Best Motorcycle Accident Attorney Chicago

Chicago Motorcycle Accident Statistics

According to the Motorcycle Operator Manual published by the Illinois Secretary of State, there are approximately 303,000 licensed motorcycles on Illinois roads, and it is increasing every year.

Motorcycles are the most vulnerable vehicles on Illinois roads because there is little to protect a motorcyclist’s body from an impact with another vehicle, the road, or a stationary object in an accident – unlike with cars or trucks, which have thousands of pounds of metal and airbags surrounding the passengers.

The Traffic Safety Division at the Illinois Secretary of State declared motorcycles to be the most vulnerable vehicles traveling on Illinois roadways – all due to the higher percentage of fatal motorcycle accidents.

In the Windy City, motorcycle accidents have occurred at a rate much higher than the rest of the state.

According to the Illinois Department of Transportation 2019 report, motorcyclist fatalities accounted for 14.6% of deaths on Illinois roads, while only accounting for less than 1% of total crashes.

If you or a loved one were injured in a motorcycle accident – contact a Chicago motorcycle accident attorney at TorHoerman Law to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.

7 Steps to Take Immediately after a Chicago Motorcycle Accident

1. Check for Injuries & Call 911

See if anyone is injured, call 911 right away to report the accident and injury(s).

Even if no one is injured, you should still contact the authorities.

2. Move Off of the Road (If Possible)

If you are able to, move out of the roadway and into a safe area near the road, such as the shoulder. This will reduce the risk of further accidents.

If you, or others, cannot move off the roadway – set out hazards to let other drivers know that there has been an accident.

Once emergency personnel arrive, they will take extra precautions to make sure other drivers are alerted of the accident by leaving their flashing lights on or setting up a detour.

3. Seek Medical Attention

Seek medical attention even if your injuries are minor. It is crucial to mitigate injury right away.

Do not forget to document all medical expenses and bills that you incur as a result of the accident.

4. Document EVERYTHING

Document ALL details.

This includes obtaining the information of all individuals involved in the accident and taking pictures or videos of the scene.

5. Talk to Your Insurance Company

Talk with your insurance company to figure out the next steps.

It’s also important to document all interactions with your insurance agent.

6. Keep Records of EVERYTHING

Keep records of all future interactions and costs associated with your Chicago motorcycle accident – this is incredibly important.

These records can be used as evidence in the event of a lawsuit.

7. Hire A Chicago Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Call an experienced motorcycle accident attorney at TorHoerman Law to help you navigate the complex legal process!

Most Common Injuries in A Chicago Motorcycle Accident

Motorcyclists often suffer the most serious injuries in an accident because there is little to protect and absorb the impact.

While protective gear can help prevent serious injury, it is not full proof.

The most common injuries sustained in a Chicago motorcycle accident are:

• Brain injuries & Head injuries
• Road rash
• Neck injuries
• Traumatic brain injury
• Spinal cord injuries
• Muscle injuries
• Broken bones
• Emotional trauma and distress
• Biker’s arm
  • This particular injury is caused when the motorcycle falls on the arm of the driver or passenger and causes nerve damage due to the impact.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there are more than 5,000 motorcycle deaths annually, and motorcycle accident fatalities happen 29 times more frequently than general car crash fatalities.

The statistics are staggering so it’s important to take the most precaution possible to protect yourself, which includes wearing a helmet.

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Chicago

According to 2019 Crash Facts and Statistics compiled by the Illinois Department of Transportation, motorcycle accidents occur almost twice as much in urban areas versus rural areas.

The number of motorcyclists injured in an accident continues to increase by up to 2% per year.

While there are varying causes of any Chicago motorcycle accident, the most commonly occurring are:

Collisions with other motor vehicles

This is the most common cause of Chicago motorcycle accidents.

There is an increased push to raise awareness of motorcycles on the road.

Driving under the influence

Never drink and drive, ever.

Driving or operating a motorcycle under the influence of alcohol puts yourself, and others, at risk – countless people have been injured or killed as a result of drinking and driving.

Do your part and stay off the roads when drinking.

Phone a friend or ride-share service to get home safely.

Speeding

Abide by the designated speed limits.

It could save your life.

Regardless of the type of motor vehicle, reckless and careless driving always have the potential to be deadly.

Lane splitting

An incredibly dangerous maneuver, lane splitting is when a motorcycle attempts to bypass slow or stopped traffic by riding between lanes or rows of cars.

Lane splitting is illegal in Illinois.

Inexperienced drivers

Driver inexperience is one of the most common causes of Chicago motorcycle accidents.

A lack of knowledge of motorcycles and necessary riding skills can be dangerous not only to yourself but to others on the road.

