Past lost wages are income lost from work missed immediately after the accident. Future earning capacity is different. If the injury impacts the victim’s ability to work in the future, they can be compensated for future earnings they will not be able to make.
For some riders, this is the biggest economic loss in the case. A carpenter with a crushed leg, a truck driver with a spinal injury, a nurse with a permanent shoulder injury, or a small business owner with a traumatic brain injury may lose far more than medical bills.
Property Damage
This includes costs to repair or replace the motorcycle and any other damaged personal property. This matters less in motorcycle accident cases than in injury claims, but insurance adjusters often use the severity of the crash as a marker for how serious the injuries could be.
That is not always fair. Motorcycle riders can be seriously injured even when vehicle repair numbers do not tell the whole story. But property damage still matters because it helps show the force and mechanics of the impact.
Pain and Suffering
Pain and suffering damages are non-economic damages meant to compensate for the physical pain and emotional suffering endured. They are almost invariably the most significant part of the damages pie in a motorcycle crash case.
From the insurance company’s perspective, determining a monetary value for pain and suffering can involve a multiplier method in which tangible damages, such as medical bills and lost wages, are multiplied by a set factor. The multiplier usually varies based on the severity of the injuries, with more severe injuries receiving a higher multiplier.
Does this work in the victim’s favor? Almost never. The best motorcycle accident lawyers reframe this issue to drill down on the real human suffering endured from the crash.
A rider who had four surgeries, cannot kneel, cannot sleep through the night, cannot ride again, cannot coach a child’s team, and lives with visible scars is not a “multiplier.” That is a person whose life was changed.
Emotional Distress
Emotional distress can be both economic damage and an element of pain and suffering. Victims may suffer from anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder after a motorcycle accident.
This is common, and it is real. Many riders remember the impact. Some remember sliding across pavement. Some remember seeing the car turn in front of them and knowing there was no escape. Some cannot get near a motorcycle again.
Depending on the jurisdiction, compensation for these intangible damages might be separate from or included within pain and suffering.
Other Considerations in Calculating Settlement Amounts
Shared fault matters. In jurisdictions with comparative or contributory negligence laws, the settlement amount might be reduced or barred if the victim is found to be partially at fault for the accident.
Strength of evidence also matters. The stronger the evidence supporting the victim’s claim, the more leverage the victim has during negotiations, potentially leading to a higher settlement.
Policy limits matter more than victims expect. Insurance companies will not voluntarily pay more than the policy limits, regardless of the damages calculated. Sometimes, the best thing a motorcycle accident lawyer does is find more insurance policies in improbable places.
Jury appeal matters too. If the case does not settle and goes to trial, how a jury might perceive the parties can influence settlement decisions. Insurance companies might be willing to offer more in settlement if they believe a jury would be especially sympathetic to the victim.
Motorcycle Accident Verdicts and Settlements
Below are summaries of recent motorcycle accident cases resulting in verdicts or publicly reported settlements. These cases offer a sample of what types of compensation are awarded in motorcycle accident cases involving various circumstances.
Verdicts and settlements are not predictions. A $45 million verdict in one case does not mean another case is worth $45 million. A $10,000 verdict does not mean a serious motorcycle case is low-value.
$45,000,000 Verdict in Connecticut in 2025
A 26-year-old Marine reservist was left paralyzed from the waist down after a motorcycle crash in Watertown, Connecticut. The rider was on a Harley-Davidson when he collided with an SUV exiting a private road. The plaintiff argued that a tow truck owned by MyHoopty.com was illegally parked and obstructed visibility, contributing to the crash.
The rider suffered a T12 spinal cord injury and became paraplegic. The jury awarded $45 million, including $8.5 million in economic damages for past and future medical care and lost earnings, and $36.5 million in non-economic damages. The jury assigned 65 percent fault to the tow truck company, 25 percent to the SUV driver, and 10 percent to the motorcycle rider. CT Insider, July 2025.
$27,500,000 Verdict in Illinois in 2025
A Madison County, Illinois jury awarded $27.5 million to a 21-year-old motorcyclist injured when a pickup truck tried to cross an intersection without the right of way and struck the plaintiff on his motorcycle. The collision caused torn ligaments and tendons in the plaintiff’s knee and multiple fractures to his lower leg, requiring four surgeries.
