Motorcycles made their debut on the transportation scene in 1894 in Germany--just eight years after the automobile was invented by Carl Benz. Since then, they’ve become an integral part of transportation around the world.
Today, motorcycling is primarily a fun pastime in the United States. In Illinois, there are local biker clubs and bars that connect folks and build communities. People gather at motorcycling events and rallies. Bikers ride their motorcycles to travel across the country, cruise on a summer afternoon or go off-road racing.
Riding a motorcycle is very dangerous, though. According to a 2020 report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), bikers are 27 times more likely to die in accidents compared to passenger car occupants. They’re also at a higher risk of being seriously injured in a crash.
Just like any other driver, a motorcyclist may be injured in an accident through no fault of their own. All it takes is an inexperienced driver not to see them while making a left-hand turn at an intersection--and a biker’s life is changed forever.
After a motorcycle crash, medical bills often start piling up. Doctor’s appointments replace fun biker events on the calendar. The injured biker doesn’t know if he’ll be able to return to work.
We Can Help After a Motorcycle Accident in Illinois
If you were recently injured in a crash, our motorcycle accident lawyers are here to help you and your family navigate this uncertain time. At Shannon Law Group, we help accident victims recover emotionally and financially so that they can heal and continue living a full life.
How do we do this? Our attorneys hold them accountable in the court of law. When another person acts negligently and causes harm to you, you have a right to pursue compensation for the damages you sustained as a result of the motorcycle accident.
You pay taxes every year to fund this dispute resolution system. The injured people of Illinois use this system to get the compensation they need to move on with their lives. Our personal injury attorneys guided these folks on this path to resolution.
While we can’t undo the wrong that was done to you, our motorcycle accident attorneys can help you get back on your feet. When we’ve represented motorcycle accident victims in the past, we fought and won against insurance companies and their team of defense lawyers.
We’re ready to fight for you. Contact today for a free consultation. You can either call us at (312) 578-9501 or fill out the form below to get started. We’ll help you and your family determine the best course of action for you during the meeting.
Can I sue after a motorcycle accident in Illinois?
Yes, you have a right to sue any negligent parties responsible for a motorcycle crash. Under the law, you may seek compensation for any damages you’ve suffered as a result of the accident, including medical bills, lost wages, or pain and suffering.
Contact our Chicago motorcycle accident lawyers at Shannon Law Group today to schedule your free consultation. We’re available 24/7 to take your call at (312) 578-9501.
Should I Get a Lawyer for a Motorcycle Accident?
Many law firms across Illinois will tell you that you need a lawyer after a motorcycle accident--no matter what.
At Shannon Law Group, we have a different approach. Our motorcycle accident lawyers only take cases where they can make a difference. Oftentimes, these cases involve serious and life-altering injuries or death.
So, if you were in an accident and walked away virtually unscathed, you probably don’t need an attorney to resolve your claim. At the end of the day, you will keep more money in your pocket by settling your minor accident claim by yourself.
When should you hire a lawyer? If you were seriously injured as a result of the accident, you should contact an attorney ASAP.
The greater the injury, the more damages are involved. Your life may be forever changed by this one motorcycle accident. You may be owed hundreds of thousands of dollars.
However, the other driver’s insurance companies will rarely compensate you fairly if you handle your claim by yourself. They will lowball you every chance they get. The Insurance industry knows that hiring an attorney will increase the value of your claim.
Multiple studies from the Insurance Research Council (IRC) have shown that, on average, injured parties received higher payouts when they had retained an attorney. One study by the IRC found that these folks received 40 percent higher compensation than those who did not hire a lawyer.
The bottom line is that you should never settle your case for less than what it’s worth--especially when you’re injured and you don’t know if your life will ever be the same again.
The personal injury lawyers at Shannon Law Group understand how much your case means to you and your family. That’s why we offer free, no-obligation consultations to motorcycle accident victims. Click the button below to book yours today.
When Should I File a Motorcycle Accident Claim?
The short answer is as soon as possible (especially if you suffered serious or life-altering injuries as a result of the motorcycle accident).
Under Illinois law, you have two (2) years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver. However, do not wait until
What should I expect during a motorcycle accident lawsuit?
Our team at Shannon Law Group understands that filing a lawsuit after a motorcycle accident is a difficult decision. But oftentimes, it’s the only way to move forward and secure your family’s financial future.
Below, we’ve outlined an overview of how personal injury lawsuits work in Illinois. (If you have any questions, feel free to contact us, and we’ll be happy to answer them.)
- Initial consultation. All lawsuits began with a consultation. At Shannon Law Group, our consultations come at no cost to you. During the meeting, you will sit down with our attorneys and discuss the facts of your case. We will explain how our services may benefit you and your family. If you want to retain an attorney, they will ask that you sign various agreements that allow them to act on your behalf. Many personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, which means they collect a percentage of the compensation you’re awarded if they come through for you. We offer the same arrangement, and we’ll even take less of a percentage of your award if we resolve your claim sooner.
