Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) counts roughly ten motorcycle accidents each day in this state. Of these accidents, almost 99 percent (3,465 out of 3,504) caused injuries or fatalities. On average, one motorcycle rider loses their life in Illinois three days out of every week, and over a quarter of motorcycle accidents result in an incapacitating injury or death.
While they travel on the same roads using a motor and a driver, motorcycles differ significantly from other vehicle types. For example, their center of gravity is different, they do not provide the same protection, such as airbags, seatbelts, or crumple zones, and they are less stable on different surfaces. Motorcycles are also more challenging for drivers to visualize than other vehicles, and often, other drivers do not drive safely around them.
The most common causes of motorcycle accidents in the Chicago area include:
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Failure of motorists to notice and recognize motorcycles in traffic
1 -
Left turns that make it harder for drivers to see motorcycles in blind spots
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Hazardous road conditions such as uneven pavement, loose gravel, and slippery conditions like ice or snow
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Aggressive or distracted driving
4 -
Alcohol or substance use
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Lane splitting or sharing
6
Motorcycle Road Hazards and Negligence
Motorcyclists should always be on the lookout for these potential problems. If one suffers a road hazard accident injury, who or what entity might be liable for their injuries will be determined by negligence laws.
Some road hazards exist because of another party’s negligence.
Here are some frequent examples of road hazards caused by other’s negligence:
- A missing or unreadable road sign due to damage
- A road that is in disrepair and is hazardous
- An unmarked or improperly marked construction area
- An object falling off a vehicle run by a government agency
- Missing or damaged guardrails
In these circumstances, the highway department or a local government entity should be legally responsible for the motorcycle accident. In other words, they should be liable for your injuries. Since these entities must mark dangers and repair poor road conditions, they can be responsible for compensating the injured individual.
With the help of reputable Chicago motorcycle accident lawyers, you can receive money for your medical expenses, pain, and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and other damages.
What if You Didn’t Wear a Helmet?
Although Illinois does not legally require all motorcyclists to wear helmets, it is always best if you do. Not only does wearing one protect your head, but it may also increase the compensation you receive if you suffer an injury due to another driver’s negligence. However, just because you didn’t wear a helmet doesn’t mean that you don’t deserve compensation for your damages after an accident.
Whether or not they wore a helmet when their accident occurred, anyone injured in a motorcycle accident should meet with knowledgeable Chicago motorcycle accident lawyers to determine their rights.
Damages in Motorcycle Accident Cases
You pursue an injury claim to recover compensation for your damages stemming from the accident. By hiring a Chicago motorcycle accident attorney to represent your claim, you can receive two to three times more compensation than if you did not have legal representation. Your damages usually fall into two categories: general or non-economic and special or economic.
General damages have no assigned economic value and, as such, are subjective.
They represent compensation for things such as:
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of society
- Loss of consortium
- Scarring
- Disfigurement
- Mental anguish
- Disability
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Special damages represent your financial losses due to the car accident. Unlike general damages, they are inherently quantifiable.
They can include:
- Past and future medical bills
- Past and future lost income
- Property damage
- Any other financial losses associated with the accident
You Must Quickly Assert Your Legal Rights
In Illinois, the statute of limitations is in most cases two years from the incident that caused your injury. Some circumstances will give you far less time to take action.
If you do not file within this time, the court will invalidate your claim. To file your case within the statute of limitations, hire our Chicago motorcycle accident lawyers as soon as possible after sustaining your injury.
Contacting our lawyers sooner rather than later helps us file your case before the statute of limitations expires. It also ensures that we collect evidence promptly. The more time that goes by, the bigger the risk that evidence can disappear.
Motorcyclists at an Increased Risk of Injury
Motorcycles are inherently more dangerous than driving a passenger vehicle because the rider has more exposure in the event of an accident. For example, those driving or riding in a vehicle have at least a 4,000-pound vehicle with airbags, seatbelts, and other safety features protecting them. At best, a motorcyclist wears a helmet and some other protective gear.
As such, nearly 80 percent of motorcycle riders who have an accident incur injuries, according to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration.
Common Injuries in Motorcycle Accidents
A motorcycle exposes a rider to worse injuries than other vehicles. Some motorcycle injuries will take months, if not years, to heal and cost tens of thousands of dollars or more.
Common injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident include:
Traumatic brain injuries (TBI):
Traumatic brain injuries are among the most severe injuries a motorcyclist can sustain in an accident and may require a long recovery. If not treated immediately or appropriately, they can be fatal.
Spinal cord injuries (SCI):
Spinal cord injury victims can have various degrees of paralysis that require hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical care in the first year alone. Victims can suffer from numbness, nerve pain, difficulty breathing, and problems with motor function.
