Evanston Motorcycle Accidents Lawyer

Motorcycle accidents are often severe and even fatal. For example, did you know that in 2014, 4,976 motorcyclists died on America’s roads, more than double the number of people killed in plane crashes during the same year?

Were you involved in a motorcycle accident in Evanston, Illinois? Are you seeking maximum compensation for your damages from the negligent party?

Each Evanston motorcycle accident lawyer at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, LLC is a legal advocate for motorcycle crash victims like you.

Call our Evanston personal injury lawyer at (888) 424-5757 (toll-free phone number) or use the contact form for immediate legal advice and schedule a free consultation. All confidential or sensitive information you share with your Evanston motorcycle accident lawyer remains private through an attorney-client relationship.

Evanston, IL Motorcycle Accidents

According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, motorcycle crashes account for approximately 16% of all motor vehicle fatalities annually. Many of the root causes of these fatal accidents include speeding, impairment, and inattention to traffic conditions.

Unfortunately, not everyone is attentive and knowledgeable about motorcycle safety and the rights of injured bikers.

Therefore, if you or a loved one suffered injuries from a motorcycle accident in Evanston, Skokie, Niles, or nearby areas due to another driver’s negligent actions, contact an experienced Evanston motorcycle accident lawyer to review your case.

Our Illinois attorneys are dedicated to helping accident victims get the compensation they deserve for pain and suffering, lost wages, medical bills, rehabilitation costs, and more.

If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident in Evanston or the surrounding area, call a Chicago personal injury attorney at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, LLC, (888) 424-5757) to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case.

Motorcycle Riding in Evanston, Illinois

Many motorcycle riders enjoy the scenic beauty of traveling around Evanston and the rural areas of Cook County, Illinois.

Evanston provides outdoor enthusiasts and motorcycle riders with various trails and challenging roads to enjoy.

Unfortunately, the freedom and thrill of riding motorcycles come with their risks. The city of Evanston alone experiences an average of 3 fatalities and 40 injuries from motorcycle collisions each year.

Motorcycle Accident Statistics in Evanston, IL

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) reports that in 2014, there were eight motorcycle fatalities and 769 injuries due to motorcycle collisions within the city limits of Evanston.

On average, an estimated 29 deaths and 1288 injuries from motorcycle crashes throughout Cook County each year.

As tragic as these numbers seem, they do not include unreported or minor injury crashes, which can also cause severe damage to riders.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than half of motorcycle fatalities are caused by another vehicle with four or more passengers, most commonly due to a car turning left in front of an oncoming biker.

Evanston is home to several colleges and universities, including Northwestern University, Carl Sandburg College, Kennedy, King College, National Louis University, and the Illinois Institute of Technology. These schools employ thousands of people who commute daily along city roads using buses, trains, cars, taxis, vans, bicycles, and motorcycles to travel to campus.

Motorcycle Accidents in Evanston Can be Deadly or Costly

Many motorcyclists prefer riding during peak hours on weekdays to avoid heavy traffic, an excellent way to reduce the risk of accidents.

Unfortunately, bikers are not protected from seatbelts or airbags found in automobiles and are even more susceptible than automobile drivers to life-threatening injuries.

Motorcycle crash victims in Evanston car accidents typically suffer catastrophic injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, paralysis, and loss of limbs. In addition, these accident victims are likely to face long-term medical expenses that far exceed the cost of the motorcycle itself.

Sometimes, the injured victim receives substandard care while in the hospital, recuperating from their injuries caused in the car accident. A Chicago medical malpractice attorney can help identify problems associated with medical negligence or other factors that could include additional defendants required to pay the victim compensation.

If you or someone you love has sustained severe injuries in a motorcycle crash due to another person’s negligent actions, it is important to take immediate legal action.

In addition, motorcycle riders should follow some basic safety rules to help reduce the risk of accidents and injuries.

What to Do After Being Involved in a Motorcycle Accident

A motorcycle accident victim’s first few steps in the few moments after an accident could significantly impact their ability to receive the care they need, heal correctly, and get compensated for their damages.

Our law firm recommends taking the best steps, including:

• Assess your condition and the health of everyone else involved in the accident
• Contact 911 to report the accident and request emergency medical technicians to be sent to the accident scene
• Ask the EMTs to transport you to the local hospital even if you suspect your injuries are minor (only a competent doctor with the best diagnostic tools can accurately determine the extent of your injuries, if any)
• Collect any evidence and information at the accident scene, including the names, addresses, and contact information of all parties involved, eyewitnesses, and the police officer filing a report
• Take photographic evidence of the accident scene, damage to vehicles, and any object struck during the crash
• Capture photographs of your injuries to be used as evidence at trial
• Speak with a personal injury attorney who specializes in accident injury claims to ensure you receive maximum compensation

Having a personal injury attorney at your side can ensure that recovering your damages while healing is handled correctly. Your Evanston motorcycle accident lawyer can speak directly with the insurance company to negotiate a settlement or build a case for trial.

