Our personal injury law firm represents seriously injured riders who have been involved in motorcycle accidents in Chicago and throughout Illinois.
Motorcycle riders face a disproportionate risk of serious injury and death due to the lack of protection provided by the vehicle. If you are the victim of an accident involving a motorcycle, a Chicago motorcycle accident lawyer from our team can help.
Call for a free consultation, there’s no fee unless you win.
What Compensation May Be Available for Chicago Motorcycle Accident Victims?
If you have suffered motorcycle accident injuries due to the recklessness of someone else, you may be entitled to compensation for:
- Medical expenses: Includes hospital bills, doctor visits, surgeries, and rehabilitation.
- Lost wages: Compensate for income loss if injuries impede your ability to work.
- Pain and suffering: Compensation for physical and emotional pain.
- Property damage: Repair or replace damaged or totaled motorcycles.
What Is My Case Worth?
When assessing a personal injury claim for Chicago motorcycle accidents, a personal injury lawyer looks at several factors. These include how severe your injuries are, the medical expenses you’ve incurred, and the impact on your daily life, among others.
Why Are Motorcycle Accidents So Common?
According to The Insurance Information Institute, riders are almost 7 times more likely to die in a motorcycle crash than the occupant of a passenger vehicle.
There are many causes of motorcycle crashes, including:
- Lack of visibility: Motorcycles are smaller and harder to see than cars or trucks.
- Road hazards: Potholes, debris, and uneven surfaces can pose a serious danger to motorcycles.
- Negligent drivers: Drivers who are not paying attention or driving recklessly.
- Reckless motorcyclists: Speeding, weaving in and out of traffic, lane splitting, and other reckless behaviors.
- Inexperienced riders: Lack of experience or proper training.
- Aging motorcyclists: As the population of aging riders grows, there is a higher risk of accidents.
- Chicago weather conditions: Rain, snow, and other adverse weather conditions.
Are Motorcycle Helmets Required in Illinois?
Though not required by Illinois law, wearing motorcycle helmets is crucial for preventing serious injuries.
Only about 65% of U.S. riders wear helmets, a number that has been declining, increasing the risk of severe injuries when motorcycle accidents occur.
More than 20,000 motorcyclists who died in crashes in the U.S. since the mid-1970s would have survived if stronger helmet laws had been in place, a new study from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety shows.
If every state had required all riders to wear helmets from 1976 to 2022, a total of 22,058 motorcyclists’ lives could have been saved. The number represents 11% of all rider fatalities over those years.
What to Do After a Chicago Motorcycle Accident
If you or a loved one has been involved in a motorcycle accident, take the following steps:
- Seek medical attention immediately, even if you don’t think your injuries are serious.
- Document the accident scene including photos, witness statements, and filing a police report.
- Document all medical treatment you receive and save copies of all bills.
- Contact a Chicago motorcycle accident attorney as soon as possible to consider a motorcycle accident lawsuit.
- Do not discuss the accident or your injuries with anyone other than your lawyer and medical professionals.
- Do not post about your accident on social media.
Common Types of Injuries in Motorcycle Accidents
Injuries sustained in most motorcycle accidents can range from minor to catastrophic injuries:
- Broken bones
- Road rash
- Concussions and traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Amputations
The severity of these injuries can lead to long-term medical treatment, costly medical bills, and a significant impact on one’s daily life. It is important to seek legal representation from experienced motorcycle accident lawyers to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
How Illinois Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Can Help
An experienced motorcycle accident attorney from our team will:
- Investigate the scene of the accident and gather evidence.
- Negotiate with the insurance company to ensure you receive a fair settlement.
- Handle all legal aspects of your Chicago motorcycle accident claim, including filing paperwork and representing you in court if necessary.
- Fight for maximum compensation for your injuries, damages, and pain and suffering.
When Are Motorcycle Accident Fatalities Wrongful Deaths?
Motorcycle crashes are responsible for over 6,000 deaths in the United States each year. When a motorcycle accident leads to the death of a rider or passenger due to someone else’s recklessness, it could be considered a wrongful death. In such cases, the surviving family members might be eligible for compensation for funeral expenses, lost financial support, and emotional distress, and more.
A wrongful death lawyer must prove the following to bring a wrongful death claim:
- Duty of care: The at-fault party had a duty to act with reasonable care.
- Breach of duty: The at-fault party failed to fulfill their duty of care.
- Causation: The at-fault party’s actions directly caused the victim’s death.
- Damages: Surviving family members are experiencing financial and emotional damages due to the loss of their loved one.
When to Hire Chicago Motorcycle Accident Attorneys
Our experienced personal injury attorneys can take over your motorcycle accident case at any point. Whether you’ve just had a crash and need to start your case or want to evaluate a settlement offer in your motorcycle accident claim, we’re here to help.
It’s important to act quickly; in Illinois, you have two years after a motorcycle accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you don’t file within this timeframe, you might have to pay for medical bills and expenses yourself.
Can I Afford a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?
Yes, our Chicago motorcycle accident lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. This means we only get paid if we recover compensation for injuries you suffered from someone else’s negligence. This way, you can focus on your recovery without worrying about upfront legal fees.
Contact Us Today for a Free Consultation
Have you or a loved one been injured in a motorcycle accident in Chicago? Don’t hesitate to get the legal support you deserve. Our skilled team of motorcycle accident lawyers at The Kryder Law Group, LLC Accident and Injury Lawyers is passionate about working for the rights of accident victims and their families.
Contact us today for a free consultation to evaluate your case and to learn about your options for recovering the compensation you deserve.
(312) 223-1700