Riding a motorcycle can be an incredibly fun experience but it can also be a very dangerous one. Because you are so exposed as a rider, it is inherently much higher risk when compared to driving a car. If you suffered an accident while riding a motorcycle, you may be left injured, unable to work, and struggling with medical bills.
Fortunately, you may be eligible to recover compensation. If another party’s negligence caused the wreck, you can file an insurance claim or a personal injury lawsuit.
Chicago motorcycle accident lawyers from our law firm can represent you in settlement negotiations or a trial. We can determine the liable, negligent party and make them responsible for damages you suffered as a rider. We can handle all the logistics of your case while you focus on recovering from your injuries and getting back to full health.
In this Article
What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident
Riding a motorcycle leaves you extremely vulnerable because of how exposed you are. Motorcycles offer no protection in a crash and so it is important to always check your motorcycle’s condition before hitting the road.
Make sure you complete all the necessary safety checks every time you get on your motorcycle. If you’ve been in a motorcycle wreck, it’s important to take the following steps:
Call 911 if anyone has been injured in the accident to receive timely medical care
Make note of the make, model, and license plates of all the vehicles
Write down contact information for all drivers or pedestrians involved
Let insurance review the damages to your motorcycle before you make repairs
Consult with a Chicago motorcycle accident attorney to protect your rights and explore your options
If you were injured in a motorcycle accident caused by another party’s negligence, it’s crucial that you take these steps after the accident. Always make sure you seek medical attention even if your injuries seem to be minor and replace all your protective gear. Following these steps could make all the difference when your experienced Chicago motorcycle accident lawyer is making the case for your recovery settlement.
What Is the Average Payout for a Motorcycle Accident?
The payout you could get from a motorcycle accident settlement depends on a few factors from your case. The average payout for a motorcycle accident case is about $40,000. Smaller personal injury settlements typically range from $2,500 to $10,000, while larger settlements can range in the millions. In general, you can expect a higher payout if severe injuries are involved.
Motorcycle accident victims can help maximize their settlement by getting experienced Chicago motorcycle accident attorneys on their side. The personal injury attorneys at The Kryder Law Group will gather all the evidence and documentation and fight for the compensation your accident case entitles you to.
Example Settlements and Verdicts from The Kryder Law Group
Our team of experienced motorcycle accident lawyers in Chicago have successfully fought for maximum compensation for thousands of clients like you. Here are some examples of settlements and verdicts from past cases:
$7.5 million for a paraplegic
$3.2 million recovery for back surgery
$3 million for wrongful death
$2.2 million for back and leg injury.
$2 million recovery for wrongful death.
$1.5 million for a leg injury.
$1.4 million for a back injury.
$1.4 million for permanent neurological damage.
$1.3 million for a back injury.
$1 million for severe burns and scars.
$100k+ Dozens more six-figure recoveries for serious bodily injury claims.
What Your Motorcycle Accident Case May Be Worth
Depending on the details of your case, you may be entitled to recover damages. Our team can review your case for free. During your free consultation, you can discuss your case with a Chicago motorcycle accident attorney to find out how the specifics of your accident impact what your case may be worth.
Examples of Compensation for Chicago Motorcycle Accidents
Your attorney could make a case that could allow you to recover the cost of:
Lost wages
Medical bills
Future medical bills
Pain and suffering
It can be particularly important to the maximum compensation possible your motorcycle accident injuries are serious injuries. A traumatic brain injury, for example, can have long lasting or even lifetime effects. You want to make sure you get the full amount of compensation you deserve to make sure you can cover the long term expenses of your recovery.
Motorcycle Accidents and Wrongful Death
Motorcycles don’t provide much protection on their own during auto accidents since much of the rider’s body is exposed. This makes motorcycles accidents quite deadly. Motorcycle crashes are responsible for around 5,000 deaths in the United States each year.
Examples of Compensation for Wrongful Death Motorcycle Accident Victims
If you lost a loved one in a fatal motorcycle accident, our wrongful death lawyers are here to help you. A wrongful death lawsuit could help your family recover expenses such as:
Your loved one’s medical bills
Funeral and burial costs
The decedent’s income and benefits
Loss of companionship
Pain and suffering
Wrongful death claims can be just as difficult to process, if not more, than normal personal injury claims. The experienced personal injury attorneys at The Kryder Law Group and help you all along the way of this process. They can take the burden off of you while you grieve the loss of your loved one.
Motorcycle Helmet Laws
While wearing a helmet is not required by law in Illinois, it is critical in preventing serious injuries in a motorcycle accident. While the majority of motorcyclists wear helmets, around 35% of riders don’t.
The most important thing a motorcycle rider can do is wear a helmet and protective clothing. Helmets saved as many as 1,859 lives in 2016 alone. Wearing a helmet can also reduce the risk of head injuries by 69%. Helmets greatly reduce your chance of suffering from traumatic brain injuries from motorcycle crashes.
