Were you or someone you love recently injured in an accident caused by a negligent motorcycle rider in Chicago? You may be eligible for compensation from the responsible party and their insurance company.
While motorcyclists are among the most vulnerable motorists on the road, they can also create dangers for other drivers when they operate their vehicles recklessly. A Chicago negligent motorcycle rider accident lawyer can help you fight for compensation from the negligent rider who injured you.
The team at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm fights for victims’ rights in Chicago. We have a track record of winning settlements for our clients. We want to put our resources to work on your motorcycle accident case and help you get paid. Because of our commitment to delivering results for you, we never charge a fee unless you recover compensation. You can receive a free case evaluation with a member of our staff, during which we review all your legal options and what to expect.
To start the process today by speaking with a member of the Pintas & Mullins Law Firm team, call us at (800) 794-0444.
Negligent Motorcycle Rider Behavior in Chicago
Motorcycles naturally attract thrill-seekers and risk-takers. They provide little to no protection from a collision or the elements, but they offer a level of freedom one cannot find in a car, truck, or SUV. That said, most motorcyclists can get their thrills while remaining within the law’s parameters and watching out for the safety of other drivers and riders.
There are bad apples in every community, motorcyclists included. Every year, hundreds of negligent riders across Illinois and the country injure themselves and others with their reckless behavior. The Illinois Department of Transportation reported that in Chicago alone, 11 motorcyclists died in 2018, and 308 suffered injuries in a crash.
If you operated a motor vehicle—whether a car, van, truck, motorcycle, or SUV—and a negligent motorcycle rider caused you to get into an accident, you can hold them accountable and fight them for compensation. Examples of negligent motorcycle riding behaviors include the following actions.
Speeding
Motorcycle drivers must follow the same speed limits as other drivers. Just because many motorcycles can reach 150 miles per hour does not mean it is permissible or acceptable. If you got into an accident while trying to avoid a speeding motorcyclist, you could hold them liable for the injuries you suffered.
Lane Splitting
Lane splitting refers to the practice of a motorcyclist riding between two lanes of stopped or slow traffic. It is common in many European countries and legal in a handful of U.S. states, but Illinois (625 ILCS 5/11-703(c)) is not one of them. Though motorcyclists argue that the practice is safe, it leads to accidents every year when drivers try to change lanes or merge but fail to pick up the motorcyclist zooming between the slow-moving lines of cars.
Driving Under the Influence
The same DUI laws that apply to other drivers apply to motorcyclists. If there is evidence that the motorcyclist who caused your accident was under the influence, you can use that information to hold them accountable.
Distracted Driving
Though it might seem impractical, motorcyclists still text and scroll through social media on the road just like other drivers do. A Chicago negligent motorcycle rider accident lawyer can look for evidence of distracting behaviors by the motorcyclist who hit you.
Wheelies and Hotdogging
A small subset of motorcyclists enjoys partaking in performative risk-taking behaviors on the road. These behaviors include popping wheelies, standing on the seat while the motorcycle is in motion, and “riding sideways” or trying to get the bike as parallel to the ground as possible.
Such behaviors create a danger for other motorists because they turn the motorcyclist into an obstacle to be avoided. Pintas & Mullins Law Firm can fight to hold accountable any motorcyclist who engaged in negligent behavior and contributed to your accident. Call us today for a free case review.
Your Chicago Negligent Motorcycle Rider Accident Compensation
You may be eligible to recover several forms of compensation for your motorcycle accident injuries in Chicago. In Illinois, victims of motor vehicle accidents can pursue the responsible party or parties and their insurance companies for both economic and noneconomic damages.
You can get compensated not just for the losses you have incurred that involve actual monetary expenses, but also for damages that cannot be quantified in dollar terms—things like pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and emotional distress.
A Chicago negligent motorcycle rider accident lawyer can determine the losses you have incurred from your accident and pursue the responsible party or parties for the full amount. You may be eligible to receive money for:
- Medical bills: You could receive compensation for your current and anticipated future medical bills.
- Lost wages: You can collect damages to make up for the wages you lost while missing work due to your injury.
- Reduced earning capacity: If your injury leads to a long-term reduction in your work capacity and a permanent decrease in income, you can make up the difference with compensation from the responsible party.
- Pain and suffering: You can also fight for compensation for your physical and emotional pain and suffering.
For a free legal consultation with a Negligent Motorcycle Rider Accidents Lawyer serving Chicago, call (800) 794-0444
The Statute of Limitations
In Illinois, 735 ILCS 5/13-202 gives you two years to file a lawsuit over motorcycle accident injuries, but this time limit can vary based on certain factors. You might want to speak with an attorney after your accident to understand your rights and obligations.
Chicago Negligent Motorcycle Rider Accidents Lawyer Near Me (800) 794-0444
Call for a Free Motorcycle Accident Case Evaluation Today
The Chicago negligent motorcycle accident lawyers at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm can work with you to fight for compensation for your injuries. Our team offers free consultations. We want to start working for you today. There is no fee unless you get paid. Call us today at (800) 794-0444 for a case review.
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