Motorcycle defects

The manufacturer of a defective or poorly built motorcycle can be held liable for any injuries.

These often fall under the category of defective product lawsuits.

Sudden stops

This can be a reason for an accident in two (2) ways:

1. The driver of another motor vehicle suddenly stopped and did not give drivers or motorcyclists behind them enough time to slow to a stop
2. Sudden stops on motorcycles can cause riders to lose balance or control over their vehicle

Left turns

A misjudgment of the amount of space a motorcyclist has, or confusion on who has the right of way, can be a common occurrence for motorcyclists.

You must stay alert and aware of your surroundings.

While you cannot control the behavior of other drivers on the roads, you can do your best to be proactive and take every precaution possible.

Safety always comes first, especially when riding a motorcycle in Chicago.

Overwhelming Majority of Chicago Motorcycle Accidents Caused by Cars

Driver negligence is a real concern for Chicago motorcyclists.

A 2019 report released by the NHTSA contained shocking statistics related to accidents involving cars and motorcycles.

In 2019 there were 2,495 fatal two-vehicle crashes each involving a motorcycle and another type of vehicle.

In 41 percent (1,034) of these crashes, the other vehicles were turning left while the motorcycles were going straight, passing, or overtaking other vehicles.

Both vehicles were going straight in 558 crashes (22%).

Other vehicles on the road have a duty to motorcyclists to take a heightened sense of care and leave extra room for motorcycles, take more time before stopping, pay attention to the road, and eliminate distracted driving.

You might be wondering – how can cars cause accidents with motorcyclists in Chicago?

There are three (3) common causes of Chicago motorcycle car collisions including:

• Sudden stops preventing motorcyclists from stopping in time to avoid hitting the vehicle
• Opening car doors on busy streets without looking at the surroundings
• Unsafe lane changes can cut off motorcyclists without warning

The state of Illinois participates in several programs to promote awareness and safety of motorcyclists.

The ‘Start Seeing Motorcycles’ campaign is common throughout the United States, but the goal of the program is to remind motorists to share the road with motorcyclists and promote safety.

Every year since 1983, May has been designated ‘Motorcycle Awareness Month‘, as determined by the Governor of Illinois.

Like its counterpart, Start Seeing Motorcycles, the month is dedicated to raising awareness of motorcyclists on roadways.

Additionally, there are campaigns to remind Chicago motorcyclists themselves to take precautions while enjoying the roads.

In recent years, there has been a push to eliminate drinking and riding, especially through the ‘Don’t Drink and Ride’ campaign, established in 2008.

According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, alcohol contributes to about 30% of motorcycle fatalities.

Steps and Precautions to Avoid a Motorcycle Accident in Chicago, Illinois (IL)

Riding a motorcycle in Chicago undoubtedly increases your risk of an accident.

However, there are a few steps and precautions you can take to avoid an accident:

1. Be Visible

Be visible.

Wear bright-colored clothing.

Alert drivers of your presence by flashing your lights before changing lanes, especially at nighttime.

If visibility is decreased for you, it will also be decreased for other drivers.

2. Approach Intersections with Extra Precautions

Take extra precautions when going through intersections.

It is best to assume that drivers cannot see you and you are in their blind spot.

Leave extra room for yourself in the case of a dangerous situation arising.

3. Change Lanes Slowly

If changing lanes, do so slowly.

Again, you may be in the blind spot of another vehicle, and they will not see you if you switch lanes.

Use hand motions to signal your intentions and alleviate any possibility of a potential accident.

4. Do Not Tailgate

Do not follow other motorists closely.

There could be several reasons why a motorist would stop abruptly, but it is best to keep your distance to keep yourself safe.

Follow the “3 second following distance” rule of thumb.

Motorcycle Helmet Laws in Chicago, Illinois (IL)

Illinois is one of three states that does not have any sort of helmet law established, and motorcyclists are not required to wear helmets when driving or riding on a motorcycle.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that helmets have a 37% effectiveness in preventing motorcycle accident fatalities and about 67% effective in preventing brain injuries.

The Illinois Department of Transportation compiled data from 2015 and determined that 71% of motorcyclists killed were not wearing a helmet.

We highly recommend a helmet is worn to protect the safety of the rider as rates of accidents and fatalities continue to rise.

Helmet laws date back to 1967, when the federal government required states to enact helmet laws for motorcycle riders to qualify for federal safety programs and highway construction funds.

However, nine years later, states lobbied Congress to stop the Department of Transportation from executing penalties based on helmet law requirements.

As a result, Illinois rolled back its laws, becoming one of the three states without any established helmet law.

Throughout the years, there have been many attempts to re-establish a law requiring both motorcycle drivers and passengers to wear helmets, but all attempts have been fruitless due to pro-helmet-choice advocates who stand by their position that helmets should be a choice made by the driver.

