A motorcycle crash not only causes extensive damage to your motorcycle, but it can also cause substantial injury to you and any of your passengers. How much does a motorcycle crash cost, exactly? The cost of your accident may vary depending on the cost of your bike, the cost of your medical bills, and the other financial losses that you suffered because of your accident.
The average used motorcycle costs between $4,000 and $10,000, making motorcycles a highly cost-efficient means of transportation. More expensive motorcycles, including sportbikes, may cost a great deal more. Expensive brands and sports bikes may cost even more, especially if you have made costly modifications to your motorcycle.
In a serious crash, your motorcycle may suffer substantial damage. Damage that impacts the frame may total your motorcycle, which means that you will need to replace it, rather than repairing it. If you can fix your motorcycle, it may lead to a costly mechanic bill, not to mention plenty of time without your motorcycle. In some cases, you may need to arrange for alternative transportation during its repair. Renting a car can vary dramatically in cost, depending on your city, how many miles you will need to put on the car, and the type of vehicle that you rent.
Following your motorcycle crash, you may need to seek medical attention immediately. The longer you wait to seek medical attention, the worse your injuries may become. The cost of that medical treatment, however, can add up, especially if you have to seek long-term care because of severe injuries.
An ambulance ride can range from around $400 to around $1,200, with additional costs for extra mileage if you need to go a long distance to reach your preferred hospital.
Emergency room treatment can cost even more.
Depending on the extent of your injuries, you may need x-rays, treatment for broken bones, or even emergency surgery. You may need stitches to close wounds or a full evaluation to assess trauma to the head.
Sometimes, you can go home after receiving treatment in the emergency room. Other times, however, you may need to stay in the hospital long-term.
The cost of surgical treatment for your injuries will depend on the type of surgery that you need. Broken bones may require surgery to properly set the break and improve your overall prognosis. If you have a herniated disc from your motorcycle accident, you may need surgery to treat the disc. Motorcycle accidents may also cause internal bleeding or organ trauma, which may also require surgical care.
Surgical costs can add up. Not only do you have to pay for the surgeon’s skill, but you may also need to pay for the anesthesiologist, any tools used during your surgery, and for the use of the facility.
Hospital costs average nearly $4,000 per day if you need to remain in the hospital long-term. Severe injuries may also require a longer-term stay in the hospital or a specialty unit. If you suffer severe burns or even substantial road rash over a large portion of your body, you may need to stay in the burn unit, which will likely increase your overall costs. If you need to stay in the intensive care unit (ICU), where you will receive increased care, you may have higher costs than if you can stay in a standard hospital room.
During your recovery, you may need to use durable medical equipment, including a wheelchair or crutches and braces, to get around. Certain wheelchairs can cost thousands of dollars, depending on whether you need to use a motorized wheelchair to cope with mobility difficulties.
You may also need special medical equipment as you progress through your recovery, including:
The more severe your injuries, the more equipment you may need to aid in your recovery. The more equipment you need, the more it can cost.
After a severe motorcycle accident, you may need long-term therapy. Therapy usually comes in one of three forms.
Some motorcycle accident victims choose to return home as soon after their accidents as possible. They may, however, still need skilled nursing care to maintain the quality of their lives and receive the medical treatment that they need for their injuries. The daily rate of in-home nursing care may start at around $200, but may increase depending on your specific needs and your level of independence. The more care you need, the more time you may need the nurse to come, and the more it may cost.
If you suffer such severe injuries that you cannot return home, or if you do not have appropriate care lined up for after you leave the hospital, you may choose to stay in a long-term care facility. In these facilities, you can receive a high standard of care and assistance taking care of the activities of daily living. You can also focus heavily on your recovery, rather than having to worry about many of the usual activities that go along with day-to-day life. Unfortunately, those facilities often prove very expensive; in fact, you may spend up to $7,000 per month to stay in a facility that offers skilled nursing care.
If you suffered serious, long-term injuries in your accident, you may need to modify your home to make it easier to manage independently. If you end up in a wheelchair, for example, your home may not seem as accessible as you now require.
You may need to make several modifications, including:
In addition to the tangible costs that you may incur following your motorcycle accident, you may also lose your job. Some motorcycle accident victims can quickly return to work after their injuries. Others may have to wait longer before they can go back to work, and some may never return to their previous jobs.
Lost income can occur in several different forms following a motorcycle accident, including:
Motorcycle Accident Attorney, John Gomez
Motorcycle accidents can prove incredibly expensive, both in terms of immediate medical expenses and in terms of your overall financial losses. If you need to calculate the cost of your motorcycle accident to put together a motorcycle accident claim that includes all your costs related to your accident injuries, an attorney can help. Contact an San Diego motorcycle accident lawyer to learn more about your eligibility to pursue compensation and to get a better picture of what your motorcycle accident claim should look like.
Gomez Trial Attorneys
655 West Broadway, Suite 1700
San Diego, Ca 92101
619-237-3490
John Gomez founded the firm alone in 2005. Today, John acts as President and Lead Trial Attorney. He has been voted by his peers as a top ten San Diego litigator in three separate fields: Personal Injury, Insurance and Corporate Litigation. Since 2000, he has recovered over $800 million in settlements and verdicts for his clients with more than 160 separate recoveries of one million dollars or more. A prolific trial lawyer, John has tried to jury verdict more than 60 separate cases.
no fees unless we recover money on your behalf
No Fees Unless We Recover Money On Your Behalf