Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Springfield, IL
Were You Injured in a Motorcycle Crash in Illinois? Call Our Experienced Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Springfield, IL for Help
Although riding a motorcycle can be one of the most thrilling and exciting experiences, it can also be one of the most frightening and dangerous. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), almost 5,600 motorcyclists are killed each year in the United States. These statistics further reveal that, per vehicle mile traveled, motorcyclist fatalities occur nearly 28 times more frequently than for those in passenger vehicles. Right here in our state, the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) reports that there are roughly 2,100 motorcyclists injured and almost 140 riders killed in traffic accidents each year. Although most of these accidents are preventable, unfortunately, the experienced motorcycle accident lawyer in Springfield, Illinois at the Noll Law Office knows that these crashes will continue to happen.
That’s why the Noll Law Office offers victims and their families a FREE consultation and case evaluation to learn more about their rights after a motorcycle crash. There is no obligation to sign up during this case evaluation either, and you can ask questions and get answers to help you learn what your rights to compensation may be under Illinois law. If you hire the Noll Law Office and if they accept your case, there is also no upfront cost or fees to begin working with their experienced legal team. That’s because they only get paid after you get paid in a settlement, verdict, award, or another type of recovery. This means that there is no upfront obligation, upfront cost, or financial risk to begin working with their experienced motorcycle accident lawyer in Springfield, Illinois.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Illinois
Like any type of vehicle accident, there are many different ways in which a motorcycle rider may be seriously injured or wrongfully killed in a crash. Perhaps the most common cause of motorcycle accidents is the failure to notice motorcycles in traffic. Considering the inherently small size of a motorcycle, its visibility can be obstructed by other vehicles. Intersections can be especially dangerous as drivers don’t see the motorcyclist or fail to yield the right-of-way. This includes a significant number of accidents that occur when a vehicle makes a left-hand turn in front of a motorcyclist while underestimating the rider’s speed.
Some of the other common causes of motorcycle accidents in Illinois include the following:
- Distracted driving
- Drunk driving
- Speeding
- Failure to yield
- Drugged driving
- Aggressive driving
- Fatigued driving
- Running a red light or stop sign
- Failing to compromise space or give enough space to a motorcyclist
- Improper turns or U-turns
- Unsafe left turns
- Following too closely
- Driving too fast for the traffic or weather conditions, and
- Many other common causes in a motorcycle accident in Illinois that the motorcycle accident lawyer in Springfield at the Noll Law Office can handle for you.
Common Personal Injuries from a Motorcycle Accident in Springfield
Injuries following a motorcycle accident tend to be severe. While a driver of a car has a steel and glass “cage” surrounding them—the motorcyclist has only a helmet for protection, if worn. In cooler seasons, some motorcyclists may wear “leathers,” to protect their lower body in the event of an accident. When a motorcyclist is thrown from their bike, and their body skids across the pavement, layers of skin can be removed, known as road rash.
While less serious road rash will typically heal in a few weeks—despite being extremely painful—deeper road rash injuries can damage the nerve cells. Road rash wounds can easily become infected too which can be compensated against a defendant.
Other types of serious personal injuries following a motorcycle accident include the following:
- Traumatic brain injuries or TBIs
- Spinal cord injuries or SCIs
- Amputations or the loss of a limb, particularly the lower leg in a motorcycle crash
- Internal injuries including to the heart, spleen, liver, kidneys, lungs, and other organs
- Blindness or loss of eyesight due to injuries to the eyes in a crash
- Broken bones or fractured bones, especially requiring surgery
- SLAP tears or torn muscles, tendons, or ligaments in the arm or shoulder
- Knee injuries, including a meniscus tear or a ruptured LCL, PCL, ACL, or MCL ligament
- Neck injuries or back injuries
- Nerve injuries
- Significant scarring or disfigurement
- Wrongful death, and
- Other serious or fatal injuries that the motorcycle accident lawyer in Springfield at the Noll Law Office may be able to recover for you.
What Should I Do Following a Motorcycle Accident in Illinois
Receiving medical attention for your injuries is always your priority. The police and an ambulance should be called. Even if you believe you are not that badly hurt, you should always seek medical attention. The surge of adrenaline your body experiences during an accident can often mask symptoms of injury.
