How Much Is a Good Settlement for a Motorcycle Accident Case?
Motorcycle accidents can leave victims facing serious injuries, high medical bills, and months or even years of lost income. After a crash, you probably have many questions about what to expect, what your case is worth, and how to know if you have received a good settlement offer.
The truth is that there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to what constitutes a “good” settlement amount. However, understanding average payouts and the key factors that affect what you can recover can give you a better idea of what a fair settlement might look like.
Average and Median Settlements for Motorcycle Accidents
Settlement amounts in motorcycle accident cases vary widely. The value of a case depends heavily on the severity of the injuries and the facts surrounding the crash.
According to data from Thomson Reuters’ Jury Verdict Research, the median motorcycle accident verdict is $73,700, while the average verdict is much higher at $561,065. These figures were based on plaintiff verdicts between 1999 and 2006. While somewhat dated, they still offer a useful baseline for what juries have historically awarded.
To compare, the median jury award for all motor vehicle accidents in 2020 was $50,062, while the average award was a staggering $2.67 million. These numbers from the Insurance Information Institute highlight the huge range in damage awards for motorcycle accidents.
Keep in mind that the median jury verdict is a better representation of a typical award than the average award. The average figure is very sensitive to outliers, or just a small number of very high-value cases.
Recent Texas Motorcycle Verdicts and Settlements
Injured motorcyclists in Texas have received many large settlements and verdicts in recent years. According to TopVerdict, the top motorcycle accident payouts in Texas in 2024 included:
- $2,225,000 for a left-turn accident involving a car
- $2,200,000 for a crash involving a commercial vehicle that ran a stop sign, resulting in spinal injuries and multiple fractures
- $1,000,000 for a collision between a motorcycle and a car
In 2025, a San Antonio jury awarded $831 million to a motorcyclist who was permanently injured after hitting road debris caused by a drunk driving incident. It’s the largest award in the city’s history.
The rider, a 51-year-old behavior specialist with Seguin ISD, suffered a traumatic brain injury, paralysis on his right side, and several fractures. He requires constant care, uses a wheelchair, and suffers from expressive aphasia that makes it difficult to speak.
The debris responsible for his accident was left from a wreck caused by an 18-year-old drunk driver who had a blood alcohol level three times the legal limit. The jury found a now-closed restaurant liable under Texas’s Dram Shop Act for overserving alcohol.
Factors That Can Influence a Motorcycle Accident Settlement
Every motorcycle accident case is different. While past verdicts offer some guidance, the actual value of your case will depend on many factors.
1. Severity of Injuries
The more serious your injuries, the more your case is typically worth. Cases involving spinal cord injuries, brain injuries, amputations, or other catastrophic injuries usually receive the highest payouts.
2. Medical Expenses and Future Treatment
Your current and future medical costs will play a big role. This includes emergency care, surgeries, hospital stays, rehabilitation, physical therapy, and ongoing treatment.
3. Lost Wages and Earning Capacity
You are entitled to seek compensation for the income you lost due to your injuries. If you are left with long-term impairment or disability, you can also recover compensation for your diminished earning potential.
4. Impact on Your Life
You can recover money to compensate for the effect your accident has had on your daily life, independence, and quality of life. These non-economic damages include pain, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and disfigurement. These amounts are harder to calculate but can be significant, especially for permanent or life-altering injuries.
5. Fault and Liability
If the other party was clearly at fault, that strengthens your case. But if you share some blame, it can reduce your compensation. Texas uses a modified comparative negligence rule when fault is shared. Your compensation can be reduced by your percentage of fault, and you can’t recover anything if you’re 51% or more responsible.
Evidence proving the other party’s negligence is crucial for a strong case. With weak evidence, the insurance adjuster is likely to push back and deny liability or shift blame .
6. Insurance Limits
Even if your damages are extensive, the at-fault party’s insurance policy can cap how much you can recover unless other liable parties, sources of coverage, or assets are identified.
In the case of the record-setting $831 million verdict in 2025, the victim’s family is unlikely to see most, if any, of the jury award. The bar closed after the accident and may not have the insurance or assets to pay for the victim’s catastrophic losses.
7. The Defendant and Their Actions
Cases involving commercial vehicles or businesses often result in higher settlements. These parties typically have high insurance policy limits.
The defendant’s actions may also contribute to a higher value for your case. If you have clear evidence of the defendant’s reckless, malicious, or grossly negligent conduct, a jury may award exemplary damages. These damages are a punishment and a deterrent. Exemplary damages are usually capped, but not in the case of drunk drivers.
Determining a Fair Settlement After a Motorcycle Accident
If you have been hurt in a motorcycle crash, a “good” settlement is one that fully accounts for the impact of your injuries on every part of your life. While there’s no magic number, looking at similar case outcomes and the unique circumstances of your case can help you gauge what fair compensation might look like.
Contact the Motorcycle Accident Law Firm of Parker Law Firm Injury Lawyers in Bedford for Help Today
For more information, please contact an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer at Parker Law Firm Injury Lawyers to schedule a free initial consultation today. We have convenient locations in Bedford and Fort Worth, Texas.
Parker Law Firm Injury Lawyers – Bedford
2317 Plaza Pkwy #100,
Bedford, TX 76021
(817) 503-9200
Parker Law Firm Injury Lawyers – Fort Worth
209 N Hampton St,
Fort Worth, TX 76102
(817) 839-3143
