Joliet Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

When you’re in an accident, it’s hard to know what to do. You may be confused about the legal process and unsure how much compensation you’ll need for your injuries under Illinois law. The aftermath of a motorcycle accident can be a difficult time, physically and financially.

Were you an accident victim in a motorcycle accident in Joliet, Illinois? Are you seeking maximum compensation for your pain and suffering damages from the negligent party?

Our personal injury attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, LLC, are legal advocates for motorcycle accident victims like you. Our legal team is here to help you whether you sustained minor or serious injuries.

Call our Joliet motorcycle accident lawyers today 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 remains private through an attorney-client relationship.

Joliet, IL Motorcycle Accidents

When you’re in a motorcycle or passenger vehicle accident, it’s hard to know what to do. In addition, you may need clarification about the legal process and unsure how much compensation you’ll need for your injuries.

The aftermath of an accident can be a challenging time, physically and financially. To recover compensation for injuries sustained due to the crash, you will need an experienced Joliet motorcycle accident lawyer.

Motorcyclists are no match for cars, trucks, and SUVs, so they must rely on wearing appropriate safety gear. Helmets, leather jackets and pants, boots, gloves, and eye protection can help riders survive a motorcycle crash.

A fully loaded semi-truck can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds. Passenger vehicles are also much heavier than a motorcycle and harder to come to a complete stop. Riding a motorcycle and colliding with a commercial vehicle can be deadly.

In addition to a potentially catastrophic injury resulting from negligent car accidents, motorcyclists are at a high risk of motorcycle accidents due to negligent, distracted driving motorists sharing the roads with them.

The Danger of Driving Under the Influence

An intoxicated driver might swerve into a motorcycle’s lane and cause a motorcycle accident. Even wearing protective gear, such as a helmet and leather clothing, you may not leave the accident scene with just cuts and bruises.

In 2019, 16 motorcycle riders in Illinois died due to drunk-driving accidents, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation’s 2020 report. Having a designated driver or calling a taxi for help is an excellent solution for going out to party on your bike.

In addition to wearing a helmet, it’s important to drive defensively. You should always watch for drunk or impaired drivers and give yourself enough space from other vehicles.

Recent Joliet Motorcycle Accidents

The Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, LLC motorcycle accident attorneys remind bikers and passengers that dangerous motorcycle accidents occur in the Joliet and Plainfield areas.

The most recent devastating crashes in both communities involved:

• In June 2020, a young motorcycle rider died on Interstate 55 in Joliet after rear-ending a passenger vehicle in the southbound lane. The twenty-two-year-old biker succumbed to his internal injuries at the accident scene at approximately 10:45 PM. The bike’s front hit the back end of the vehicle operated by a thirty-eight-year-old Bloomington man driving a Honda Odyssey.
• In June 2021, a 25-year-old motorcycle passenger from Joliet died on Weaver Road near Laurel Avenue after a motorcycle accident. The collision occurred when the driver lost control of his 2010 Honda CBR 600 and crashed into a tree. The victim died at the scene of the accident at around 10:20 PM.
• In July 2021, a 47-year-old motorcyclist from Plainfield was killed when he lost control of his Suzuki motorcycle and slammed into a utility pole. The performance accident occurred on the 700 block of West Jefferson Street near downtown Joliet.
• In October 2021, an 18-year-old Maywood rider perished after crashing his 1990 Honda 600 into a bridge pillar just before midnight. The accident occurred on the 1800 block of North Larkin Avenue near St. Charles Road in unincorporated Joliet Township.

Compensation In Personal Injury Law and Motorcycle Accident Claims

A Chicago motorcycle accident lawyer understands that motorcycle collisions and crashes are the most devastating type of accidents on Illinois roadways that produce severe injuries and fatalities on motorcycle accident victims.

Nearly all motorcycle crashes jeopardize families’ personal lives and finances. Surviving family members often face enormous medical expenses, lost income, and the inability to earn a living in the future due to injury.

Victims of Joliet motorcycle accidents suffering severe pain, extensive medical bills, permanent or temporary disabilities, and physical damages have the legal right to seek financial compensation from every person at fault for their losses.

Lost wages, ever-increasing medical bills for medical treatment, and future lost income are just a few of the damages that an experienced lawyer in a personal injury case can recover.

However, these types of cases are often extraordinarily complex and require the skills of a competent Joliet motorcycle accident lawyer to handle the motorcycle accident case.

Wearing a Helmet Could Be Lifesaving

The District of Columbia and nineteen states currently enforce universal helmet laws, requiring every motorcycle rider to wear a helmet while riding.

Twenty-eight other states have mandatory helmet-use traffic laws where only some motorcyclists must wear helmets (twenty years and younger, eighteen years and younger, and seventeen years and younger).

