Although safety statistics for cars and trucks have improved significantly in recent years, the fatality rate for motorcycle wrecks has unfortunately gotten worse. Motorcycle riders are six times more likely than drivers of passenger vehicles to die on the road, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Some states have responded to these statistics by raising premiums and levels of coverage required for motorcycle insurance.
This response might be considered an example of biker bias, which is the assumption that motorcyclists are reckless and cause a lot of accidents. In fact, the opposite is true. In most cases, a South Dakota motorcycle accident involving another vehicle is caused by the other vehicle.
Potential Damages After a Motorcycle Accident
If you’ve been hurt in a motorcycle crash, it’s probable that you were the victim of an at-fault driver who was reckless, impaired, in violation of traffic laws, or otherwise negligent. South Dakota law allows you to file a claim against that driver’s insurance company for your economic and non-economic damages.
- Past and future medical expenses
- Ambulance transportation
- Emergency room visit
- Hospitalization
- Surgery
- Medication
- Physical therapy
- X-rays, MRIs, and other diagnostic tests
- Crutches, wheelchairs, or other assistive equipment
- Psychological/emotional treatment
- Follow-up care
- Long-term disability care
- Lost wages, both past and future, including bonuses, commissions, sick days, vacation time, and lost earning capacity due to disability
- Property damage, including reimbursement for repair or replacement of your motorcycle and other property damaged in the accident
- Punitive damages, which might be awarded to punish an at-fault driver whose behavior was excessively negligent, reckless, or in violation of the law at the time of the accident
- Pain and suffering in the past and future
- Physical pain
- Emotional distress
- Physical impairment
- Mental anguish
- Disfigurement and its psychological impact
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of companionship, services, and consortium
- Other non-economic losses
Calculating pain and suffering compensation usually means multiplying your medical expenses by a factor between one and five, depending on the severity of your injuries.
