Obviously, the bike is worth more to you than it would be to anyone else because it was yours and you customized it the way you wanted it just like the rest of us do. Unfortunately, the party that caused the accident is only responsible (in most states I know of) to pay you for the Actual Cash Value of the bike. That's basically what you could get for it if you were to sell it on or around the day the accident happened before it was damaged. Remember, the insurance company is only responsible to pay for what their customer owes. They're not trying to screw you over; just trying to live up to their agreement made when their customer bought his policy with them to pay what he owes when he screws up. In this case he only owes you for the Actual Cash Value of the bike. One other thing to keep in mind is that you may (depending on the state) be able to make a claim for Loss of Use of your bike and negotiate anywhere from $15-$50 dollars per day for the loss of use of your bike from the time of the accident until they determined your bike was a total loss.

With the economy the way it is, the amount of used bikes out there for low $, and the fact that your bike appeals to a smaller audience (people with similar tastes to yours) than a new, stock bike with shiny paint and chrome with low miles; I think an offer of $11K or more is really reasonable. I know it sucks and it doesn't seem fair but that's the reality of it all.

It won't help you in this case but it might help you and others in the future but you may consider shopping for a Stated Value policy on your bike. A lot of guys with classic cars buy these. You pay your premium based on a stated value (i.e. $15K or 20) rather than the year, make, and model of your bike. The premium may be higher but you can make a claim for the full value if your bike is a total loss.

Having said all the above I have to add: "Why are you paying your attorney when you and us are doing all his work?" There is so much information available about your state laws and such on the internet that you can do most of the work yourself and negotiate a settlement directly with the insurance company. Sometimes you may need an attorney if you're getting jerked around by some Mom and Pop insurance company but you'll usually get a fair settlement offer for your property damage and bodily injury from most of the major insurance companies since they are highly governed by the state. I would do some research and see if your attorney is really earning 1/3 of your settlement plus his expenses (which could eat up much more of what you already had coming to you). Read the contract you signed with him and see if it's too late to fire him or not and pay him for the work he's already done for you. You might still come out with more in the long run.

Please note all this was just my own thoughts offered in an effort to help without trying to sound like a jerk. I wish you well and trust you will make the best decisions for yourself based on your own situation. Just my thoughts...

 

Thanks for the input folks, every bit helps for me here. State Farm has completely denied any and all damages due to the accident, even though she was cited. The attorney was brought in because I was being jerked around with State Farm insurance and I myself was unable to take it any further.

I do realize the bike has extremely high mileage for the year, however this is my only vehicle I own and I rode every mile for work and enjoyment, year round. We are adding in the cost of a rental bike for the period I have been without my only vehicle. There are many other factors in my case I cannot go into detail of in the form of compensation and so on.

I am working on every detail I can with this case so I have more information to give my attorneys. They are doing a great job for me on this and I am only interested in getting justified compensation from the accident. I dropped every dime I had to purchase, maintain, and enjoy this bike so I just want to make sure that the value amount we agree with them on is reasonable. I fully expect to take a hit on the value of the bike compared to what I have invested, but thats how it works out.