Unfortunately, Illinois, New Hampshire, and Iowa do not require motorcyclists to wear helmets as of 2018. However, research by the Governors Highly Safety Association revealed a direct correlation between helmet use and bikers traveling fast in heavy traffic on the nation’s freeways.

If you wear a helmet, your bruises, road rash, or other “soft tissue” injuries could be less severe.

Driver Negligence Responsible for Motorcyclist Injuries

Some individuals are biased against motorcycle riders, believing that all bikers are reckless and act with disregard for others on the road. However, nearly all motorcycle/vehicle accidents are the fault of a negligent automobile driver.

Sadly, the biker often suffers significantly worse injuries than those riding in passenger vehicles or commercial trucks.

Driver negligence accounts for various motorcycle accidents involving fatalities and injuries. In many incidents, the vehicle turned left in the pathway of an oncoming biker or overtook the motorcycle, stopped too quickly, or passed on the wrong side. The injured party is often left with road rash, bruises, and astronomical medical bills.

Rider’s Rights

“Lane splitting” is one of the riskiest riding methods used by motorcyclists, in which a motorcycle travels quickly between lanes of stationary traffic. Even though it is legal, this can be risky for the rider because cars in slow-moving traffic may try to lane-change as the rider approaches without realizing a motorcycle is dividing the lanes behind them.

If caught off guard, the rider might not have time to react or escape the impact. The other vehicle’s driver is responsible for this type of collision because they failed to make a safe lane change, supposing the rider is moving at an acceptable speed for the traffic flow.

The Highway Patrol may or may not issue the car’s driver a ticket. The motorcycle rider can still prevail if the evidence is correctly presented to a jury, regardless of the culpability assigned by the police.

Filing Wrongful Death Claims With The Help Of A Joliet Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Surviving families who lost loved ones in motorcycle accidents can take legal action and file wrongful death claims to be compensated for their losses.

In addition, if the vehicle driver is negligent and causes an accident, surviving family members can file claims against that driver no matter how much time has passed since the accident occurred.

Other parties who may be held liable include manufacturers for defective products, such as faulty motorcycle parts or helmets, and companies who own bars where intoxicated drivers may have been served alcohol before the collision.

The preventable death claims filed by families who lost loved ones in motorcycle accidents will go through state courts, and each case is unique, finding rules differ from one another.

For example, some states require a formal notice filed with the court within a few days after learning about an accident, whereas others do not.

Motorcycle Accident Settlement Claims

The compensation awarded for motorcycle accidents varies from one case to another.

In some cases, the driver of a vehicle who negligently causes an accident will have no or insufficient insurance coverage, making it impossible to recover damages from them. In other instances, the rider’s lack of safety measures may have contributed to their injuries, limiting their financial recovery.

In many cases, if a negligent driver does not have sufficient insurance coverage to cover the damages from an accident, their assets may be liquidated to set up an adequate settlement fund for claimants.

In other cases, responsible parties, such as bars that may have served a driver alcohol before an accident, would set up a settlement fund with the insurance business.

Illinois follows modified comparative negligence (735 ILCS 5/2-1116) as the standard for how an accident victim can recover damages. It means that if you’re found to be partially at fault for your accident, your damages will be reduced by your percentage of fault. It’s important to note that if you’re found to be more than 50% at fault, you cannot recover any damages.

That is one of the reasons why having an experienced lawyer conducting your motorcycle accident lawsuit is essential. Contact our Joliet motorcycle accident lawyers for a free consultation.

Claims for Motorcycle Insurance

Dealing with insurance providers is one component of being involved in any accident. We all know that insurance companies are just interested in their financial gain. Still, in motorcycle accidents, they can go over and beyond by attempting to settle your case as quickly as possible. It gives the insurance provider the right to make you sign papers that could reduce the amount of money you receive in a motorcycle accident claim.

Another issue with the insurance company is that they could take a very long time to respond to your requests for information about your case.

Insurance companies frequently employ this strategy to cause a treatment lapse. When you try to negotiate a settlement, a hiatus in your motorbike treatment will harm your motorcycle accident lawsuit. The insurer will argue that since the injuries were never consistently treated, they must not be severe enough to justify a settlement, not even to cover your medical bills or lost wages.

The opposing insurance company will likely refuse some or all of your claim and blame you for the accident if the circumstances surrounding it are even remotely suspect. It is crucial to note that speaking with your insurance provider without the guidance of a knowledgeable personal injury attorney is not advised.

Dram Laws May Limit Recovery

In some cases, the injured party’s lack of safety measures may have contributed to their bodily injuries. Bars may set up a Dram Shop Fund with an insurance business to protect themselves from being sued by the rider or family members.

If an intoxicated car or truck driver has been drinking at the bar, they may file for damages against that bar.

A Dram Shop Fund is an established settlement fund that bars use to pay compensation awards to injured riders or their families for injuries resulting from an intoxicated driver drinking at the bar.

