Motorcycle accidents occur almost every day in Chicago. While some people are fortunate to walk away with only fairly minor injuries, most motorcycle collisions result in significant injuries, property damages, and trauma. If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in Chicago, you could be entitled to compensation for medical bills and other damages.
The legal team at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers is experienced in helping motorcyclists and their families.
Chicago Motorcycle Accident Statistics
Chicago motorcycle accidents are more complex than other types of auto accidents. Some key Chicago motorcycle accident statistics worth knowing:
- There are an average of 1,000 motorcycle wrecks and 40 fatal motorcycle crashes each year in Cook County, Illinois [1].
- Due to the lack of motorcycle helmet laws in Illinois, the percentage of motorcycle riders who wear helmets is just 36.5% [2].
- In fatal motorcycle accidents in Illinois, riders who died were less likely to be wearing helmets at the time of their deaths [2].
- Excessive speed is a contributing factor in 13.1% of motorcycle accidents in Illinois [2].
- 32.5% of all Illinois accidents involving motorcycles occur in Cook County [2].
- 30% of motorcycle accident injuries in Chicago are rated to have a “D” rating for severity of injuries, which is the most severe rating [3].
- Approximately 3% of reported motorcycle accidents in Chicago had motorcycle fatalities [3].
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
Some common causes of motorcycle collisions include:
- Head-on collisions
- Motorcycle defects
- Road hazards
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Lane splitting
- Inexperienced motorcycle drivers
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Reckless driving
- Car driver negligence
Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries
Due to the inherent lack of physical protection and safety features during a crash, motorcycle accident victims tend to suffer from more catastrophic injuries. The common injuries reported in motorcycle accidents in Chicago tend to be much more severe and require more time and medical care to recover from. Some common injuries include:
- Broken bones – Broken bones are very common in any auto accident. Chicago broken bones lawyers can help you recover money for your recovery process;
- Amputations – Amputations often cause victims to lose an arm or leg during an accident or as a result of serious injuries;
- Facial injuries – Whether you wear a helmet or not, you’re at risk of serious facial injuries from a motorcycle collision;
- Spinal cord injuries – Spinal cord injuries can cause paralysis or loss of mobility. You may not be able to work in the same career afterward. A Chicago back injury lawyer can help you file a claim for compensation;
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI) – A TBI can fundamentally alter a person’s life after an accident. A Chicago brain injury lawyer can help recover some of the expenses a victim will need.
- Internal injuries – The impact experienced on a motorcycle rider’s body can easily cause internal injuries and bleeding.
- Burns – Whether road burn or from a fire caused by the crash, burn injuries from serious accidents involving motorcycles are common.
- Death – A fatal motorcycle accident can be devastating for families, as no one should have to mourn the loss of a loved one taken too soon. Family members are eligible to file wrongful death claims for their loss.
How to Prove Liability for a Motorcycle Crash in Chicago
To prove liability in any motor vehicle accident, your lawyer will need to show the responsible parties owed you a duty of care that, when breached, caused your injuries and other losses. In a car accident, this process tends to be straightforward. Other drivers have an obligation to follow the rules of the road. If they don’t, they can be held liable for their actions.
You Have a Limited Time to File a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit
The statute of limitations for a personal injury lawsuit in Chicago is two years from the date of the accident. You will not be able to file a claim to pursue compensation after this time passes.
The sooner you get started, the better. Some forms of evidence, such as business video surveillance footage and witness testimony, become much more difficult to obtain the more time that passes.
Even if you’re unsure about whether or not you want to file a motorcycle accident lawsuit yet, it is a good idea to schedule a free consultation with a Chicago motorcycle accident attorney so you can learn more about what legal options could be available to you.
Two years may seem like a lot of time. However, this time goes by quickly as you’re recovering from severe injuries. If you can, schedule a case review once you’re out of the hospital to preserve your legal options should you decide to move forward.
How to File a Motorcycle Accident Claim
The Chicago motorcycle accident attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers make the process of filing a motorcycle accident lawsuit as easy as possible. After a motorcycle injury, no one wants to undergo another ordeal trying to figure out how to file a claim. Having a Chicago motorcycle accident lawyer to rely on is an invaluable way to keep your case moving forward.
First, you will discuss your case during a free consultation with a motorcycle accident attorney. Not every case where someone is injured in a motorcycle crash is able to be the subject of a lawsuit. Some cases do not meet the criteria for personal injury cases in Illinois, either due to fault or the statute of limitations.
Generally, you will need to prove that someone else’s negligence caused your injury. By meeting with personal injury attorneys, you can get objective and legally sound advice on what your options are for a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit.
Should you decide to move forward, your Chicago motorcycle accident lawyer will start to investigate your case before filing your claim. This includes getting documentation of your injuries and lost wages, as well as consulting with experts and witnesses.
In some cases, your lawyers may even work with accident reconstruction specialists to show how the other driver’s negligence caused you severe injuries.
Next, your lawyers will file a civil lawsuit with the appropriate district court and negotiate with the insurance companies involved in the accident, either from your personal policy or from the other drivers. Insurance companies are known to make small offers as motorcycle accident settlement to try to minimize how much money they have to pay out.
Your lawyer will try to reach a fair agreement out of court. However, sometimes going to court is necessary. In these cases, your Chicago motorcycle accident lawyer will oversee and manage the entire process, from building your case to fighting for the compensation you’re entitled to.
