You are correct that after the property damage claim for the motorcycle, the motorcyclist will have a separate personal injury claim for the medical bills, pain and suffering, and wage loss.Compensation for the medical bills is straight reimbursement.  Compensation for pain and suffering is an amount in addition to the medical bills.  Compensation for wage loss is straight reimbursement.If the motorcyclist had uninsured motorist coverage, he will file a claim through his insurance carrier.  The insurance carrier will then seek to recover the amount it paid on the claim from you.  If you can't afford to pay the amount, the insurance company will file a lawsuit against you.If the motorcyclist did NOT have uninsured motorist coverage on his policy, he will file a lawsuit against you for negligence seeking damages (compensation for the medical bills, pain and suffering, wage loss and for the property damage to the motorcycle if the property damage has not been resolved).It would be premature to file bankruptcy until there is a judgment against you which you cannot afford to pay.  California has a two year statute of limitations in a personal injury case which means that a lawsuit filed against you must be filed before the two year anniversary of the accident.  Therefore, it may be sometime yet before the lawsuit is filed and it may take a year after the lawsuit is filed before there is a judgment against you if you fight the case through litigation.It would be advisable to speak with a bankruptcy attorney to determine whether your home can be protected in bankruptcy with the homestead exemption.  This will be determined by the value of your home.  Unused amounts of other exemptions may also be applicable.