Motorcycle accidents can be scary and leave you hurt, confused, or worried about money. If you’ve been in a crash, you might wonder how long it’ll take to get a settlement. A settlement is the money you might get from the person who caused the accident to cover your medical bills, lost wages, or pain. At Murphy Trial Law in Bothell and Everett, Washington, we help people like you get fair settlements. Most claims take about 6 months to a year, but some take longer. Let’s break down why and what affects the time it takes.
How Does the Motorcycle Accident Claims Process Work?
Filing a claim means asking the at-fault person’s insurance company for money to cover your losses. The process has a few steps, and each one can affect how long it takes. First, you or your lawyer gathers proof, like police reports, doctor’s notes, or photos of the crash. This shows who was at fault and how badly you were hurt. Next, your lawyer sends a demand letter to the insurance company, explaining why they owe you money. Then, you negotiate. The insurance company might offer a low amount at first, but a good lawyer will push for more. If you can’t agree, you might need to file a lawsuit, which can take a lot longer.
The process sounds simple, but it can get tricky. For example, if the other driver says the accident wasn’t their fault, it slows things down. That’s why having a lawyer from Murphy Trial Law helps. We know how to collect strong evidence and talk to insurance companies to speed things up.
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What Affects How Long a Motorcycle Accident Claim Takes?
Several things can make a claim settle faster or take more time. Here are the main ones:
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Who’s at Fault: If it’s clear the other driver caused the crash, the claim might settle in just a few months. For example, if they ran a red light and hit you, their insurance might pay quickly. But if both sides argue about who’s to blame, it can take longer. You might need accident reports, witness statements, or even an expert to prove your side.
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How Bad Your Injuries Are: If you have serious injuries, like broken bones or a spinal injury, it takes time to know all your medical costs. You don’t want to settle too soon and miss out on money for future doctor visits or therapy. Severe injuries often mean bigger settlements, but they take longer to figure out.
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Insurance Company Cooperation: Some insurance companies drag their feet or offer low amounts to save money. A lawyer can push back and negotiate for a fair deal. If the insurance company won’t budge, you might need to go to court, which can add months or even years.
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Going to Court: Most claims settle without a lawsuit, but if you file one, it takes longer. Courts are busy, and trials can be expensive. Insurance companies often settle to avoid court, but if they don’t, you’ll need patience.
Every case is different. A simple case with clear fault and minor injuries might wrap up in 6 months. A complicated case with big injuries or a trial could take 1–2 years or more.
When Fault Is Clear
If the other driver is obviously at fault, things move faster. For example, if they were speeding or texting and hit your motorcycle, their insurance company might not fight much. They’ll look at the police report, your medical bills, and other proof. In these cases, you might get a settlement offer in just a few months. But you still need to be careful. Insurance companies might offer less than you deserve. A lawyer from Murphy Trial Law can review the offer and make sure it covers all your losses, like medical bills, lost wages, and pain.
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When Fault Is Disputed
If the other driver says you caused the crash, it slows everything down. They might claim you were speeding or didn’t signal. To settle, you’ll need strong evidence to prove they’re wrong. This could mean getting witness statements, traffic camera footage, or an accident reconstruction report. These take time to collect. If you can’t agree on fault, you might need to file a lawsuit. Lawsuits can take a year or more, especially if you go to trial. That’s why it’s important to have a lawyer who knows how to build a strong case.
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How Injuries Change the Timeline
The worse your injuries, the longer it usually takes to settle. Serious injuries, like head trauma or broken bones, need a lot of medical care. You might need surgeries, physical therapy, or even long-term care. It’s smart to wait until you know all your medical costs before settling. If you settle too early, you might not get enough money to cover future bills. For example, if you have a spinal injury, you might need therapy for years. Waiting to settle ensures you get money for that. Cases with big injuries often settle for more but take 6 months to a year or longer.
How Long Do I Have to File a Claim in Washington?
In Washington, you have a limited time to file a motorcycle accident claim. This is called the statute of limitations. According to Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 4.16.080, you have three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim. If you miss this deadline, you could lose your chance to get money. That’s why it’s important to talk to a lawyer as soon as possible. At Murphy Trial Law, we can start working on your case right away to meet deadlines and get you the compensation you deserve.
Why You Need a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Going through a motorcycle accident claim can feel overwhelming. Insurance companies might try to pay you less than you’re owed. They might even blame you for the crash. A lawyer helps level the playing field. At Murphy Trial Law, we’ve helped people in Bothell and Everett get fair settlements for over 10 years. We know how to gather evidence, talk to insurance companies, and fight for you in court if needed. Plus, we work on a contingency fee basis. That means you don’t pay us unless we win your case. It’s a no-risk way to get the help you need.
A lawyer also makes sure you don’t settle too soon. For example, if you have ongoing medical needs, we’ll wait until we know all your costs. We’ll also calculate other losses, like lost wages or emotional pain. This helps you get the full amount you’re owed.
Common Questions About Motorcycle Accident Claims
Here are some questions we hear a lot at Murphy Trial Law:
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How much is my claim worth? It depends on your medical bills, lost wages, pain, and other losses. The average motorcycle accident settlement is about $66,000, but some cases are worth much more, especially with serious injuries.
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What evidence do I need? You’ll need police reports, medical records, photos of the crash, and proof of lost wages, like pay stubs. A lawyer can help collect these.
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Can I file a claim if I wasn’t wearing a helmet? Yes, Washington’s helmet law (RCW 46.37.530) requires helmets, but not wearing one doesn’t stop you from filing a claim. It might affect your settlement, though, so talk to a lawyer.
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What if the other driver doesn’t have insurance? You might use your own uninsured motorist coverage or file a lawsuit against the driver. We can help explore your options.
Call Murphy Trial Law Today
If you or someone you love was hurt in a motorcycle accident, don’t wait to get help. The sooner you contact a lawyer, the faster we can start building your case. At Murphy Trial Law, we serve Bothell and Everett, Washington, and we’re here to fight for you. Our team offers free consultations, so you can ask questions without spending a dime. We only get paid if you win, so there’s no risk. Call us today at (425) 835-2614 to talk about your case. Let us help you get the money you deserve to move forward.
Call or text (425) 835-2614 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form