CHICAGO MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT LAWYER

Experienced Chicago Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Motorcycle accidents are on par with Chicago trucking accidents in the severity of injuries to those involved. Traumatic brain injuries, multiple fractures, road rash, and wrongful death are common motorcycle accident injuries. Oftentimes, motorcycle accidents leave those injured seeking the best motorcycle accident lawyer they can find. Every Chicago motorcycle accident lawyer at Curcio & Casciato is committed to helping clients get optimal compensation for the physical, financial, and emotional injuries caused by Illinois motorcycle crashes.

Our Chicago fatal car accident lawyers also handle wrongful death claims for family members who have lost loved ones to a motorcycle accident.

Call our Chicago car accident attorneys today at 312-321-1111 for a free consultation.

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Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries in Chicago

According to Illinois Crash Facts and Statistics, in 2017 there were over 2,500 injuries sustained as a result of a motorcycle accident. Across the nation, 80% of reported motorcycle crashes resulted in serious injury. Motorcycle accidents and brain injuries sometimes go hand-in-hand, hence the need for safety helmets.

Among the most common motorcycle accident injuries are:

  • Traumatic brain injury
  • Concussions
  • Broken bones
  • Severe abrasions and road rash
    • If not treated properly, road rash can result in permanent damage such as skin irritation and infections as well as surface nerve damage. Permanent scarring is also often a result from road rash.
  • Disfigurement and scarring
  • Internal organ damage
  • Limb amputations
  • Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
  • Wrongful death

Most wrongful death claims from motorcycle accidents are due to head trauma or traumatic brain injuries. Even with the use of protective helmets, a fatal motorcycle accident is still possible.

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

Most causes of motorcycle accidents are very similar to truck and auto accidents.

The most common causes of motorcycle or bike accidents in Chicago include:

  • Speeding
  • Distracted driving
  • Unsafe lane changes
  • Sudden stops
  • Unsafe road conditions
  • Lane splitting, which is when a motorcycle rides in the middle of two lanes. Lane splitting is illegal in Illinois.
  • Any inexperienced drivers, whether that be motorcycle, or car and truck drivers
  • Unsafe left turns
  • Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
  • Defective motorcycles or motorcycle parts

Tips for Motorcycle Safety

In order to prevent severe injuries on the roads, it’s crucial to practice safe driving. As a motorcycle driver, this is even more important because of the lack of protection that motorcycles provide compared to cars and trucks. Below, we offer important Chicago motorcycle safety tips to remember.

One of the best ways to prevent a motorcycle crash is to take a safety training course. The course shows bikers how to operate his or her motorcycle more safely. It will also teaches how to react safely to road dangers that arise, in order to prevent fatal crashes.

If your area is expecting poor weather, don’t go on a motorcycle ride that day. Because inclement weather can reduce road traction for motorcycles, heavy rain, snow, or even strong winds can be potentially fatal for motorcycle riders on the roads. Also, inclement weather can make motorcycle riders less visible to other bigger vehicles.

Because motorcycles provide much less protection than other vehicles do, it’s absolutely crucial to wear protective gear while on the roads. Consider investing in a good quality helmet, leather pants and jackets, gloves, boots, and goggles. Wearing lots of gear can get hot especially in the summer, but it’s absolutely crucial for preventing catastrophic injuries like traumatic brain injuries and road rash.

Make sure to inspect your motorcycle before you take a ride. Be on the lookout for damaged mirrors, headlights and taillights, turn signals, and brakes. Lastly, make sure you check your tire pressure, oil, and horn. Making sure all your motorcycle parts are in good shape can be the difference between life and death.

This one may sound obvious, but many motorcycle accident victims end up suffering from serious injuries because they speed or fail to use their turn signals. Once again, basic traffic rules can be the difference between life and death for motorcycle riders. Obeying traffic commands is one of the most simple ways a driver can prevent motorcycle accidents.

In Illinois, we don’t have any specific motorcycle helmet laws. However, wearing a helmet can prevent catastrophic injuries for any motorcycle rider or driver who chooses to do so.

Many Chicago motorcycle accidents occur because car drivers can’t see the biker. A motorcycle rider may be invisible to other drivers because they’re riding in their blind spot, they’re not wearing bright or reflective clothing, or their headlights are off at night. That’s why it’s crucial to make yourself as visible as possible on the roads in order to avoid a motorcycle accident.

While enjoying a motorcycle ride, bikers should always be on the lookout for unsafe road conditions. Bumps, potholes, gravel, oil, and more can result in a motorcycle wreck leading to serious injuries.

Generally, all drivers should stay approximately four seconds away from the car in front of them, as tailgating can be incredibly dangerous. Tailgating is especially dangerous for motorcycle riders because a motorcycle is harder to see, when compared to a larger car or SUV. If the car or truck in front of you suddenly stops and you don’t have enough time to react, you could suffer fatal injuries.

Keeping a small first aid kit on your bike at all times is important, especially for minor injuries. Make sure the kit has things like antibacterial wipes, Band-Aids, gauze, adhesive tape, etc.

