Economic Damages in a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit

Some of the costs you incur after a motorcycle accident have a direct financial value. These are called economic damages, and they refer to expenses such as:

The Cost of Medical Care

Medical expenses are steep after any serious injury. In the wake of a motorcycle accident, you may require:

Transport to the emergency room via ambulance
Emergency treatment of your injuries
Surgeries
Hospitalization
Physical therapy and other rehabilitation

The cost of medical care is one of the leading causes of financial pressure in Texas and other areas of the United States. In addition to the expenses associated with emergent medical treatment, victims of motorcycle accidents often face physical, mental, and emotional challenges that require ongoing treatment (and create additional costs).

When building a motorcycle accident claim, it is important to take into account both the current and expected medical costs you are facing as a result of the crash. Our lawyers thoroughly document all of your expenses – past, present, and future – and pursue compensation accordingly.

Lost Wages

Another major source of financial stress after a motorcycle accident is that you may be unable to work. Recovery from your injuries combined with limitations that prevent you from returning to the job you had before the accident can deprive your family of the income you need to pay your usual bills and the added costs from the collision.

You can be compensated for the wages you lose as part of the economic damages in your motorcycle accident lawsuit. This applies to the income you would have earned during the time you’ve missed from work, as well as the wages you stand to lose because of impairment caused by your injuries.

Attorneys at Patrick Daniel Law will review your paycheck stubs and tax returns to determine how much you may be owed for lost wages. We will also partner with medical experts and experts in your occupation to testify how your injuries affect your ability to work.

Out-of-Pocket Expenses

You are also allowed to pursue compensation for other losses you suffer due to the motorcycle accident. These damages can take many different forms, including:

Prescription medications
A wheelchair, crutches, cane, and other equipment
Modifications you make to your home or vehicle
Travel to and from doctors’ offices, physical therapy, and other appointments
Hired help, such as an in-house nurse or housekeeper
Damage to your motorcycle and other personal property

As with the other economic damages discussed so far, it is crucial to keep organized records of all bills and receipts for any and all expenses after a motorcycle accident. You may be entitled to significant compensation, but only if your lawyer can prove the financial losses you have suffered.

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Noneconomic Damages in a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit

When calculating the compensation you are due after an accident, the attorneys at Patrick Daniel Law will ensure that your claim takes into account all of your costs. While economic damages refer to losses with a direct dollar value, noneconomic damages may also be available for the more unquantifiable costs of your motorcycle accident:

Pain & Suffering

Pain and suffering is a broad term that encompasses the negative impact on your quality of life after the accident. It refers to both the physical pain of your injuries and the mental and emotional effects you experience.

Physical injuries may heal, but the trauma of a motorcycle accident can have a long-term impact on your state of mind. You may experience anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. If you suffered scarring or another disfiguring injury, you may feel self-conscious about its impact on your appearance. Pain and suffering damages also compensate you for disruptions to your day-to-day life.

To determine your compensation for pain and suffering damages, your lawyer must present evidence of the severity of your injury. Additional evidence must demonstrate how the injury affects your life, which may require:

Your testimony and records you have kept of the aftermath of the accident
Testimony from your family and friends
Medical records concerning your physical condition
Records from a therapist if you have sought counseling after the accident
Testimony from relevant experts

Generally, compensation for pain and suffering is calculated using a multiplier. The costs you have incurred are multiplied by a value based on the seriousness of your injury. At Patrick Daniel Law, we make it our mission to pursue compensation for the full scope of your injuries.

Loss of Consortium

In simple terms, loss of consortium refers to the impact of an accident or injury on the relationship with a family member. Although nothing can replace having a relationship with a loved one irrevocably changed by a motorcycle accident, financial compensation can help families mend their lives and begin to adjust to a “new normal.”

Motorcycle accident claims may seek loss of consortium damages for several different family members:

Spouses
Parents
Children

Naturally, each family member suffers loss of consortium differently. For spouses, injuries in a motorcycle accident may alter not only the partner’s household contributions but the affection and intimacy inherent to a married relationship. For a child, a parent’s injuries may deprive them of support and guidance. For a parent, having a child injured in a motorcycle accident can negatively impact the “society” (i.e., the loving relationship) between parent and child, as well as support in some cases.

Your eligibility for loss of consortium damages often rests on your testimony and that of your loved ones. Attorneys at Patrick Daniel Law will take into account not only how the motorcycle accident has affected you, but your entire family when pursuing compensation.

Punitive Damages in Motorcycle Accident Lawsuits

Exemplary or punitive damages are available in limited circumstances. You may be awarded punitive damages in your motorcycle accident claim if the jury finds that the driver engaged in gross negligence or misconduct, such as drunk driving.

In Texas, punitive damages are subject to a cap of $200,000 OR an amount equal to double your economic damages plus your total noneconomic damages up to $750,000. Your award will be limited to whichever of these amounts is greater.

Get Started on Your Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit

The motorcycle accident attorneys at Patrick Daniel Law are strategic, meticulous, and merciless. We strive to obtain the full compensation you deserve, exploring all avenues for recovery and taking into account all of the economic and noneconomic losses you face.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident, please contact Patrick Daniel Law online or by phone at (713) 999-6666 today for a free case review. Our law firm serves clients in and around Houston and communities throughout Texas.

Damages in a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit