Did you or a loved one suffer injuries in a motorcycle accident in Aurora, IL? You may be entitled to substantial compensation if someone else caused the crash. An experienced Aurora motorcycle accident lawyer at Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys can help you fight to recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and your pain and suffering.
Our lawyers have decades of experience fighting to protect the rights of accident victims. We’ve already won more than $100 million in settlements and verdicts.
You may be struggling with serious, long-term injuries. Contact our law firm in Aurora, Illinois, you can call (312) 726-1616 to schedule a free consultation to learn more about your legal options today.
How Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys Helps Injured Parties Recover Compensation After a Motorcycle Accident in Aurora, IL
There’s a strong chance that you’re struggling with serious injuries after a motorcycle wreck. Recovering fair compensation can be the key to protecting your future–but how do you know the insurance company is offering everything you deserve? What happens if you’re being blamed for a crash that wasn’t your fault?
An experienced Aurora personal injury lawyer can help. At Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys, our lawyers have been recognized by Super Lawyers and the Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
We’ll put our skills and legal knowledge to work for you by:
- Conducting a detailed investigation into the accident
- Gathering evidence that can be used to prove your case
- Defending you against blame-shifting techniques that could reduce your compensation
- Hiring leading experts to testify on your behalf
- Identifying all at-fault parties and insurance policies
- Calculating the value of your motorcycle accident claim
- Handling the insurance claims process and negotiations
- Fighting for your rights in court if necessary
We’ll do whatever we can to help you get back on your feet again. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with our Aurora personal injury attorneys.
How Common Are Motorcycle Wrecks in Illinois?
According to reports prepared by the Illinois Department of Transportation, 3,274 motorcycle accidents occurred statewide in 2021. At least 2,544 motorcyclists were injured, and another 174 motorcycle riders lost their lives.
Car accidents involving motorcycles may be less common than car-on-car crashes. Motorcycle accidents account for only 1.1% of all motor vehicle accidents in Illinois. However, in 2021, 83% of all motorcycle accidents in Illinois caused at least one injury or death. Motorcycle accidents also represent 13.8% of all fatal accidents.
What Causes Most Motorcycle Accidents in Aurora, Illinois?
Whether you’re dealing with congested roads, high speeds, or snow and ice, riding a motorcycle takes focus and good judgment. Unfortunately, you can’t always expect others on the roads to exercise caution and watch out for motorcycles. Any number of scenarios can lead to a motorcycle wreck.
Some of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents include:
- Distracted driving
- Failure to yield the right-of-way
- Tailgating
- Speeding
- Running red lights or racing through intersections
- Aggressive driving
- Dangerous left-hand turns or U-turns
- Passing too closely
- Weaving between lanes
- Potholes, crumbling pavement, and other hazardous road conditions
- Drunk driving
- Driving under the influence of drugs
- Inexperienced drivers
- Defective safety equipment
- Bad weather and limited visibility
Multiple factors often play a role in the same crash. That means that more than one person may share blame for your injuries. Third-party drivers, pedestrians, and other motorcyclists could share blame.
Our team at Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys will carefully investigate the crash to determine causation. Contact us today for a free case review to get started.
How Much Compensation Should I Expect if My Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit Is Successful?
Motorcyclists are extremely vulnerable to serious injuries in a crash. The severity of the victim’s injuries is generally directly tied to the value of their personal injury case.
Your lawyers will evaluate multiple factors when assessing your case value, including:
- The nature of your injuries
- The duration of your recovery period
- Whether you lose income during recovery
- The cost of your medical treatment to date
- Whether you will suffer a long-term disability
- Your anticipated future need for ongoing medical care and rehab
- How the injury will impact your future earnings, education, quality of life, etc.
- The emotional trauma you have suffered due to the accident
- Whether you share fault for the crash
From a practical perspective, the amount of available insurance coverage can also impact the value of your motorcycle accident case. That makes it particularly important to identify all parties who are legally responsible for your damages.