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Why are Chicago Motorcycle Accidents So Deadly?

Due to the open nature of a motorcycle, no barrier exists between the driver and the impact of an auto accident. Motorcyclists don’t have a seat belt to keep them strapped down. like those driving other motor vehicles do. They also do not have the protection of an airbag or steel walls of a car surrounding them.

Most often, if a motorcyclist is struck by another vehicle, they are ejected from their seat and take the force of the impact head-on. This is why motorcycle injuries can result in wrongful death, even after the most minor accidents. In fact, even a minor motorcycle accident can hurt your career.

Financial Compensation for Motorcycle Accident Victims

A Chicago motorcycle accident lawyer can fight for you to receive maximum compensation from your motorcycle accident claim, especially if another driver’s negligence caused the motorcycle crash.

Chicago motorcycle accident victims may be able to recover compensation for:

  • Present and future medical expenses related to the crash
  • Present and future rehabilitation expenses
  • Lost wages
  • Pain and suffering
  • Mental anguish
  • Loss of consortium

What is the Average Payout for a Motorcycle Accident in Chicago?

Motorcycle accident settlements depend on a few factors that are specific to your motorcycle accident case. Factors that affect a personal injury lawsuit value or settlement value include costs associated with medical bills, if any serious or catastrophic injuries were sustained, property damage value, and whether or not the biker contributed to the accident, or if the fault lies solely on the negligent party.

Motorcycle accident victims can maximize the settlement or increase their chances of a favorable outcome by working with experienced motorcycle accident lawyers. Every personal injury lawyer at Curcio Law has extensive experience litigating motorcycle crash claims in Illinois.

Motorcycle Accidents and Wrongful Death Claims

Because motorcycles don’t provide much protection during an accident, they can be quite deadly. If a motorcycle accident caused the death of your loved one, our experienced attorneys can help you file a wrongful death lawsuit against the negligent party or parties that caused the crash.

A wrongful death lawsuit could help immediate family members recover expenses associated with the accident, such as:

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Why Do I Need a Chicago Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?

If you’ve been in a motorcycle accident, you likely have extensive medical bills and physical and mental injury to recover from. You shouldn’t have to also fight for your rightful insurance coverage, during that time.

While a personal injury attorney can’t speed up your physical recovery, having a Chicago motorcycle accident lawyer on your side can help ensure you have the means to recover financially. We have extensive experience working with bikers to ensure they receive full and fair compensation: getting the resources they need to comfortably recover from motorcycle crash injuries.

How a Chicago Motorcycle Accident Attorney Can Help

During a free consultation, our Chicago motorcycle accident attorneys can specifically help you:

  • Estimate the Value of a Claim. The value of your motorcycle accident claim will depend on the severity of your injuries, lost wages, medical expenses, and other losses your motorcycle accident caused.
  • Determine Whether You Have a Case. This almost always depends on whether you or the other driver’s negligence caused the motorcycle accident. An experienced motorcycle accident attorney at Curcio Law will help you figure this out by either visiting the accident scene, if possible, or going over police and medical records associated with the motorcycle accident case.
  • Speak to Your Own Insurance Company. Before filing an insurance claim or accepting a settlement from an insurance company, you must speak to a motorcycle accident attorney to ensure you’re not getting taken advantage of during this hard time.
  • Fight for Fair Compensation. Curcio Law motorcycle accident lawyers in Chicago want to ensure you receive the justice you deserve following a motorcycle accident. While you’re focusing on healing from your injuries, we will fight for you to receive the maximum compensation deserved.
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How to Pick the Best Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Chicago

There’s a lot to consider when choosing the best Chicago motorcycle accident lawyers for you. One of the most important factors is that your attorney has years of experience in dealing with motorcycle accident cases similar to your own. At Curcio Law, our personal injury attorneys have been practicing law for personal injury cases like these for over 60 years.

Another thing to consider when searching for the best motorcycle accident attorney in your area is to hear from real clients. You want someone who is trusted among your community and provides real, substantial results.

Our personal injury attorneys at Curcio have helped clients achieve settlements of millions of dollars. We know how to get you the compensation you rightfully deserve, and we have previous clients who’s cases speak for themselves.

Illinois Statute of Limitations for Motorcycle Accidents 

The state of Illinois has a statute of limitations of two years for personal injury claims. This means that you have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim or wrongful death claim. Failing to do so within that time limit could (and likely will) invalidate your case altogether.

That, among other financial reasons, is why it’s so important that you contact the experienced motorcycle injury lawyers at Curcio Law as soon as possible following your motorcycle crash.

Chicago Motorcycle Accident Attorney

If you or a member of your family was involved in a motorcycle accident, please contact Chicago motorcycle accident attorneys at Curcio Law today. Our Chicago personal injury lawyers also provide legal representation for truck and car accident victims.

We want to ensure that a negligent driver suffers the consequences and that victims receive fair compensation from their motorcycle accident case. Call us today at 312-321-1111 for a free consultation.