Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC Home
Chicago Personal Injury Lawyers
Serving Clients in Illinois & Nationwide Over $250 Million Recovered for Our Clients Contact Us now For a Free Consultation
Champaign Motorcycle Accident Attorneys
If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, the thought of dealing with insurance companies and doctors can be overwhelming. Motorcycle/car accidents are complicated. The moderate to catastrophic injuries sustained by riders often require multiple medical procedures over time to fully heal.
Were you involved in a motorcycle accident in Champaign, IL? Are you seeking financial compensation for your damages from the negligent party?
Our personal injury attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, LLC are legal advocates for motorcycle accident victims just like you.
Call our Champaign 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 remains private through an attorney-client relationship.
Motorcycle/vehicle accidents are a serious problem, and they can be difficult to deal with to ensure they are handled correctly. Most people who have been injured in a motorcycle accident don't know where to turn for help.
The insurance companies will try anything to avoid paying the claim – even if it means lying about how an injury happened or falsifying records.
To win your case, you need experienced legal representation on your side that knows what they're doing and has experience dealing with these types of motorcycle accident cases.
Our law firm is here for you when someone else's negligence has hurt you on the road, no matter whether it was their fault or yours (or both).
We'll fight for all of your rights as an injured motorcyclist, including:
- Medical payment coverage under Illinois law (which requires insurance companies pay up-front costs)
- Lost wages from missed time at work
- Damages like pain & suffering and emotional distress caused by severe injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident
- Punitive damages against the party responsible for the injuries
The insurance companies are looking to take advantage of you to pay less than your claim is worth. Avoid allowing an insurer to influence your final decision by hiring us today!
We'll provide personalized attention, competitive rates, and effective legal representation throughout negotiations and trial, securing the largest possible settlement or verdict in your case.
We are devoted to protecting our clients' rights by getting them the compensation they deserve for their injuries. So let us fight hard on your behalf! Call our personal injury lawyers today at (888) 424-5757 (toll-free phone number) or use the contact form to schedule a free initial consultation.
Central Illinois Motorcycle Accidents
According to data managed by the Illinois Department of Transportation, motorcycle accidents in central Illinois occur with increasing frequency.
The statewide data, originally compiled in 2009, was updated in 2013 to include information from 2010. The statistics showed that motorcycle accidents had risen by 4% between 2009 and 2010 alone.
Motorcyclists are 16 times more likely to die after a motorcycle accident than people traveling in passenger vehicles or trucks. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that in 2009 alone, 4,092 motorcyclists were killed and 90,000 injured in crashes across the United States.
In Illinois, motorcycle accidents have been on a sharp rise for years. In 2010, 1,076 recorded fatalities from motorcycle accidents in Illinois – an increase of 36% from the previous year. Illinois's motorcyclist fatalities were the fourth-highest in the country, and about one-third of those who died had not been wearing a helmet.
Nationally speaking, motorcyclists are 30 times more likely to die in a car/motorcycle accident than car passengers; they also sustain non-lethal injuries at much higher rates. For example, in 2008 alone, 3,506 motorcycle riders were injured in Illinois crashes involving another vehicle.
Champaign Motorcycle Accident Statistics
The Champaign County Sheriff's Office oversees the area just west of Urbana and north of I-74. According to information compiled by that office, motorcycle accidents are much more common in this part of the state than most might think.
In 2009, the most recent year for which data is available, 16% of all traffic accidents in Champaign County were caused by motorcycle collisions – a number that has doubled since 2008.
In every year from 2004 to 2010 – inclusive – more than half of all fatal motorcycle and auto accidents were motorcycle crashes. It amounts to 34 fatalities since 2010 alone, representing over half of all traffic fatalities in the region.
The Champaign County Sheriff's Office reports that most motorcycle accidents occur on rural roads; this is true throughout the state. While more than 1/3 of all fatal crashes in cities were caused by motorcycles, more than half of fatal crashes on rural roads were motorcycle-related.
The Champaign County Sheriff's Office suggests that riders have a heightened awareness for their safety while riding and that drivers should check twice before changing lanes or merging with traffic. We couldn't agree more!
