Winnebago County Motorcycle Accident Attorney
Many people living throughout Winnebago County, IL, enjoy riding motorcycles. Motorcycles are for weekend leisure cruises for some riders, while others consider their bikes their primary vehicles. Whatever your reasons for motorcycling, it’s vital to acknowledge the inherent safety risks you face every time you get on a motorcycle. When motorcycle accidents happen, riders and their passengers can suffer catastrophic injuries that impose life-changing medical complications and entail substantial expenses for medical treatment.
Representing Motorcycle Accident Victims in Winnebago County
Suppose you or a loved one recently suffered injuries in a motorcycle accident. In that case, a Winnebago County motorcycle accident lawyer can be the best asset to have on your side as you work toward recovery. Your legal team can help you determine who is responsible for your recent motorcycle accident and hold them accountable with a personal injury claim. The attorneys of Franks Gerkin Ponitz Greeley have years of experience handling Illinois personal injury claims and can apply their professional resources and litigation skills to your motorcycle accident claim.
Why Do I Need a Winnebago County Motorcycle Accident Attorney?
If another driver caused your recent motorcycle accident injury and their liability is unquestionable, it’s natural to wonder whether you could save money on legal fees by handling your motorcycle accident claim on your own. This may seem like a practical choice, but the reality is that pursuing any civil claim is far more complicated than most claimants realize at first. You would need to not only manage your recovery and the other effects your accident has had on your family and household but do so while also addressing the various procedural requirements a personal injury case entails. This is an incredible burden for anyone struggling with painful injuries, lost income, and other losses from a motorcycle accident.
Making even a slight mistake with your court paperwork or missing a court filing deadline could jeopardize your case entirely. Instead of risking your recovery on a technicality while you struggle with the pain of recovery from your injuries, hire an experienced Winnebago County motorcycle accident attorney to represent you. This will allow you to rest with peace of mind while you recover, knowing your personal injury claim is in capable hands.
It’s natural to have many questions about the cost of legal representation in a personal injury claim and what to expect from your attorney. The Winnebago County motorcycle accident lawyers at Franks Gerkin Ponitz Greeley accept cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning our clients pay nothing upfront for legal representation and only pay legal fees when they win their cases. Your legal fees will be a predetermined percentage of your case award, ensuring you receive the legal counsel you need and the recovery you deserve.
How Do Motorcycle Accidents Happen?
Motorcycle accidents occur for many reasons in Winnebago County, IL. Some riders experience accidents alone due to dangerous road conditions or their own negligence. Many other accidents occur because of the irresponsible and reckless actions of other drivers. Motorcycles are smaller, lighter, and more vulnerable to collisions than larger passenger vehicles. They offer no safety features to riders like airbags or seat belts. Even correctly fitted riding gear and helmets can only do so much to mitigate injuries from a motorcycle accident. Additionally, the motorcycle frame offers virtually no physical protection to the rider when another vehicle collides with the bike.
Some of the most commonly cited causes of motorcycle accidents in Winnebago County, IL, include:
- Distracted driving, which is the leading cause of all motor vehicle accidents in the United States. Using a cell phone or other distracting actions behind the wheel can make a driver unable to react in time to changing road conditions or sudden hazards. Therefore, all drivers and motorcycle riders need to remain attentive while operating their vehicles.
- Driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol and drugs. DUI is illegal in every state and incredibly dangerous for the intoxicated driver and everyone around them. When DUI causes a motorcycle accident, the motorcyclist is likely to suffer severe or even fatal injuries. The DUI driver will face criminal prosecution in addition to civil liability for the victim’s damages.
- Poor visibility. Motorcycles are smaller and harder to see than standard passenger vehicles, and it is easier for them to slip through other drivers’ blind spots. Therefore, all drivers should use additional caution during periods of poor visibility, such as when driving at night or during severe weather.
