San Bernardino is a Southern California community where residents and visitors share busy roads such as Interstate 10, Interstate 15, and Interstate 215 with motorcyclists. If you’re involved in a motorcycle accident, understanding the losses you may be able to recover can help you determine what to include in your claim. These losses may include medical expenses, lost income, property damage, and costs related to long-term care or reduced earning capacity.
Determining what you may be able to recover starts with documenting the losses caused by the accident. If you are dealing with motorcycle accident claims in San Bernardino, an experienced lawyer can review the circumstances of your crash, help determine who may be responsible, and guide you through the process of seeking compensation.
Medical Expenses
Compensation may cover reasonable medical expenses resulting from injuries caused by a motorcycle accident. Under California Civil Code § 3333, a person injured by a wrongful act may recover damages for the detriment caused by that act, which can include reasonable costs of accident-related medical care.
These expenses may include:
- Ambulance services
- Emergency room care
- Hospital stays
- Doctor’s appointments
- Prescription medication
- Surgery
- Diagnostic tests
- Other treatment received after the crash
Keeping medical bills and treatment records can help establish the amount spent on accident-related care.
Lost Income
Motorcycle injuries can prevent you from working while you recover, particularly when you need time away for medical appointments or cannot perform your normal duties. Compensation may cover income you lost during this period, based on the evidence available.
If the injury permanently limits your ability to work or reduces the type of work you can perform, a claim may also account for the resulting reduction in future earning capacity.
Property Damage
A motorcycle crash can damage or destroy the bike and other belongings you had with you. Compensation may cover reasonable repair costs or the applicable value of the motorcycle if it is considered a total loss. Depending on the circumstances, damaged helmets, protective clothing, luggage, electronics, and other personal property may also be included.
Pain and Suffering
Compensation may address the physical discomfort and emotional distress caused by the injuries themselves. This can include ongoing pain, difficulty sleeping, anxiety, fear, or distress associated with the recovery process. The extent of these damages may depend on factors such as the severity of the injuries, the duration of symptoms, and whether the effects are expected to continue.
Long-Term Care and Rehabilitation
Some motorcycle accident injuries require support well beyond the initial treatment period. Under California Civil Code § 3283, damages may be awarded for detriment that is certain to result in the future, which can include reasonably necessary rehabilitation and continuing medical care when supported by the evidence.
These costs may include ongoing physical therapy, occupational therapy, home modifications, or personal assistance, particularly when an injury causes permanent disability or requires continuing care.
Loss of Enjoyment of Life
An injury can change what you are able to do outside of work and medical treatment. You may no longer be able to ride a motorcycle, participate in sports, exercise, travel, pursue hobbies, or spend time with others in the same way as before the accident.
Depending on the circumstances, the loss of these activities may form part of a claim for non-economic damages and reflects the broader effect of the injury on your everyday life.
Household and Personal Services
A serious injury may make it difficult to handle routine tasks that you normally manage yourself.
Depending on the circumstances, compensation may cover costs for services such as:
- House cleaning
- Lawn care
- Childcare
- Meal preparation
- Other necessary assistance during your recovery
These expenses can be especially relevant when temporary physical limitations prevent you from completing everyday responsibilities independently.
Scarring and Disfigurement
Some motorcycle accidents leave permanent scars, burns, or other visible changes to a person’s appearance. These effects can have lasting consequences, particularly when they affect a highly visible part of the body or require additional procedures to address.
Depending on the circumstances, the physical and emotional effects of permanent disfigurement may be considered when determining non-economic damages.
Final Takeaways
- Motorcycle accident claims may cover medical expenses and other costs caused by the crash.
- Lost income and reduced future earning capacity may be recoverable after serious injuries.
- Property damage can include motorcycle repairs or the value of a motorcycle that cannot be repaired.
- Victims may also seek compensation for pain, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life.
- Long-term treatment, rehabilitation, and other future needs may be included when supported by the circumstances and evidence.