Is Aggressive Legal Representation Crucial to a Personal Injury Case?

Victims of Evanston car accidents will often decide to handle their case without a competent accident lawyer.

However, claims adjusters working for insurance companies are trained to use the most effective manipulating techniques to minimize the compensation they provide to resolve a claim.

Insurance companies are generating profits for their shareholders, often at the expense of the victim’s injuries.

So instead of charging the at-fault party to pay for their responsibility in a car crash, insurers often offer the victim a lowball offer based significantly lower than the actual value of the case.

There are significant benefits to having aggressive legal representation to resolve your personal injury case, including:

• Driving up the value of your claim by leveraging your personal injury attorney’s experience negotiating with insurance companies
• Highlighting your actual physical condition and the extent of the harm you endured after being involved in a car accident
• Securing a fair settlement by evaluating the costs of your future care, lost wages, and lost future earnings
• Ensuring no detail in your accident is left uncovered to increase the chances of recovering fair compensation
• Having full control over how you handle your case, which includes being able to take your case as far as necessary at trial

The law offices of Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers specialize in car accident cases involving motorcycles throughout Cook County and the surrounding communities. Our legal team will investigate what happened, speak with witnesses, and handle every aspect of your legal matter to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.

Call his law office today at (888) 424-5757 (toll-free phone number) for a no-obligation, free case evaluation. His legal services can protect your financial interests.

What Is the Illinois Statute of Limitations on Personal Injury Claims?

According to Illinois law, injury victims harmed in Evanston car accidents involving a motorcycle collision have the legal right to file for compensation through personal injury claims paid by the responsible party’s insurance company.

However, the law restricts the time to file personal injury claims to two years from the accident or one year from the date of injury.

After those deadlines pass, plaintiffs must file a lawsuit against the at-fault party in the civil court system to continue their pursuit of compensation. This process can often take several years and face many challenges (including critical evidence being destroyed).

Your best option remains to file as soon as possible after an accident to prevent these issues from arising. Then, contact an Evanston, IL personal injury lawyer today at (888) 424-5757 to schedule a free case review to discuss talking with the insurance company to receive fair compensation.

Recent Evanston, Illinois Motorcycle Collisions

The Evanston motorcycle accident attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, LLC, have handled and reviewed many of the area’s most catastrophic accidents.

In recent months, numerous deadly motorcycle collisions have occurred throughout Cook County, including:

• During the summer of 2021, the Evanston Police Department responded to a 911 call involving a motorcycle colliding with a car. Authorities arrived to find the motorcyclist deceased. The vehicle’s driver is believed to have fled before police arrived.
• In April 2021, the Evanston Police Department responded to a fatal accident involving a motorcycle colliding with an SUV. Emergency responders located the motorcyclist deceased on arrival. According to reports, witnesses saw the car driver flee the crash scene on foot after traffic had stopped.
• In February 2021, a motorcyclist was injured in a hit-and-run automobile accident in Evanston, IL. The biker sustained severe injuries and was transported to a local hospital for treatment. According to reports, the motor vehicle that fled the crash scene struck two other cars after. The driver is still at large.
• According to reports, a 21-year-old male victim was riding his motorcycle westbound on Howard Street at the collision. As he approached Ashland Avenue, a flatbed tow truck collided with him from behind. On arrival at a local hospital, the Evanston man was thrown from his bike and pronounced dead. The surviving family members hired a personal injury attorney who filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the party responsible for causing the accident.
• In December 2020, a North Shore motorcyclist was injured in a two-vehicle car crash in Evanston. According to reports, the motorcyclist was traveling northbound on Grove Street when a second vehicle struck his motorcycle from behind. The victim was thrown from his bike and transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
• In October 2020, a female motorcyclist suffered fatal injuries after colliding with a car in the westbound lanes of Dempster Street. Authorities believe that the driver of an uninvolved vehicle failed to stop at a red light and ran into the motorcyclist on impact, killing her instantly. No one else was injured in the accident.

Some Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycles offer less protection than vehicles with enclosed cabins, significantly increasing the potential for severe injuries to riders during collisions with other vehicles, including cars and trucks.

