Kaufman & Stigger, PLLC helps people that have been injured in motorcycle accidents in Louisville. When you’re in one of these accidents, it brings up a lot of questions about your medical bills and other expenses. This is true no matter what injuries you’re left with, even relatively simple ones like whiplash. Our team can guide you through the claims process. Contact us today for a free consultation.
What’s the Average Payout for Whiplash After a Motorcycle Accident?
Every motorcycle accident in Louisville is different, but one thing they often have in common is whiplash. When you’re thrown from your bike or jolted by the impact, your head and neck can snap forward and backward suddenly, leading to painful and sometimes long-lasting injuries–even if you’re wearing a helmet.
Our team has a strong history of helping motorcycle riders who experience whiplash injuries get the support they need. We’ve seen settlements as high as:
- $1.2 million for motorcycle accidents.
But with whiplash, injuries can vary widely. That means that your claim and potential settlement can also vary widely–which can make it hard to put an average number on it. What is important, though, is understanding how the process works and what influences your settlement amount.
How Do You Get a Settlement After a Motorcycle Accident?
Suffering whiplash in a motorcycle accident in Louisville can cause serious pain and completely throw off your daily routine. While this is something you never want to go through, it does give you the ability to file an injury claim to recover damages. To do that, you can either file:
- An insurance claim with the at-fault driver’s auto insurance company, or
- A personal injury lawsuit if the insurance settlement isn’t enough to cover your losses.
Before you can move forward with a claim, you have to prove “liability”—that the other driver’s negligence caused the crash. This can include actions like:
- Speeding or reckless driving
- Distracted driving, like texting behind the wheel
- Ignoring traffic signals or breaking traffic laws
Filing an insurance claim is usually faster, but remember: insurance companies are focused on protecting their bottom line. That often means offering less than what your injury is truly worth. A lawsuit may take longer, but it gives you the opportunity for a fairer outcome, with the case overseen by a judge. No matter which path you take, you can seek damages for:
- Medical bills for your treatment, rehabilitation, or medication
- Lost income if your injury keeps you from working
- Pain and suffering and emotional distress for the physical and emotional toll of your injuries
- Loss of quality of life if your injury limits your ability to enjoy daily activities
The sooner you act, the stronger your case will be because it’s easier to get the information and evidence you’re going to need. And while it’s
What Else Influences My Whiplash Settlement After a Motorcycle Accident?
While whiplash can be one of the more common injuries in a motorcycle accident, it’s often not the only one you’re facing. Several other factors can influence the value of your settlement, including:
- How serious your injuries are – Mild cases of whiplash might heal with rest, but more serious injuries could need ongoing therapy or medical care. Keeping detailed records of your doctor visits and expenses is crucial.
- Emotional distress – There’s a good chance that the accident will lead to anxiety, depression, or PTSD. You can include these damages in your claim. Documentation from therapists or mental health professionals can strengthen your case.
- Impact on your daily life – If whiplash limits your ability to ride, work, or even do basic daily activities, it can significantly increase your settlement. Statements from doctors and other care professionals can help show this impact.
- Missed work – If your injury causes you to miss work or limits your future earnings, you can recover these financial losses. Pay stubs, tax returns, and employer letters can serve as evidence.
- Fault in the accident – Kentucky uses a “comparative negligence” system, meaning if you’re partly responsible for the accident, your settlement can be reduced by your percentage of fault.
Remember though, you only have one year from the date of the accident to file a claim in Kentucky. Missing this deadline could prevent you from recovering anything at all. Most importantly, to get a settlement, you have to take action—starting with reaching out to our team.
Get Help For Your Whiplash After a Louisville Motorcycle Accident
When you face whiplash injuries in a Louisville motorcycle accident, your main focus should be on getting better. Your health always comes first, but often, the best way to make sure you get the care you need is to go through the claims process. And when you need help there, that’s when you can turn to our motorcycle accident lawyers at Kaufman & Stigger, PLLC.
Your potential settlement depends on a lot of different factors, but our team will be there to guide you from start to finish by:
- Explaining your rights and options
- Investigating the cause of the accident
- Figuring out who has to pay for your damages
- Helping you gather all your whiplash-related medical records and losses
- Negotiating with the other driver’s insurance company
- Filing a lawsuit and seeing your case through to the end, if necessary
It can be difficult to go through the aftermath of a motorcycle accident, but we’re here to help you get a fair settlement for your whiplash and other injuries. Contact us today for a free consultation.
