Springfield, IL Motorcycle Accident Attorney
Motorcycle accidents are a leading cause of death in the United States. But, unfortunately, motorcyclists may not always get justice when they're hurt or killed by careless drivers because insurance companies will try to pay them as little money as possible.
Were you involved in a motorcycle accident in Springfield, Illinois? Are you seeking maximum 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 Springfield, IL personal injury 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.
Springfield, IL Motorcycle Accidents
Springfield motorcycle accidents can be devastating. Even if you survive, the injuries that result from these crashes may require extensive medical care and leave you with lifelong disabilities.
Motorcyclists are more vulnerable than car drivers when getting into an accident because they lack the protection of a vehicle's frame and safety features like airbags.
And while most people know this, many motorcyclists still engage in dangerous behaviors like speeding or failing to wear helmets.
Motorcycle Riding in Springfield, Illinois
Many seasoned bikers in the Springfield, Illinois area enjoy taking the Ultimate Scenic Rivers Route, a 140-mile stretch of picturesque countryside beginning along the Illinois River in Havana and ending at the Mississippi River at Alton.
As you head nearly due south, the adventure will start in Havana, heading west on State Route 136 just past the Emiquon National Wildlife Refuge to southbound Illinois Route 100 west of Carlson Lake.
Bikers and passengers will travel through many small communities, including Bluff City, Sheldon's Grove, Browning, and Frederick, before crossing the Curry Lake and Illinois River at Beardstown. Illinois Route 100 becomes state Route 67 in Beardstown and travels southward through Bluffs, Oxville, Florence, Detroit, Milton, Pearl, Cliffdale, and Jersey vote for ending at the mighty Ol' Man River in Alton.
The scenery along the River Road is magnificent, with stunning views of the Mississippi River and nearby bluffs. Along the way, bikers and passengers will experience the beautiful countryside and farmlands just north of Grafton. The road surface is mostly smooth, flat blacktop, and has challenging elevations.
While traffic volume remains low once past Grafton, the first part of the journey can be congested. Because of that, it is advisable to remain cautious and aware along the way.
Recent Springfield Area Motorcycle Accidents
The Springfield motorcycle accident attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC remind motorcyclists and passengers of the inherent dangers of traveling on the streets in and around the Springfield area.
Recent serious motorcycle accidents that happened in Sangamon County include:
- In August 2020, one individual lost their lives in a motorcycle accident in Springfield, IL, on the corner of Sunset Avenue and E. John St. The accident occurred at approximately 6:30 PM on August 20. Early investigations do not indicate that other motorists were involved.
- A fatal motorcycle accident occurred in July 2014 near Springfield north of Stevenson Drive along Interstate 55 after the biker lost control of the vehicle and slid on the highway's left shoulder. The 48-year-old Normal, Illinois, resident died from his injuries at the scene of the accident. The 35-year-old Colfax female motorcycle passenger was transported to Memorial Medical Center, who later succumbed to her injuries.
- In June 2015, a single-vehicle fatal motorcycle accident occurred at Veterans Parkway and J David Jones Parkway in Springfield. The 45-year-old Springfield motorcyclist was pronounced dead at the accident scene. In a separate incident, a motorcyclist and passenger traveling west of Springfield on Highway 72 in Scott County veered off the roadway on a Harley Davidson bike, striking a tree. Both riders suffered severe injuries. Law enforcement indicates that the cause of the accident might be due to a medical condition suffered by the biker.
- In 2021, a fatal motorcycle accident happened near Springfield, Illinois, on Interstate 55. At approximately 8:00 PM, the accident occurred near mile marker 281 in the northbound lanes of I-55 at a construction zone. A Chevy pickup truck driver rear-ended a moped while changing lanes. The 35-year-old Sangamon County male moped driver was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident.
- In September 2021, just outside Springfield, Illinois, a fatal motorcycle accident occurred on the eastbound shoulder of I-55. Unfortunately, the 33-year-old Peoria biker was not wearing a helmet and died at the crash scene.
