Motorcycle Accident

Palatine Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Motorcycle accidents often lead to serious injuries, and in the worst cases, they can even lead to fatalities. As motorcyclists have minimal protection, even a low-speed crash can result in catastrophic injuries. The victims may also have to contend with the financial burden and emotional distress of being involved in a motorcycle accident.

At the Law Office of Jack M. Shapiro, P.C., we can help you with our legal guidance and support through this difficult time. We offer specialized legal services for motorcycle accident claims and lawsuits. You can work with our Palatine motorcycle accident attorney to seek maximum compensation for their injuries.

Motorcycle lying on the road and car standing with open door after a collision

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Illinois

A high number of motorcycle accidents in Illinois occur due to driver distraction or negligence. Even a few seconds of distraction are enough to cause a catastrophic accident. The most common driver distractions include using the phone, eating, drinking, engaging in conversations with passengers, and trying to grab something that is out of reach.

As motorcycles are smaller than the typical vehicle, they can be more challenging to see for motorists, especially if the motorcycle is in a vehicle’s blind spot. This can lead to motorcycle accidents during lane change maneuvers.

Illinois gets its fair share of snow that can cause the roads to become slippery. Motorcycles are not as stable as cars, and this can cause motorcyclists to lose control and crash on snow or icy roads. Other common causes of motorcycle crashes include inexperienced riders, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and speeding.

Understanding Motorcycle Accident Laws in Illinois

The state of Illinois follows a modified negligence system for the recovery of damages in a motorcycle accident. This means that the injured party may only recover compensation if they are less than 50% at fault for the accident. The recovered amount may be reduced in proportion to their share of fault in the accident. For example, if someone was 20% at fault for the accident, they may only recover 80% of the damages.

Another important law for motorcycle accidents is the statute of limitations. Victims have a maximum limit of two years from the date of the accident to initiate legal action. If the statute of limitations has passed, then the victims will likely lose their rights to recover compensation.

All motorcycle accidents that result in death, injury, or property damage over $1500 must be reported to the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) within 10 days. If any driver involved in the accident does not have insurance, then the threshold for reporting requirements is $500.

Establishing Liability in Motorcycle Accidents in Illinois

If a road user violates traffic rules, then they could be responsible for breaching their duty of care toward other road users. For the victim of a motorcycle accident to recover damages, they must establish liability. This usually requires the victim to prove that the defendant owed a duty of care toward them, and this duty was breached through negligence or wrongdoing resulting in injuries. Typically, establishing liability requires solid evidence such as eyewitness testimony, police reports, surveillance footage, and photos or video of the accident site. Medical records can also be used to establish liability for the accident.

Photo of car, helmet and motorcycle on road, the concept of road accidents.

Recoverable Damages in Motorcycle Accidents

Generally, the recoverable damages in a motorcycle accident include medical expenses, such as surgeries, ER visits, hospital stays, therapy, etc. You can also recover compensation for lost income and property damage. For non-economic damages, you may be able to recover compensation for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and mental anguish.

If the motorcycle accident resulted in a wrongful death, the surviving family member or a representative of the deceased’s estate can file a lawsuit to recover funeral costs, burial expenses, and financial support for the dependents of the deceased.

Each motorcycle accident case is unique, so you will have to consult an attorney to understand what damages you can recover in your case. You are welcome to discuss your case with our experienced motorcycle accident lawyer in Palatine at the Law Office of Jack M. Shapiro, P.C.

What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident in Illinois

If you get into a motorcycle accident in Illinois, your priority should be to check for injuries on you and others involved in the accident. If needed, you must not hesitate to call an ambulance. If you are in stable condition at the crash site, you can start gathering the available evidence such as the contact information of other parties involved in the accident and photos or videos of the accident site.

It is against the law to flee an accident, so you must remain at the scene until the police say that it is okay to do so and you have exchanged your contact information with other parties involved in the crash.

You must also notify your insurance company about the accident, and contact an attorney as soon as possible to understand your rights and responsibilities in the aftermath of the motorcycle accident.