Road rash:
Most motorcyclists who fly from their bikes can experience road rash injuries if they slide across the pavement. Road rash can cause severe skin damage and disfigurement. In addition, victims must undergo skin grafts and reconstructive surgery if there is damage to the deepest skin layers.
Disfigurement
Several different types of injuries can result in disfigurement and scarring, such as burns, amputations, and severe road rash. Injured individuals might experience low self-esteem and depression. The reconstructive surgery and therapies they need to heal can be expensive.
Internal organ damage:
The impact and forces motorcyclists undergo when thrown from their bike frequently cause internal organ damage such as liver damage and internal bleeding. Severe and life-threatening complications can follow. Common injuries include pneumothorax, aorta aneurysms, ruptured spleens, and internal bleeding
Broken bones:
When someone falls from their motorcycle in an accident, their bones can shatter beyond repair. Multiple surgeries and months of missed work may follow. Severe fractures may require an amputation of an extremity.
Psychological injuries:
Motorcycle accidents are traumatic events that can cause PTSD, depression, and anxiety. Those suffering from these injuries might need compensation to pay for therapies, medications, and emotional pain and suffering. A skilled Chicago motorcycle accident lawyer can help them recover compensation from the at-fault party.
When an accident happens due to the poor choices of other drivers, hire our skilled Chicago motorcycle accident lawyers to seek the compensation you need to continue with your life.
Chicago Motorcycle Accident FAQs
When you think of road rash, you might think of a superficial but painful skin abrasion that occurs when skin slides along the road surface, especially on hard surfaces like asphalt and concrete. A surface with a lot of debris like loose rocks, broken glass, or rock salt can increase the severity and problems with road rash.
Road rash can happen alone or in tandem with other injuries, such as fractures and head or spinal column injuries. Road rash can cause enormous pain and even kill.
The majority of motorcycle accident cases will settle before going to trial. Instead of going before a judge or a jury to determine how much the case is worth, your Chicago motorcycle accident attorneys and the attorney for the at-fault party will negotiate a settlement.
Settlements should account for all of the injured party’s damages, such as medical bills, lost income, the need for future medical care, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life. These negotiations also consider the amount of auto insurance available and other relevant factors.
A settlement is often preferable to a trial as it usually ends the case quicker and is not as risky for both parties. If you agree to a settlement, you will receive the agreed-upon amount and sign a document stating that you will not sue again for the same accident.
Each case has different damages and different strengths and weaknesses. When you meet with a Chicago motorcycle accident lawyer at Midwest Injury Lawyers, they can explain the value of your claim.
However, here are some of the critical aspects which can contribute to the value of your claim:
- The type and severity of your injury
- Your medical bills and expenses
- The severity of your pain and suffering
- Costs for ongoing care and equipment for a catastrophic injury claim
- Property damages
- Loss of past and future income and the ability to earn a living
- The insurance coverage for the at-fault parties
Call Experienced Chicago Personal Injury Attorneys for Help After a Motorcycle Accident
Sadly, motorcycle accident victims cannot and should not rely on the other driver’s insurance company for fair compensation. Insurance companies usually only care about how much money they can keep in their pockets instead of doing the right thing. Motorcycle accident victims and their families should hire an attorney who passionately advocates for their interests and rights. Reach out to a Chicago personal injury lawyer.
At Midwest Injury Lawyers, our Chicago motorcycle accident lawyers recover damages so motorcycle accident victims can get back on their feet. We take the time to understand your concerns and explain what you can expect in the process of your case. Hundreds of injured victims and their families have trusted us with their claims, and in return, we have obtained over $50 million in financial recovery for them.
As if your life was not already stressful enough, now you have injuries and must file an insurance claim or lawsuit. Let our team take this burden off of your shoulders. While we cannot stop your physical pain or make your injuries disappear, we can represent your claim to get you the maximum compensation available.
Our experienced Chicago motorcycle accident lawyers provide complimentary case consultations; contact us today at (312) 786-5881 or online for yours.
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Midwest Injury Lawyers – Chicago Office
155 N Upper Wacker Drive, Suite 4250
Chicago, IL 60606
P: (312) 786-5881
A Word from One of Our Motorcycle Injury Attorneys
Blame isn’t always a black and white concept. Multiple parties can be responsible for a motorcycle accident. Our legal team will help you understand (and prove) who is at fault via thorough investigation, the collection of evidence, and interviews with eyewitnesses.
If we do determine that you are partially at fault for the accident, we can still help you seek compensation. Learn more about your rights by speaking to a motorcycle accident injury attorney.
– Samuel R. Carl
Request a Free Consultation
Tell our experienced team about your accident and/or injuries. One of our personal injury attorneys will contact you to schedule a free case evaluation. Remember: you won’t pay for anything unless we secure a compensation on your behalf.
Call (312) 786-5881 or send us a message online to get started.