Once you are home, you need to contact your own insurance company and inform them of the accident, then contact an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer in Springfield at the Noll Law Office. Their bodily injury law firm has extensive experience with motorcycle accidents and is ready to help you through this difficult time.
You can help your personal injury attorney build the strongest case possible by providing your attorney with everything you remember about the accident including witnesses, the agency that responded to the accident, photographs of the vehicles, and the defendant’s insurance information (if known). Keep careful track of all your medical expenses and lost wages. The motorcycle accident lawyers in Springfield at the Noll Law Office will use this information to seek a fair settlement on your behalf.
How Do I Choose the Best Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Near Me?
If you’ve never needed a personal injury lawyer before, you may be hesitant to choose one. How do you find the best motorcycle accident lawyer near me? It is important that you can communicate with your attorney. You should feel reassured that your attorney is very experienced. Attorneys Daniel and Sarah Noll believe client communication along with significant litigation experience is the key to successful outcomes. They will discuss your goals for your case, then attempt to exceed them while always keeping your best interests in mind.
What is the Motorcycle Accident Injury Claim Process in Illinois?
The first thing that needs to be done is to obtain a copy of the crash report and attempt to obtain any 911 calls, witness statements, and video footage of the accident before it is destroyed. To properly handle your claim, your treating physicians determine that you are at maximum medical improvement. Once that is done, the Noll Law Office motorcycle accident lawyers in Springfield, Illinois will file a claim on your behalf. This claim will include payment of medical expenses (both past and future), lost wages, scarring, as well as pain and suffering, and other expenses.
Negotiations will take place. Insurance companies rarely want to pay what a claim is worth, so the process can take weeks, even months. If the insurance company simply refuses to pay what your claim is worth, the Noll Law Office will take the case to court and file suit in the county in which the accident occurred.
A jury or judge will hear the facts of the case, then decide on what your injuries and other damages are worth. If your case goes to trial, the process could take a year or two. If the jury or judge rules in your favor, you should receive your check within six weeks unless the case is appealed.
How Can Noll Law Office Help You After a Motorcycle Accident in Illinois
When you choose the Noll Law Office, you will work with an experienced, local attorney directly throughout the process. The Noll Law Office is committed to being available to you and answering your questions in a comprehensive manner. They are fifth-generation Springfield attorneys who take pride in their deep community roots. They are experienced motorcycle accident lawyers in Springfield who provide unparalleled advocacy for their clients. Contact Noll Law Office today to schedule your free consultation to learn more about your rights and how they can help you.
Case Illustration of a Motorcycle Accident in Illinois
Motorcycle accidents happen for any number of reasons but one of the primary reasons is a driver’s negligence. Consider the following case illustration:
Joe rides his motorcycle to and from his job in Springfield, Illinois. It’s an economical way to get to work at a time when money is tight. Joe is extra-vigilant when riding his motorcycle knowing that many drivers simply do not notice the much smaller motorcycles. As Joe is going straight through a green light, an oncoming vehicle suddenly makes a left-hand turn in front of Joe causing him to slam into the side of the car.
The impact throws Joe from his motorcycle, over the car that hit him, and into oncoming traffic. Thankfully, nobody else hits him, but Joe is severely injured. He was not wearing his helmet because it was such a nice spring day, and his head struck the pavement when he landed. Joe is rushed to the hospital where he is diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury.
The doctors will not know the extent of Joe’s brain injury until the swelling goes down, but for now, he is in a medically induced coma. Joe is facing months of medical interventions, surgical procedures, visits to specialists, and rehabilitative therapies. His life may never be the same, and he may never be able to return to work.
Unfortunately, this scenario is not all that uncommon when a vehicle hits an unprotected motorcyclist. This is a time when you desperately need an experienced Springfield motorcycle accident lawyer. Should you find yourself severely injured and unable to work, the Noll Law Office stands ready to help. They have a deep understanding of the legal issues you will face and will represent your best interests in and out of court.
Call the Motorcycle Accident Lawyers in Springfield, Illinois at the Noll Law Office
If you or a loved one were injured in any type of serious or catastrophic personal injury accident, especially a motorcycle accident in Illinois, call the experienced motorcycle accident lawyer in Springfield for help with your case. They offer FREE consultations and case evaluations, and they have a no-win, no-fee guarantee. Contact the Noll Law Office today to learn more.