Decatur Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Motorcyclists are far more likely to be seriously injured in a collision than other drivers. Injured motorcyclists are often left with painful back or neck injuries, limited earning potential, and expensive property damages.

The insurance company doesn’t always cover the full extent of your damages, which is where a Decatur motorcycle accident lawyer from Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers steps in to help.

Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries

Motorcycle accidents tend to be more severe than motor vehicle accidents, often due to the open nature of the motorcycle and the likelihood of being thrown from it. Motorcycle accidents commonly lead to the following injuries:

Head and Brain Injuries

Motorcycle riders can be thrown from their bikes during an accident. If the motorcyclist isn’t wearing a helmet, they may suffer head and brain injuries. Head injuries can impact your physical and psychological well-being and lead to ongoing expensive medical bills.

Broken Bones

Broken bones are also common in a motorcycle accident, as the rider’s arms or legs may be fractured or broken when thrown from the bike. A broken bone can take months to heal, often putting you in a difficult financial position.

Back and Spinal Cord Injuries

Many motorcycle accident victims experience back or spinal cord injuries from hitting the ground at a high speed. Recovery from these types of injuries is often long, painful, and expensive. A lawsuit may be one of the few options available to ensure you get the best medical treatment.

Death

The serious nature of a motorcycle accident can lead to life-threatening injuries and even death. A wrongful death case leaves the family with grief, expensive bills from previous medical care, and a loss of income.

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle accidents can occur from many of the same causes as automobile crashes. Some of the most common causes of accidents in the motorcycle community include the following.

DUI

Driving under the influence reduces reaction time and road awareness. Another driver who is under the influence of drugs or alcohol may not notice a motorcycle near them until it’s too late.

Distracted Driving

Distracted driving is also a leading cause of motorcycle wrecks. Drivers who are texting, talking on the phone, or interacting with passengers are less likely to notice motorcycle drivers.

Disobeying Traffic Laws

General disobedience to traffic laws is also a significant contributor to motorcycle crashes. Ignoring the speed limit, running a red light, or failing to signal before changing lanes can increase motorcycle accident risks.

The Statistics of Motorcycle Accidents in Decatur, IL

Motorcycle accidents are an all too common occurrence in Decatur, Illinois. In 2021 alone, over 2,500 motorcyclists were injured in a collision. Of those, 905 motorcyclists experienced A-type, or serious, injuries. A total of 174 Illinois motorcyclists were killed, which is an increase of 14.5% from 2020. [1]

While most motor vehicle accidents occur due to driver mistakes, motorcyclists often do not do anything wrong when involved in a motorcycle accident. Driving straight ahead and skidding/losing control are among the most common situations in which motorcyclists are often injured.

As a result, Illinois has implemented a Motorcyclist Safety Program. The program takes a multi-directional approach to safer riding through better training, more outreach, and inclusive educational opportunities. However, since the at-fault driver is often the other vehicle, the safety programs don’t reach all possible responsible parties.

What to Do After a Motorcycle Crash in Decatur, Illinois

The steps you take after being involved in a Decatur motorcycle accident are crucial to your safety and any potential legal claims. Protect yourself by taking the following steps if you’re in a motorcycle accident.

Call 911

One of the first things to do following a motorcycle accident is to call 911, regardless of your condition. Calling 911 dispatches the Decatur police and creates an official police report of the accident.

It can be difficult to predict your medical treatment needs ahead of time, and you may need a police report to explore your options should you incur expensive medical bills or lost wages.

Calling 911 also allows you to receive immediate medical care. You should always seek medical attention following a motorcycle accident. Some injuries may not show up for hours or days, and time is of the essence for recovery. The driver or passengers in other vehicles may also have suffered an injury, so dispatching law enforcement officers is always a good idea.

Collect Evidence & Contact Information

If you decide to pursue a motorcycle accident claim, you’ll need to build a strong case based on evidence. Some motorcycle accident evidence is time-sensitive, including witness contact information and photographs or videos from the scene of the accident. Medical records of your injuries and a copy of the police report can also be beneficial to your case.

A Decatur motorcycle accident lawyer can help build your case, but some pieces of evidence, like photos or videos, can’t be recreated after the collision. You may also need evidence when filing a claim with your insurance company. Gather as much evidence as possible to support your case and help the legal process along.

Contact a Decatur Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Working with a Decatur motorcycle accident lawyer offers many benefits to your claim. A motorcycle accident lawyer works with the insurance adjusters and other legal teams to protect your rights.

Your lawyer will also track down accident reconstruction specialists or expert witnesses to improve your case’s success. Having a law firm fighting on your side is also valuable as you deal with your injuries.