The jury found the defendant 100 percent at fault. The verdict included $421,213.56 in medical bills, $75,000 in punitive damages, and more than $27 million for pain and suffering, loss of normal life, emotional distress, and disfigurement. Simon Law, November 2025.
$585,000 Settlement in Michigan in 2025
Benzie County approved a $585,000 settlement related to a motorcycle crash involving a county sheriff’s deputy and a motorcyclist. The crash occurred at the intersection of Reynolds Road and U.S. 31 in Inland Township. According to the county sheriff, the deputy did not see the motorcycle when he pulled onto U.S. 31, and the motorcycle crashed into the police cruiser.
The county approved the settlement to avoid future litigation costs and stated that the settlement was not an admission of liability. Benzie County Record Patriot, July 2025.
$22,500 Verdict in Pennsylvania in 2025
The plaintiff was riding his motorcycle through an intersection with the right-of-way when he was struck by the defendant. The plaintiff suffered a left-hand metacarpal fracture that required surgery with the installation of hardware, an injury to his thumb that required surgery, a hematoma to his left leg, and multiple body contusions.
The plaintiff claimed that as a result of the accident, he was left with a fear of riding his motorcycle again, negatively affecting his quality of life. The jury did not buy that claim because it awarded only $10 for past pain and suffering.
$10,000 Verdict in New Jersey in 2025
The plaintiff was riding his motorcycle when a vehicle approaching from the opposite direction crossed his lane of travel as she turned left, forcing him to lay down his motorcycle to avoid a collision.
The plaintiff claimed that he suffered a permanent shoulder injury, but he was found to be 50 percent at fault, which reduced the amount of his award.
$100,000 Settlement in Washington in 2025
The plaintiff, a 55-year-old carpenter, was operating a motorcycle. The defendant was parked on the shoulder and pulled out onto the roadway. The plaintiff was forced to move into the opposing lane to pass the defendant as the defendant began executing a left turn, and the plaintiff struck another vehicle.
The plaintiff suffered a chest wall contusion and pain.
$42,500,000 Verdict in Indiana in 2024
A Tesla employee, ironically driving a company-owned Ford work truck, made a left turn across traffic to enter a gas station, striking a motorcyclist who was exiting the station and heading in the opposite direction.
The crash resulted in severe injuries for the motorcyclist, including brain injuries that required surgical intervention. The jury awarded the motorcyclist $42.5 million in damages, adjusted from an initial $60.7 million because the jury found the motorcyclist 30 percent at fault.
$182,000 Verdict in Arizona in 2023
The plaintiff, a podiatrist, said his motorcycle was rear-ended by a motorcycle operated by the defendant. The defendant was allegedly cited for following too closely. The plaintiff reportedly hit the roadway and suffered significant injuries, including a fractured clavicle.
The plaintiff alleged negligence and inattentive driving. He asserted the defendant was tailgating and following too closely. The $182,000 verdict was reduced by 40 percent to $109,200 based on the 40 percent fault apportionment given to the plaintiff.
$75,000 Settlement in Nevada in 2023
The plaintiff, an 11 year old girl, was reportedly a passenger on a motorcycle involved in a side collision with another vehicle. The plaintiff reportedly suffered significant injuries, including a broken collarbone and head trauma.
The plaintiff claimed the other driver caused the collision. The parties agreed to a settlement and sought court approval of the settlement agreement.
$1,885,602 Verdict in North Carolina in 2023
The plaintiff was on his motorcycle when he was struck by a United States Postal Service truck. The plaintiff said that as he drove through the intersection, the USPS truck attempted to make a left turn at the intersection, turned into his lane of traffic, and struck his motorcycle.
The plaintiff was reportedly ejected from the motorcycle and thrown into a wooded area adjacent to the intersection. He suffered left leg and thigh fractures, a left wrist fracture, left toe fractures, cardiac arrest, breathing abnormalities, respiratory failure, hemorrhoidal issues secondary to surgery and pain treatment, and skin contamination.
He said he underwent four surgeries and was unable to work after the accident.
