Motorcycle accident victims often face severe, life-changing injuries and hefty medical bills as the result of negligence and a disregard for others. If you’re a motorcycle driver involved in an accident, hiring the right motorcycle accident lawyer can make all the difference in recovering compensation from the at-fault party responsible for the crash.
A Peoria motorcycle accident lawyer from Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers can help you recover maximum financial compensation for your injuries. Starting with a free consultation, we help our clients throughout the entire process.
Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries
Due to the nature of motorcycles and how exposed motorcyclists are to the road, catastrophic injuries are more common in motorcycle accidents than in regular car accidents. Common injuries from motorcycle accidents include the following:
- Road rash
- Head injuries
- Broken bones
- Amputations
- Organ damage
- Skull fractures
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Soft tissue injury
- Wrongful death
How a Peoria Motorcycle Accident Attorney Can Help
Recovery after a motorcycle crash is difficult, and the situation is even worse when the rider is killed and their family has to find a way to go on without them. A motorcycle accident attorney from Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers can help you or your family take legal action to secure compensation after the accident.
The costs associated with a motorcycle accident can cause financial hardship for nearly anyone, especially if ongoing medical care is needed. Compensation from a Peoria motorcycle accident lawsuit can help cover those costs so that your finances are protected.
Even more than that, legal action gives you the chance to hold the at-fault party responsible for their actions. In its own way, this can be a method of healing as well as a means of protecting your finances from permanent damage.
What to Do After a Motorcycle Crash in Peoria, IL
After a motorcycle crash in Peoria, IL, the very next thing that you should do is seek medical attention for yourself and anyone else who was injured. Prompt medical attention, as well as knowledge of what to do at the scene, can save lives.
Once medical help is available, collect all relevant insurance information, and file a police report. This is important for your legal case.
After everything is handled at the accident scene, contact a Peoria motorcycle crash lawyer. Contacting a lawyer as soon as possible makes it easier to gather evidence, interview witnesses, and build a credible lawsuit.
Having a lawyer also means that you have someone to negotiate with the insurance company if they offer you a settlement. Overall, the sooner you hire a lawyer, the easier the post-accident process can be for you.
The Value of Your Motorcycle Accident Claim
The value of your motorcycle accident claim is based on a few factors, such as the total damages that you suffered: the cost of repairing or replacing your motorcycle and all of your riding gear will influence the compensation that you can receive, and the cost of your medical expenses can also play a significant role.
However, there is no set amount that you can expect to receive in compensation for your case. Every case is slightly different, which means the compensation awarded in each case is different.
When you contact our law firm, your attorney may be able to give you an idea of how much you can receive in compensation by showing you the results of similar cases that they won, although those cases are no guarantee that you will receive the same in compensation.
Our law offices have had a lot of success recovering money for motorcycle accident victims and their family members. Our Peoria wrongful death attorneys helped one family secure $14.1 million in a case involving a motorcyclist killed by a truck.
Damages Our Peoria Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Can Help You Recover
Compensation amounts in motorcycle accident cases are determined by the damages you suffer. To do this, your lawyer files claims for each damage you receive. At the end of the case, the judge rules on whether you should be compensated and how much for each claim.
There are different types of claims that you can file in each case, including the following:
- Medical bills
- Bike repairs
- Bike replacement
- Damaged riding gear
- Damaged dash cameras
- Lost wages from missing work
- Ongoing medical care
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma
How Long Do Motorcycle Crash Claims Take to Settle?
Most cases take six to 12 months or longer to settle. Cases that go to court almost always take longer than cases that are settled beforehand, as it takes time for the court process to unfold.
It is possible to receive a settlement offer quickly, especially from an insurance company. However, it is important that you review any settlement offer with your attorney to ensure that it aligns with your goals and needs. A fast settlement offer may be a sign that the insurance company is trying to resolve the case quickly without paying you a fair amount.
For the best results, consult with your attorney as soon as possible: a quick consultation will give your attorney more time to investigate and build your case, as well as to negotiate with other parties on your behalf.
As a motorcycle accident victim, you want to make sure that your settlement caters to your best interests and accurately reflects many factors, including your lost wages, future medical expenses, and emotional toll. Once you accept the settlement, you will be unable to file another claim.
Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle accidents can be caused by a wide range of situations.
Important Laws Related to Motorcycle Accident Cases in Peoria, IL
Some state laws impact a motorcycle accident victim’s ability to file a civil lawsuit for their severe injuries. Your Peoria personal injury attorney can explain how these laws apply to your specific case during your free consultation.
Motorcycle Helmet Laws
There is no law that requires motorcycle riders to wear helmets in Illinois [1]. While wearing a helmet can prevent some physical injuries, it does not affect the process of seeking financial recovery. You are still able to seek compensation if you are injured in a motorcycle crash if you did not wear a helmet.
Modified Comparative Negligence
Illinois uses a modified comparative negligence model when determining fault in a motorcycle accident case. The victim and the defendant are both assessed to see who caused that accident, and the results are compared.
If you are found more than 50% at fault for your accident, then you cannot collect compensation. If you are less than 50% at fault for your accident, your compensation is reduced accordingly: for example, if you are 30% at fault, your compensation is reduced by 30%.
Statute of Limitations
If you are considering taking legal action after your accident to recover lost wages or seek compensation, contact a Peoria motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible. You have a limited amount of time to file your claim. This is called the statute of limitations, and it sets the cutoff date for when you can no longer file a claim.
The statute of limitations for personal injury law in Illinois is two years from the date of injury or death. That means that if you don’t file within two years to the day, you lose the ability to file a claim at all. Contacting your Peoria motorcycle accident attorney as soon as possible after the accident helps you file on time, while also giving your lawyer more time to build your case.
Elements for a Successful Motorcycle Accident Claim
Motorcycle accidents are treated similarly to other vehicle accidents. To build a successful case, your motorcycle accident lawyer has to prove several things. First, they have to prove that the other driver owed you a duty of care to drive safely on the road. Then, your legal representation must show how the other party’s breach of this duty caused damages.
Contact a Peoria Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Today!
Motorcycle riders seeking compensation for severe injuries sustained in motorcycle accidents are often eligible to file motorcycle accident claims in civil court. A member of our law firm is available 24 hours a day to help you learn more about filing a personal injury claim. We offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee basis. We have helped other clients recover millions in settlements for severe injuries in personal injury cases, and we can do the same for you.
To discuss your case with a knowledgeable lawyer, contact Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers for a free initial consultation by filling out our contact form or calling toll-free at (888) 424-5757.
Resources: [1] IIHS
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