Factors Affecting Motorcycle Accident Cases

Because every motorcycle accident case differs, there’s no set settlement amount or anticipated timeline. Instead, the details of your accident influence your case. The following factors can impact your motorcycle accident case:

• The level of involvement from your insurance company.
• The number of vehicles involved in the accident.
• The extent of your injuries.
• Whether the other vehicles involved were negligent.
• Your incurred costs.

Illinois is also an at-fault state, meaning whoever is deemed responsible for the accident is liable for the damages. This law makes it even more important to determine fault early in the case.

Motorcycle Helmet Law in Illinois

Illinois is one of just three U.S. states without helmet laws. This means that motorcycle riders are not required to wear a helmet while riding.

It also means that failing to wear a helmet doesn’t mean you are any less eligible for compensation through a motorcycle accident lawsuit. Illinois expects other drivers to be aware of motorcyclists on the road and drive in a way that is safe for everyone.

When they don’t, they may be held responsible if their negligence leads to someone being injured in a motorcycle accident. Wearing a helmet can help protect you if you are in an accident, especially from traumatic head or neck injuries. But choosing not to wear one shouldn’t affect your case.

The Value of Your Motorcycle Accident Injury Claim

There is no set amount you can expect from a motorcycle accident claim. Instead, your fair compensation amount is based on the unique details of your case, including the total of your medical expenses, your ability to work, whether your earning potential is affected, and if any psychological damages were included.

Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers has successfully worked with those injured in a motorcycle accident to recover the following damages:

• $14,100,000 for a motorcycle accident victim’s family who suffered a loss of life after a truck driver was speeding and not paying attention.
• $78,000 through a jury award for an unemployed man injured after a negligent driver veered into his lane.
• $495,000 through a jury award for a motorcyclist who was injured after a truck merged into his lane without signaling due to distracted driving.
• $250,000 settlement award for a motorcyclist who was injured after a driver on a state highway crossed into his lane and hit him head-on.

These are just a few examples of settlement or jury cases our attorneys have been able to secure for our clients. A free consultation is the best way to understand your options.

Damages Our Decatur Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Can Help You Recover

Illinois law permits injured motorcyclists to seek compensation when negligence leads to their injuries. Common damages following a motorcycle accident include the following:

• Medical expenses
• Property damages
• Lost wages
• Diminished earning capacity
• Temporary transportation costs
• Pain and suffering
• Disfigurement
• Temporary or permanent disability

Punitive damages are less common in motorcycle accident cases but can be included. The court will sometimes award a victim punitive damages in addition to recovering expenses.

Motorcycle accident fatalities may be compensated through a wrongful death claim and may cover expenses like medical bills, pain and suffering, and funeral expenses.

Liability in Motorcycle Accident Cases

Proving liability is an important part of a successful motorcycle accident lawsuit. Who is responsible varies, depending on the details of the motorcycle accident, but could include any of the following:

• Other passenger vehicles: Other drivers on the road, whether a car or truck driver, could be liable in a motorcycle accident case. Common liability factors include speeding, distracted driving, or driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. A Decatur personal injury attorney can help you build your case and prove negligence.
• Motorcycle manufacturer: If defective parts lead to a motorcycle accident, the manufacturer may be liable.
• Road maintenance crews: The City of Decatur is responsible for maintaining public roads. If poor maintenance or unsafe roads lead to an accident, the city may have liability.
• Motorcyclist: Although less common, the motorcyclist could also be partially at fault when an accident occurs. Motorcyclists are expected to follow traffic laws and speed limits.

You Have a Limited Time to File a Motorcycle Accident Claim in Decatur, IL

Illinois motorcycle laws set time limits on how long you have to file a case, also referred to as the statute of limitations. You have just two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. This time limit also covers motorcycle fatalities, as Illinois’ wrongful death statute of limitations is also two years.

Consult a Decatur Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Today!

A motorcycle accident attorney from Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers is here to help you navigate your motorcycle accident. If another driver was negligent and caused you serious injuries, you may have a legal right to compensation, and we can help.

Hiring a Decatur motorcycle accident attorney from Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers starts with a free consultation. We also work on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay anything upfront. Instead, all legal representation costs come out of the settlement you receive.

Contact us as soon as possible if you or a loved one were injured in a motorcycle accident in Decatur, Illinois. Call us at (888) 424-5757 or fill out our online form to have a motorcycle accident lawyer contact you.

Related Practice Areas

• Decatur Personal Injury Lawyer
• Decatur Lyft Accident Lawyer
• Decatur Rideshare Accident Lawyer
• Decatur Slip and Fall Lawyer
• Decatur Uber Accident Lawyer

Resources: [1] IDOT

All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.