Motorcycle Accidents
Buffalo Grove Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Motorcycle riders in Buffalo Grove should be aware of the risk of accidents and injuries they face. Bike accidents accounted for nearly 400 traffic fatalities in Cook County in 2022. These accidents can be devastating, resulting in life-altering injuries, prolonged pain and suffering, and significant financial burdens. Unlike car drivers, motorcyclists are highly vulnerable to the full impact of collisions.
Unfortunately, an unfair stereotype exists that motorcyclists are reckless or prone to dangerous behavior on the road. This bias often manifests in legal battles and unfairly shifts blame onto motorcyclists, making it crucial for them to have competent legal representation.
At the Law Office of Jack M. Shapiro, P.C., we gather crucial evidence, establish liability, and negotiate hard to ensure you receive the maximum damages you are entitled to. If necessary, we are fully prepared to take your case to trial, pushing to hold the negligent parties fully accountable. Contact us today at (847) 423-6358 to set up a free consultation.
Types of Motorcycle Accidents in Buffalo Grove, IL
Our Buffalo Grove motorcycle accident lawyers have served motorcyclists for years and understand the most common types of motorcycle accidents occurring in Buffalo Grove:
- Left-turn accidents: A car turns left, doesn’t see a motorcycle, and they collide.
- Lane splitting accidents: A motorcyclist rides between slow or stopped traffic lanes, and a car hits them.
- Rear-end accidents: A car hits a motorcycle from behind because they didn’t see it or couldn’t stop.
- Hit-and-run accidents: A driver hits a motorcyclist and leaves without helping or giving their information.
- Speeding accidents: A driver, or a motorcyclist, goes too fast and causes a crash.
- Drunk driving accidents: A driver under the influence of alcohol or drugs hits a motorcyclist.
- Head-on collisions: A car and a motorcycle crash into each other from the front.
- Right-turn accidents: A car makes a right turn and collides with a motorcycle passing by.
- Single-vehicle accidents: The motorcycle rider crashes without any other vehicles being involved.
- Dooring accidents: A car door opens in front of a motorcycle, causing it to crash.
- Road hazard accidents: The motorcycle crashes due to road conditions, like potholes or debris.
- Intersection accidents: Accidents that occur at intersections, often due to drivers ignoring stop signs or traffic lights.
- Motorcycle defect accidents: A defect or malfunction in the motorcycle leads to a crash.
Each of these accidents has unique circumstances, causes, and consequences. If you have been involved in any type of bike crash, contact our Buffalo Grove motorcycle accident lawyer today to explore your legal options.
Illinois Law on Motorcycle Accident Claims
Illinois has a comprehensive 52-page guide outlining the rules, regulations, and laws every motorcyclist should adhere to. This guide covers various topics, from attire and passenger safety to training requirements. If you are ever in an accident and want to file a claim, knowing these laws can help you.
Fault system
The “fault” system in Illinois means that the party at fault for an accident is also responsible for any resulting harm or damage. As a result, their insurance company should pay for injuries, damages, and losses suffered by the victim(s) of the accident.
Comparative negligence
Illinois follows a fault system called “modified comparative negligence.” Under this rule, you can still recover damages if you are partially at fault for the accident, as long as you are less than 50% responsible. However, the amount of damages you can recover will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
Statute of limitations
If you were injured in a bike crash in Buffalo Grove, IL, you have two years from the accident date to file a lawsuit against the at-fault party. If the accident results in death, the family of the deceased has two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death lawsuit.
Insurance requirements
Motorcyclists must have liability insurance to cover any injuries or damages they might cause.
Helmet laws
In Illinois, motorcyclists can claim damages for any injury sustained in an accident, even if they were not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident. However, in certain situations, the fact that a rider was not wearing a helmet could potentially be used by the defendant to argue comparative negligence, i.e., the rider was partially at fault for their injuries by not wearing a helmet.
Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage
This insurance is a key part of Illinois’ motor vehicle insurance laws and can help if you are hit by a driver who doesn’t have enough insurance or any at all.
- Uninsured motorist coverage (UM): This is a part of your own auto insurance policy. If you are in an accident caused by a driver who doesn’t have insurance, UM coverage can pay for your injuries and damages. In Illinois, all auto insurance policies must include UM coverage. The minimum limit is $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.
- Underinsured motorist coverage (UIM): This is also part of your own auto insurance policy. If you are in an accident caused by a driver whose insurance doesn’t cover all your injuries and damages, UIM coverage can pay the difference.
Pillion riders
Pillion riders, or passengers, are allowed on motorcycles, but only if the motorcycle has a proper seat and footrests for the passenger.
Child passengers
Illinois does not have a specific age restriction for child passengers on motorcycles. That said, the child must be able to reach the footrests and handlebars, and it’s strongly recommended they wear a helmet.
Get a Proven and Capable Buffalo Grove Motorcycle Accident Lawyer on Your Side
Navigating the aftermath of a motorcycle accident can be tough. The pain, medical bills, missed work, and damaged property can all feel overwhelming. But you could be eligible to claim financial compensation that covers all these burdens and more.
Our leading motorcycle accident attorne Jack M. Shapiro is one of the top Mount Prospect personal injury lawyers in Cook County and surrounding areas who switched from representing insurance companies to fighting for people like you. Jack has seen first-hand how insurance companies operate and uses this invaluable insight to help his clients in Buffalo Grove and across Illinois get the largest possible compensation they deserve.
Our Buffalo Grove, IL motorcycle accident lawyer will take a detail-oriented approach to maximize your compensation:
- We will meet you, learn your case, discuss your legal options, and answer your questions.
- We will collect evidence from police reports, medical records, witness accounts, and photos of the accident scene.
- We may call in specialists, like accident reconstruction experts, medical professionals, or financial advisors, for their expert opinions.
- We will figure out how much your claim is worth. This includes all medical costs, lost wages, potential future losses, property damage, and your pain and suffering.
- We will handle talks with the insurance company, using our experience to counter any attempts to reduce your claim.
- If a fair settlement is not possible, our motorcycle accident lawyer will start preparing for court, which means creating legal documents, gathering more evidence, and planning for witnesses.
- In court, we will argue your case, using all the evidence and expert opinions to make a strong case for your compensation.
- If the court decides in your favor, we will help you get the money awarded to you.
- If needed, we will manage the appeals process to make sure the court’s decision is carried out.
If you or a loved one has been a victim of someone else’s negligence on the road, let our experienced motorcycle accident lawyer help you. Contact the Law Office of Jack M. Shapiro, P.C. today. We will stand by you every step of the way, fiercely advocating for your rights until you get justice – and you owe us nothing unless we win your case. Call us at (847) 423-6358 or contact us online to schedule your free case evaluation.