If you have been injured in a motorcycle crash due to the negligence or misconduct of another person, it is highly advised that you discuss your case with a Chicago motorcycle accident lawyer at Duncan Law Group.
We practice personal injury law exclusively and can get to work investigating your accident in order to help you obtain the financial compensation to which you are entitled. We are experienced trial lawyers with proven results and a track record that includes tens of millions of dollars recovered for our clients.
Harmed in a Chicago motorcycle accident? We are on your side! Get started by calling our experienced attorneys today!
Who is liable in a Chicago motorcycle accident case?
What damages can be claimed in a Chicago motorcycle accident claim?
The difference between catastrophic and non-catastrophic injuries in motorcycle accidents
Illinois motorcycle helmet laws and how they affect your claim
How do you know when a car is at fault in a motocycle accident?
Motorcyclists, like pedestrians, have a huge risk of serious injury or death when struck by another vehicle. They may be thrown, hit the pavement or other objects, or become trapped beneath their bike. Broken bones, ruptured discs, dislocations, road scrapes and burns, head trauma, loss of limbs, and damage to the brain or spinal cord may be the result. Motorcycles can be hard to see and their distances are often miscalculated by other drivers. In some cases, intentionally hostile drivers can be at fault. With the help of a personal injury attorney in Chicago, you can gather the necessary evidence and build a strong case against the other driver.
In order to do so, we may need to take the following steps on your behalf:
In order to seek compensation from the negligent driver, you must be able to prove that they were at fault for causing the accident. Unfortunately, this can be particularly difficult as a motorcyclist.
Many people assume that motorcyclists are reckless or careless, which is a point that the insurance company may attempt to make when negotiating a settlement. However, that does not mean that you should be bullied into settling your claim for less than what you deserve. Where negligence or wrongdoing has occurred, motorcyclists have a right to pursue justice and fair compensation.
When you work with Duncan Law Group, we can help you seek damages for:
Motorcyclists can sustain very serious injuries in a collision with a motor vehicle. This is because motorcycles have significantly less protection than a car or truck; during a collision, the body of the motor vehicle can absorb and reduce some of the impact. Motorcyclists, on the other hand, do not have these benefits and only have equipment such as helmets to protect them.
There are two categories of injuries that can occur in a motorcycle accident: catastrophic and non-catastrophic. Catastrophic injuries refer to any injury that prevents you from engaging in gainful work, leading to significant hardship and life disruption.
Catastrophic injuries in motorcycle accidents include the following.
Catastrophic injuries can have a significant impact on your life. You will need to seek medical attention immediately and, depending on the extent of the damage, you may need long-term care. You may also require physical therapy, medication, and disability accommodation equipment. These injuries prevent you from returning to work and the activities you once enjoyed, impacting your financial, physical and emotional health. Filing a lawsuit or insurance claim against the driver responsible for your injuries can help you recover from these hardships.
Non-catastrophic injuries do not impact your ability to find gainful employment. These injuries encompass a wide range of painful conditions that require medical attention, including the following.
A non-catastrophic injury can still be very severe. Any type of harm can impact your ability to go to work, even temporarily, Non-catastrophic injuries can result in undue pain and suffering, and you will still need to pay for medical expenses, property damage, and other financial losses you incurred due to the accident.
It is crucial to seek medical attention after a motorcycle accident, even if your injuries are not catastrophic or you do not feel hurt. You may have underlying injuries you are not aware of, and any type of injury due to another driver’s negligence can be grounds for an injury claim. Your medical records will become foundational evidence for your case. As soon as you seek treatment for your injuries, contact an attorney at Duncan Law Group to discuss your legal options.
Helmets are a motorcyclist’s main line of defense against severe injuries in an accident. Motorcycle riders who wear helmets have a lower risk of severe injuries and are more likely to survive their accidents than motorcyclists who do not use them. For example, after Florida eliminated its helmet law for motorcyclists aged 21 and older, the motorcycle accident fatality rate increased by over 45%.
Illinois does not require adult motorcyclists to wear a helmet. While it is your right to choose when or when not to wear a helmet, it is important to remember that Illinois is a fault state when it comes to vehicle accidents. This means that the person responsible for an accident must pay for the damages of the victims.
In many motorcycle accident cases, the court or insurance company will investigate whether or not you were wearing a helmet at the time of the accident. Although Illinois does not have a mandated motorcycle helmet law, the insurance company may use this information as justification to deny your claim. If you are filing a lawsuit, the court may assign some of the liability to you and use Illinois’s comparative fault laws to either decrease or deny your award.
Motorcyclists face unfair scrutiny and bias when filing an insurance claim against a negligent driver. Insurance adjusters may believe you are automatically at fault for the accident due to negative assumptions about motorcyclists’ driving behaviors.
However, this is far from the truth—there are many negligent motorist behaviors that can contribute to a collision, including the following.
When you hire a Chicago personal injury lawyer from Duncan Law Group, you can trust that your case is in the right hands. Our firm has recovered tens of millions of dollars on behalf of past clients, and we are prepared to do the same for you. Not only has our lead attorney been named to the Super Lawyers® list for four years running, but he has even been named to The National Trial Lawyers: Top 40 Under 40.
When you call on our firm to handle your motorcycle accident claim, you will also benefit from a decade of legal experience. Get started today by calling (312) 202-3283 and taking advantage of our free case evaluation!