Riding a motorcycle is something that can be exhilarating, yet relaxing. Unfortunately, because it is so much smaller than the vehicles surrounding it, injuries can quickly turn catastrophic. Smith LaCien LLP has represented victims of motorcycle clients throughout Illinois. If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident, our Chicago accident attorneys are here for you.
Motorcyclists face a unique set of issues when they are on the road. For example, road hazards such as potholes, debris, and uneven pavement can cause you to lose control. Motorcyclists are also prone to “wobble” accidents when the front tire of the motorcycle is misaligned and causes a driver to spin out at higher speeds. Another problem is inexperience. Not being an educated and confident rider on the road can cost you.
After a motorcycle accident, you may face medical bills and lost wages due to your injury. The severity of your injury may require continuous long-term care and completely change your lifestyle.
We all owe a duty of care to others on the road. This duty requires all drivers to take reasonable measures to prevent causing accidents and injuries to others. When a driver breaches their duty of care by acting negligently or recklessly behind the wheel and the result is a motorcycle injury, they are liable for the victim’s damages. “Damages” in an accident claim refers to more than just property damage, but also to medical expenses and pain and suffering. Proving liability requires demonstrating the following through the evidence in a case:
Once a Chicago motorcycle accident attorney investigates the accident and documents the evidence, they can craft a compelling case for compensation for your damages and send a strong demand letter to the at-fault party’s insurance company to begin negotiations for a settlement.
Negligent drivers are the most common at-fault parties in Chicago motorcycle accident claims, but in some cases, the investigation could determine that liability lies with the manufacturer of a defective motorcycle or automotive part, or with a negligent road maintenance agency.
While you can do everything in your power to act safely, it won’t necessarily protect you from an accident and an injury. But if another driver causes your accident, it’s important for you to know that they can be held liable for negligence.
As your Chicago personal injury lawyers, we will examine all areas of your case, which includes reviewing your medical records, the police report, and any statements from any witnesses. Our goal is to build the strongest possible case so you can get the compensation you deserve to cover medical expenses, lost wages, and non-economic damages like pain and suffering.
Pursuing compensation for your losses can be a challenging and complicated process that is best handled by an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer. A lawyer with experience dealing with motorcycle accidents understands all the factors to look out for in investigating and compiling your case, as well as the intricacies involved in dealing with insurance companies and other responsible parties. The compensation you are entitled to will depend on your damages. Economic losses are tangible losses such as medical bills, lost income, and property loss. Non-economic intangible losses such as pain and suffering, disfigurement, disability, and loss of consortium.
Unfortunately, the Illinois Department of Transportation fatal crash data statistics show that motorcyclists represent the third highest group of fatalities reported so far in 2022. Therefore it’s clear that motorcyclists are vulnerable users and are often defenseless in a crash. Motorcyclists do not have the protection that other vehicle occupants have. They are exposed to the elements, and in a crash, their body is the only shield against metals and other obstructions on the road.
A fatal motorcycle accident can not only be devastating to a family, but it can also cause them financial hardship. When you lose someone suddenly due to the wrongful actions of another person, you want them to be held responsible for the loss they have caused. While you are grieving your loss, you may not have the mental or emotional capacity to deal with a lawsuit. Let the experienced Chicago wrongful death attorneys at Smith LaCien LLP help you receive the compensation you deserve.
If you have lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident, the compassionate, experienced personal injury lawyers at Smith LaCien LLP can help you.
Because motorcyclists are unbelted and unprotected, injuries in motorcycle accidents are often severe, requiring a great deal of expensive medical care and sometimes leaving the victim with life-altering consequences. While helmets protect riders against some types of head injuries, a violent jarring motion can cause the brain to bump against the interior of the skull. Common injuries in motorcycle accidents include the following:
Life-altering injuries come with ongoing expenses and diminished life quality. Even less serious injuries cause financial disruption as well as pain and suffering to the victim. Regardless of the severity of the injury, if you’ve suffered damages after a motorcycle accident in Chicago, you deserve legal representation to protect your rights and best interests throughout the process of your accident claim.
A motorcycle accident is terrifying and traumatic. If you’ve been very seriously injured, you may be able to do little in the immediate aftermath except wait in place for help to arrive. However, if you’re able to use your phone at the scene—or hand it to a helpful bystander to use for you—you can begin protecting yourself physically and financially by taking the following steps:
Once you have gathered your documented evidence, the next step is calling a motorcycle accident attorney in Chicago from Smith LaCien LLP for a free confidential evaluation of your case.
Because motorcycle accident injuries are often severe, expenses add up quickly—often at the same time that injuries keep you from returning to work. In the most serious cases, you may not be able to return at all due to an accident-related disability. Common damages available for compensation in motorcycle accident claims include the following economic and non-economic damages:
Like all states, Illinois limits the amount of time injury victims have to file claims for damages after an accident, including a motorcycle accident. This limit ensures that evidence remains available and eyewitness testimony reliable should the case go before a judge in a courtroom lawsuit. This typically occurs only if the insurance company fails to offer an acceptable settlement amount.
Chicago’s statute of limitations for motorcycle accident claims is two years from the date of the accident. The only exceptions occur for injury victims under the age of 18 at the time of the accident. Minors have up to two years after their 18th birthday to file a claim. Also, the delayed discovery rule allows some injury victims to extend the time limit if they don’t discover the injury until later.
Many people don’t understand their legal rights and aren’t sure where to start. Our attorneys can answer your questions and act as your advocate every step of the way. Call our office in Chicago at (312) 509-8900 today or fill out our contact form online.