- In May 2014, two separate bike accidents occurred within 15 minutes near Springfield, Illinois. Three people lost their lives in a fatal motorcyclist accident on South Grand Avenue and West Fayette Street in the first collision. At approximately 12:30 AM, a motorcyclist traveling northbound on Grand Avenue at high speed lost control and crashed into a street sign. The driver suffered severe injuries and was taken to a local hospital for serious burn treatments.
- In June 2021, a single-vehicle fatal bike accident occurred near Springfield, Illinois, on Route 29. The motorcyclist suffered severe injuries and was pronounced dead at the crash scene.
- A fatal Springfield, Illinois, bike accident occurred in June 2020 near County Road 2000 North and County Road 1050 East after a motorcycle rider lost control at approximately 60 mph. Witnesses indicate that the 41-year-old Lebanon female motorcyclist was traveling at a high rate of speed when she lost control and crashed into the guard rail. The Sangamon County Sheriff's office pronounced the biker dead at the crash scene.
According to the insurance information Institute, many motorcycle crashes in the United States result from driver behavior and a lack of mindful awareness by others sharing the roadway.
Statistics show that bikers are much more likely to die or suffer severe injuries in a crash compared to occupants in passenger vehicles in commercial trucks. In addition, reports indicate that Supersport bikes produce the most fatalities and overall collision loss concerning other motorbike classes.
Some reports by the National Safety Council reveal that many drivers in passenger vehicles and commercial trucks involved in a crash were unaware of the motorcyclist until after they collided.
Many drivers do not see the motorcyclist or anticipate the biker's movements before the collision occurs. Many of these accidents result in brain injuries, road rash, extensive lacerations, or spinal cord injury.
Suffering Injuries from a Springfield Motorcycle Crash?
Many accident victims suffer moderate to catastrophic injuries when involved in a motorcyclist crash. Some life-changing injuries include:
- Broken bones
- Traumatic brain injury
- Spinal cord damage
- Degloving injuries
- Paralysis
- Paraplegia, quadriplegia, or tetraplegia
- Road rash/gravel rash
- Punctured organs
- Amputation (dismemberment)
- Head wounds
- Internal bleeding
- Facial disfigurement
- Burns
- Wrongful death
Both your body and emotions take the brunt of the damage in these situations. The initial trauma, shock, pain, suffering, and financial loss may be enough to disable you from living a normal life permanently.
Injured victims can file personal injury claims to recover damages caused by the at-fault party responsible for causing the motorcycle wreck.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
There are numerous types of motorcycle accidents occurring throughout the Springfield area. Many bikers become victims in crashes that involve:
- Motorists turning into the path of an oncoming motorcyclist
- Passenger vehicle drivers changing lanes unexpectedly into a Lane occupied by a motorcycle
- Switching lanes when the biker is in the driver's blind spot
- Rear-ending a motorcyclist
- Lane splitting where a biker drives between slow-moving or stopped traffic
- Two motorcycles colliding head-on
- A motorcyclist falling off their bike after the vehicle hits an object or goes over uneven pavement
- Drag racing results in a crash with oncoming traffic or becoming T-boned
- Distracted drivers failing to see the biker just before impact
- Driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol, making it difficult to
- Losing control of the bike due to slippery surfaces
- Traveling over roadway debris, ice buildup, or snow
Were you harmed in a bike crash? It is essential to seek quality medical care and an emergency room or a doctor's office right away.
Next, consider hiring a reputable personal injury attorney who specializes in motorcycle crashes.
Our personal injury law firm provides legal representation to any victim suffering motorcycle accident injuries, property damage, or fatality.
In addition, your Springfield motorcycle accident lawyer can provide a free case evaluation to determine the extent of financial compensation you are entitled to receive.
What to Do After A Motorcycle Accident in Springfield, Illinois
In nearly every motorcycle accident case, the victim is in shock and unaware of what to do to protect their rights.
