Things You Should Know Before Hiring a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Before hiring a Chicago motorcycle accident attorney, you should know about some things that will affect your case. The first thing to know is that Illinois follows the concept of comparative negligence. This means that the court will consider how much blame you bear for the accident and decrease your compensation according to your percentage of fault. If you are partially at fault, it is best to avoid taking the blame and let the accident investigation prove that other parties are to blame.
Common injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident
While many common motorcycle accident injuries are relatively minor, some can result in permanent disability. These injuries include broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, and paralysis. If you have been in a motorcycle accident, there are several different things you can do to ensure that you recover as quickly as possible. Broken bones will take time to heal and could cause you to miss work for a long period of time. Other common motorcycle accident injuries include whiplash and spinal cord injuries. These injuries can damage your spine and cause permanent paralysis. These injuries can be particularly severe, so it is important to seek medical care as soon as possible.
Factors that determine the value of a motorcycle accident case
There are several factors that determine the value of a motorcycle accident claim. The injured rider’s willingness to settle, the at-fault party’s willingness to pay, and the damages involved in the accident all factor into the overall value of the case. If a plaintiff is willing to settle, the value of the case will be lower than if he or she chooses to proceed to trial. A lower settlement value is preferable for the injured rider because it saves the victim the stress of a lengthy trial.
Duty of care of the at-fault driver
A car accident can be caused by a number of different factors, including the negligent actions of a driver. If the defendant fails to maintain a reasonable standard of care, the injured party can pursue a claim. In many cases, the breach of duty of care can be proven by presenting evidence that the driver violated a traffic law. Other common examples include a defective product or road danger. To establish negligence, the at-fault driver must breach their duty of care.
Impact of aggressive driving on motorcycle accidents
Excessive speed is a major contributing factor to motorcycle accidents. In fact, the Insurance Information Institute lists excessive speed as the leading cause of motorcycle accidents in 2014. If a driver reaches the speed limit too quickly, it may cause the motorcycle to lose control and crash into another vehicle. Likewise, reckless lane changes may result in a rear-end collision, making it nearly impossible to avoid an accident. As a result, drivers must be extremely cautious and courteous to other motorists.
Statute of limitations for filing a motorcycle accident lawsuit in Illinois
The statute of limitations for filing a motorcycle accident lawsuit is two years after the date of the accident. However, this time limit may be extended if you are a minor or the at-fault driver was driving under the influence of alcohol or texting while driving. The time limit for filing a lawsuit varies from state to state, but generally, you have two years from the date of the accident to file your claim.