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.
Damages Our Chicago Motorcycle Accident Attorneys Can Help You Recover
Our Illinois motorcycle accident lawyers will work hard to advocate for you to receive maximum compensation for your serious injury. This includes economic damages, such as medical bills and lost income, and non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering and emotional trauma.
Medical Costs
In most cases, a motorcycle accident causes catastrophic injuries, which result in staggering medical bills for recovery. You can seek compensation for your past and future medical expenses in your motorcycle accident claim. Your Chicago motorcycle accident lawyer will help you assess how much compensation to request so that it is enough to cover these medical bills.
Lost Income
As you recover, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out on working and your regular income. In your motorcycle accident lawsuit, you can request fair compensation for lost wages.
Pain and Suffering
Pain and suffering is the most common type of non-economic damage recovered in most motorcycle accidents. It isn’t based on your actual monetary losses. Instead, it is based on calculations of how many days you spent in physical pain and the severity of your pain.
Property Damage
You can also seek maximum compensation for any property that was damaged in your motorcycle accident. This can include the full cost of replacing your bike, smartphone, and other property.
Steps to Take After a Motorcycle Accident in Chicago
The days and weeks after motorcycle crashes can be incredibly disorienting. It can be difficult to know what to do. Here are some steps to take after your motorcycle accident:
Seek Medical Treatment
It’s critical to seek immediate medical treatment after a motorcycle accident, even if you don’t think you have been injured. Many injuries aren’t obvious right away and require tests or a doctor to diagnose. In the event you need to make a personal injury claim, the medical records can be used as crucial evidence in your case.
Report to the Police
Under Illinois law, you must legally report an auto accident that causes an injury, death, or property damage of $1,500 or more. However, since injuries may not be evident, it is a good idea to report any accident to the Chicago Police Department.
In the event you file a Chicago motorcycle accident case, your experienced motorcycle accident attorney can use the police report as evidence.
Call Your Insurance Company
While each policy has different insurance coverage, you will need to report the accident to your insurance company per its specific protocol for reporting. If the insurance company offers you a settlement, do not accept it until you have your Chicago motorcycle accident attorney review it.
Insurance companies are known to offer low amounts for motorcycle accidents. Your attorney can review it and let you know if it’s a fair offer or negotiate for more compensation on your behalf.
Collect Evidence
Starting at the accident scene, if possible, collect evidence. This includes gathering the contact information of any witnesses and the other parties involved in the accident. Your Chicago motorcycle accident lawyers will take the lead in finding evidence. However, the more evidence you can preserve and provide them, the stronger your case can be.
Document Damages
Be sure to document the damages from your accident, starting from the scene where the accident occurs to the resulting injuries. You can take pictures of your injuries throughout the healing and recovery process.
Call a Chicago Motorcycle Accident Attorney
As soon as you’re able, it is time to contact Chicago motorcycle lawyers to review your case and to get recommendations on the next steps. In many cases, motorcycle accident victims and their families are able to recover compensation through a civil lawsuit.
The sooner you can engage with a lawyer for your case, the easier it will be for them to collect evidence, build a case, and file before the statute of limitations is over.
Motorcycle Accident FAQs
Contact Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers for Your Motorcycle Accident Case!
The Chicago motorcycle accident attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers are available to help you and your family recover compensation through motorcycle accident claims. Our Chicago motorcycle accident lawyers have recovered millions in settlements for our clients. We are confident we can help you and your family during this difficult time. Since we work on a contingency fee basis, you don’t have to worry about paying anything upfront for our services.
Contact us for a free consultation by filling out our contact form or calling toll-free at (888) 424-5757. A member of our legal team is available 24/7 to accept your call.
Our downtown office, near the Richard J. Daley Center, Dirkson United States Courthouse, and the Chicago Workers’ Compensation Commission, offers convenient access from Aurora, Joliet, and Waukegan via I-90, I-94, and I-290.
Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers
225 W Wacker Dr #1660
Chicago, IL 60606
Phone: (847) 835-8895
Toll Free: (888) 424-5757
We also serve clients from Buffalo Grove, Decatur, Naperville, Schaumburg and throughout Illinois.
Resources: [1] IDOT, [2] IDOT, [3] IDOT, [4] Progressive