Chicago Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Motorcycle accidents frequently result in catastrophic physical injuries. These collisions could have been avoidable in many instances if not for the actions of a reckless or negligent driver. There is an immense difference in size and weight between a regular passenger vehicle and a motorcycle, and a collision can leave a driver relatively unscathed while the biker faces life-threatening physical harm.

If you or a loved one have been injured in a motorcycle crash, you should consult with an attorney with a deep understanding of personal injury law. A Chicago motorcycle accident lawyer can help you meet the deadline for filing an injury claim and pursue the compensation you deserve.

Schlack & Bassmaji represents people injured in motorcycle crashes in Chicago and throughout Illinois. The firm’s Chicago office is at 200 N. LaSalle Street, Suite 2830, Chicago, Illinois 60601. If a crash caused injuries, medical treatment, time away from work, or other losses, the firm can review the circumstances and explain possible legal options. Whether a claim is available depends on the facts, injuries, and evidence.

Chicago Motorcycle Accident Claims: What May Matter

Motorcycle crashes in Chicago and elsewhere in Illinois can involve questions about traffic rules, visibility, road conditions, vehicle movement, and the conduct of other drivers. The facts and available evidence determine whether another person or entity may be legally responsible.

How the Crash Happened and What Evidence May Help

Photos or video of the scene, vehicle damage, road conditions, witness information, medical records, and the motorcycle and protective gear may help explain what happened. Preserve relevant evidence when possible and follow medical advice. The evidence available in each case is different.

Injuries, Treatment, and Financial Losses

A claim may involve medical treatment, rehabilitation, lost income, pain, scarring, or other losses when supported by the facts and applicable law. A lawyer can review how the injury affects your daily life and work, but no recovery is guaranteed.

Negligence and Liability for a Motorcycle Crash

Motorcycle crashes can lead to serious external and internal injuries that require extensive treatment, rehabilitation, and therapy. While motorcycle accidents happen due to a variety of causes, a driver’s negligence is often the primary reason. For example, a driver who is speeding, making unsafe lane changes, or operating the vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs could cause an accident that injures a motorcyclist passing by. Head-on collisions and rear-end collisions are also common negligent causes of motorcycle accidents.

To establish negligence in a motorcycle accident, you must prove four elements. First, you must show that the driver had a legal duty to act with reasonable care. Second, you must prove that the driver failed to observe that duty. The driver’s breach of duty must have caused the motorcycle accident and your injuries, and, finally, it must have resulted in actual damages. These damages could include medical expenses, lost wages, or pain and suffering

A motorcycle accident attorney in Chicago can help by evaluating your claim, advising you on your legal rights, and gathering evidence to prove the at-fault party’s liability. If you have sustained serious injuries requiring significant medical treatment and the other party is liable, you should contact an attorney right away to navigate the claims process.

Recoverable Damages for Motorcycle Accident Injuries

Motorcyclists frequently suffer traumatic injuries, even if they are wearing protective gear and a helmet. These precautionary measures may only provide minimal help if the motorcyclist is struck by a negligent driver, depending on the speed and angle at which the collision occurs. Common injuries in motorcycle accidents include:

• Skin abrasions and scarring caused by friction from the road surface
• Broken bones in the arms, legs, hips, and pelvis
• Fractured or dislodged vertebrae that compress the spinal cord
• Brain tissue damage from a fractured skull, bleeding, or swelling inside the skull
• Concussions or other brain injuries caused by impact to the head
• Injuries from gas fires, hot motorcycle parts, or dangerous chemicals
• Damage to organs like the liver, spleen, lungs, intestines, pancreas, and kidney

A Chicago attorney can help you seek the maximum value of your damages from a motorcycle accident. These recoverable damages can be economic or non-economic. Economic damages are calculable financial losses, such as medical bills and lost wages. Meanwhile, non-economic damages are those which do not have a set monetary value, such as pain, suffering, and psychological distress.

Learn How a Chicago Motorcycle Accident Attorney Can Help

After being injured in a motorcycle crash, you may have the right to pursue a claim to recover compensation. When investigating your case, a Chicago motorcycle accident lawyer will work diligently to collect evidence of negligence that will prove the liability of the at-fault party.

Call us now or get a free consultation. Schlack & Bassmaji can review the circumstances of a motorcycle crash and explain possible legal options. We can communicate in English or Spanish. Whether a claim is available depends on the facts, injuries, and evidence.