Why Are Motorcycle Accidents So Common?
Fatal motorcycle accidents are 28 times more common than other types of fatal crashes. When a motorcycle is involved in an auto accident, the motorcyclist is more likely to be hurt than other drivers. Since motorcycles are physically smaller than other vehicles, sometimes motorcyclists can be more difficult to see on the road especially during certain weather conditions.
It’s critical to ride safely and cautiously. Have far less visibility on the road significantly increases your chances of being in an accident. As a rider make sure you always perform your safety checks before every ride. When you’re on the road make sure to ride as defensively as possible. It could save your life.
Other Drivers Fail to See Motorcycles
Most motorcycle accidents occur not because of malicious intent, but take place because someone wasn’t paying attention. Many motorcycles can be difficult to see and move quickly down the road. Taking a few extra seconds to check traffic can keep all drivers and pedestrians safe on the road.
Motorcyclists should also aim to be visible. This means not riding a motorcycle in heavy rain, fog, or other conditions that reduce visibility. Wearing bright colors or reflective strips can help to make motorcyclists stand out.
Motorcycle Riders Can Be Reckless
Aggressive driving can lead to an increased risk of a motorcycle crash. This includes speeding, racing, or weaving between cars. Other vehicles aren’t as capable or agile as motorcycles. Avoiding such behaviors can go a long way toward reducing your risk of a serious motorcycle crash.
Motorcycle Riders Are Aging
Motorists must also be alert to older motorcyclists, many of whom sometimes return to riding motorcycles after not having operated one for several decades. Older motorcyclists are at an increased risk for injury, as their reaction times decrease. According to the Wall Street Journal, senior motorcyclists accounted for as much as 16.3% of motorcycle crash deaths in 2013.
When to Hire Chicago Motorcycle Accident Attorneys
Our Chicago lawyers can step in to take over your motorcycle accident case at any point. If you were just involved in a crash and haven’t started working on your case yet, we can determine your best path to compensation. If you have already received a settlement offer but it won’t cover your losses, we can help with that too.
While you can never hire an experienced motorcycle accident attorney too soon, you can wait too long. The statute of limitations for motorcycle accidents in Illinois is just two years. That means you must start your case within two years of the date of your accident or risk paying for your medical bills and expenses on your own.
Can I Afford a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?
Our law firm assists injured clients every day. We understand you may be too injured to go back to work when you have unexpected medical expenses and vehicle repairs to worry about. We don’t let financial concerns stand in your way of legal assistance.
Our motorcycle accident attorneys in Chicago work on a contingency-fee basis. There are no hourly rates or out-of-pocket costs for our clients to worry about. Our legal fee is paid by a percentage of your settlement. We only get paid if and when you do. You can trust that we will fight for you and get you the compensation you need.
Reach Out to a Motorcycle Accident Attorney
The Kryder Law Group, LLC Accident and Injury Lawyers has successfully handled many motorcycle accident cases. If you have been involved in a motorcycle wreck and suffered serious injuries, call us or complete our simple questionnaire for a free case review. We can advise you on all aspects of your case including who is liable for the accident itself and what kind of compensation you may be entitled to. Most importantly, we will deal with the process and paperwork and deal with the insurance companies while you focus on recovering from your motorcycle injuries. Your motorcycle accident claim will be in capable hands with our team of experienced motorcycle accident lawyers in Chicago.
A highly experienced motorcycle accident lawyer in Chicago can fight for your rights to compensation. We will make sure that the liable party’s insurance company pays you a settlement to cover your financial losses related to your accident. When you team up with us, you can rest assured that your personal injury claim is in good hands. Contact us today for a free consultation.
What will I get in my free consultation?
The Kryder Law Group will provide a totally free consultation to evaluate your case. Our experienced motorcycle injury lawyers are ready to answer all your questions about how to make sure you get full and fair compensation. We like to understand the goals and expectations of every client before we begin a case and we are here to listen to you. That is why the Kryder Law Group provides a free consultation to every client.
Here is what you get during your free consultation for your motorcycle wreck case:
We evaluate the strength or weakness of your case.
We identify the compensation you are entitled to receive under Illinois law.
We evaluate the existence of available insurance coverage from the insurance companies of all car drivers and riders involved.
We discuss the extent of your motorcycle accident injuries, identify catastrophic injuries, and whether specialists are needed.
We evaluate whether expert testimony, such as an accident reconstructionist, is needed for your case.
We give you an estimate of how long the case will take to complete.
We will listen to you and answer any questions you may have.
There is no obligation. There is no cost. There is no reason not to call to find out for yourself what the value of your motorcycle collision case may be.
(312) 223-1700