Motorcycles can give riders a sense of freedom and adventure. Yet when they result in crashes, they can be unusually dangerous. While bikes account for about three percent of registered vehicles in the United States, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that they cause 15 percent of traffic-related deaths.
No matter how you or a loved one were injured, hiring a Joliet motorcycle accident lawyer could make all the difference when it comes to getting financial justice. At MJB Law Offices, we bring nearly 40 years of litigation experience in personal injury cases. When our skilled personal injury attorneys take over your case, you can focus on recovery.
Causes and Injuries in Motorcycle Accidents
Numerous factors contribute to motorcycle crashes in Joliet, including the following:
- Drivers’ failures to notice motorcycles in traffic
- Speeding
- Left turns made in front of unseen oncoming motorcycles
- Distracted driving
- Impaired driving, reducing judgment and reaction times
- Hazardous road conditions
Motorcycles do not protect the motorist like cars do. Because of this, bikers are more susceptible to high-impact crashes, ejections, and direct contact with the road. Injured parties often suffer extensive physical trauma, such as:
- Fractures
- Organ damage
- Internal bleeding
- Severe abrasions, known as road rash
- Spinal cord damage
- Amputations
- Traumatic brain injuries
Injuries like these usually require extensive and long-term medical treatment, including surgeries, rehabilitation, and physical therapy. As a result, injured parties can face a long and expensive road to recovery.
Available Damages for Motorcycle Accident Victims
Anyone injured in a crash—including motorcyclists, drivers, passengers, and bystanders—can file claims for damages, even if they partially caused the wreck. As long as a person was not more than 50 percent at fault, they can still pursue compensation.
Out-of-pocket expenses related to the injury, like medical treatment or lost wages, are called economic damages. Intangible harms that someone experiences, such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, or the loss of enjoyment of life, are non-economic damages.
Parents or legal guardians can file suits to claim damages for children under 18. In addition, the court might require the offending parties to pay punitive damages in rare situations involving willful or wanton conduct. These damages are meant to punish wrongdoers and deter similar conduct in the future.
Finally, if a person dies in a crash or succumbs to injuries, their loved ones can seek damages for wrongful death. Survivors can recover for funeral and burial expenses, loss of income, and loss of companionship. Injured parties need compelling evidence to succeed on a claim—something a seasoned motorcycle wreck lawyer in Joliet could help with.
Compelling Evidence in Motorcycle Accidents
A motorcycle accident attorney in Joliet could use multiple methods to collect evidence. First, they will gather evidence regarding the crash itself. This could include any of the following:
- Photos
- Videos
- Police reports
- Property damage
- Eyewitness testimony
A lawyer can turn this information over to an accident reconstruction expert who can use their expertise to recreate the most likely events of the accident. Doing so makes it easier for insurance agents, judges, and juries to understand what happened and how to assign fault.
If a lawyer suspects that a motorcycle defect contributed to the crash, they can hire experts to inspect the vehicle for faulty features like mechanical failures, worn or broken components, or unusual performance issues.
Once the case reaches the discovery phase of litigation, an attorney can request internal documents from manufacturers to see if they knew of any defects in the parts or motorcycle model. Lawyers can also research defective or recalled motorcycle cases to see if the events of the crash mirrored yours.
Partner With a Motorcycle Accident Attorney in Joliet That You Can Trust
Motorcycle collisions are often too complex for injured parties to navigate alone while trying to recover. That is why MJB Law Offices provides a hands-on, one-on-one experience with clients.
Get the support you need from a Joliet motorcycle accident lawyer you can trust. Call MJB Law Offices today for your complimentary consultation.