- Investigation. Without a doubt, this is the most important phase in your case. After you hire an attorney to handle your case, he or she will begin investigating your case and gathering evidence. At our firm, we hire a private investigator as soon as you sign the paperwork. This investigator will gather vital evidence from the scene of the crash, including witness statements, photos of the vehicles, footage of the accident, and more. We will request your medical records and bills. This evidence lays the foundation of your case and will later help tell your story to a jury and the defense counsel.
- Filing your lawsuit. At Shannon Law Group, we always file any case we handle. We let judges and the court resolve your claim, instead of leaving it up to the insurance companies. Once we have completed the initial investigation, your attorney will draft the complaint and file it in the appropriate venue.
- Discovery. After your case is filed, the discovery phase starts soon after. Discovery is the process of exchanging information with the opposing counsel. Both parties will be required by the judge to disclose any and all information related to the crash and the resulting injuries. At some point, both parties will begin taking discovery depositions. You will be asked to give your testimony at some point. Your attorney will help you through that process.
- Resolution. When the discovery process is complete, your case will move toward resolution. The defense counsel may offer to settle your case at any point. They may also request arbitration, which is an alternative dispute resolution outside of the courts. A fair arbitrator will hear the facts of a case and offer an arbitration award if found in favor of the plaintiff. If your case does not settle, the judge will order a trial setting call. Your case will then be assigned for a jury trial. At Shannon Law Group, we are trial lawyers at heart. We’re ready to tell your story in front of a jury panel and win.
What Types of Compensation Can I Recover from a Lawsuit in Illinois?
Victims of motorcycle accidents and their close family members may receive compensation from negligent parties according to Illinois law. The state government has identified what types of compensation they can receive.
These are called damages. Damages are a remedy in the form of monetary awards paid to the injured party for loss or injury. The court recognizes two types of compensation: economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages are losses that are easy to calculate. They’re visible in your everyday life. They impact your family’s ability to put food on the table or keep the lights on. These damages impact your daily life in a quantifiable way. Common examples of economic damages are:
- Medical bills, including costs covered by your health insurance provider. Even if you have health insurance, you’re entitled to compensation for any and all treatment you receive as a result of a motorcycle accident.
- Past and future lost wages. You're also entitled to any income you lost in the past and any income you would have received in the future if the crash had never happened.
- Lost earning capacity. Let’s say you were training to become a pipefitter before the accident. Due to your injury, you’re no longer capable of continuing that career. You’re on light duty and have to work at a desk for the rest of your life. In this situation, you may be entitled to compensation for that loss in earning capacity according to Illinois law.
- Out of pocket expenses related to the injury, such as home renovations or medical equipment costs.
Now that you understand what economic damages are, let’s talk about non-economic damages. This type of compensation is difficult to quantify. Illinois law actually defines them as “intangible.” A jury will award these damages to motorcycle accident victims during a trial.
They include:
- Pain and suffering. If someone experiences pain in their knee every time they bend down to weed their garden, they should receive compensation for that suffering.
- Disability. Let’s say Mary can no longer walk after a motorcycle accident. She may be entitled to an award for her disability.
- Disfigurement. People injured in motorcycle accidents may receive compensation for disfigurement if they were scarred or lost limbs.
- Loss of society. This type of compensation is for the loved ones of those injured in motorcycle crashes. When your loved one is seriously injured, they’re no longer present or available in the ways they once were. These injuries often change family dynamics. Spouses or children become caretakers overnight. The law understands that folks should be compensated for this loss.
What to do after a motorcycle accident?
A motorcycle accident can be one of the most stressful events in a biker’s life. Your adrenaline kicks in, having survived a dangerous collision. But you’ve never been in this situation. Now, what should you do?
At Shannon Law Group, our attorneys have helped bikers get back on their feet after a serious motorcycle crash.
Here’s what we recommend after a motorcycle accident in Illinois:
- Seek medical treatment (and follow any recommendations). Your health comes first—always. If you were injured in the crash, seek medical care immediately. Do not delay treatment. After you start on the path to recovery, make sure to follow your doctor’s instructors and attend all appointments.
- Gather evidence from the scene of the crash (if possible). Preserve any and all evidence from the motorcycle accident. At the scene of the crash, take photos of the vehicles and license plates (if possible). Exchange information with the other driver. Photograph your injuries and document your recovery. Request your medical records and bills. Like a crime scene, these pieces of evidence help build and support your case against the at-fault driver. Evidence helps the defense counsel, insurance adjusters, and jury members understand your story and why you deserve to be justly compensated.
- Hire an experienced personal injury attorney who’s not afraid to fight for you (and win). We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: If you sustained a serious injury that required months of therapy or surgery, you need to hire a reputable motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible. Handling your case by yourself is stressful. There are several steps you must take in order to resolve a motorcycle accident lawsuit successfully. The bottom line is that an experienced trial lawyer like Joe Shannon or Jack Cannon will often win the compensation you need to move on with your life. While they’re managing your lawsuit, you delegate the stress of your case to them and focus on recovery.