Typically, the first steps taken in the minutes after the collision could differ between successful personal injury claims.
Our Springfield motorcycle accident attorneys suggest doing the following:
- Assess your condition, in the health of your passenger and others involved in the collision
- Call 911 to report what happened, asking for medical assistance at the crash scene.
- Speak with the police and report what happened, providing information about all involved parties.
- Take pictures of the crash scene before it is disturbed, as well as damage to your motorcycle if applicable. Make sure to take photos with a date and time stamp.
- Do not speak extensively with an insurance investigator or opposing counsel without first speaking with a lawyer from our firm.
Please do not discuss the collision with witnesses appearing to be against your interests, as they may have been coerced into giving false information.
Inform our law firm about the damages you suffered from the Springfield motorcycle crash as soon as possible after obtaining medical care from a qualified physician or hospital. Keep all detailed records and receipts related to your medical care and treatment plan.
Provide as much information as possible about the other party involved in the collision, including contact information for passengers traveling with that motorist.
Resolving Personal Injury Claims
Typically, your Springfield motorcycle accident lawyer will work on your behalf, speak directly with the insurance company and go through the legal process of resolving your motorcycle accident claim.
If negotiations are not successful, your lawyer may file suit against the negligent party. When negligence is found on the motorist's part, your claims for financial compensation are known as general damages.
General damages can cover medical expenses, lost wages if you have been off work for more than seven days, property damage to your motorcycle and other belongings damaged in the crash, and pain and suffering.
Our Sangamon County law firm also includes loss of consortium claims when our client is married and has a spouse affected by the Springfield motorcycle accident injury.
A claim for loss of consortium provides compensation for all elements affecting your life due to the crash.
Typically, the party responsible for causing the accident will provide fair compensation to the injured victim paid out through their insurance company policy.
How a Springfield Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Can Help
Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC has represented many victims of catastrophic motorcycle crashes throughout Illinois.
We serve as a strong advocate for the rights of injured motorcyclists and have successfully negotiated settlements and have won jury verdicts in bike crash cases involving millions of dollars.
Our legal team of skilled motor vehicle injury lawyers has years of extensive experience in providing legal help for our clients to obtain the adequate financial recovery they deserve for their serious injuries and damages in a motorcycle wreck.
We also represent the surviving family members who lost a loved one to wrongful death in a motorcycle/motor vehicle collision.
The motorcycle accident caused serious injuries that left a biker or passenger severely harmed or dead in some cases.
Surviving family members who lost a loved one can file a wrongful death lawsuit against the insurance companies representing the defendants. In some cases, with the death resulting from trucking or construction accidents, the family can recover damages from the responsible party's employer.
Obtaining the Full Amount of Damages in a Springfield Motorcycle Accident Injury Claim
You can hold the at-fault party legally responsible for all of your personal injury damages of the proper legal representation.
Our law firm can ensure that you receive fair compensation for your loved one's fatal motorcycle crash injuries, including:
- Hospitalization costs
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Lost wages
- Future lost earnings
- Loss of familial support
- Pain, grief, and suffering
Building a Successful Case for Compensation
The Rosenfeld law firm will perform a thorough case preparation proven effective for presentation in front of a judge and jury or during the negotiated settlement with the insurance company's claims adjuster.
Therefore, we encourage you or your loved one to contact our law offices at (888) 424-5757 today to schedule a free legal consultation to discuss your motor vehicle personal injury claim or wrongful death lawsuit.
We handle all motorcycle and auto accident cases through contingency fee agreements. This arrangement postpones payment for our services until after we have negotiated an out-of-court settlement or won a jury trial award on your behalf as the accident victim.
Contact a Chicago motorcycle accident lawyer from our legal team for general information on our free initial consultation, immediate legal advice, years of experience, practice areas, alternate phone numbers, and Springfield office location.
Our Springfield motorcycle accident law firm accepts every case on a contingency fee basis. This guarantee ensures you pay nothing until our best lawyers resolve your case.