$259,262 Verdict in South Carolina in 2023
The plaintiff was operating her motorcycle when she was reportedly rear-ended by a Jeep driven by the defendant. At the time, the plaintiff said she was stopped at an intersection with her left turn signal engaged when the collision occurred, causing her to fall from her motorcycle.
The plaintiff said she suffered sprains and strains to her back, spine, pelvis, and hips.
$650,000 Settlement in Washington in 2023
A 72-year-old man was driving his motorcycle when the defendant made a negligent left-hand turn directly in front of him, causing the motorcycle to strike the defendant’s vehicle head-on.
The motorcycle rider was thrown from the bike and died from his injuries. His family brought a wrongful death case that settled out of court for $650,000.
$288,274 Verdict in Alabama in 2022
The plaintiff claimed to suffer a right hip dislocation, a right wrist fracture, knee pain requiring immobilization, and multiple abrasions after the motorcycle he was operating collided with a United States Postal Service vehicle that exited a private driveway and entered his lane of travel.
The verdict included $73,000 in past medical expenses.
$10,083,960 Verdict in California in 2022
The plaintiff was a passenger on a motorcycle whose driver was headed north on a road in the City of Claremont. At the same time, the defendant motorist was preparing to enter the roadway by turning left out of a driveway to head south.
As the defendant began to enter the roadway, she noted her visibility was restricted due to a large bush on her left. After moving either partly or completely into the northbound lane, she saw the motorcycle and stopped.
The plaintiff allegedly suffered fractures to her right patella, tibia, ankle, and fibula, left distal femur, and left shoulder, together with multiple rib fractures and fractures to every bone in her right foot. The verdict included $2.4 million in past and future medical expenses, $800,000 in future lost wages, and $6.7 million for pain and suffering.
Lessons From Motorcycle Accident Verdicts
The verdicts tell a blunt story. Motorcycle accident cases can be worth a lot of money when the injuries are catastrophic and liability is clear. They can also produce disappointing verdicts when the defense successfully blames the rider or convinces the jury that the damages are exaggerated.
The biggest motorcycle verdicts usually involve permanent disability, paralysis, brain injury, multiple surgeries, disfigurement, young plaintiffs, strong liability proof, commercial defendants, or evidence that the defendant made an obviously unsafe choice.
The smaller verdicts usually involve disputed soft tissue injuries, comparative fault, modest medical proof, questionable causation, or juries that do not fully believe the plaintiff’s story.
That is why motorcycle cases have to be prepared early and aggressively. The defense narrative starts fast. The rider was speeding. The rider was reckless. The rider came out of nowhere. The rider should have avoided the crash.
Your case has to be ready to answer all of that with evidence.
Frequently Asked Questions About Motorcycle Accident Lawsuits
Are motorcycle accident cases worth more than car accident cases?
Often, yes, but not always. Motorcycle crash cases can have higher settlement amounts because the injuries are usually more severe. But settlement payouts (and verdicts) still depend on liability, injury severity, permanency, insurance coverage, comparative fault, and the strength of the evidence.
What is the biggest problem in motorcycle accident claims?
The biggest problem is often rider bias. Insurance adjusters and juries may assume motorcyclists are reckless. A good motorcycle accident lawyer must confront that bias directly and prove the case with facts.
What injuries usually drive higher motorcycle accident settlements?
Higher value cases often involve fractures requiring surgery, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, paralysis, amputation, severe road rash, disfigurement, chronic pain, permanent disability, or death.
Can I still recover money if I was partly at fault?
It depends on the state. Many states use comparative fault rules that reduce damages based on the rider’s percentage of fault. Some states bar recovery if the rider is found more than a certain percentage at fault. A few jurisdictions use contributory negligence rules that can bar recovery for even slight fault.
Should I talk to the other driver’s insurance company?
No, not before speaking with a lawyer. You do not even need to hire a lawyer yet, but you need to speak to one. The other insurance company is not trying to help you. It is trying to protect its insured and reduce what it pays. Even innocent statements can be used against you later.
Contact Our Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Now
Motorcycle accidents can be life-changing. With us by your side, you are not alone in the quest for justice.
Reach out today at 800-553-8082 to schedule your free consultation or get a no-obligation case review online. Your journey to justice starts with a single call.
The insurance company will start building its defense immediately. You should have someone building your case just as quickly.