Motorcycle Accident Prevention and Safety Tips

The most important motorcycle accident prevention tip is to ensure you obey the traffic rules. This includes avoiding driving practices such as speeding. It is always best to ride defensively to ensure you give yourself enough time to react to any situation on the road. You also need to wear protective gear, such as a helmet and motorcycle jacket. Keeping your motorcycle in good condition is also important as mechanical issues with the bike can lead to accidents.

The Benefits of Hiring The Law Office of Jack M. Shapiro

At the Law Office of Jack M. Shapiro, we have a thorough understanding of motorcycle accident laws in Illinois. We also have the skills and resources to navigate the complex legal processes of a motorcycle accident claim or lawsuit. Our team can handle all the legal aspects of your case, so you can focus on recovering from the accident. We believe in offering personalized attention to every case. Allow us to assess your case to guide you on your best legal options. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.

Client Testimonials

“Mr Shapiro was highly professional to me and the vendors. I would recommend him to anyone with a personal injury. He handled my case extremely well and I am forever grateful to him. I would welcome any questions or concerns anyone has. Thank you.”

Barbara

“Jack is that one attorney that when you meet you know you made a superior choice to hire him. Jack is well professional and experienced on how he is able to meet clients needs. What impressed me apart from every other attorney was his character. I had looked up this law firm on Google. I called the number and Jack answered right away. I explained to him my injury and situation. This is what makes Jack Shapiro Law Firm outstanding to me. He was willing to drive out to my house and meet me for a free consultation. I had a serious Back injury and couldn’t walk or drive. This was such a big relief to me that Jack would make the time that day. Just a simple phone call and it changed my life. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND JACK SHAPIRO for your personal injury case. He will do everything in the client’s best interest to get them a comfortable outcome. A honest trustworthy business partnership between CLIENT AND LAW FIRM. You can’t go wrong with JACK SHAPIRO. Thank You for hearing my story and thank you Jack Shapiro for getting me the compensation for my injuries.”

Charlie

“Knowledgeable attorney, who was there with me every step of the way... Would highly recommend!”

Steve

“I had the pleasure of meeting and working with Jack recently. He is very professional and gets the job done. He is always on top of things and communicates effectively. 5 stars all around. I would definitely recommend him to any one looking for a great lawyer.”

Yesenia

“I was so pleasantly surprised at the care that Mr. Jack Shapiro gave me I was involved in an accident in September 2021 and this is August of 2022 and I already have my settlement, very generous settlement which I was not expecting. He kept me informed often of the progress he was making. I am so happy that I chose him. I have not met him before my case, but I will suggest him to everyone. I would like to thank Mr. Shapiro publicly as I have done also in private – he is fantastic.”

Daphne

“Awesome service and I would recommend them any day. Both Jack and Dan thoroughly listened to my experience/issues and provided a GREAT service legally.”

Srikanth

“I don't usually leave reviews but I'm thankful beyond words. Jack Shapiro was very professional taking the time to explain my case in detail. I was able to get in touch with him about my case any time I had questions. The best thing is he will tell you everything that is going to happen about your case up front before moving forward. To describe jack Shapiro it's simple honest, trustworthy, professional ect. and much more. I 100% recommend jack Shapiro if your looking for an attorney that you can trust and not have to worry about you case knowing that he will be on top of it and he will update you on your case till the end. Thank you again . Best wishes.”

Ioan

“Great experience, explained every step, completely transparent with costs and where money is going etc. Very understanding and supportive. I highly recommend but hope no one ever needs.”

Edward

“I came to Jack with a challenging claim as I'm a US citizen living overseas. He was so flexible in making time to have virtual meetings despite the 17hour time difference. He really went above and beyond what I ever expected of a lawyer dealing with my accident claim. Jack made sure to explain everything as much as I needed so that I could ultimately make the best decisions for myself. He handled the claim so professionally and quickly. It was a very unfortunate circumstance that led me to seek out his help, but he really made me feel comfortable and at ease to more or less leave the claim in his hands. I could not recommend him more! So thankful for his help! ”

Tasha

“I am a lawyer who works with Jack and I highly recommend him. He is diligent for his clients to get the maximum amount for their injuries. I have recommended people to him and everyone has been happy with his work and communication. If you are in an accident call Jack Shapiro so you can get the amount and lawyer you deserve. ”

Brian Freiman

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