Chicago, IL, has hundreds of motorcycle crashes annually. Some accidents happen when inexperienced riders fail to comply with Chicago motorcycle licensing requirements and make errors on the road. Others occur when careless drivers collide with motorcycles.
If you were injured in a motorcycle accident caused by someone else’s negligence, Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys is here to help. Our Chicago motorcycle accident lawyers have decades of experience getting compensation for accident victims. Contact us today at (312) 726-1616 for a free consultation.
How Can Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys Help After a Motorcycle Accident in Chicago, IL?
At Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys, our Chicago personal injury lawyers have secured millions of dollars in settlements and jury awards for injured clients. We have decades of experience standing up to insurers and at-fault drivers for injury compensation.
When a careless or aggressive driver causes a motorcycle crash in Chicago, Illinois, our attorneys provide the following legal help:
- Educating you about your legal right to injury compensation
- Learning about your accident and collecting evidence to support an injury claim
- Filing with the other driver’s insurer and negotiating to resolve your case
- Fighting for you in court if we cannot reach a fair settlement
A motorcycle crash can cause injuries that require expensive medical care. Contact us to schedule a free consultation with a Chicago motorcycle accident attorney to discuss your accident and the injury compensation you may be entitled to recover.
Getting Legal to Ride: Illinois Motorcycle License and Endorsement Basics
Illinois requires riders to be licensed to operate a motorcycle on public roads. You can add an M endorsement to your driver’s license or obtain a motorcycle-only license. Both routes exist to confirm you know the rules of the road and can control your bike safely.
Here’s what each option means in plain English:
- M endorsement: lets you drive a car and ride a motorcycle with one credential
- Motorcycle-only license: for riders who do not drive cars or prefer a stand-alone license
- Testing or course: you qualify by passing state tests or an approved safety course
- Age matters: riders under 18 must complete a safety course before testing
Choosing the path that fits your situation makes licensing faster and less stressful.
Taking a Course in Illinois: Free Options and What They Cover
State-approved motorcycle safety courses are widely available and often free. Many riders use them to develop core skills and to qualify for testing waivers at the DMV. Even experienced riders benefit from refreshers that sharpen braking, cornering, and hazard-avoidance.
To understand your choices, review the common course types:
- Basic Rider Course (BRC): classroom and on-bike training for new riders
- Basic Rider Course 2 (BRC2): shorter skills tune-up for riders with some experience
- Advanced courses: higher-level techniques for braking, swerving, and risk management
Completing the right course can improve your skills and may streamline the licensing steps.
No Motorcycle License? Here’s How Fault Still Works in Illinois
Not having an M license does not automatically make you at fault for a crash. Illinois uses comparative negligence, which looks at each person’s actions and assigns percentages of fault. You can still recover compensation if the other driver’s negligence caused your injuries.
To see how insurers argue these cases, consider the common fault factors:
- Driver conduct: left-turn violations, speeding, distraction, or following too closely
- Rider behavior: lane position, speed, signaling, and protective gear usage
- Objective proof: videos, black-box data, skid marks, damage patterns, and 911 audio
- Road conditions: visibility, construction zones, and surface hazards
Our lawyers keep the focus on what actually caused the collision—not just your license status.
What to Do After a Chicago Motorcycle Crash
The minutes after a wreck can shape your entire claim. Focus on safety first, then gather simple facts that help prove what happened. Deadlines apply in Illinois, so early action matters.
Right after a crash, protect your health and your claim by taking these steps:
- Call 911 and ask for police and medical help, even if you feel “okay.”
- Get checked by a doctor and follow all treatment instructions.
- Exchange names, contact info, and insurance details with all drivers.
- Photograph vehicles, the scene, road conditions, and visible injuries.
- Save your helmet, jacket, and damaged gear without cleaning them.
- Avoid arguing or admitting fault at the scene or online.
- Notify your insurer but decline recorded statements until you have counsel.
- Keep bills, repair estimates, time-off records, and a symptom journal.
These simple actions preserve evidence and make it easier to prove what the other driver did wrong.
Contact Our Chicago Motorcycle Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation
A motorcycle accident can happen in Chicago even when you are properly licensed and comply with traffic laws and best practices. Contact Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys for a free consultation. Our Chicago motorcycle accident attorneys will discuss the accident compensation you may be entitled to seek under Illinois law.
