What to expect in a settlement?

[Gutter]

In August I had an unexpected run in with a car which pulled directly in front of me. I was in the curb lane, a truck traveling the same direction was turning left from the lane to my left. Then this, ahem, person, traveling in the opposite direction pulled left into my lane, PANICKED, and STOPPED! She admitted that "her ability to see was blocked by the truck" but she went ANYWAY! When she stopped she took away my only escape route, behind her, I impacted the front right fender, went over the handlebars, ass over elbows, faceplanted the windshield and rolled down the hood and onto the ground. She was cited for "failure to yield" and admitted fault. Enough of that. I ended up with numerous bumps, bruises and cuts. I was transported by ambulance to the closest trauma facility and promptly "trauma raped" by the staff (don't recommend it) but do recommend the pain killer dilaudid! later I was officially diagnosed with a torn ligament in my left hand which should heal but may need surgery later. A bruised bone in my right wrist that will take well over ten weeks to heal (they hurt worse than a fracture). It absolutely sucks to have to suffer through pain every time you pick up your 22 month old child!!! Other than lots of friggin pain (thank god for percocet) I should eventually heal and be back to my regular job instead of this office work stuff. Just glad to have survived as well as I have. Here is my question (finally, eh!). I have hired an attorney. that stopped all those phone calls! So far I have racked up about $40G in medical bills, which my health insurance has picked up so far, and my mechanic says the bike is more than likely totalled. He estimates my bikes value at $11G (5 minutes prior to the crash). That matches the Kelley Blue Book value. Does anyone have a guesstimate as to what a fair final settlement should be? I am expecting all medical and the fair value of my Softail paid without question but am unsure of a fair "pain and suffering" settlement. Does anybody have some experience in this situation and about how long it takes? Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance. Ride On! Ride Safe!

This ad is not displayed to registered and logged-in members. Register your free account today and become a member on HD Forums!

[trikerjb]

Gutter-- Your claim will be settled in two parts-- Property (your bike) and Bodily Injury (your med/loss of income/etc). I would strongly suggest you get as much supporting info that you can concerning the value of your bike-- Kellly Blue Book, NADA, ebay, etc... Expect to be low-balled by the adjustor.

Also, the fact that you hired an attorney (possibly a bad decision at thsi point) means that the at-fault company won't talk to you anymore-- only your attorney. AND you will get to pay him/her probably 30% of whatever the total settlement is...

Good luck... JB

[Gutter]

Well unfortunately I really had to get and attorney. Several guys have written about how the "at fault" insurance company was all "nice" and SOOO willing to work with them on their claim, not so in this case. They actually were kinda rude and then even MY own insurance company got a liitle nasty as well. I am still trying to figure that out! I would think it would be in their best interest to be nice but maybe common sense doesn't work for everyone. Now that I have hired one I was just trying to get an idea of what is a fair settlement so that I can make sure my attorney is doing his job and working in my best interests and not his own.

[jimmie d wad]

good luck.freind that got hit was told he should expect to get hit.they paid for his medical and is bike that was it.i had a unlicensed and un insured bitch pull out in front of me.cop was nice enough to not take her to jail or even give her a ticket.she admitted fault.now a year later i get a letter from my insurance that they cant find her so theyve closed the claim.i got 700 bucks for pain and sufffering paid for lost time from work and 3000 to fix my bike

[bluesmansam]

Recovering from an accident in which a "motorist" ran a red light as I was coming through an intersection. No room or time for evasive action had a half a second to tell myself I was going in and "this is gonna leave a mark"! I got on the brakes and Tboned that van right behind the drivers door. I took a beating but no broken bones and my leathers prevented road rash. Can't work yet did go to the hospital but had the wife come get me at the scene. No way was I getting carried in to the ER. Your getting good advice here I spoke to a lawyer but have not hired one yet. From what I was told the bodily injury some what depends on pain and suffering plus what type of permanent injury or pain you will have left over. They won't settle until that is determined. The insurance company will lowball you because there job is to get out of this as cheaply as possible. In new york state this can take three years to settle. The sooner you want to settle the less your gonna get. I also have the deep bruising on bones and joints and it sucks. Hope this helps. I will be getting a bike in a week or so and hope to see you on the road. Don't let this stop you from riding.
Sam