Help for Victims in Joliet

If you’ve been seriously injured in a motorcycle accident in Joliet or anywhere in Illinois, Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, LLC at (888) 424-5757 can help.

Our Joliet motorcycle accident lawyer is dedicated to seeking maximum compensation for your damages, and our attorneys will fight hard to get the fair settlement you deserve.

Call our Cook County law firm today or use the contact form on this page to schedule a free legal consultation with one of our legal advocates. All information you share remains private as an attorney-client relationship is created.

Your Joliet motorcycle accident lawyer will review your case and help you file an accident case or wrongful death claim. Contact us for a free consultation.

Claims Against Bike Manufacturers

Manufacturer defects often play a role in motorcycle crashes. The manufacturer could be held liable in court if the bike’s design or production flaws contributed to the rider’s injuries.

Manufacturers can also be sued for defective parts, including brakes, seats, handlebars, or helmets. If the defective part were responsible for causing injuries during a motorcycle/car accident, they would need to compensate victims or their families for medical expenses and other damages.

The filing and receiving settlement claims for motorcycle crashes can be long and complicated because many parties are involved in these personal injury cases.

That’s why it is essential to consult with an experienced Joliet motorcycle accident attorney that can help you receive the full settlement you deserve.

As of 2018, motorcycle riders needing a personal injury attorney should select a law firm with motorcycle accident lawyers with experience and a successful track record in handling crash claims.

What a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Can Do for You

Here are some of the precise methods a motorcycle accident lawyer can assist your case to obtain the financial compensation you deserve.

Explaining Your Rights

Most victims of motorbike accidents have never experienced this kind of situation before. You’ll probably have many questions, and it might be challenging to know where to start. After your accident, your attorney can be your compass to ensure you comprehend your legal rights and other case specifics.

You can file a claim for damages if someone violates their legal obligations and you are hurt.

In other words, you have the legal right to sue the responsible party for damages or submit a personal injury claim to their insurance provider. Furthermore, if you are a surviving family member and lost your loved one in a crash, you can file a wrongful death lawsuit on their behalf.

Giving Legal Advice and Counsel

Most people will need help understanding the complicated legalese or insurance speak used in motorcycle accident cases. Additionally, you’ll have to deal with the insurance provider, who can try to collect information from you to use against you or pressure you into accepting a meager payment.

Your motorcycle accident attorney will be able to guide you through the legal process with a professional eye and watch out for unfair treatment from the insurance provider. It is why a lawyer will advise you to seek legal counsel before accepting the insurance company’s first settlement offer, making any comments, or signing any documents. They’ll ensure that your action advances rather than undermines your case.

A motorcycle accident attorney will handle the legal aspects of your case so you can concentrate on receiving medical attention, recovering from the accident, and spending time with your loved ones.

Negotiating for a Fair Settlement

The insurance provider will analyze and react to your claim after submitting it. The insurance company may reply with an offer, but it is frequently a lowball sum that falls far short of paying for your damages. The insurer might make it seem like a decent deal (or the best you can get), but you’ll know better with a lawyer on your side.

A motorcycle accident attorney will understand how to communicate with the insurance provider. In light of your damages, they will seek to negotiate a settlement sum that is genuinely fair to you.

Representing You in Court

Most motorcycle accident cases result in a settlement if the injured rider retains a knowledgeable attorney. But occasionally, the insurance provider will only accept a satisfactory settlement. If that occurs, your attorney might suggest bringing a lawsuit.

Your attorney will represent you throughout the entire litigation procedure. They will attempt to settle before proceeding to trial. At this stage, settlements are frequently struck, but your attorney will fight for your rights if you need to move to trial.

Contact Our Motorcycle Accident Lawyers to File a Claim for Compensation Following a Joliet Motorcycle Crash

Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, LLC is highly skilled at handling Joliet personal injury claims and wrongful death lawsuits. Our legal team of motorcycle accident attorneys is committed to assisting you in filing a claim or lawsuit against every individual responsible for your accident with injuries.

Our Chicago personal injury lawyer team’s proven case results have helped hundreds of accident victims. In addition, our personal injury attorneys file claims against the responsible parties to recover damages associated with our client’s motorcycle accident injuries.

Contact a Joliet motorcycle attorney if you have suffered severe injuries, property damage, or lost a loved one through wrongful death.

Our law office will thoroughly investigate your case and build your financial compensation claim to ensure you receive a fair recovery for all economic and non-economic damages and losses.

Call us at (888) 424-5757 to schedule your free initial consultation.

We accept all personal injury cases through contingency fee arrangements. This agreement ensures you pay for our legal services only after successfully resolving your personal injury case.

Resources:

• NIH – Motorcycle Crash Implications on the Healthcare System
• NSC – Motorcycle Accident Statistics