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Every Chicago motorcycle accident attorney at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC 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 lawyer from our firm can get the maximum compensation for injury and fatality cases that Illinois law allows.
In fact, in 2018, we settled a case on behalf of a motorcyclist who lost his leg when a car merged into his lane of traffic before trial for $5.25 million.
Our motorcycle accident cases are always handled on a contingency fee basis. No fee is 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.
Illinois Motorcyclists at Risk for Serious Injuries
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. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, in a period of ten years, the number of motorcycles went up 63%, and 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 (IDOT) 2018 Illinois Crash Facts and Statistics report, 119 motorcyclists lost their lives and 2,266 motorcyclists were injured in crashes while riding on Illinois roads and highways. A closer examination of the accident data reveals motorcyclists in urban areas, such as Chicago, are at a greater risk of injury compared to bikers in other areas of Illinois. The report indicates that 53% of Illinois motorcycle deaths (63) and 60% of Illinois motorcycle injuries (1,345) occurred in city streets and highways passing through them.
We understand that injuries sustained in motorcycle accidents change the lives of those who are injured and those close to them. Our commitment to injured motorcyclists has been recognized in the motorcycling community in Chicago and beyond, as former clients refer friends and family members injured in motorcycle crashes.
Life-Changing Effects of Motorcycle Crash 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 bikers reported injuries of some degree to these areas.
- Upper Trunk: These included injuries to the chest, shoulder, and back. The CDC estimates 20% of injuries are in this category.
- Lower Trunk: The arms and hands are common areas of the body to be injured.
- Arm & Hand: 18% of motorcyclists injured in crashes demonstrated injuries to their hands and arms from crashes.
Injuries Encountered By Illinois Motorcyclists in Crashes
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: Lower extremity fractures to the legs (femur, patella, tibia, fibula), hips and pelvis are common types of injuries sustained both on impact and when motorcyclists are thrown off their bikes.
- Lacerations: When motorcyclists are thrown from their bikes onto the pavement, significant cuts, lacerations and bruising can result which may require stitches, gravel removal and even surgery.
- Brain injury: Illinois is one of three states that has no helmet laws for motorcycle riders. Unfortunately, TBI's are a more common injury here amongst injured bikers. A TBI can vary significantly in its impact. Some people with TBI's require ongoing medical care while others can resume many of the activities they enjoyed prior to the crash.
- Paralysis: Motorcyclists who sustain a spinal cord injury are at risk for paralysis or partial paralysis. Unfortunately, the medical treatment options for the motorcyclist with a spinal cord injury are somewhat limited.
- Joint injury: Again the lower extremities bear the brunt of motorcycle accident injuries. In particular the knees are ripe for damage including: MCL, ACL, PCL can suffer damage in a motorcycle crash. These injuries may require orthopedic surgery and rehabilitation. As time passes, joint injuries are also at risk for developing arthritis.
- Internal organ damage: Many times an injury to an internal organ may not be apparent at the scene of a crash and may only be diagnosed at a hospital via diagnosis imaging. The force of impact may damage the motorcyclist's heart, lung or even the kidneys.
- Back/neck injuries: Without any protection, all areas of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spines are at risk for trauma in a motorcycle crash. Injuries such as herniated discs or even fractures can result in ongoing pain and medical care.
- Loss of limbs: Amputation of limbs, especially legs are common result of motorcycle crashes. An amputation, can have a substantial impact not only on the quality of the individual's life, but can impact their ability to earn a living. All aspects can be considered as part of the damages in a motorcycle accident lawsuit.
- Death: Compared to other types of motor vehicle crashes, motorcyclists are more likely to suffer a fatal injury in a crash. The family of a deceased motorcyclists can pursue a wrongful death claim to recover economic and non-economic damages due to the loss of their loved one. Illinois does not have any caps on damages in wrongful death lawsuits. Wrongful death motorcycle accident lawsuits are brought under Illinois' Wrongful Death Act (740 ILCS 180/).
Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC is committed to helping our clients receive the medical care they need. Injured motorcyclists can count on our firm to connect them with leading orthopedists, brain injury and physical rehabilitation specialists both in the metropolitan area and across the Midwest to aide them in their recovery.
Primary Causes of Chicago 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 is a general term to describe situations where the driver was inattentive or failed to follow a rule of the road. Examples of driver negligence leading to motorcycle accidents in the Chicagoland usually means one of two things:
- Failing to Comply With Traffic Laws: Illinois has a many different laws that apply to most areas of motor vehicle operation. These laws are codified by statute in 625 ILCS /5. Violations of these laws may be evidence of negligence per se. Examples or specific traffic law violations can include: speeding, failure to yield, driving while intoxicated or not complying with traffic control devices.
- General Negligence: Every driver has a duty to pay attention and keep a proper lookout when they get behind the wheel of a vehicle. (See generally, Johnson, 223 Ill. App. 3d at 484, 585 N.E. 2d at 229) Particularly with motorcyclists on the roads, Illinois drivers have a duty to avoid distractions (cell phones, radios, other passengers in vehicle) and drive is a manner that is appropriate for the traffic conditions. This means slowing down to to avoid collisions.
These types of negligent conduct may contribute to Chicago motorcycle accidents involving:
- Left-turn crashes
- Rear-end accidents
- Sideswipes
- Head-on crashes
- Lane change accidents
How Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC Can Help You After a Chicago Motorcycle Accident
When a motorcyclist is injured in an accident, it often impacts both the individual and their family. From the moment an Illinois 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 re-constructionist 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 you can focus on your physical well-being.
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Talk to a Lawyer About Your Chicago Motorcycle Accident Injury or Wrongful Death Case Today
A motorcycle 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 or the death of a love one. Call us at (888) 424-5757. For more information, visit the resources below:
