Most motorcyclists are safe, conscientious riders who watch out for the safety of pedestrians, bicyclists, and other motorists. However, this cannot be said for all riders. If you were injured by a negligent motorcyclist, you deserve compensation, and a Joliet motorcycle accident attorney can help you get it.
At the Kryder Law Group, LLC Accident and Injury Lawyers, we represent seriously injured accident victims in Joliet, IL who have been hurt by careless motorcycle riders. Our motorcycle accident attorneys know how to investigate these accidents and build a strong case for compensation. If you were injured in a motorcycle accident, please contact our office today to schedule a free consultation.
When Is a Motorcyclist at Fault for an Accident?
There are many factors that can contribute to a motorcycle accident in Joliet. In some cases, the rider may be at fault because of their negligence or reckless behavior on the road. Some common causes of motorcycle accidents caused by riders include:
Speeding
If a rider weaves in and out of traffic, over or undertakes other vehicles, or speeds through intersections, they are more likely to cause an accident. This type of erratic behavior can force other vehicles on the road to make evasive maneuvers which can result in motorcycle accidents with severe injuries.
Making Sudden Lane Changes or Lane Splitting
Riders who make sudden lane changes without using their blinkers put other motorists at risk. Additionally, lane splitting (driving between lanes of traffic) is illegal under Illinois law (625 ILCS 5/11-703) and can result in severe accidents.
Intoxication
Riding a motorcycle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol is incredibly dangerous. Not only does it impair the rider’s ability to drive, but it also makes them more likely to take risks on the road.
Get in Touch Today
Call today for a free case evaluation with our Joliet motorcycle accident lawyers.
What Are the Common Injuries in Accidents Caused by Motorcyclists?
The severity of the injuries suffered in an accident caused by a negligent motorcycle rider can depend on whether the injured party was on foot, on another bike, riding a bicycle, or in another type of motor vehicle. Some of the most common injuries seen in motorcycle accidents include:
Head Injuries
Motorcycle riders are particularly vulnerable to suffering head injuries because they do not have the protection of a metal frame or airbags. Even if the rider is wearing a helmet, they can still suffer a traumatic brain injury (TBI) in an accident caused by another person’s negligence.
Neck and Spine Injuries
The neck and spine are also susceptible to serious injury in a motorcycle accident involving other vehicles, pedestrians, or riders. Whiplash is a common type of neck injury that can occur when the head is snapped forward or backward suddenly. Spinal cord injuries can result in paralysis, depending on the location and severity of the injury.
Broken Bones
Because of the force involved in motorcycle accidents or collisions with other cars or stationary objects, accident victims often suffer broken or shattered bones. This can require surgery and a long recovery period.
Road Rash
Road rash is a type of injury that occurs when the skin rubs against the pavement. Pedestrians, bicyclists, or other riders involved in an accident with a negligent motorcyclist may suffer this type of injury. While it may not sound at first like a serious injury, road rash can cause infection, scarring, and nerve damage.
Wrongful Death
In some cases, motorcycle accidents can be fatal. If you have lost a loved one in an accident caused by a negligent motorcycle rider, you may be entitled to file a wrongful death claim against the responsible party.
What Should I Do if I Was Injured by a Motorcyclist?
If you were injured in an accident caused by a motorcycle rider in Joliet, there are some important steps you should take to protect your legal rights:
Get Medical Attention
Your health and well-being should be your first priority after an accident. Even if you don’t think you were seriously injured, it’s important to see a doctor for a full evaluation. Some injuries, like head injuries, may not be immediately apparent.
Call the Police
Having a police report can be helpful evidence in proving liability for the accident. The police will conduct an investigation and document what they believe happened to cause the accident.
Gather Evidence
If you are able, take pictures of the accident scene, your injuries, and any property damage. This can be helpful later when you file an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit.
Get Witness Information
If there were any witnesses to the accident, get their names and contact information. They may be able to provide valuable testimony about what happened and who was at fault.
Talk to a Lawyer
The experienced personal injury attorneys at The Kryder Law Group, LLC can help you navigate the legal process and ensure that your rights are protected. They can also help you recover damages for your injuries, including medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
Negligent Motorcyclist Accident Scenarios
Though motorcycles are among the smallest motor vehicles on the road, they are still capable of causing plenty of damage, especially if they strike a pedestrian or bicyclist. A negligent motorcycle rider may also cause an accident between other vehicles. For instance, a driver might have to swerve to avoid a motorcyclist weaving in and out of traffic, and in doing so, might hit another vehicle, potentially injuring one or more persons involved.
