In Illinois, motorcyclists are afforded the same rights as drivers of other vehicles. While many motorcyclists accept various risks when deciding to ride on public roads, they are often at a significant disadvantage when colliding with another vehicle. These instances can result in severe injuries, and in some cases, death. When another driver acts in a way that compromises the health of a motorcyclist, they deserve to be held responsible for their carelessness.
The Kryder Law Group, LLC works on behalf of accident victims who have been injured by another party’s negligence. Our client-based firm strives to help claimants and their families recover financial compensation through legal action. To begin your free, no-obligation case review, call The Kryder Law Group, LLC today at (312) 223-1700.
Motorcyclists Are no Match for Cars, Trucks, and SUVs
When a car strikes a motorcycle, the motorcyclist typically bears the brunt of the impact. The average passenger vehicle can weigh a few thousand pounds, while a motorcycle may hover around a few hundred. Additionally, a rider is exposed to the elements without a protective barrier to sustain the force of the impact. According to the Insurance Information Institute’s facts & statistics on motorcycle crashes, motorcyclists are 27 times more likely to die in a collision than the passengers of a commuter car.
Some of the injuries a motorcyclist can sustain in an accident may include:
- Internal bleeding
- Cuts and lacerations
- Traumatic spinal cord injury
- Brain damage
- Broken bones
- Torn ligaments
- Road rash
- Disfigurement
Your legal team can factor in the cost of these injuries to determine the value of your claim. Keeping records of all interactions between yourself and a medical professional can help bolster this process.
Motorcyclists Pay When Motorists Drive Negligently
There is a universal set of driving behaviors that are known to put other motorists, passengers, and pedestrians at risk of serious injury.
According to the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), motorists should avoid the six most unsafe driving behaviors:
- Ignoring or failing to properly react to traffic lights and signs
- Failing to check an intersection thoroughly before proceeding
- Driving too quickly or too slowly
- Making illegal turns
- Not using lane-change signals and other car safety instruments in a proper, consistent fashion
- Failing to check blind spots
- Tailgating
It will be one of your legal team’s primary goals to determine which of these actions or behaviors contributed to your accident. By reviewing the police report, photos, videos, and interviewing witnesses, your lawyer will be able to establish your collision’s cause while also holding the responsible party liable for your damages.
Your Legal Team Must Establish Negligence
To successfully recover compensation for you, your lawyer must establish that the driver responsible for your accident acted negligently.
Your lawyer must prove that:
- The driver that struck you had a duty of care
- The liable motorist breached their duty of care for whatever reason
- By reckless or careless action, that driver caused your accident
- As a result of the collision, you have suffered financial losses
Your legal team can examine available evidence, consult expert opinions, and investigate your claim to prove negligence. To learn more about what this may mean for your case, call a Joliet motorcycle accident lawyer with The Kryder Law Group, LLC today at (312) 223-1700.
Call a Lawyer to Begin Your Pursuit of Compensation
Whether the responsible driver was under the influence, distracted, or drove in such a way that endangered others, you have the right to pursue financial recovery. A lawyer will begin by helping you determine the at-fault party (or parties) in your case.
These may include:
- The individual driver who caused your accident
- The employer of the driver, if the car was a commercial vehicle
- Any government agencies or municipalities that oversaw the roadway where your accident occurred
- The manufacturer of the car, if a defective component affected the other motorist’s defensive driving skills
No two car accidents are the same. Even two collisions that are extremely similar to each other may feature different liable parties. Contracting legal assistance can provide you with more insight into assigning liability and pursuing the cost of your injury-related damages.
A Lawyer Can Provide Many Helpful Services
Once your lawyer is able to establish negligence and identify the responsible party, they will be able to move forward in building your case. Again, your case’s goal will be to prove that you suffered financial losses because of another driver’s negligence.
From there, a lawyer can provide many useful services that are designed to promote a beneficial outcome.
They can do this by:
- Filing your claim to the appropriate insurers and other relevant offices
- Collecting and organizing evidence that is relevant to your case
- Estimating the cost of your economic and noneconomic losses
- Consulting any experts to provide insight into your injuries, property damage, and accident’s cause
- Negotiating for a settlement that covers your losses
- Representing you throughout the legal proceedings
- Advocating for your rights in court, if necessary
Many people are hesitant to contract legal assistance because they fear that they cannot afford it. The Kryder Law Group, LLC works on contingency. You do not pay us a cent unless we are able to successfully pursue compensation on your behalf. If we cannot effectively represent you, then we do not get paid.
Call Our Team at The Kryder Law Group, LLC Today
Illinois provides up to two years from the date of your accident to pursue a civil action, according to the state’s statute of limitations. Failure to act within this timeframe may forfeit your right to compensation. However, based on the specifics of your case, you may be able to toll these restrictions. A lawyer can explain what this may mean for you.
The Kryder Law Group, LLC can work hard to obtain any awards that you are entitled to, possibly including coverage for:
- Medical expenses
- Lost income
- Diminished earning capacity
- Childcare costs
- Various noneconomic losses, including pain and suffering
Call our team of Joliet motorcycle accident lawyers today at (312) 223-1700 to have a free discussion about your eligibility for compensation.
(312) 223-1700