Rockford Motorcycle Accident Attorneys
A motorcycle crash can cause severe injuries, but in many motorcycle accident claim cases, insurance companies can be tough to deal with. Oftentimes, fault is automatically placed on the party operating the motorcycle, but it’s not always warranted. If you need help proving fault, getting the insurance company to pay your claim, or don’t know where to start, a Rockford motorcycle accident lawyer can be a great resource for getting your claim paid.
Hire a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer With an Aggressive Approach
When you need a Rockford motorcycle accident attorney to advocate aggressively on your behalf, you need an attorney from Franks Gerkin Ponitz Greeley. We are a legal force of eight attorneys who know how to get results while protecting your rights at the same time. Our firm was established over 40 years ago, and we are recognized and respected in local courts. Don’t settle for the minimum settlement, and don’t settle for an inadequate lawyer. Instead, call us.
Proving Negligence in a Rockford Motorcycle Accident
A key component in many motorcycle accident cases is proving negligence. In many cases, it’s easy, especially when obvious factors are involved, like drugs or alcohol. In fact, 90% of motorcycle crashes that involve drugs and alcohol result in injuries, so there are fewer questions in these cases. But in other cases, it’s one driver’s word against another’s, and liability is unclear.
If your situation has a similar story, you can hire a motorcycle accident lawyer to conduct an investigation of your accident on your behalf. The insurance company will conduct its own investigation. If your claim is denied as a result, and your attorney comes up with another story, they can present proof of the other driver’s negligence and dispute the insurance company.
Illinois’ Modified Comparative Negligence Law
Illinois motorcycle accident laws make it possible for more than one party to be at fault in a motorcycle accident. This is called modified comparative negligence.
Any party that is less than 51% responsible for an accident can collect compensation for their injuries. Their settlement is adjusted according to the proportion of the accident for which they were found liable. Parties who are found to be more than 50% liable cannot collect compensation for damages.
Compensation for Rockford Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle accident victims who are not found to be more than 50% liable for an accident can collect compensation for the damages they incurred as a result of the accident. The following are several types of recoverable economic and non-economic damages:
- Current and potential future medical expenses
- Lost wages and future losses for diminished work capability and earning capacity
- Damages for property, which include both the motorcycle and any gear that was damaged in the accident
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional and mental distress
- Diminished enjoyment of life
- Disfigurement or permanent disability
In an ideal motorcycle accident case, the victim would receive an amount sufficient to cover all of the damages they suffered as a result of their accident. However, this isn’t always the case, as insurance companies fight hard to minimize the cost to them.
For this reason, it is essential that you have an experienced Rockford motorcycle accident attorney with previous success representing clients in these types of cases.
The right attorney can help you get the most out of your claim. An attorney who knows how to negotiate with insurance companies is an ideal resource for anyone who is experiencing issues dealing with insurance companies.
When your attorney has knowledge of Illinois motorcycle accident laws and is highly skilled in legal tactics, you have a much better chance of getting a more favorable outcome for your motorcycle accident claim.
Going to Court
Most motorcycle accident cases can be settled outside of court when the insurance company is willing to negotiate. However, insurance companies aren’t always cooperative. In these cases, it is necessary to let the Winnebago County Clerk of Courts make a decision for them. This is handled at the Winnebago County Courthouse in Rockford, which is located at 400 West State Street.
FAQs About Rockford, IL Motorcycle Accident Law
Should I Get a Lawyer After a Motorcycle Accident?
Yes, you should always get a lawyer after a motorcycle accident, even if you weren’t injured and don’t think anyone else was injured. Even a seemingly simple motorcycle accident case can become complicated in the aftermath of the incident. It is especially important to hire a motorcycle accident lawyer if you are believed to be the at-fault party. Contact an attorney and don’t discuss your case in the meantime.
How Long Does a Motorcycle Accident Settlement Take?
It is difficult to put an estimated timeframe on a motorcycle accident settlement. There are many factors that can affect the timeline of a personal injury case. For instance, it can take longer if there are disputes regarding liability for the accident. When conditions are ideal, and there are no extenuating factors to hold a case up, a resolution could be made in a matter of a few months.
How Much Are Most Motorcycle Accident Settlements?
There is no estimated average settlement amount for most motorcycle settlements. There are several factors that play into a motorcycle accident claim that can affect the individual settlement amount. For example, the severity of the injury, the percentage of liability of each driver, and the number of involved parties can all impact the final settlement amount.
How Much Compensation Do You Get for a Motorcycle Accident?
In a motorcycle accident, the compensation you can get depends on your degree of liability for the crash and the severity of your injury. This includes medical expenses, future treatment needs, and pain and suffering. Ideally, you would get a settlement that adequately covers your damages, minus legal fees. Talk to a motorcycle accident lawyer for an estimated settlement for your specific claim.
Partner With a Well-Respected Rockford Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
The motorcycle accident attorneys at Franks Gerkin Ponitz & Greeley have the resources, knowledge, experience, and skills to fight for the settlement that you deserve. We know how to deal with insurance adjusters and can aggressively defend your claim if necessary. Contact our office to schedule a consultation and to meet with us to discuss your motorcycle accident case.
Serving Poplar Grove and Northern Illinois
When accidents shatter your life in Poplar Grove or throughout Northern Illinois, you need attorneys who aren’t just skilled legal advocates but also neighbors who genuinely understand this community. At Franks Gerkin Ponitz Greeley, our strong family ties to Marengo and the greater McHenry County area run deep, making us that much more passionate about serving the people who live and work here. With over 50 years of combined experience handling personal injury cases, we bring both sophisticated legal expertise and a genuine commitment to giving back to the Northern Illinois communities we call home.
Based in Marengo with roots throughout McHenry County and serving Poplar Grove and surrounding areas, our firm combines decades of personal injury experience with the personalized attention you simply won’t find at large, impersonal law firms. Our attorneys are heavily involved in local bar associations and actively volunteer with community organizations, from supporting our troops through local Cub Scout initiatives to numerous other charitable efforts. This deep community involvement means we understand the local roads where your accident occurred—from high-speed collisions on US-20 and Route 173 to crashes on smaller county roads—and we’re personally invested in helping our neighbors recover.
Whether you’ve been seriously injured in a car accident on Route 173, struck while riding your motorcycle through Boone County, hit as a pedestrian in downtown Poplar Grove, involved in a complex rideshare accident, or suffered injuries in a truck collision on US-20, partnering with Poplar Grove accident attorneys who take the time to truly understand your individual situation and provide genuinely personalized legal counsel—rather than treating you as just another case number—can be the difference between struggling through recovery alone and having dedicated advocates who fight to secure the maximum compensation you deserve.
