Champaign Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Motorcycles are a common part of our transportation landscape in Illinois, and with thousands of miles of flat roadways as well as great weather for most of the year, it is not difficult to see why. However, motorcycles provide little protection compared to other vehicles on the road, and when an accident occurs involving a motorcycle driver, the injuries can be devastating. As an expert in motorcycle accident injury claims, the office of Patel Law, P.C. in Champaign is here to help. Attorney Baku Patel is an experienced and highly qualified Champaign motorcycle accident lawyer. Call the office or contact us today to schedule a free consultation of your injury case and learn more about how our attorneys will aggressively fight for the compensation you deserve after an accident.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
Because motorcycles are so much smaller than most other vehicles on the road, many accidents are caused simply because other drivers are not looking out for motorcyclists. Distracted driving causes many accidents with motorcycles every year, when the driver of a larger vehicle gets distracted behind the wheel and hits a motorcycle. Reckless driving is also a common cause of motorcycle accidents, when larger vehicles speed, follow motorcycles too closely, do not signal during turns, and engage in other reckless behavior that ultimately causes an accident.
Failure to obey traffic signs and signals also causes many accidents with motorcycles. When the driver of a larger vehicle blows through a red light or fails to stop at a stop sign, they can strike a motorcyclist and cause catastrophic injuries. Other common causes of motorcycle accidents in Illinois include drivers of larger vehicle driving under the influence, merging accidents, door check accidents, and accidents caused by equipment failure.
Motorcycle Accident Injuries
In the best case scenario, a motorcyclist may be wearing a helmet, protective eye gear, and leather clothing to protect them from injuries. This is significantly less protection than drivers and passengers of larger vehicles have, and as a result the injuries sustained by motorcyclists is often far more severe in accidents. Some of the most common injuries caused by motorcycle accidents include the following:
- Lacerations and road rash
- Traumatic tattooing from debris and asphalt embedded in skin
- Compound or multiple broken bones
- Traumatic amputation of limbs
- Joint injuries
- Internal organ damage and internal bleeding
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Head injuries and facial trauma
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Death
If you or a loved one is involved in a motorcycle accident, it is critical that you hire an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer to handle your case.
Compensation for Motorcycle Accidents
Compensation for motorcycle accident injuries is often crucial for victims and their families to cover the cost of expenses after a crash. In many cases, victims are unable to return to work during a lengthy recovery period, if at all after an accident. Damages for motorcycle accident injuries include coverage of all economic and noneconomic loss. Economic losses include all out of pocket expenses like medical bills, lost wages, property loss, and the loss of future income and benefits. Noneconomic losses compensate the victim for all disability and disfigurement caused by the accident in addition to pain and suffering, emotional distress, and the loss of enjoyment of life.
In fatal motorcycle accidents, the family of the deceased may also seek compensation for wrongful death. Damages for wrongful death include compensation for all final medical expenses related to the accident, funeral and burial costs, and for the loss of love, guidance, support, and companionship of the victim.
It is important to note that compensation in motorcycle accidents can be affected by Illinois’ modified comparative fault rule. For all personal injury cases, the court determines the degree of fault for all parties involved in the accident and reduces the overall award by that percentage. However, if a party is found to be 50% or more at fault for the accident, they are barred from recovering any damages for their injuries. For example, if a motorcycle accident caused a victim $100,000 in damages who was 10% at fault, the total award would be reduced to $90,000. In the same example, if the victim was found 60% at fault they would collect nothing for their injuries.
Call or Contact Patel Law Today
The injuries caused by a motorcycle accident can be devastating for the victim, which is why you should only trust the best motorcycle accident attorneys in Illinois with your case. Call or contact Patel Law, P.C. today to schedule a free evaluation.
