Illinois Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Motorcycle Accidents and Liability

There is no way to predict the behavior of other drivers. An Illinois motorcycle ride can turn tragic in seconds due to someone else’s reckless actions. The driver who lost control of their vehicle may face liability for your damages.

Liability in a motorcycle accident results from driver negligence. A driver who fails to obey traffic rules and laws can forever and unfairly change a motorcyclist’s quality of life.

A driver is generally responsible when they cause a motorcycle accident by:

• Distracted driving: The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) lists three main forms of distraction: visual, manual, and cognitive. Any actions that take a driver’s eyes off the road, hands off the wheel, or mind off driving places motorcyclists at risk for an accident.
• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol: The dangers of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol are well-known, yet many drivers engage in the behavior anyway. This behavior is irresponsible and demands accountability for the damage that resulted.
• Aggressive driving: Speeding and purposely tailgating can cause drivers to lose control of their vehicles. Road rage against motorcyclists can cause a motorcycle to spin out of control.
• Drowsy driving: A drowsy driver deals with similar types of impairment as drunk drivers: reduced reaction time and impaired judgment.

Some drivers violate traffic rules by failing to yield the right of way at intersections. For example, the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that nearly 42 percent of fatal motorcycle accidents occur at intersections.

Failing to simply watch for motorcycles is another common cause of accidents. Many drivers cite not seeing the motorcycle following a crash. While the motorcycle’s narrow profile can make them harder to see, motorists must take precautions.

Adjusting car mirrors for blind spots and watching for motorcycles are proactive steps for preventing a crash. If you suffered severe injuries from a dangerous driver, a lawyer can help you fight for compensation.

The Financial Impactof Motorcycle Accident Injuries

The pursuit of possible compensation is a challenging process. As personal injury lawyers, we understand how to proceed with a civil claim and lawsuit. However, fighting for a fair settlement is crucial as you face medical bills and lost wages all due to another driver’s negligence.

A motorcycle lacks the protection of a car or truck; that much is obvious. However, the freedom of the open road compels many Illinois residents to own and operate a motorcycle.

The lack of protection exposes riders to severe injuries in an accident. In addition, the financial impact of such injuries can cause accident victims much anxiety.

These severe and catastrophic injuries typically require long-term and continuous care:

• Brain injury: A brain injury disrupts normal brain function. Some patients must relearn basic skills. In addition, your loved one may exhibit changes in behavior and emotions. Compensation for this type of injury and the cost of care is why a civil case is necessary.
• Spinal cord damage: Movement and sensation are primarily part of what the spinal cord manages for the body. When communication with the brain becomes disrupted, patients experience paralysis. This type of injury is catastrophic and requires a variety of costly needs, such as home modifications for a mobility chair.
• Broken bones: Motorcyclists face the chance of broken arms, legs, and other bones in their bodies. Broken bones can require multiple surgeries, rehabilitation, and physical therapy.
• Road rash: A painful skin abrasion, road rash results from skin contact with a rough service. Motorcyclists are generally thrown from the bike, causing them to strike and sometimes slide across the pavement. Road rash can become infected and, in severe cases, affect tendons and nerves.

Medical care is expensive, and severe injuries can result in enormous costs. Unfortunately, these costs can far exceed your savings. Therefore, when a motorcycle accident results from a careless driver, they and not you should pay these and other damages.

Motorcycle accident victims have enough worry on their minds. How to pay their medical bills when they cannot work should not be one of their main concerns. If you face mounting medical expenses due to an out-of-control driver, contact us today for help with your civil case.

Fatal Motorcycle Accidents

A fatal motorcycle accident can devastate a family. Losing a loved one due to what was most likely a preventable tragedy is maddening. If your loved one died doing what they loved riding their motorcycle Trust Guss Injury Lawyers can help you pursue legal action.

Filing a wrongful death claim and lawsuit is a somewhat complex process. For one, your relationship with the accident victim is crucial in whether you qualify for compensation. Most close family members who can pursue civil action are surviving spouses, parents, and grown children.

Funerals cost thousands and are an unexpected expense. Other expenses include burial and any final medical expenses for your loved one. Grief can overpower you as you encounter sudden bills and additional stress relating to your loss.

A wrongful death attorney from our office can fight for the following types of compensation on your behalf:

• The final medical expenses if your loved one did not die immediately from their injuries
• Funeral, burial, cremation, or memorial costs
• Lost income and future earnings if your loved one contributed financially to the household
• Companionship: The loss of companionship your loved one provided

Wrongful death cases typically involve economic and non-economic damage. Some damages are easier to assign value to than others. Medical bills are an example of economic damage, while the loss of companionship is an example of non-economic damage.

Conveying the true impact of your loved one’s death is where an attorney can help you. It is understandably a highly emotional time for you and your family. Your time is better spent with loved ones and not dealing with the details of your case.