According to research, some of the most common causes of motorcycle collisions include:

• Distracted Driving– Nearly 25% of all deadly car crashes involve drivers entering the roadway distracted by smartphones or other electronic devices. Texting while driving is especially dangerous for motorcyclists, who can be seriously injured or killed in an accident when distracted drivers fail to see them.
• Aggressive Driving– Drivers engaging in risky behaviors such as speeding, weaving between lanes, and running red lights and stop signs increase their chances of causing a collision with a motorcycle. Aggressive drivers often fail to give motorcycles enough space to avoid accidents.
• Road Hazards – Even seemingly harmless road hazards such as potholes, gravel, and railroad tracks pose a severe threat to motorcyclists, who can quickly lose control of their bikes on these surfaces. In addition, if an automobile runs over one of these obstacles and strikes the motorcycle, vehicles, and riders can be seriously injured.
• Adverse Weather– Rain, snow, fog, and other weather conditions can obstruct a driver’s view of a motorcyclist on the road. When drivers cannot correctly see bikes in traffic, they risk colliding with them.
• Hazardous Road Conditions– Motorcyclists have a higher chance of a fatal accident on a busy highway. High-speed accidents involving motorcycles are especially likely to result in severe injuries or fatalities, as there is little time for motorists to react to the hazard and stop their vehicles from colliding with bikes.
• Defect Motor Vehicle Parts– Poorly designed or malfunctioning motor vehicle parts can increase a rider’s risk of being involved in a crash. For example, defective tires, steering columns, and airbags have been known to fail on impact, resulting in deadly collisions with other drivers.

How to Prevent Motorcycle Collisions

Drivers sharing the road with motorcycles should know that smaller vehicles often do not have the same stopping distance as larger vehicles. Therefore, while driving, motorists should leave at least three to four seconds between their vehicle and a motorcycle and always watch for motorcycles sharing the road.

Drivers must remain alert at all times to avoid colliding with others. Here are some key steps that drivers can take to prevent motorcycle crashes:

• Stay alert– Keep cell phones off or stowed in the glove compartment while driving. If you must make or receive calls while behind the wheel, use a hands-free device to always keep both hands on the steering wheel.
• Keep your eyes on the road– Ensure you are always aware of surrounding traffic; do not text and drive, even if you are stopped in traffic. Look for motorcycles and give them extra room on the road.
• Use extra caution on high-speed roads– Motorcyclists are more likely to be severely injured or killed in accidents on highways and other busy roads because of the bike’s small size and slow speed. Therefore, if you must drive on a major highway, take it slow, drive cautiously, and keep your focus on the road.
• Maintain a safe distance– Leave plenty of room between your car and the motorcycle before you, even if motorcycles appear to be moving slowly. Motorcycles can accelerate quickly, so it may take some time to return to average speed after slowing down or stopping for hazards on the road.
• Be aware of surroundings– Know what is going on around you and watch for motorcyclists sharing the road. Do not drive distracted or under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Injury Compensation for Motorcycle Accident Victims

Motorcyclists injured due to an accident caused by another individual may recover compensation for their injuries, including medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

While many motorcyclists in Illinois are covered by an insurance policy through their motorcycle, having a personal injury lawyer represent them can ensure they receive the maximum benefits possible.

An experienced attorney is familiar with state laws that regulate no-fault insurance and can ensure that all applicable coverage is applied to a motorcyclist’s case. In many cases, no-fault insurance will cover up to 80% of accident-related costs.

In addition, victims who do not have motorcycle insurance policies may also recover compensation from an at-fault motorist or their insurer.

Common Injuries in an Evanston Motorcycle Crash

According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and National Institute of Health, the most common injuries experienced in motorcycle/motor vehicle accidents include:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord damage
• Cuts, lacerations, and bruising
• Total or partial disabilities
• Paraplegia, quadriplegia, or tetraplegia
• Amputation (dismemberment)
• Wrongful death

Contacting an Evanston Personal Injury Lawyer That Handles Motorcycle / Car Accident Cases

Highly experienced Evanston motorcycle accident attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC are ready to serve as your legal advocate to protect your rights after your accident.

Our legal team can file and resolve a motorcycle injury claim or wrongful death lawsuit for financial compensation for your Evanston motorcycle crash.

Our auto accident attorneys will perform a comprehensive investigation and assessment of the motorcycle/car accident scene to determine the cause of the crash with injuries and provide various legal options for obtaining adequate compensation.

Our team of skilled Evanston personal injury lawyers understands comprehensive federal and Illinois motorcycle laws. Your personal injury attorney will build a successful case based on proven legal theory to ensure our law firm obtains the maximum financial recovery you deserve.

If you or a loved one are an accident victim seeking fair compensation to recover your damages, contact a motorcycle accident attorney at (888) 424-5757 to schedule your free case consultation.

A Chicago motorcycle accident lawyer can give you information on our practice areas, receive immediate legal advice, recoup property damage losses, file a claim against the insurance company, and postpone the payment of your medical bills.

Our legal team represents clients in various practice areas, including motor vehicle accidents, workplace accidents, medical malpractice, nursing home abuse, substandard medical care, product liability, home caregiver negligence, dangerous drugs, premises liability, and wrongful death.

Evanston Motorcycle Accidents Lawyer Resources:

• NIH – Analysis of accidents and injuries on motorcycles
• NIH – Effect of environmental factors on the risk of death for drivers of two-wheeled motorized vehicles involved in road crashes