How do I report a motorcycle accident?
At the scene of the crash, call 911. The responding police officers will create an Illinois Traffic Crash Report. This document will include the information of the parties involved, how the accident happened, and other relevant details. You can purchase a copy of the crash report here.
What are Illinois’s Motorcycle Helmet Laws?
In Illinois, you are not required to wear your helmet when riding a motorcycle. It is currently only one of two states with no motorcycle helmet laws in the country. You are, however, required to wear proper eye protection if the bike is not equipped with a windshield.
At Shannon Law Group, we encourage all bikers to wear NHTSA-certified helmets while riding motorcycles, even if the law doesn’t. As highway safety advocates, our job is to educate the public to prevent serious injuries and needless deaths, so you don’t have to hire us.
The facts don’t lie. According to the NHTSA’s 2017 Motorcycle Crash Statistics Report, in states without universal helmet laws, 57 percent of motorcyclists killed were not wearing helmets.
What if I wasn’t wearing a helmet? Does that affect my claim?
It’s recommended that you wear a helmet while riding a motorcycle. In Illinois, though, you are not required to wear a helmet under state law.
So, if you weren’t wearing a helmet at the time of the crash and you didn’t cause the accident, it may not impact your claim against the other driver. Every case is different.
What Causes Motorcycle Accidents?
In 2018 alone, 2,973 motorcycle crashes happened in Illinois. What causes these accidents to occur in the first place?
Just like any other collisions, motorcycle accidents can be caused by:
- Manufacture defects. Every year, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and manufacturers alike recall motorcycles due to safety defects. If left unresolved, these defects put bikers and passengers at risk for serious injury or death if the motorcycle malfunctions while in use. Go to the NHTSA's website to find out if your bike was recalled. According to a study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, supersport-style bikes tend to have the most accidents, even though they only account for a small percentage of bikes registered in the U.S. They have a very high horsepower-to-weight ratio, meaning they can accelerate fast while weighing less.
- Driving under the influence. In 2018, motorcyclists accounted for 12 percent of all fatal crashes in Illinois. Of those bikers involved in those accidents, 37.6 percent tested positive driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Bikers are also injured by drunk drivers.
- Reckless driving. Speeding and making unsafe lane changes are just a few examples of reckless driving. Several motorcycle accidents are caused by drivers who don’t “see” bikers on the road before they make a turn or lane change.
- Distracted driving. There are countless distractions in any vehicle—but especially in cars. All it takes is one second fiddling with the radio or a smartphone for a driver to hit an unsuspecting motorcyclist.
What Injuries Are Associated with Motorcycle Accidents?
Motorcycles require skill and technique to operate safely. While they’re fun to ride, they are one of the most dangerous vehicles to drive due to a lack of protection to the biker.
According to the NHTSA, motorcyclists are about 27 times as likely as passenger car occupants to die in a motor vehicle accident. In 2018, motorcycle crashes accounted for 3 percent of all injury crashes in Illinois.
In total, 2,266 motorcyclists sustained injuries that year. Of those injured, 811 suffered serious permanent injuries called “A-injuries” or incapacitating injuries.
The Illinois Department of Transportation defines an A-injury as any injury that prevents the injured person from walking, driving, or normally continuing the activities he or she was capable of performing before the injury occurred.
These injuries include:
- Serious lacerations.
- Broken bones or fractures.
- Skull or chest injuries.
- Abdominal injuries.
Why Choose Shannon Law Group?
There's one thing you should know about us: We only take cases worthy of being tried in front of a jury. Because of this, we have the time, knowledge, and experience to go above and beyond for you - unlike other personal injury attorneys in Illinois who have hundreds or thousands of accident cases.
What's more, we have an inside scoop on the insurance industry. Before he represented injured people, lead attorney Joe Shannon represented corporations and their insurers. He sat on the other side of the table, so he knows what the insurance company will offer and what they won't offer. Since founding Shannon Law Group, Joe secured the largest verdict in Will County history and achieved other multi-figure settlements and verdicts in Illinois.
As our satisfied clients can attest, we come through for them when they need it most. We take our responsibility to our clients seriously. We'll examine every angle of your case, and we promise to go the extra mile to get the compensation you deserve--not what the insurance company thinks your motorcycle accident claim is worth.
When you hire us to represent you after a catastrophic motorcycle accident, you're helping yourself and your family. Why? Because our job is to bear the burden of dealing with insurance companies and their lawyers. Our lawyers take those stressors off your shoulders, so you don't have to worry about them anymore.
We also understand the case isn't about us--it's about you. At Shannon Law Group, our top priority is to help you move forward toward a successful and secure future. Our Chicago attorneys will always put your interests first.
You will never be treated like a transaction or a case at our law firm. When your case has resolved, our relationship doesn't end the moment we hand you a check. We'll stay in touch with you.
We will always keep you updated on your motorcycle accident lawsuit.
We'll make sure to return your call within 24 hours if you leave a message. If you have a question about your case, you will speak with the lawyer handling your case.