Illinois Motorcycle Crash Settlements
Many motorcyclists and passengers have been severely hurt and killed in central Illinois in catastrophic motorcycle accidents in recent years. Many negotiated settlements and jury verdicts have compensated injured bikers and surviving family members who lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident.
Some of these include:
- In 2020, a motorcycle rider with a passenger traveling through Champaign County was killed in a car/motorcycle accident when their motorcycle was struck by another vehicle. The motorcyclist's estate received a settlement of $1,500,000 for his loss.
- In 2019, a motorcycle rider in the Champaign-Urbana area lost his life in a motorcycle accident when he collided with a car. The injured man's spouse and children received a settlement of $1,000,000 for their loss.
- In 2009, a minivan driver pulled out of a gas station near Champaign, fatally hitting a motorcyclist traveling in the opposite direction. The motorcyclist's surviving son received a settlement of $524,879 for his loss.
- In 2010, a motorcycle traveling on I-55 at Urbana collided with the vehicle's rear end. The motorcyclist's surviving wife received a settlement of $24,000 for her loss after the accident.
- In 2011, a motorcycle traveling north on Courtney Drive collided with a car pulling out from Goodwin Drive. The motorcyclist's surviving father received a settlement of $290,000 for his loss after the accident.
- In 2012, the motorcycle was traveling west on Windsor Road when it struck the rear corner of the vehicle in front of it. The motorcyclist's surviving wife received a settlement of $2,000,000 for his loss after the accident.
- In 2012, the motorcycle was traveling north on Windsor Road when it collided with an SUV pulled out in front of him from Staley Road. The motorcyclist's surviving daughter received a settlement of $2,200,000 for his loss after the accident.
- In 2012, a rider traveling through the Champaign Urbana area collided with a car that had pulled out onto the road. The motorcyclist's surviving father received a settlement of $140,000 for his loss after the accident.
- In 2013, a motorcycle traveling through Champaign County collided with a car pulling out of an intersection. The motorcyclist's surviving wife received a settlement of $1,000,000 for his loss after the accident.
- In 2014, a motorcycle traveling south on I-74 at Champaign collided with a car that had merged into its lane. The motorcyclist's surviving mother received a settlement of $5,000,000 for his loss after the accident.
Common Motorcycle Crash Injuries
CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) data reveals that a motorcycle accident can leave the biker and passenger catastrophic injuries. Each year, emergency rooms in Illinois admit between 4,000 and 5,000 patients who have been injured in motorcycle accidents.
A study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) found that bikers who aren't wearing helmets are more likely to suffer brain injuries resulting in permanent disabilities or death.
The most common types of serious injuries that bikers sustain in a motorcycle accident, as reported by the American College of Emergency Physicians, include but are not limited to:
- Traumatic brain injury
- Facial injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Cuts and lacerations
- Broken bones and broken teeth
- Punctured organs
- Internal bleeding
- Road Rash Injuries
One of the most common injuries that bikers sustain in a motorcycle accident is road rash. Road rash is a type of abrasion caused by the biker's skin scraping against surfaces such as asphalt or concrete when he slides across these surfaces after an accident.
If a biker isn't wearing protective gear, road rash can result in serious injuries, including:
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Cracked bones
- Loss of tissue
- Paralysis including paraplegia, quadriplegia, and tetraplegia
Other types of road rash injuries include the biker having their clothing or jacket caught on the roadway, resulting in tearing. "Highway hypnosis" is also a common injury that results when the biker's focus is compromised during an accident.
The wind pressure hitting the biker while moving at high speeds can also cause the biker's eyes to water or tear. If the biker isn't wearing eye protection, these tears can contribute to road rash injuries after an accident.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention conducted a study that revealed that around half of all motorcycle collisions are caused by drivers of other vehicles who misjudge the biker's speed.
Other common causes of motorcycle accidents in Illinois with moderate to catastrophic injuries include:
- Car doors opening in front of the biker
- Drunk driving or DUI
- Distracted drivers looking at phones, adjusting music, etc
The lack of proper road markings for motorcycles to show them where they can travel is also a cause of motor accidents in Illinois and weather conditions such as ice and rain.
