Even if you wear appropriate safety gear and follow traffic laws, you may still be at serious risk of suffering severe physical harm in a motorcycle collision. Unfortunately, a single act by a careless motor vehicle driver can have disastrous consequences for motorcyclists, especially if the incident occurs at highway speeds. In many cases, these injuries are life-threatening or fatal.
Holding someone else liable for the harm they caused you in a motorcycle crash could be much easier with assistance from an experienced Plainfield motorcycle accident lawyer. Sadly, many legal roadblocks could prevent you from collecting financial recovery. But fortunately, a knowledgeable personal injury attorney’s guidance could be essential to navigating these claims and ensuring you receive a favorable case outcome.
Often, the legal basis for motorcycle accident litigation in Illinois is “negligence.” According to the law, negligence violates an established “duty” that is the primary and direct cause of an otherwise preventable accident.
Anyone who operates motor vehicles on public roads has the same “duty” to obey traffic laws and pay close attention to nearby drivers, cars, and obstacles around them. Therefore, anyone who collides with a motorcyclist specifically because they broke the law, were not paying attention, or acted recklessly can be held liable for damages based on their negligence.
However, while another driver’s misconduct is the most common reason for motorcycle collisions, it is not the only possible basis for a settlement demand or lawsuit. For example, if an incident stems primarily from a mechanical defect in an injured rider’s motorcycle, the bike’s manufacturer or a specific mechanic could be held liable for failing to ensure the bike was safe enough to operate. A hardworking attorney in Plainfield could provide further guidance about how negligence and fault might apply to a motorcycle crash case.
Because unprotected motorcyclists often sustain severe injuries in collisions with other motor vehicle drivers, comprehensive motorcycle crash claims must account for various past and future economic and non-economic damages. The most common losses resulting from motorcycle wrecks include:
Regardless of how long the effects of a wreck are expected to last, the longest an injured person generally has to file suit after their incident is two years, according to 735 Illinois Compiled Statutes §5/13-202. Therefore, support from a seasoned lawyer could be vital to building a strong claim within this filing deadline following a motorcycle crash in Plainfield.
Motorcyclists have a reputation for being reckless thrill-seekers with no regard for other drivers around them. However, in reality, motorcyclists are often hurt much more by the negligent actions of other people than by their own misconduct.
If someone else’s irresponsible actions caused you to sustain severe injuries while riding, taking prompt and proactive legal action against them could be crucial to protecting your long-term interests and ensuring you get the compensation you deserve. A Plainfield motorcycle accident lawyer could explain your legal options and rights in detail during a confidential consultation. Schedule a meeting by calling us today.