Accidents involving motorcycles almost always involve bodily injury, as bikers are not as protected as motorists riding in cars. In fact, motorcyclists in Illinois are not legally required to wear helmets, which can protect against injury.
Despite being at a greater risk for injury, motorcyclists still have rights on the road. If they are in an accident that is caused by another driver, their injuries should be treated at the cost of the at-fault party and their pain and suffering should also be compensated.
In 2015, 88,000 motorcyclists were injured in the United States. These are some common injuries sustained by motorcyclists:
- Injuries to lower extremities – About one-third of all non-fatal motorcycle injuries are to the legs and feet. These injuries can include broken bones, sprains, and abrasions.
- Neck and head injuries – These injuries can be fatal. Even when they are not, neck injuries often involve soft tissue damage that can be very painful, since there are many nerves in the neck area. Other neck and head injuries can involve damage to the spinal cord, which is a very difficult injury to treat and can have wide-ranging consequences.
- Upper trunk injuries – This includes the chest, shoulders, and back. These injuries can require intricate treatment, and they do not always fully heal. A court may compensate an accident victim for permanent damage that medical treatment cannot fully address.
Older motorcycle riders tend to be more injury prone than younger riders. Experts blame declining vision and reaction time, the tendency of larger-sized bikes that older riders favor to roll over more often, and the increased fragility among older riders.
A Will County Motorcycle Crash Lawyer Can Help
Each motorcycle accident case will have strengths and weaknesses. Insurance companies will seek to find any weaknesses in your case and try to reduce your settlement offer accordingly. You need an attorney to fight for you in these negotiations and before the judge and jury.
However, your case will not be able to move forward if you speak to a lawyer too late in the process. In Illinois, you have two years to file a motorcycle accident lawsuit for personal injury. This deadline, called the statute of limitations, is usually strict, and a court will not consider your case if you do not file in time, even if you have very serious injuries.
Contact the accomplished Plainfield, IL motorcycle accident attorney of Flaherty Law, LLC by calling 815-860-5702. Our firm offers free consultations that can help you understand your case better and can inform you of how an attorney can help your case specifically.
Sources:
http://www.iii.org/issue-update/motorcycle-crashes https://rideapart.com/articles/body-parts-will-likely-injure-motorcycle-crash http://www.iii.org/issue-update/motorcycle-crashes http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs4.asp?DocName=073500050HArt%2E+XIII+Pt%2E+2&ActID=2017&ChapterID=56&SeqStart=102300000&SeqEnd=105700000