Motorcyclists Injured Due to Negligence May Sue for Damages

 Posted on June 20, 2018 in Personal Injury

As the warmer weather has finally come to Illinois, more and more motorcyclists are enjoying the freedom of the open road. Unfortunately, every year thousands of individuals are killed and injured while riding a motorcycle. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that in 2015, approximately 88,000 people were injured and nearly 5,000 people lost their lives in motorcycle crashes. If you or someone you love has been injured or killed in a motorcycle accident, read on to learn how you can recover damages through a personal injury lawsuit.

When Negligence Causes a Motorcycle Accident

There are many reasons that motorcycle accidents occur. If a motorcyclist is killed or injured because another motorist was not acting with reasonable care, that victim or their family may be able to recover compensation. A motorist who is not acting with reasonable care does not fulfill his or her duty to drive safely. More specifically, a negligent driver may:

• Speed;
• Fail to yield;
• Fail to consider his or her surroundings;
• Drive while using a cell phone or while otherwise distracted;
• Fail to follow traffic lights or signs;
• Drive while intoxicated; or
• Fail to take the motorcyclist’s speed into consideration.

Because motorcycles do not offer nearly the same amount of protection to passengers as cars do, motorcycle crashes can be quite severe. Common injuries suffered by motorcyclists involved in car accidents include broken bones, lacerations, back and neck injuries, brain injuries, paralysis, and internal organ damage.

Strategies Used to Prove Negligence

It can be difficult to prove exactly what happened during a traffic accident, but an Illinois motorcycle accident attorney can help tremendously. In order to prove that the motorcyclist was injured due to negligence, a qualified attorney may:

• Consult with experts such as accident reconstructionists;
• Interview witnesses to the accident;
• Take photographs of the accident scene and vehicle damage;
• Analyze police reports;
• Evaluate video footage of the accident;
• Communicate with insurance carriers; and
• Review in-vehicle computer data or “black boxes.”

Have You or a Loved One Suffered Due to a Motorcycle Accident?

The experienced Orland Park personal injury lawyers at Schwartz Injury Law pride themselves on being advocates for motorcycle accident victims. We work aggressively and efficiently to protect the rights and interests of motorcyclists who are injured in motorcycle crashes. Contact us at 708-888-2160 to schedule a consultation with one of our dedicated attorneys today. We proudly serve clients in Will County and throughout Northern Illinois.

Sources:

https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/812353

https://www.iii.org/article/background-on-motorcycle-crashes