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The Chicago motorcycle accident attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers know the uphill battle injured motorcyclists when trying to recover compensation for their injuries from the insurance companies of drivers who have caused crashes. Many auto insurance carriers have simply taken a 'deny and defend' posture when it comes to handling claims involving injured or deceased motorcyclists. Our motorcycle accident lawyers are committed to getting the maximum compensation for motorcycle injury and fatality cases that Illinois law allows.In 2016, Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers settled a case on behalf of a motorcyclist who lost his leg when a truck merged into his lane of traffic. The case was resolved prior to trial for $4.15million.
Our motorcycle accident cases are always handled on a contingency fee basis and there is never a fee charged unless there is a financial recovery for you. Complete this on-line intake form and get a free case evaluation with a Chicago motorcycle lawyer today.
Vulnerable Motorcyclists at Risk For Serious Injury or Death From Other Drivers’ Negligence
With little protective equipment to absorb the impact from a collision with a vehicle, motorcyclists receive some of the most significant injuries of any person travelling on the road. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 4,976 people were killed and 88,000 people were injured in motorcycle crashes in 2015. The fatality rate increased by over 8.3% from the previous year. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, in the past 10 years, the number of motorcycles on the road went up 63% but the amount of fatalities more than doubled during the same period.
This national trend has been echoes in Illinois. According to the Illinois Department of Transportation report ‘2014 Illinois Crash Facts & Statistics’ (the most recent comprehensive review of Illinois road safety), 118 motorcyclists lost their lives and 2,693 motorcyclists were injured in crashes in that year while riding on Illinois roads and highways.
As Chicago motorcycle accident attorneys, Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers understands that injuries sustained in motorcycle accidents forever change the lives of those who are injured. Our commitment to injured motorcyclists has been recognized in the motorcycling community in Chicago and beyond, as former clients refer many injured riders.
Life Changing Motorcycle Injuries Impact the Biker & His Family
In one of the most comprehensive analysis of injuries related to motorcycle crashes, the Center for Disease Control studied the type and severity of injuries from more than 1 million motorcyclists treated in emergency rooms from 2001-2008. The results of the study revealed the most common non-fatal injuries were:
As a motorcyclist for over 20 years, I’ve been involved in a number of crashes. I’ve worked with a number of law firms, but was never that impressed. From the day I hired Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, I felt like I was more than I file number. This is an office that cares about their clients.
Mario S.
- Lower extremities: 30% of injuries were to the leg and foot area
- Head and neck: 22% of the bikers reported injuries of some degree to these areas
- Upper trunk: these included injuries to the chest, shoulder and back
- Lower truck: injuries to the arms and hands where the least common areas of the body to be injured
While the report does not get into the specifics of the extent of the injuries, we can infer that many of these are significant in nature. Illinois data suggests that more than 35% of motorcyclists injured in accidents have what is considered to be an ‘A’ injury, where the injury prevents them from engaging in the activities they enjoyed prior to the crash. Examples of these injuries can include:
- Fractures
- Lacerations
- Brain injury
- Paralysis
- Joint injury
- Internal organ damage
- Back / Neck Injuries
- Loss of Limbs
When discussing injuries related to motorcycle accidents, it should be noted that Illinois is one of a handful of states that does not require the use of helmets. Consequently, we see a significant number of client’s with brain trauma related to a crash. Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers is committed to helping these people receive the medical care that they need. Our Chicago firm knows the leading brain injury and physical rehabilitation specialists both in the metropolitan area and across the Midwest should your loved one require ongoing medical care for his injuries.
Looking at the Primary Causes of Motorcycle Crashes
In order to recover compensation for injuries related to a motorcycle accident, the injured party has the burden of establishing that the driver who caused the crash was negligent. Driver negligence can cover situations where:
- The driver failed to keep a proper lookout
- The driver was distracted
- The driver failed to yield
- The driver was driving speeding
- Failing follow traffic control devices
- The driver failed to gauge the speed or distance
- The driver operated his or her vehicle while intoxicated
The above types of negligent conduct may contribute to motorcycle crashes including:
- Left-turn crashes
- Rear-end accidents
- Side-swipes
- Intersection crashes
- Head-on crashes
- Lane change accidents
How Our Experienced Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Can Help You
When a motorcyclist is injured in an accident, it frequently impacts both the individual and his family. From the time our office is retained in a motorcycle accident case, we begin preparing aggressively preparing your case so we may present it in the most favorable light for a settlement with an insurance adjuster or when a lawsuit is filed, presenting the case to a jury.
To help build a strong case for you, our attorneys regularly do the following:
- Order police reports
- Take statements from witnesses to the crash
- Photograph the scene of the crash and damage to vehicles
- Review video footage of the incident
- Hire an accident reconstructionist to recreate crash
- Review computer recording or ‘black boxes’
- Order medical records and bills
- Talk directly to the insurance carriers for the parties
- Request copies of traffic light sequencing
Our goal is to shoulder the responsibility for your financial recovery so that you can focus on your physical wellbeing. Illinois law acknowledges that an injured motorcyclist may recover financial compensation based upon the following types of damages:
There’s nothing worse than getting hit when you’re out for a ride. After spending weeks in the hospital and rehab, I interviewed a few law firms to work on my case. Honestly, they were are all pretty similar. Then I met with Rosenfeld and his staff, they were approachable and honest with me. In the end, I am certain that I made the right decision going with them.
Chris Z.
Pain & Suffering: An injured motorcyclist can recover for pain related to an initial injury as well as residual pain related to the injury and any surgeries.
Medical Expenses: All medical care incurred immediately after a crash as well as expenses related to ongoing care. This can include the following: emergency room treatment, ambulance trip, doctor bills, hospital bills, surgical bills, rehabilitation center bills, physical therapy, assistive medical devices, nursing care, medications
Lost Income: You may recover lost wages if you are temporarily or permanently prevented from working in the position that you held at the time of a crash. Example, if you are permanently disabled and you cannot return to your job where you were making $50,000 per year and you expected to work for 20 years, your wage loss claim would be $1,000,000.
Disability: You may receive compensation for the things that you are unable to do that you enjoyed doing prior to your accident if your injuries prevent you from doing so.
Wrongful Death: The family of a person killed in a motorcycle accident or whom later dies from injuries related to the collision can pursue damages under the Illinois Wrongful Death Act. The Act, allows for a recovery for financial and emotional support that the deceased provided.
Talk to a Lawyer About Your Motorcycle Case Today
The Chicago motorcycle crash attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers are here to assist you during times of need. We offer complimentary telephone and in-person conferences at a convenient location to discuss your legal rights. Regardless of where your motorcycle accident occurred, we can help you recover the maximum compensation for your injuries. Call us at (888) 424-5757.
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This page is written and updated by attorney Jonathan Rosenfeld.
