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With Experience Every motorcycle injury attorney at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers knows the uphill battle injured motorcyclists face when trying to recover compensation for their injuries from the insurance companies of drivers who have caused crashes. Many auto insurance carriers will take a “deny and defend” posture when handling claims involving injured or deceased motorcyclists. But a motorcycle injury lawyer from our firm can get the maximum compensation for these injury and fatality cases that Illinois law allows. In fact, in 2016, we settled a case on behalf of a motorcyclist who lost his leg when a truck merged into his lane of traffic, and the case was resolved before trial for $4.15 million.
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 our online intake form and get a free case evaluation with a Chicago motorcycle lawyer today.
Motorcyclists at Risk: The Growing Need for a Skilled Chicago Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
With little protective equipment to absorb the impact of a collision with a vehicle, motorcyclists receive some of the most significant injuries of any person traveling 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. That fatality rate was an increase of more than 8.3% from the previous year. And according to the U.S. Department of Transportation, in the past ten years, the number of motorcycles on the road went up 63%, but the number of fatalities more than doubled during the same period.
This national trend has been echoed in Illinois. According to the Illinois Department of Transportation’s 2014 Illinois Crash Facts and Statistics report, 118 motorcyclists lost their lives and 2,693 motorcyclists were injured in crashes in that year while riding on Illinois roads and highways.
Each motorcycle accident attorney at 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 Effects of Motorcycle Injuries
In one of the most comprehensive analyses of injuries related to motorcycle crashes, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention studied the type and severity of injuries of more than 1 million motorcyclists treated in emergency rooms from 2001-08. The results of the study revealed that the most common nonfatal injuries were:
- 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 Trunk: The arms and hands are the least common areas of the body to be injured.
Injuries Commonly Encountered by Chicago Motorcycle Accident Attorneys
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 LLC, I felt like I was more than I file number. This is an office that cares about their clients.
Mario S.
While the report does not get into the specifics of the extent of the injuries, we can infer that many of these are significant. Illinois data suggests that more than 35% of motorcyclists injured in accidents have what is considered to be an “A” injury, one that 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 clients with brain trauma related to a crash. Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers is committed to helping these people receive the medical care that they need with the help of our motorcycle accident attorneys. Chicago residents can count on our firm to connect them with leading brain injury and physical rehabilitation specialists both in the metropolitan area and across the Midwest.
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 speeding
- The driver failed to follow traffic control devices
- The driver failed to gauge the speed or distance
- The driver operated their vehicle while intoxicated
These types of negligent conduct may contribute to motorcycle crashes including:
- Left-turn crashes
- Rear-end accidents
- Sideswipes
- Intersection crashes
- Head-on crashes
- Lane change accidents
Our Experienced Chicago Motorcycle Accident Lawyers can Help You
When a motorcyclist is injured in an accident, it often impacts both the individual and their family. From the moment a motorcycle accident lawyer is retained, we begin aggressively preparing your case so we may present it in the most favorable light for a settlement with an insurance adjuster or a trial before 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 re-create the crash
- Review computer recordings or “black boxes”
- Order medical records and bills
- Talk directly to the insurance carriers for the parties
- Request copies of traffic light sequencing data
Our goal is to shoulder the responsibility for your financial recovery so that you can focus on your physical well-being. Illinois law acknowledges that an injured motorcyclist may recover monetary 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 and 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 can be compensated for. This can include emergency room treatment, ambulance trips, doctor bills, hospital bills, surgical bills, rehabilitation center bills, physical therapy, assistive medical devices, nursing care, and 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 the crash. For 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 more years, your wage loss claim would be $1 million.
- 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 them.
- Wrongful Death: The family of a person killed in a motorcycle accident or who 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
A motorcycle injury attorney at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers can assist you during this time of need. We offer free consultations 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 now. For more information, visit the resources below:
