Chicago Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
In 2018, there were 2,703 motorcycle accidents in Illinois. Of those, 118 people were killed and nearly 2,000 more sustained serious injuries. In Chicago alone, there were 308 motorcycle injuries in the same year, with 11 motorcyclists sustaining a ‘type A’ injury. Type A injuries are those that prevent an accident victim from walking, driving, and performing other normal daily functions.
Clearly, motorcyclists are at great risk when they are on the road. Contrary to what many people think, these crashes are not usually caused by careless and reckless bikers. Instead, negligent drivers cause the majority of motorcycle accidents. If you have been hurt by a careless driver, you can claim damages for your injuries and a Chicago motorcycle accident lawyer can help you do it.
How are Motorcycle Accidents Different from Car Crashes?
It is easy to assume that because a motorcycle shares the road with other vehicles, crashes involving bikes are very similar to other types of auto accidents. This is not true. Motorcycle accidents are vastly different from other crashes on the road. These differences are as follows:
- Motorcycles are smaller: Motorcycles are much smaller than other vehicles and because most travel on just two wheels, they are also far less stable. A bike will usually fall to the ground during the crash, taking the motorcyclist with it.
- Less protection: Even when a motorcyclist is wearing a helmet, the rest of their body is still directly exposed to the full impact of a crash. The forceful impact results in much greater injuries than in many other types of traffic accidents.
- Contributory negligence claims: Other drivers will almost always try to shift the blame to the biker after any accident. Sometimes, they do this by arguing the biker was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. Illinois is one of three states that does not have a helmet law, and the courts have generally concluded that the lack of a helmet cannot be considered in court. As such, your damages should not be reduced just because you were not wearing a helmet.
In addition to the above, motorcyclists also often face biases from insurance companies and juries. It is important to work with a compassionate Chicago motorcycle accident lawyer that knows how to overcome these biases and the other challenges these claims present.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
Any act of negligence on the roads can result in a motorcycle accident. The most common causes of these crashes include:
- Speeding
- Impaired driving
- Distracted driving
- Dangerous lane changes
- Illegal turns
- Failing to check blind spots
- Driver fatigue
When any of the above actions, or any other, causes a motorcycle accident, it can result in severe injuries including traumatic brain injuries, road rash, disfigurement, and more.
Call Our Chicago Motorcycle Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation
If you or someone you love has been hurt in a crash, our Chicago motorcycle accident lawyer at Connolly Injury Law can help with your case. Attorney Connolly has the necessary experience to negotiate effectively with the insurance companies so you recover the maximum damages you deserve. Call us today at 312-780-0816 or fill out our online form to schedule a free consultation.
