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Motorcycle accidents could have disastrous consequences for riders, from broken bones and lacerations to spinal cord injuries. According to the Illinois Department of Transportation’s Crash Facts and Statistics published in May 2017, 147 motorcyclists were killed in just one year alone and 2,643 were injured.
If you are injured in an accident involving another motorist, an Orland Park motorcycle accident lawyer could help you recover compensation for your lost wages, pain, and possible damage to your bike. Contact a dedicated personal injury attorney as soon as possible to begin building your case.
Collisions involving motorcycles and automobiles could happen as a result of a number of unsafe driver actions, including:
Since bikes are much smaller in relation to a car or truck, motorcyclists are vulnerable in a collision and could experience significant injuries. When a driver’s negligence causes a rider to suffer losses, an Orland Park motorcycle accident lawyer could help hold them accountable and recover fair compensation for the plaintiff.
An experienced Orland Park motorcycle accident lawyer could review police reports, evidence, witness statements, medical records, and more to identify the cause of the accident. When a driver’s reckless behavior causes the accident, the plaintiff must establish that the driver of the car or truck was negligent by proving the four elements of the tort of negligence:
The plaintiff may also be partly at-fault for the accident. When that happens, under Illinois Compiled Statutes, the state follows the doctrine of comparative negligence, which still allows the plaintiff to recover damages as long as they were not more than 50 percent at-fault. However, the plaintiff’s economic and non-economic damages may be reduced proportionately by the percentage of negligence attributed to them.
The injuries suffered in a motorcycle accident could be life-changing. The effects may be more than physical but emotional and financial as well. To help plaintiffs with the financial burden, damages may be awarded for medical expenses and lost wages.
In addition to these compensatory damages, they may also be awarded punitive damages. To recover punitive damages, the defendant must have acted with a motive or with a reckless indifference to others and the potential for harm. The amount of any punitive damages cannot exceed three times the amount awarded to the plaintiff for economic damages.
A seasoned Orland Park motorcycle accident lawyer who understands the complexity of motorcycle accident cases could help you recover compensation for your losses and the costs associated with your recovery. Call today to get a dedicated lawyer on your side.