The team at 844-SEE-MIKE extends our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Richard H. Ford following this tragic loss in Bolingbrook.
Richard H. Ford, 25, of Romeoville, has died after he was thrown from his motorcycle in Bolingbrook. According to police, he was traveling eastbound on Boughton Road at about 2:30 am when he lost control and struck the median. He was then ejected as his motorcycle slid into the Boughton-Bolingbrook Drive intersection.
Ford was found unconscious when police arrived. According to police Lt. Michael Rompa, he was having difficulty breathing and he was not wearing a helmet. He was transferred to Adventist Bolingbrook Hospital by the fire department and pronounced dead at 3:09 am. A preliminary investigation shows that speed and alcohol were factors in the accident and no other vehicles were involved.
Motorcycle Accidents in Bolingbrook and Across Illinois
Bolingbrook sits at the crossroads of busy Will and DuPage County routes, where corridors like Boughton Road carry steady traffic day and night. Because a motorcycle offers little protection in a crash, riders are far more likely than drivers to suffer serious or fatal injuries, even at moderate speeds.
One point of Illinois law is often misunderstood in reports like this one. Illinois has no helmet requirement for adult riders. The Vehicle Code requires only that an operator and any passenger be protected by glasses, goggles, or a transparent shield (625 ILCS 5/11-1404). Riding without a helmet is not itself a violation of Illinois law.
Fatal motorcycle crashes remain a real concern on Illinois roads, and each one leaves a family searching for answers. If your family is grieving after a loss like this, know that support and clear information are available when you are ready. You can learn more about how our Illinois motorcycle accident attorneys help riders and their families, and about the attorneys who handle crashes in this part of Will County on our Joliet motorcycle accident page.
Legal Options for Families After a Fatal Motorcycle Crash
When someone dies in a motorcycle accident, Illinois law may allow a wrongful death claim. The action is brought by the personal representative of the person’s estate, and any recovery is for the exclusive benefit of the surviving spouse and next of kin (740 ILCS 180/2). It can help cover funeral and burial costs, lost financial support, and the loss of a loved one’s care and companionship, along with the family’s grief, sorrow, and mental suffering.
Two deadlines matter. In most cases, families generally have two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death action in Illinois (740 ILCS 180/2). If part of the claim involves a roadway, a median, or their maintenance, and the responsible party is a village, county, or other local government body, the deadline is generally one year instead (745 ILCS 10/8-101). Because the shorter deadline can end a claim on its own, it is worth confirming early which one applies.
Illinois also applies a modified comparative fault rule. A recovery is reduced by the injured or deceased person’s own share of responsibility, and is barred entirely if that share is more than 50% (735 ILCS 5/2-1116). How that plays out in any particular crash depends on what the investigation shows.
An investigation into how and why a crash happened can take time, which is one reason families often speak with a lawyer early. Our Illinois wrongful death attorneys can review what happened, explain your options, and handle the legal side so you can focus on your family. You pay nothing unless we recover money for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do families have to file a wrongful death claim in Illinois?
In most cases, a wrongful death action must be filed within two years of the person’s death in Illinois (740 ILCS 180/2). If the claim runs against a village, county, or other local government body, the deadline is generally one year (745 ILCS 10/8-101), so it is worth confirming the deadline that applies to your situation as early as possible.
Does Illinois require motorcycle riders to wear a helmet?
No. Illinois requires eye protection, meaning glasses, goggles, or a transparent shield, for an operator and any passenger (625 ILCS 5/11-1404), but it does not require adult riders to wear a helmet.
What should a family do after a fatal motorcycle accident?
Focus first on your family and give yourself time to grieve. When you are ready, gathering the police report, medical records, and any information about the scene can help. Speaking with an attorney early lets someone else preserve evidence and handle the paperwork while you are managing everything else.
What does it cost to talk with 844-SEE-MIKE?
Nothing. The consultation is free, and our injury and wrongful death cases are handled on a contingency fee, which means you pay nothing unless we recover money for you.
If your family has lost a loved one in a motorcycle crash and you have questions about your options, Contact 844-SEE-MIKE anytime for a free, no-pressure consultation.
This article is provided for general information and is not legal advice. Details are based on early police reports and may change as an investigation continues.