After a Motorcycle Accident: How to Get the Compensation You Deserve?
If you or someone you love has been hurt in a motorcycle/auto accident, it is important to seek medical attention right away.
Going to the hospital immediately after an accident can help prevent further serious injuries that the crash could have caused.
After being injured in a motorcycle accident, the next step is to contact an experienced Illinois motorcycle injury attorney who has dealt with many motorcycle accident cases involving severely hurt bikers involved in motorcycle/automobile accidents.
Accident lawyers can help you receive all of the compensation you deserve so that you can focus on recovering from your serious injuries.
Statute of Limitations
Please keep in mind that the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit is two years from the date of your accident.
So if you or someone you love has been hurt, call an experienced central Illinois motorcycle accident attorney today to schedule a free consultation to learn more about receiving compensation for catastrophic injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident.
It is crucial to receive medical treatment immediately, even if you do not believe that you are severely injured in a serious accident.
Only a competent attorney with the best diagnostic tools can accurately diagnose your condition and document the extent of your damages and injuries in your medical records.
During the stressful times after the auto accident, do not make a verbal, written, or recorded statement to anyone without first speaking to a personal injury law firm that has your best interest in mind.
Our personal injury accident lawyers at the personal injury law firm can provide you with immediate legal advice and remain in constant contact until your case is resolved.
Avoiding a Motorcycle Accident
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), motorcycle riders and motorists can take proactive measures to avoid a motorcycle crash.
The steps for motorcyclists include:
- Wear reflective gear
- Ensure all motorists can see you in their blind spots
- Obey all traffic rules
- Maintain a safe following distance from other vehicles
- Give yourself an adequate amount of time to react if traffic slows or stops unexpectedly
- Incorporate safety into all aspects, including parking your bike and refueling it before a ride
- Avoid riding at night when possible
- Drive defensively around motorists making turns and lane changes
- Remain vigilant when moving your bike through heavily congested traffic
- Avoid splitting lanes
- Take a bike rider safety course
For motorists, the NHTSA suggests:
- Share the road with motorcycles on Illinois roads
- Keep an eye on motorcycles in traffic, especially when they are making left turns
- Check your blind spot before changing lanes to ensure you do not cut off a motorcyclist
- It gives more space to bikes due to their small size and maneuverability; allow at least 3 or 4 seconds of travel time between cars and bikes if you want them to stay safe
- Avoid distractions when driving, especially phones, eating, or drinking
- Watch for biker splitting lanes
- Drive defensively when around motorcyclist making lane changes or turns
Proving your Motorcycle Accident Case to Ensure Financial Compensation
Did you suffer a motorcycle crash when involved in an automobile crash?
Are other motor vehicles involved in your motorcycle accident case, including numerous insurance companies?
To win your financial compensation case, you'll need to prove how other drivers and motorists were at fault for causing your serious crash.
Winning your case requires proving the four elements of any personal injury case, including:
- The defendant owed you a duty of care to ensure your safety while on the road
- The defendant breached their duty of care, leading to your serious crash
- The serious crash led to your motorcycle injury
- Your injuries are provable in a court of law
Proving these four elements could show that reckless driving distraction or another factor leading to the car accident that caused your damages. A Champaign motorcycle accidents lawyer can ensure you receive maximum compensation. Contact our law firm today at (888) 424-5757.
Urbana & Champaign Motorcycle Accidents Lawyer
At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, LLC, our personal injury legal team represents motorcycle victims injured in automobile accidents.
Call our law office today at (888) 424-5757 (toll-free phone number) or use the contact form to schedule a free consultation to discuss how your motorcycle/auto accident occurred. We'll deal directly with the insurance company on your behalf.
We accept all personal injury cases and wrongful death lawsuits on a contingency fee basis. This promise ensures you pay nothing until your motorcycle crash case is resolved through a negotiated settlement or jury award.
Our law offices provide legal representation in various practice areas, including vehicle accidents, medical malpractice, nursing home negligence, defective drugs, product liability, and wrongful death.
In addition to accepting cases in the Champaign area, we currently represent clients in Kankakee County, Cook County, Coles County, Will County, Sangamon County, Peoria County, Kane County, and Lake County.