What Types of Damages Are Available to Victims of Motorcycle Accidents in Aurora?
Your damages award should make you “whole” again after an accident that wasn’t your fault. Illinois personal injury laws allow you to seek compensation for your economic damages and non-economic losses.
Economic damages are your financial costs, such as:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning potential
- Physical therapy
- Nursing care
- Property damage
- Other out-of-pocket expenses
Non-economic damages attempt to compensate crash victims for their non-financial losses, including:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Diminished quality of life
- Chronic pain
- Anxiety
- Depression
- PTSD
- Embarrassment
- Physical disfigurement and scarring
- Loss of consortium
The specific damages you’ll recover will depend on the nature of your losses. It’s important to keep good records after an accident. You will need documentation to establish the value of your financial losses. It can also be useful to keep a journal with details about how your injury is impacting your life.
We know that building a personal injury claim probably isn’t at the top of your list if you’re recovering from a serious injury. Our team can help. Contact our Aurora motorcycle accident attorneys so that we can start fighting for the full compensation you deserve.
What Happens to My Settlement or Verdict If I’m Blamed for a Motorcycle Accident in Illinois?
Illinois has a modified comparative negligence law with a 51% bar to recovery. Once your share of fault reaches 51%, you lose your right to damages. If your percentage of fault is less than 51%, your compensation is reduced by that percentage.
This rule isn’t automatic. The insurance company will have to prove your share of fault before your compensation is impacted. If you’re being blamed for the crash, reach out to our law firm for help fighting back today.
Motorcycle Accidents Often Result in Severe, Life-Altering Injuries
Riding a motorcycle can be exhilarating. It can also be incredibly dangerous when people are careless. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), motorcyclists are 24 times more likely to die in a crash when compared to occupants in passenger vehicles.
At Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys, we often represent injured motorcycle riders who have suffered:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
- Neck injuries
- Soft tissue damage
- Road rash and degloving injuries
- Concussions
- Back injuries
- Organ damage
- Crushing injuries
- Chest injuries
- Nerve injuries
- Burns
- Amputations
- Paralysis
- Catastrophic injuries
- Wrongful death of a loved one
Wearing a helmet can provide protection against severe brain damage and fatal head injuries. Unfortunately, Illinois is one of only three states that does not have a helmet law to require motorcyclists to wear a helmet.
If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in Aurora, call our lawyers today. We offer a free case evaluation so that you can learn about your legal rights without risk.
What Do I Have to Prove to Win a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit in Aurora, Illinois?
Most motorcycle crash victims must prove negligence to recover compensation.
Negligence means:
- Someone owed you a legal duty of care (all drivers have a duty to obey traffic laws and exercise reasonable caution)
- They breached the duty of care
- The breach was the direct cause of the accident
- You suffered damages
The types of evidence that can support a claim for compensation will vary from case to case, but often include:
- Data from the accident scene
- Statements from witnesses
- Photos of the crash scene
- Any available video surveillance footage
- Cell phone records
- Police reports and citations
- Results of drug or alcohol tests
- Opinions from accident reconstruction experts and medical professionals
It’s also possible that your case could be based on strict liability theories if a defective product contributed to the crash. For example, if a defect in the motorcycle’s brakes caused the crash, the manufacturer can be held strictly liable for damages.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Motorcycle Accident in Illinois?
You generally have two years to file a personal injury lawsuit in Illinois. The two-year statute of limitations starts running on the date of your accident. Once the deadline passes, you lose your right to sue for damages completely.
Two years isn’t as long as you might think. Don’t wait too long to take legal action. The best way to protect yourself is to consult an experienced attorney as soon as you can after a motorcycle accident.
Contact an Aurora Motorcycle Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation
Negligent parties won’t be eager to pay your damages. An experienced Aurora motorcycle accident lawyer can help you fight for a fair settlement offer. Contact Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys today to learn more about your legal rights and options.