The American Motorcyclist Association encourages the use of safety gear, including helmets, gloves, protective clothing, when operating or riding on a motorcycle, but has not gone as far as to recommend a universal helmet law.

In 2011, Illinois established a campaign to encourage motorcyclists to wear proper gear to protect them from the elements and potential accidents.

Titled ‘Gear Up – Ride Smart’, the aim is to raise awareness of wearing proper gear to protect yourself (such as helmets, eye protection, gloves, jackets, pants, and boots) to reduce the number of injuries and fatalities.

Other Illinois Motorcycle Laws

To obtain your motorcycle license, a driver must pass a knowledge test and skills test.

For the written knowledge portion, all information needed can be found in the Illinois Motorcycle Operating Manual.

To pass the skills test, the driver must demonstrate their ability to ride a motorcycle through a series of obstacles, based on the type of motorcycle the driver is applying to get a license for.

The rules of the road are the same for motorcyclists as they would be for drivers of cars.

To promote motorcycle safety, Illinois is one of two states that offer free training classes for motorcycle operations with the Cycle Rider Safety Training Program (CRSTP) – which was established in 1976.

How Long Do I have to File a Chicago Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit?

Each state has different laws that determine your “statute of limitations“, or a set of laws that determine how long an individual has to file a motorcycle accident claim after any motorcycle accidents.

It is important to be aware of your state’s laws because if the time has passed, motorcycle accident victims are not allowed to file a claim – which could inevitably cost them time and money.

In Illinois, motorcycle injury claims must be brought within two years of the sustained injury.

However, this rule is different if the injured individual is a minor.

In that case, the minor’s age at the time of the accident will determine when a suit must be filed.

It is best to consult with Chicago motorcycle accident attorneys to initiate your Chicago motorcycle accident lawsuit as soon as possible.

This way you can avoid any issues with the Illinois statute of limitations for motorcycle accidents!

Hiring Chicago Motorcycle Accident Attorneys

1. Have you been injured in a Chicago motorcycle accident?
2. Was the accident due to another driver’s negligence?
3. Do you have questions about your accident and need help taking the next step?

If you answered yes to any of the above questions, you may want to contact a Chicago motorcycle accident attorney to discuss your potential Chicago motorcycle accident lawsuit.

The experienced Chicago motorcycle accident attorneys at TorHoerman Law can answer any questions you have and consult you on your accident and legal options, free of charge.

Call TorHoerman Law today to see if you qualify for a Chicago motorcycle accident lawsuit!

At TorHoerman Law, we have a team of experienced Chicago motorcycle accident lawyers available to discuss your potential lawsuit with no obligation, and free of charge.

There are many benefits of hiring the personal injury attorneys from TorHoerman Law.

One of those benefits is that our experienced motorcycle accident lawyers work on a contingency fee basis for all Chicago motorcycle accident lawsuit clients.

So, we are just as dedicated as our clients are to get the best possible outcome for their Chicago personal injury claim.

How Chicago Motorcycle Accident Victims Can File A Lawsuit

Before moving forward with your Chicago motorcycle accident lawsuit, you should familiarize yourself with the steps of civil litigation so that you know what to expect.

You should also mitigate your motorcycle accident injuries by any means necessary.

This is important to the strength of your personal injury claim that can be made by your Chicago motorcycle accident lawyers.

As mentioned previously, you should then begin to gather evidence, with the help of your Chicago motorcycle accident lawyer.

Our personal injury attorneys have helped victims in other cities in Cook County and across the state of Illinois.

Your Chicago motorcycle accident attorney will also be able to help you assess damages in your case – based on the details of your case, you may choose to file both compensatory damages and punitive damages against the party that is liable for your accident.

Only close family members, including spouses and parents of minor children, may file wrongful death claims.

Determining personal injury liability can be difficult in these cases, but an experienced Chicago motorcycle accident lawyer will have no problem determining liability.

After determining damages and liability, the next step is moving forward with your Chicago motorcycle accident lawsuit and seeking compensation for your losses.

The Chicago motorcycle accident attorneys at TorHoerman Law will help you do just that.

TorHoerman Law - The #1 Motorcycle Accident Attorney Chicago Has To Offer

Motorcycle accidents can be devastating, and the recovery from injuries can be incredibly difficult.

If you were injured in a motorcycle accident at no fault of your own, consider hiring the best personal injury lawyer Chicago has to offer – TorHoerman Law.

TorHoerman Law has negotiated billions of dollars in compensation by way of settlements and verdicts.

Our team offers free, no-obligation consultations for all potential clients.

Reach out to us today and learn about how we can help you.