If you were injured in a motorcycle crash in Chicago or anywhere in Illinois, the first priority is getting medical care and protecting the evidence needed for your claim. Motorcycle accidents often cause severe injuries, long recovery periods, and major financial pressure from medical bills, lost income, and ongoing treatment.
At Blumenshine Law Group, we help injured riders and families pursue compensation after serious motorcycle accidents involving left-turn collisions, unsafe lane changes, distracted driving, speeding, and other forms of driver negligence. Below, you’ll find the immediate steps to take after a crash, the injuries most commonly involved, who may be liable, and the compensation that may be available under Illinois law.
Steps to Take After a Motorcycle Accident in Illinois
If you’ve been involved in a motorcycle accident in Illinois, taking the proper steps immediately can protect your health, your legal rights, and your ability to recover compensation. Follow these critical actions:
1. Prioritize Your Safety and Health
Move to a safe location if possible and call 911 immediately. Seek medical attention even if you don’t think you’re seriously injured—some injuries may not show symptoms right away.
2. Contact the Police
Always report the accident to law enforcement. A police report provides an official record of the crash and can be crucial evidence for your claim.
3. Document the Accident Scene
Take photos of the accident scene, vehicle damage, road conditions, traffic signals, and any visible injuries. Collect contact information from witnesses and other drivers involved.
4. Avoid Making Statements About Fault
Do not admit fault or make detailed statements to insurance adjusters at the scene. Stick to the facts when speaking with police.
5. Seek Medical Treatment
Get a complete medical evaluation as soon as possible. Follow all treatment recommendations and keep detailed records of your injuries, diagnoses, and medical expenses.
6. Preserve Evidence
Save your damaged helmet, clothing, and motorcycle. Keep copies of all accident-related documents, including medical bills, repair estimates, and correspondence with insurance companies.
7. Contact a Chicago Motorcycle Accident Attorney
Consult with an experienced attorney before accepting any settlement offers. At Blumenshine Law Group, we offer free consultations to review your case and help you understand your legal options.
Talk to a Chicago Motorcycle Accident Attorney
If you were hurt in a motorcycle accident, speaking with a lawyer early can help you preserve evidence, avoid mistakes with the insurance company, and understand what your case may be worth under Illinois law.
Call or text (312) 766-1000 or contact us online for a free consultation.
Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries in Chicago
Motorcycle accidents often result in severe injuries because riders have far less physical protection than occupants of passenger vehicles. Some of the most common injuries include:
- Broken bones: Broken legs are major injuries often suffered in accidents. Because the accident happens so fast, the tendency is to put the leg down to stabilize the bike. The leg then gets caught under the bike and breaks. Arms and wrists are frequently broken as the bike goes down, and the arms go out in a reflex action to stop the fall. Pelvic and hip fractures are also common.
- Traumatic Brain Injury: Motorcyclists often suffer traumatic brain injuries when their head violently strikes another vehicle or the ground. These injuries can range from mild concussions to permanent, life-altering brain damage. At the time of impact, the brain can move violently within the skull, and the effects may not be fully understood until a complete medical evaluation is performed.
- Road Rash: As the motorcyclist’s body skids along the pavement, even skin that appears to be protected can be severely damaged, as clothes are ripped off and the skin scrapes along the pavement. There are various degrees of road rash, which can even be so severe that it becomes life-threatening.
Who Is Liable in a Chicago Motorcycle Accident?
If you were a motorcyclist or passenger injured in an accident with another vehicle, holding the driver accountable for your injury involves the same process as in any injury case. You must prove that it was the driver’s breach of his or her duty to drive safely, which was the cause of the accident and your injury. A Chicago motorcycle injury attorney skilled in dealing with transportation accidents will know how to gather the necessary evidence needed to support your claim.
Illinois Motorcycle Accident Laws That Can Affect Your Claim
Modified Comparative Negligence in Illinois
Illinois follows a modified comparative negligence rule. That means you may still recover compensation if you were partly at fault for the crash, as long as you were not more than 50% responsible. However, your recovery can be reduced by your percentage of fault.
