How Do I Secure Compensation for a Motorcycle Accident in Illinois?

 Posted on August 06, 2019 in Personal Injury

If a motorcyclist is involved in an accident, it is likely that the injuries suffered will be severe. Even with the use of a helmet, motorcycle crash injuries can be life-changing and even deadly. Unfortunately, motorcycle accidents are much more common than most people think. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 5,172 motorcyclists were fatally injured in collisions throughout 2017. In the aftermath of a motorcycle collision, one of the most important steps one can take is hiring an experienced personal injury attorney. It is important to examine the factors leading to a motorcycle accident to determine how injury compensation is ultimately decided. 

Seeking Compensation as a Motorcyclist 

Some of the most common motorcycle injuries range from minor bone fractures to significant spinal cord damage and head trauma. Recognizing the severity of these injuries and recovering the compensation a rider deserves can be critical to maintaining a person’s financial well-being. That being said, the process of securing compensation as an injured motorcyclist can often be complicated. 

Unfortunately, there are stereotypes surrounding motorcyclists and their willingness to take unnecessary risks. Because of this, it can be somewhat difficult to convince a judge that the other motorist’s negligence was the primary cause of the accident. Still, if it can be established that the vehicle driver’s reckless actions resulted in the accident, an individual should be able to secure the compensation he or she deserves. Examples of reckless driving leading to a collision could include texting while driving and thus failing to see the motorcyclist, driving aggressively and cutting off a motorcyclist as he or she intends to pass, or driving at high speeds resulting in losing control of the vehicle and colliding with the motorcyclist. 

In order to increase safety and avoid potentially losing out on compensation, it is important for all motorcyclists to follow the rules of the road. If a rider neglects to wear his or her helmet and suffers a traumatic brain injury, an opposing attorney could argue that the injuries were caused by the rider’s unwillingness to properly protect him or herself. If a motorcyclist is traveling at dangerous speeds at the time of the collision, his or her compensation could be limited, even if the other driver acted negligently. 

Contact a Schaumburg Motorcycle Accident Lawyer 

At Newland & Newland, LLP, we fully understand the ramifications of a motorcycle accident. When a motorcyclist is significantly injured in a collision, he or she may face substantial medical bills, costly physical therapy regimens, and the potential loss of his or her ability to work. In these instances, securing injury compensation can be critically important to maintaining quality of life and a secure financial future. If you or a loved one have been injured while riding a motorcycle, contact a knowledgeable Arlington Heights personal injury attorney. Call us today at 847-797-8000 to schedule a free phone consultation. 

Sources: 

https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/motorcycle-safety