So, you’ve been involved in a motorcycle accident, and suffered injuries. You might be thinking ‘what can I be compensated for?’.
If another vehicle caused the accident, you may be entitled to bring a personal injury claim against the CTP insurer of the vehicle that caused the accident. Or, if there was some other cause for the accident (like a pot hole or roadworks), you may be entitled to bring a personal injury claim against the at-fault person (or their insurer).
Either way, read on to find out what you can be compensated for.
THE AIM OF PERSONAL INJURY CLAIMS
The general aim of personal injury claims is to restore the injured person back into the position they would have been in had the accident not occurred. While it is impossible to go back in time and undo the incident or injuries, personal injury claims can help secure compensation that can make the injured person’s life easier now that they have their injuries.
sO WHAT CAN BE COMPENSATED?
Personal injury claims are quite broad in terms of what can be compensated for. All claims for compensation are assessed individually, meaning the amount of compensation paid, or what exactly is compensated for, depends on the type of claim, the extent of the loss, and the injured person’s specific circumstances.
With that said, claims can include compensation for the following:
- Loss of quality of life (‘general damages’)
Compensation can include claims for loss of quality of life as a result of pain and suffering from injuries sustained from motorcycle accidents. The most common injuries sustained from motorcycle accidents include: back injuries (upper, middle and/or lower), shoulder injuries, head injuries, hand injuries, leg and foot injuries, burns and scarring, and psychological or psychiatric injuries. - Out-of-pocket expenses
Any expenses incurred for medical treatment, medication, aids, and even travel costs in seeking out treatment, can potentially be compensated for as a result of an accident. - Rehabilitation and current and future treatment needs
The cost of certain treatment, such as physiotherapy or psychological treatment, can be very expensive. Fortunately, the cost for treatment can be compensated for.
Bonus: In fact, in some claims, the CTP insurer of the at-fault vehicle can fund the cost of the treatment during the course of the claim (meaning you do not need to pay out-of-pocket while you go through the claim process). - Cost of care and support services
This can include paid commercial assistance and gratuitous care (i.e. unpaid assistance) received from others (e.g. family members). - Loss of earnings (both past and future)
This one is often the biggest part of claims. Often those involved in motorcycle accidents find themselves unable to work as they did prior to the accident, or they might not be able to pursue a particular career that they were intending to pursue. In some cases, the injured person finds themselves in a position where they are unable to work at all and are forced into early retirement.
If you or someone you know was involved in a motorcycle accident, or if have any questions about personal injury claims, feel free to contact us. We'll assist you in whatever way we can.