If you were recently involved in a motorcycle accident, you are not alone. In fact, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation, motorcycle accidents accounted for 15.8 percent of fatal crashes and 3.7 percent of injurious crashes in Illinois, despite only making up 1.1 percent of total crashes.
Motorcycles are commonly involved in accidents because of their low visibility and small size, and because other drivers fail to pay close attention to motorcycle drivers on the road. Specifically, accidents involving motorcycles are often caused by drivers breaching their duty by texting and driving, failing to stop at traffic signals, or failing to take reasonable precautions to avoid an accident.
If you suffered injury or lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident, contact an experienced Oak Lawn motorcycle accident lawyer today. A dedicated personal injury attorney could meet with you to discuss your case, engage in an extensive investigation to help identify the responsible party, and fight to hold them liable and accountable for your injuries and losses. En Español.
Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries
The Illinois Department of Transportation report that of the 2,643 motorcycle accident injuries in 2015, 905 of these accidents resulted in A-level injuries. An A-level injury is an injury that prevents a person from walking, driving or normally continuing the activities he/she was capable of performing before the injury occurred.
More specifically, injuries that are common in Oak Lawn motorcycle accidents include:
- Brain and head injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
- Chest injuries
- Eye injuries
- Road rash
- Amputations
The Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Oak Lawn
Motorcycle accidents are often caused by inattentive and distracted drivers. Because motorcycles are less visible, they are often missed by drivers while changing lanes, making turns, or even coming to stops.
Another leading cause of motorcycle accidents is defective parts. This includes flawed braking systems, defective coolant components, and faulty shock absorbers. Manufacturers have a responsibility to ensure the products that go into a motorcycle are safe, and if a component such as braking pads fails to properly function and results in an injury, an injured rider may be entitled to file a lawsuit against the manufacturer.
Hazardous road conditions are also a leading cause of motorcycle accidents. Dangerous road conditions such as potholes, pavement seams, uneven roads, and debris can cause a motorcycle driver or a motorist to be involved in a motorcycle accident. If this occurs on a public road, injured parties may be able to file suit against the local municipal authority responsible for maintaining that road. For help with filing a claim, individuals should get in contact with an Oak Lawn motorcycle accident lawyer.
Collecting Compensation for a Motorcycle Accident
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, crash-related injuries and deaths across the country can produce as much as $12 billion in total economic losses. This is in large part due to the severity of most motorcycle accident injuries.
Under Illinois negligence and personal injury laws, a motorcycle driver or passenger who has suffered an injury due to another’s negligence may be entitled to recover compensation for:
- Medical expenses
- Emergency medical treatment
- Hospital visits
- Medications
- Assistive medical devices
- Rehabilitation services
- Lost income
- Pain and suffering
Why Choose an Oak Lawn Motorcycle Accident Attorney?
An Oak Lawn motorcycle accident lawyer could be an invaluable resource in a motorcycle accident case. Many defendants and insurance companies want to blame bikers for motorcycle accident regardless of the facts of the case, but a dedicated attorney could work with independent investigators to collect evidence and support your claim. Call today to start exploring your options and get started on your case.