No matter how you were injured by a negligent motorcycle rider, The Kryder Law Group, LLC is here to help. We can investigate the accident, determine who was responsible, and gather the evidence we need to pursue the cost of your losses. We can resolve your case either through an out-of-court settlement or through a judge’s verdict at trial.
Here are some of the situations that involve a motorcyclist’s negligence:
Injured While on Foot
Pedestrians are vulnerable to the reckless actions of a negligent motorcycle rider. If a motorcycle comes at you full speed while you are on foot, it can be impossible to get out of the way in time. Unfortunately, it does not take much for a motorcycle to leave the road and potentially strike a walker or jogger.
If you were on foot when a negligent motorcycle rider hit you, we can take action against them and hold them accountable for your injuries. A Joliet motorcycle accident lawyer from our law firm can determine what action resulted in your injuries and, from there, move forward in pursuing compensation for you.
Injured While on a Bicycle
The bike lanes on roads and highways are made for non-motorized bicycles, not motorcycles. If someone on a motorcycle struck you in a bike lane, your legal team can begin the process of assigning liability.
Even if the road you were cycling on did not have a bike lane, it is still the responsibility of motor vehicle operators—including motorcyclists—to yield to bicycles on the road. We can show that the motorcyclist was negligent in their actions and is thus responsible for your injuries.
Injured While in Another Vehicle
Even though most cars, trucks, vans, and SUVs are substantially larger and more powerful than motorcycles, that does not mean that a motorcycle is incapable of causing an accident.
When a motorcyclist swerves into the path of another vehicle, the other driver often has a natural instinct to do whatever possible to prevent an accident. To avoid hitting the motorcyclist, a motorist may quickly try to get out of the way, only to collide with another vehicle.
How Motorcycle Accident Victims Can Get Help
In any of these types of situations, when the motorcyclist is absolutely the one at fault, The Kryder Law Group, LLC can hold them accountable and collect compensation from their insurance company.
Regardless of the specific circumstances of your accident with a negligent motorcycle rider in Joliet, a personal injury attorney at The Kryder Law Group, LLC can fight for financial recovery on your behalf. We represent injured motorcycle accident victims in personal injury cases.
Your Legal Team Must Prove Negligence
For your case to be successful, your lawyer will need to prove that negligence played a vital role in your accident-related injuries and losses.
The four elements of negligence, which will need to be established in your situation, are as follows:
- Duty of care. Upon operating a motor vehicle, the motorcyclist undertook a duty of care to not harm others.
- Breach of duty of care. Through whatever action or behavior, the motorcyclist violated this obligation by posing an unreasonable hazard to others while riding.
- Causation. As a result of the negligent party’s actions, you were involved in an otherwise avoidable collision.
- Damages. You have suffered serious injuries and other losses stemming from the motorcyclist’s inability to act with care.
Your Joliet negligent motorcycle rider accident lawyer must demonstrate these factors in your motorcycle accident case to recover finances on your behalf from the negligent rider and their insurance company.
Your Negligent Motorcycle Accident Compensation
You may be eligible for monetary compensation for your injuries after a motorcycle accident caused by a negligent rider. Through the course of our investigation, we may be able to hold the negligent motorcycle rider who hit you accountable for your losses and begin the process of recovering compensation.
This could include financial compensation for:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering and inconvenience
- Loss of enjoyment of life
The Statute of Limitations
Illinois has a two-year statute of limitations for pursuing compensation in personal injury claims. If you allow this statute to expire, you could lose your right to recover compensation, even if you have a strong case against the negligent party. The Kryder Law Group, LLC Accident and Injury Lawyers will evaluate your claim for free and let you know of any impending deadlines.
Call Our Joliet Negligent Motorcycle Rider Accident Attorneys Today
If you have been hurt in a motorcycle accident caused by a negligent rider, our Joliet negligent motorcycle rider accident lawyers are ready to get to work for you today. We can hold the rider liable for your motorcycle accident injuries and help you recover the compensation you deserve. For a free case evaluation with a Joliet motorcycle accident lawyer, call today.
(312) 223-1700