In many cases, motorcycle accidents happen when careless or distracted automobile drivers strike motorcycles. However, the fault for collisions between motorcycles and other road users can also fall on negligent riders. Understanding what to do if you were hit by a motorcycle in Chicago, IL, may affect your right to injury compensation.
Specifically, you can seek financial compensation for your injury-related losses if your Chicago motorcycle accident lawyer proves the bike operator was negligent in causing the crash. Powell and Pisman Injury Lawyers can help ensure that careless motorcyclists are held liable for their actions.
Call our Chicago personal injury attorneys at (312) 635-5400 to schedule a free consultation.
How Powell and Pisman Injury Lawyers Can Help After Getting Hit by a Motorcycle in Chicago, IL
Our firm has a strong record of success, with over $250 million in settlements and court awards recovered for accident victims in Chicago, Illinois. We have over 35 years of combined legal experience fighting for the compensation our clients deserve.
Our Chicago personal injury lawyers can assist in the following ways after you get hit by a careless, aggressive, or intoxicated motorcycle operator:
- Discuss your accident and analyze your legal rights
- Prepare an insurance claim using evidence establishing the rider’s liability
- Negotiate with the motorcyclist’s insurer for fair compensation
- File a lawsuit if we cannot settle your insurance claim
Collisions with motorcycles can result in injuries that require expensive medical attention. Contact us to schedule a free consultation with a Chicago motorcycle accident attorney to learn how we help crash victims pursue compensation from at-fault motorcyclists.
Steps to Take After a Chicago Collision with a Motorcycle
After any crash, including a crash involving a motorcycle, you should take the following steps to document the collision and preserve your legal rights:
Stop at the Crash Scene
All drivers involved in car accidents that caused injury or death must stop at the crash scene. This law applies to everyone involved in the crash, including the driver who did not cause it. In other words, you must still stop at the accident scene when a motorcyclist hits your car.
If you fail to do so, you commit a hit and run. You may face criminal consequences. Additionally, if you are not present to explain your side of the story, the motorcyclist may blame you for the collision.
Contact the Police
You must immediately notify the police of any crash that causes injury or death. Let the dispatcher know if you or anyone else at the crash scene requires medical attention so they can send paramedics.
The officers responding to your call will investigate the collision and prepare an accident report. You should cooperate with the police so the report includes your version of the events. The report will also include the insurance information for everyone involved and the officers’ summary of their investigation. This report can provide valuable support for your injury claim.
Document the Crash Scene
A key issue in your case will involve causation. Photos of the crash scene help you, your lawyer, and your expert witnesses explain how the motorcyclist caused the crash. They might even establish how the crash happened. For example, skid marks might show that you tried to brake after the motorcyclist ran a stop sign.
Witness testimony will also help you prove your case. Gather the names and contact information of anyone who saw the crash. Your lawyer can interview the witnesses as they prepare your case.
Seek Medical Care Appropriate for Your Injuries
Visit an emergency room, a quick care clinic, or a doctor’s office. The medical provider will document your injuries and prepare a treatment plan. These medical records will help you prove how and when you were injured. They will also support your claim for compensation for past and future medical expenses.
Liability for Chicago Collisions Caused by Motorcyclists
Consider consulting a lawyer once you have taken steps to document your collision and protect your health. An attorney can analyze your case and determine liability for your injuries.
Specifically, the lawyer will examine whether the motorcyclist was negligent in causing your collision. Negligence means the rider failed to operate the motorcycle with reasonable care. For example, a motorcyclist who failed to yield, rode while impaired, or disobeyed a traffic signal might have acted negligently.
The lawyer will also examine whether you contributed to the cause of the crash. Illinois law relies on a rule called comparative negligence to reduce the damages of any victim who contributed to their injuries. For example, suppose that you brake-checked a motorcycle that was tailgating you. You might share the blame for your injuries because of your own negligence.
Contact Our Chicago Motorcycle Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation
Motorcyclist negligence can lead to serious collisions. Contact Powell and Pisman Injury Lawyers for a free consultation. Our Chicago motorcycle accident lawyers can discuss your crash and your right to seek financial compensation from the motorcyclist and their insurer.