A motorcycle accident can change your life in an instant. If you were the victim of one, a Joliet personal injury lawyer can help you seek justice.
Postman Law has represented over 1.4 million clients. If you or someone you love was injured in a motorcycle crash, a motorcycle accident lawyer in Joliet can help you obtain compensation for your losses.
Why Hire a Joliet Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?
Motorcycle accident cases are often more complicated than standard car accident cases. A Joliet motorcycle accident lawyer can assist with your case by:
- Investigating the accident: We can gather police reports, surveillance footage, witness statements, photographs, and other evidence to determine how the crash occurred and who is liable.
- Calculating your damages: We can determine the value of your claim by considering both your current losses and future financial needs.
- Negotiating with insurance companies: We can handle communications with insurers and push back against low settlement offers.
- Representing you in court: If settlement negotiations fail, we can present your case before a judge or jury.
For a free legal consultation with a motorcycle accident lawyer serving Joliet, call 844-767-8626
What Types of Compensation Can You Recover?
The value of your motorcycle accident case will depend on the severity of your injuries, available insurance coverage, and other case-specific factors. You may be able to recover compensation for:
- Medical expenses: You can seek payment for emergency care, surgeries, hospitalization, medications, rehabilitation, medical equipment, and future treatment.
- Lost wages: You can recover income you lost during your recovery.
- Reduced earning capacity: You may be compensated if your injuries permanently impact your ability to earn a living.
- Pain and suffering: You can recover damages for the physical pain and emotional hardship caused by the accident.
- Permanent disability: You may receive additional compensation for lasting impairments that affect your daily life.
- Disfigurement and scarring: Serious permanent scars and physical changes may increase the value of your claim.
- Property damage: You can recover the cost of repairing or replacing your motorcycle and damaged riding gear.
- Loss of enjoyment of life: Additional compensation may be available if your injuries prevent you from participating in hobbies, recreation, or everyday activities you used to enjoy.
- Wrongful death damages: If you lose a loved one in a fatal motorcycle accident, you may be able to pursue compensation for funeral expenses, financial support, and other losses.
- Punitive damages: In rare cases involving especially reckless or intentional misconduct from the other party, the court may award you punitive damages.
Joliet Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Near Me 844-767-8626
How Long Do You Have to File a Motorcycle Accident Claim in Illinois?
According to 735 ILCS 5/13-202, you generally have two years from the date of a motorcycle accident to file a personal injury lawsuit in Illinois. If you don’t file within this window, you will likely lose the ability to recover compensation.
A different deadline may apply if your case involves government entities, injured minors, or the delayed discovery of injuries, which is why you should contact a motorcycle accident attorney in Joliet as soon as you can.
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What if You Were Partially At Fault?
Illinois’s comparative fault rule can impact your settlement. According to this system, if you are found to be 50% or less responsible for a motorcycle accident, you can generally recover damages. However, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
For example, if your damages total $200,000 and you are found to be 20% responsible, your recovery would be reduced to $160,000. If you are found to be 51% or more at fault, you will not be able to recover damages.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Joliet
Motorcycle crashes occur for many reasons, most of which involve driver negligence. Some of the leading causes of motorcycle accidents in Joliet include:
- Drivers making unsafe left turns in front of motorcycles
- Failure to yield the right-of-way
- Distracted driving
- Speeding
- Following motorcycles too closely
- Unsafe lane changes
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Aggressive driving and road rage
- Opening car doors into a rider’s path
- Running red lights or stop signs
- Poor road maintenance
- Hazardous construction zones
- Defective motorcycle parts or equipment
Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries
Motorcycle crashes often produce catastrophic injuries. Some of the most common ones include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Concussions
- Spinal cord injuries
- Neck injuries
- Back injuries
- Broken bones
- Facial injuries
- Road rash
- Internal bleeding
- Severe burns
- Amputations
- Nerve damage
- Permanent scarring and disfigurement
What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident in Joliet
The steps you take after a motorcycle crash matter. Make sure to:
- Call 911 and report the accident.
- Exchange information with the other driver.
- Take photographs of the accident scene, vehicles, roadway, and any visible injuries.
- Collect contact information from witnesses.
- Seek immediate medical attention, even if your injuries don’t appear serious.
- Preserve your damaged helmet, riding gear, and motorcycle.
- Don’t give any recorded statements to insurance adjusters.
- Keep records of your medical expenses and lost income.
- Consult an attorney before accepting a settlement offer.
Speak to a Motorcycle Accident Attorney in Joliet
Recovering from a motorcycle accident can be physically and emotionally challenging. While you focus on healing, a Joliet motorcycle accident attorney from Postman Law can handle every aspect of your claim and fight for the compensation you need to get back on your feet.
Schedule a free case review to find out how you can get paid for your accident.