- Moving violations. Drivers who speed, run stop signs, fail to stop at red lights, and make illegal turns put other drivers at risk. These moving violations are not only illegal but especially dangerous to nearby motorcyclists.
These are only a few of the ways motorcycle accidents can happen in Winnebago County. Accidents that occur at higher speeds are more likely to cause devastating injuries, some of which may cause permanent medical complications for the victim or even result in fatality. Suppose you have suffered injuries and economic losses because of another driver’s actions on the road. In that case, you need a Winnebago County motorcycle accident attorney to help you hold them accountable for your damages.
Proving Liability for Your Recent Motorcycle Accident in Winnebago County
A motorcycle accident claim is a form of personal injury claim, and the central legal concept of every personal injury claim filed in the US is negligence. This term refers to a failure to exercise reasonable care in a particular situation. For example, all drivers have a duty of care to refrain from driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. To succeed with any personal injury claim, the plaintiff must prove the defendant was negligent in some way that directly caused their claimed damages. The plaintiff must also provide a complete accounting of their damages and prove they could not have happened but for the defendant’s negligence.
Your Winnebago County motorcycle accident attorney can help you prove liability for your damages in several ways. First, they will help you positively identify the defendant in your claim with the police report from the accident, eyewitness testimony, and available material evidence. For example, suppose you were the victim of a hit-and-run. In that case, your attorney may secure traffic camera data from around the scene of the accident to help you identify the driver responsible for your crash. Second, once your attorney has helped you identify the defendant and prove their liability for your damages, they will assist you in calculating the full scope of your claimable damages under Illinois state law.
Damages and Compensation for Your Motorcycle Accident Claim
Many personal injury plaintiffs undervalue their claims at first, not realizing the total amount they are allowed to claim under Illinois’ personal injury statutes until they secure legal counsel from an experienced attorney. Illinois allows a personal injury plaintiff to recover compensation for all damages caused by a defendant’s negligence, including:
- Medical expenses. A motorcycle accident victim is likely to suffer extreme injuries, many of which require long-term treatment and ongoing rehabilitation. It’s also possible for some motorcycle accident injuries to cause permanent disability. Therefore, the plaintiff in a motorcycle accident lawsuit has the right to claim compensation for immediate medical expenses like hospital bills as well as their long-term and anticipated future medical costs.
- Lost income. The victim of a motorcycle accident could be unable to work for an extended time due to their injuries. They have the right to claim lost wages from this recovery period in their lawsuit. If they are disabled to a point they cannot return to work because of their injuries, they would be able to claim compensation for their lost future earning capacity.
- Property damage. When a larger vehicle collides with a motorcycle, the motorcycle is likely to be damaged beyond repair. In a personal injury claim, the plaintiff can recover property damage compensation for their vehicle and any other personal property damaged or destroyed by the defendant’s actions.
- Pain and suffering. You have the right to claim financial compensation for intangible losses like physical pain and emotional distress inflicted by a defendant’s negligence. Your attorney will help you determine a reasonable amount to include in your claim based on the severity of your damages and any long-term complications you developed from your accident.
Once you and your Winnebago County motorcycle accident lawyer have thoroughly explored all the compensation available to you under Illinois law, your motorcycle accident claim could be worth much more than you originally anticipated.
How Your Attorney Can Help You Recover After a Motorcycle Accident
It is natural to feel uncertain and stressed about your potential claim when recovering from a motorcycle accident that someone else caused. However, hiring the right Winnebago County motorcycle accident lawyer to represent you is the best thing you can do to ensure a suitable recovery for your losses. Franks Gerkin Ponitz Greeley can provide the comprehensive and compassionate legal counsel you need after a traumatic experience like a motorcycle accident. We understand how these incidents affect victims and their families and can provide the legal representation you need to navigate your personal injury claim with confidence. If you are ready to discuss your legal options with a reliable Winnebago County motorcycle accident lawyer, contact Franks Gerkin Ponitz Greeley today to schedule a consultation with our team.