Time Limits for Filing a Motorcycle Accident Claim
In many cases, there are strict deadlines for filing a personal injury lawsuit after a motorcycle accident. Waiting too long can damage your claim or prevent you from recovering compensation altogether. It is important to speak with an attorney as soon as possible so that evidence can be preserved and filing deadlines can be evaluated.
The deadlines and legal rules that apply to a motorcycle accident claim can vary depending on the facts of the case, the parties involved, and where the claim must be filed. An attorney can evaluate which deadlines apply in your situation.
Why Early Evidence Matters
Motorcycle accident cases often turn on witness statements, crash reports, scene photographs, vehicle damage, helmet damage, surveillance footage, and medical documentation. The sooner this evidence is preserved, the stronger your claim may be.
Insurance Companies May Try to Shift Blame to the Rider
Insurance companies often argue that the rider was speeding, lane-splitting, hard to see, or otherwise partly responsible for the crash. A careful legal investigation can help identify the driver’s negligence and push back against unfair blame-shifting tactics.
Compensation You Can Recover After a Motorcycle Accident
A serious motorcycle accident can leave you facing medical bills, lost income, ongoing treatment, and major disruption to your daily life. Depending on the facts of your case, you may be entitled to recover compensation for losses such as:
- Current and future medical expenses: An expert witness will likely need to evaluate your case and determine whether you need future medical or surgical care for your injury.
- Long-term medical or nursing care: Depending on the nature of your injury, you may need long-term nursing care. Some people with traumatic brain injuries need care for the remainder of their lives.
- Rehabilitation costs: This includes current and future rehabilitation and is usually determined by expert testimony.
- Job retraining: If you were severely injured and are unable to return to your former employment or if your injury makes it impossible for you to pursue the career of your choice, you may need job retraining.
- Current and future lost wages: If you cannot return to your job or career, you are entitled to collect damages for the future amount you will lose due to your injury. If you can be retrained, but the new job will not pay you as much as your old one, you will be compensated for the difference.
- Pain and suffering: Encompass both your emotional suffering and physical pain.
- Property damage: Payment for the loss of your motorcycle.
Frequently Asked Questions About Chicago Motorcycle Accident Claims
What should I do immediately after a motorcycle accident in Chicago?
You should call 911, seek medical attention, report the crash to police, document the scene if you can do so safely, and avoid giving detailed statements to the insurance company before getting legal advice.
Can I still recover compensation if I was partly at fault?
Possibly. Illinois follows a modified comparative negligence rule, which may allow you to recover damages if you were not more than 50% at fault. Any compensation may be reduced based on your share of fault.
What damages can be recovered after a motorcycle accident?
Depending on the facts of the case, compensation may include medical expenses, future treatment, rehabilitation, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, and property damage.
Why are left-turn motorcycle accidents so dangerous?
Left-turn crashes are dangerous because drivers often misjudge a motorcycle’s speed or fail to see the rider at all. These collisions can throw the motorcyclist directly into the side of the vehicle or onto the roadway, causing catastrophic injuries.
When should I contact a motorcycle accident attorney?
You should contact an attorney as soon as possible after the crash. Early legal help can make it easier to preserve evidence, protect your statements, evaluate insurance issues, and understand the full value of your claim.
Free Case Consultations with a Chicago Motorcycle Accident Attorney
If you were injured in a motorcycle accident, or if your family is dealing with a fatal crash, Blumenshine Law Group can review the facts of the collision, explain your legal options, and help you understand what compensation may be available. We can also help evaluate insurance issues, preserve evidence, and identify the parties who may be responsible.
Your consultation is free. You pay no attorney’s fee unless we recover compensation for you.
Call or text (312) 766-1000, email [email protected], or contact us online to speak with a Chicago motorcycle accident attorney.