Our office approaches motorcycle accident claims by focusing on how the collision occurred, what each person did, and how the injuries changed the client's life.
Common Motorcycle Collision Scenarios
Many motorcycle crashes occur when another driver turns left across a rider's path, changes lanes without seeing the motorcycle, follows too closely, enters from a side street, or fails to yield at an intersection. Other cases involve roadway hazards, commercial vehicles, impaired drivers, or multiple vehicles.
Because motorcycles are smaller and can be overlooked, visibility often becomes an issue. That does not relieve other motorists of their obligation to use reasonable care.
Combating Assumptions About Riders
A motorcyclist can be subjected to allegations of speeding, unsafe riding, or risk taking even when the evidence does not support those claims. Illinois comparative fault rules make the allocation of responsibility important.
Photographs, video, witness accounts, vehicle damage, skid evidence, electronic data, roadway layout, and protective equipment may all be relevant depending on the issue being disputed. The purpose of the investigation is to determine what actually occurred, not to rely on stereotypes.
Serious Injuries Require Careful Documentation
Motorcycle accidents can cause fractures, orthopedic injuries, traumatic brain injuries, spinal injuries, road rash, scarring, nerve damage, and permanent limitations.
A meaningful claim considers treatment, future care when medically supported, time away from work, reduced earning ability, pain and suffering, disability, disfigurement, and loss of normal life. The long term impact can be very different from the immediate emergency room diagnosis.
Insurance Issues
Potential sources of recovery may include the other driver's liability coverage, commercial insurance if a business vehicle was involved, and uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage under an applicable policy.
When injuries are serious, identifying all available coverage can be especially important. Policy terms, limits, exclusions, and notice requirements should be reviewed rather than assumed.
What Should I Do After a Motorcycle Accident?
Obtain appropriate medical care, preserve photographs of the motorcycle, protective equipment, other vehicles, roadway, and injuries, and retain witness and insurance information when possible. Avoid repairing or disposing of important physical evidence until its potential relevance has been considered.
If you have been injured in a motorcycle collision, Michael and his team can investigate the circumstances, address disputed liability, review available insurance, and help you understand the options for pursuing an Illinois personal injury claim.
Areas We Serve
Michael J. Lucas & Associates, LLC assists clients throughout Boone County, Cook County, DuPage County, Kane County, Lake County, McHenry County, and Will County.
Our office serves clients throughout Northern Illinois, including Addison, Algonquin, Antioch, Arlington Heights, Aurora, Barrington, Bartlett, Batavia, Belvidere, Bloomingdale, Bolingbrook, Buffalo Grove, Carpentersville, Cary, Chicago, Crystal Lake, Deerfield, Des Plaines, Downers Grove, Elgin, Elk Grove Village, Elmhurst, Evanston, Fox Lake, Fox River Grove, Frankfort, Geneva, Glen Ellyn, Glenview, Grayslake, Gurnee, Hanover Park, Hampshire, Harvard, Highland Park, Hoffman Estates, Huntley, Joliet, Lake Barrington, Lake Forest, Lake in the Hills, Lake Zurich, Libertyville, Lincolnshire, Lisle, Lockport, Lombard, Marengo, McHenry, Mokena, Mount Prospect, Mundelein, Naperville, New Lenox, Northbrook, Palatine, Park Ridge, Plainfield, Poplar Grove, Prospect Heights, Rolling Meadows, Romeoville, Roselle, Schaumburg, Shorewood, South Elgin, St. Charles, Streamwood, Sugar Grove, Vernon Hills, Waukegan, West Chicago, Wheaton, Wheeling, Wilmette, Winfield, Wood Dale, Woodridge, and Woodstock.