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THE ILLINOIS HAMMER
Chicago Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Motorcycle accidents are often devasting because riders have little protection from impacts caused by other vehicles and the road. Bikers frequently suffer severe injuries and an uncertain path forward. Picking up the pieces can be confusing and frightening, but the right attorney can help you take back your life and get the justice you deserve.
The experienced Chicago motorcycle accident lawyers with The Illinois Hammer Injury Attorneys are ready to fight relentlessly until we secure you the maximum possible compensation. Contact us online or call 888-742-6637 today for a free case evaluation.
Why You Should Choose the Illinois Hammer Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
We’ve spent over 30 years fighting and winning personal injury cases in Chicago and throughout Illinois, achieving a 97 percent success rate. We’ve secured more than $500 million in settlements and verdicts for our clients—including $210 million for motor vehicle accident cases.
Our reputation speaks for itself, and insurance companies are listening. Our team has received recognition from Super Lawyers, an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, and a perfect 10/10 rating on AVVO. Insurers know they can’t get away with lowballing our clients. We know your rights and will do whatever it takes to pursue justice for you.
We take an encompassing approach to representation, offering support beyond traditional legal services. If you need help finding the right medical provider for your treatment, we can assist you with your search.
We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you won’t owe us anything upfront, and we don’t get paid unless you do. If you’re unhappy with our services, we offer a 30-day satisfaction guarantee, letting you take your case elsewhere without any strings attached.
“I am expressing my sincere thanks for most professional representation. You have stuck by me through the years in dealing with a very difficult and stressful case. I admire your composure and all your effort. I sincerely thank you very much.”
– Melody A.
“My attorney, Haris, has been very active and has kept me updated as the case progresses. He explained every detail to me and made me feel that any question I asked was important, and he answered. Thank you for your hard work and resolving my injury claims.”
– Rhonda M.
How Is Liability Determined in Chicago Motorcycle Accident Cases?
Proving negligence is essential to establishing liability in a motorcycle accident case and key to a successful claim. To do so, you must establish four elements:
- Duty: The other party owed you a duty of care. For example, a driver owes a duty of care to those around them when they operate a motor vehicle.
- Breach: The other party breached that duty. For example, if a driver failed to obey traffic signals, it would constitute a breach of duty. Likewise, if a government entity has failed to adequately maintain a road or other public infrastructure, it has breached its duty to keep public roads safe.
- Causation: The breach caused the accident. For example, if the crash occurred because of an improperly marked construction zone, the construction company’s breach of duty can be directly linked to your injuries.
- Damages: You suffered damages as a result of the breach. Once you’ve shown that the other party is responsible for your injuries, you must also establish the impact of those injuries and why you deserve compensation for them.
Illinois uses a modified comparative negligence standard to determine how much blame each party involved in an accident shares.
If an accident victim is more than 50 percent responsible for the accident, they cannot recover compensation. If they are 50 percent or less to blame, they can recover damages, but their recovery will also be reduced in proportion to their share of the fault. For example, an accident victim who is 40 percent responsible for a crash may only receive 60 percent of their damages.
Factors Affecting Liability In a Chicago Motorcycle Case
Several parties can be held liable for a motorcycle accident, including car and truck drivers, government entities, or even the manufacturer of the motorcycle or its parts. Depending on their involvement in the incident, more than one party can be at fault.
The Illinois Hammer team has deep experience with successfully handling motorcycle accident cases and proving negligence. Our skilled attorneys will investigate the circumstances of your case to determine what caused your accident, identify all liable parties, and evaluate the damages you can seek to maximize your compensation.
How Are Damages and Compensation Calculated in a Motorcycle Accident Case?
The damages available to motorcycle accident victims—and their value—is dependent on the involved injuries and their severity. You can generally seek compensation for your economic and non-economic damages from a motorcycle accident.
Economic damages compensate for the monetary losses from an accident. Key economic damages typically sought in Chicago motorcycle accident cases include the following:
- Medical expenses, including present and future treatment and rehabilitation costs
- Lost wages and income
- Diminished earning potential
- Property damage, including repair or replacement costs for your motorcycle
Non-economic damages cover the more subjective impacts on the victim’s life, such as the following:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of consortium, meaning compensation for negative impacts on your personal relationships
- Loss of enjoyment, including a reduced capacity to enjoy your hobbies or other activities
In rare cases, punitive damages might also be available. These are awarded to punish egregious or intentional behavior and deter future misconduct.
When a victim dies from their injuries, their immediate family might be entitled to damages for their grief, lost financial support, and more through a wrongful death claim.
When Should You Hire a Chicago Motorcycle Accident Attorney?
Illinois residents have two years to file a personal injury claim under the state’s statute of limitations. However, that doesn’t mean it’s a good idea to wait. Evidence can disappear quickly and witnesses’ memories can fade. The sooner you hire a knowledgeable lawyer after a motorcycle accident, the easier it is to collect evidence and build a strong case.
Getting legal help early can help you avoid common missteps and ensure you have plenty of time to file a lawsuit. Your attorney can explain your legal rights, preserve key evidence, and take over communication with insurance companies.
Insurance companies are in business to make a profit, and they will do anything they can to minimize your payout. The insurance claims adjuster may seem friendly and helpful, but their motive is to protect the company’s bottom line. They use tactics to trick accident victims into taking less compensation than they deserve.
If you are in a motorcycle accident, you are likely focused on recovering from severe injuries. The last thing you need to worry about is the details of a personal injury claim and fighting with an insurance company. Let an experienced and skilled motorcycle accident lawyer do all the work.
After your free case evaluation, your lawyer will begin investigating your accident and gathering documentation. They will start by contacting the liable parties and begin settlement negotiations. If the other parties won’t agree to a reasonable settlement, your attorney won’t back down and will see that justice is served.
Schedule a Free Case Review With Our Experienced Chicago Motorcycle Accident Attorneys
If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident, don’t hesitate to get the legal help you need. We’re ready to relentlessly hammer the insurance companies until they pay you the compensation you deserve.
Contact us online today or call 888-742-6637 for a free case evaluation.
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134 North LaSalle Street
Suite 650
Chicago, IL 60602
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