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Motorcycles are a popular method of transportation, but there are risks involved. You do not have much protection from injuries, and you could easily be thrown off the bike from even the smallest crash with a larger vehicle.
Many motorists are held responsible for injuring motorcyclists because they are careless or not aware that a motorcycle is in their path. Motorcyclists usually sustain extreme injuries when a motorist slams into them because the bike offers far fewer protections than cars or trucks. If you have been injured on the road, a Waukegan motorcycle accident lawyer can discuss your legal options – we can speak with you in either Spanish or English.
There are thousands of motorcycle crashes nationwide every year, which can sometimes lead to fatalities. Those who survive usually suffer catastrophic injuries that include:
Motorists responsible for these accidents might be legally obligated to compensate injured motorcyclists for their physical, financial, and emotional losses. Motorcycle crash attorneys are committed to winning big for their clients in Waukegan. Money becomes extremely important when injured people cannot work, pay their bills, and provide for their family.
Negligence occurs when one party, such as a truck driver, has a duty to drive safely to protect others sharing the road. If they breach that duty and act in a way an unreasonable person would act, and these actions (or inactions) cause a motorcyclist to be injured, a lawyer could establish negligence for that person. A Waukegan motorcycle accident attorney could explain what compensation might be available in that situation.
Personal injury cases must be filed within a timeframe that Illinois law requires. This is to prevent the possibility of evidence or witness memories fading over time. Illinois Compiled Statutes, Section 735 ILCS 5/13-202 imposes a statute of limitations in motorcycle injury cases to two years from the date of the accident.
Some exceptions apply, especially if criminal charges are involved for intentional acts like driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. When escrow accounts are established in the defendant’s name under the Criminal Victims’ Escrow Account Act, plaintiffs also have two years from the time the account is established to file suit. Other exceptions include situations where the defendant is a government employee on the job or is incarcerated.
These laws are unforgiving, and missing a filing deadline usually bars a claim forever. A motorcycle crash attorney in Waukegan could keep track of any deadlines to prevent the claim from being dismissed.
Although lawyers do initially negotiate with insurance companies, it is important to be aware that they put shareholder profits over an innocent person’s medical bills. If a lawyer can convince them that litigating is far more costly, it is possible to reach a settlement that accounts for most or all of a plaintiff’s losses. If a trial is necessary, a jury will determine fault and how much damages to award.
You could recover an array of compensation with the help of a Waukegan motorcycle accident attorney. Our team could help you pursue the following losses:
Medical expenses can make up a substantial part of a motorcycle accident claim, especially if you suffer a serious injury. You have the right to seek compensation for all of the care related to your accident, including emergency transportation, hospital care, surgery, and physical therapy. These claims can cover both past and future medical costs.
An injury may prevent you from returning to work during the course of your recovery. This includes compensation for wages and other income you lost because of the accident.
Some injuries permanently limit the type or amount of work you can perform. If your injuries reduce your ability to earn income in the future, your attorney may also pursue compensation for diminished earning capacity.
A major aspect of motorcycle accident injury claims are non-economic damages such as pain and suffering, disability, and disfigurement. While there is no objective way to quantify your pain, our attorneys can help show a jury how the physical and emotional effects of an accident have altered your life.
A collision can severely damage or completely destroy a motorcycle. Depending on the extent of that damage, you could be entitled to compensation based on the cost of repairing or replacing your bike.
The steps that you take immediately following a motorcycle accident matter. Our Waukegan motorcycle accident attorneys recommend the following:
Seek medical attention as soon as possible, even if you initially believe you escaped the crash without a serious injury. Adrenaline can mask symptoms, and some injuries may become more noticeable in the hours or days after a collision.
Call law enforcement and report the collision right away. The officers responding to the scene of the crash will take a report, which can be invaluable to your legal team. This is your opportunity to make certain the details in the report are accurate.
If your injuries allow you to do so safely, take photographs or video of the vehicles, motorcycle damage, road conditions, traffic signals, skid marks, and your injuries. You should also obtain contact and insurance information from the other driver and contact information from witnesses.
Save medical bills, receipts, wage records, and other documents showing how the accident has affected you financially. You should also keep track of your medical treatment and how your injuries interfere with work and everyday activities.
An insurance company may contact you soon after the crash and ask for a statement or offer a settlement, but talking to them is rarely in your best interest. Instead, your first call should be a Waukegan motorcycle accident attorney. Your lawyer can conduct a thorough investigation into exactly what happened and help you build a winning case for compensation. The sooner you speak with an attorney, the better your chances of success become.
Most motorcyclists are safety-oriented and know what to do to avoid a collision. However, other motorists may not be as cautious, and incidents happen nearly every day.
If it happens to you, Schlack & Bassmaji can fight for the compensation you need to pay medical bills, replace your wages while recuperating, and ease the emotional trauma you and your family are experiencing. Call us now to schedule a free consultation and speak with a Waukegan motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible.