Negligence in Single-Vehicle Motorcycle Accidents
Here are some circumstances in which an apparently single-vehicle motorcycle accident may actually have involved another party’s negligence:
Hit-and-run accidents in which the other vehicle leaves the scene;
Poorly-marked construction areas or road hazards, such as bumps or curves;
Striking cracked or buckled pavement, potholes, sinkholes, or road debris such as trash or fallen rocks or branches;
Defective or malfunctioning parts or equipment within the motorcycle.
A responsible entity in a single-vehicle motorcycle accident who is not the motorcycle rider himself could instead be: other drivers, especially in hit-and-run cases; a construction company or government entity responsible for properly maintaining a roadway or notifying drivers of road hazards; or the company which manufactures the motorcycle, such as in cases of defective design. If you were in a motorcycle accident caused by negligence, our Aurora motorcycle accident lawyers will fight for full compensation for your injuries and losses, including lost wages, medical bills, and pain and suffering.
What to Do after a Motorcycle Accident
Seek medical treatment immediately
All too often, motorcyclists walk away from accidents believing they have sustained no injuries, only to wake up in significant pain just a few days later; some doctors attribute this to surges of adrenaline at the time of an accident. If your injuries turn out to be severe, you want your record to show that they were directly caused by the accident and you sought medical attention as soon as possible. Otherwise, the insurance company may claim that your injuries are exaggerated or were caused by something else.
Take pictures for evidence, if possible
They may not be necessary in the end, but phones with built-in cameras make it quite convenient to quickly snap important pictures. These can include where the accident occurred, the damaged vehicles, any obvious injuries, and even witnesses who are willing to speak if necessary.
Contact our Aurora motorcycle accident attorneys
Our experienced personal injury attorneys in Aurora are here for you every step of the way to ensure that your rights are protected and you receive maximum compensation for your injuries and losses. Call us today for a free consultation.
How We Help
Motorcycle accident claims can be a complex process, and our attorneys conduct thorough investigations, consult with experts, and gather a wide variety of information and data to ensure that your settlement fully compensates you for your injuries and losses. In the unlikely event that a settlement cannot be reached with the insurance company, we will go to trial and fight for your rights until the very end.
Here are some of the steps we take to build your case:
Consulting with accident-reconstruction experts to recreate the accident;
Gathering photographs of the scene of the accident and vehicular damage;
Ordering medical bills and records;
Ordering police reports;
Requesting copies of traffic light sequencing;
Reviewing computerized recordings within vehicles, also known as “black boxes;”
Speaking to insurance carriers on your behalf;
Taking statements from witnesses of the accident.
Compensation
If your accident resulted from the other driver’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and losses, including:
Medical expenses
This includes all medical care incurred directly due to the accident (including ongoing/long-term care) such as ambulance trips, assistive medical devices, emergency room treatment, medications, nursing care, and rehabilitative/surgical expenses.
Lost wages
Includes income you would have earned if you had not missed work to recover from the accident, and may also include future lost wages if you cannot return to the same job you held prior to the accident.
Pain and suffering
You may be entitled to compensation for physical and/or psychological pain and suffering which resulted directly from the accident.
Wrongful death
If a motorcyclist dies in an accident due to another driver’s negligence, the motorcyclist’s family may file a wrongful death claim on his/her behalf under the Illinois Wrongful Death Act.
Case Preparation
Here are some things to keep in mind when preparing for your motorcycle accident case:
Don’t rush to reach a settlement
There will be concern over finances in the aftermath of an accident and some insurance companies may offer a seemingly-impressive amount of money, but it’s important not to take this initial offer. Insurance companies have a strong interest in settling claims as quickly and cheaply as possible, and once an offer is accepted, no more compensation can ever be earned for the same claim. The help of an attorney is essential to ensure that you receive a truly fair settlement.
Be ready for the insurance adjuster
Insurance companies employ persuasive, well-paid adjusters who may seem friendly, but aim to solve your case cheaply and with little regard for your pain and suffering. It may be the first time you’ve worked through a personal injury claim, but these adjusters do what they do for a living. You simply can’t afford to go it alone.
Don’t provide a statement to the adjuster
The insurance adjuster may contact you after the accident and will be looking for any statement, comment, or detail that can be used against you later. In fact, it’s likely that he’s taking notes or even recording the call! You may have heard the phrase, “I’m not saying anything without my lawyer present,” and this is a common reason.
Don’t sign medical authorization forms
The insurance company may also search through your medical records to attempt to attribute your injuries to something other than the accident. Don’t sign any medical forms or allow permission for such analysis without the approval of your attorney.
Keep all documents and paperwork related to the accident
This includes insurance forms, medical bills, police reports, doctors’ notes, and so on. If possible, scan these documents to back them up electronically, as well. If you’re seeking reimbursement for medical expenses, you must have copies of those bills for your attorney and the insurance company. Also, keep track of the number of work-days you’ve missed and the sum of your lost wages.
Be honest
Your credibility may be ruined by any lies or exaggerations to the insurance company. You need not volunteer any information to the adjuster, but avoid lying for any reason. Even if there is some aspect of your accident or injury that you fear may look bad for your case, don’t conceal any information from your attorneys. They are on your side every step of the way, and they can only succeed if they know every bit of valuable information that you know in order to be fully prepared.
In addition, don’t underestimate the lengths insurers will go to discredit you and lower your potential settlement. If you claim you can’t put weight on your leg but play basketball or go out jogging, don’t be surprised if it turns out that a private investigator caught you on film; it has certainly happened.
Contact us Today!
If you or a loved one has suffered a personal injury or wrongful death in a motorcycle accident in the Aurora area, you need an experienced Aurora motorcycle accident lawyer. Contact 844 See Mike for a free case evaluation. We are a personal injury law firm, and helping our clients is about counseling, advocating, and ultimately solving problems. With years of experience successfully representing the people and not the powerful, we will take care of the insurance company, your medical bills, your property damage, and your lost wages, and monitor your treatment so you can focus on healing and getting your life back to normal. We will handle your case quickly and advise you every step of the way, and we will not hesitate to go to trial for you. Lastly, 844 See Mike works on a contingency fee basis and is not paid attorneys’ fees unless we win your case. Our no-fee promise is that simple. You have nothing to risk when you hire us – only the opportunity to seek justice.
