Our motorcycle accident lawyers in Melrose Park help injured riders pursue compensation from negligent drivers and other responsible parties.
At Charlie Therman Injury & Accident Lawyers, P.C., we have served injured people since 2002, and our attorneys bring 75 years of combined experience to personal injury cases. We provide responsive, personal service and understand how insurance companies approach injury claims.
Speak with a Melrose Park personal injury lawyer from our firm to schedule a free consultation.
Why Motorcycle Accidents Often Cause Serious Injuries
Motorcycles offer much less physical protection than passenger vehicles. A rider can be thrown from the motorcycle, struck by another vehicle, or suffer direct contact with the roadway.
Even riders who wear helmets and protective clothing can sustain injuries requiring surgery, rehabilitation, or extended time away from work. A motorcycle accident attorney in Melrose Park can investigate what caused the collision and document how your injuries affect your life.
Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries
Motorcycle collisions can cause injuries that range from painful but temporary conditions to permanent disabilities.
Injuries may include:
- Broken or fractured bones.
- Road rash and other serious skin injuries.
- Traumatic brain injuries.
- Neck and back injuries.
- Spinal cord injuries.
- Internal organ damage or bleeding.
- Joint, ligament, and nerve injuries.
- Scarring or disfigurement.
We work to connect your medical condition to the collision and document the treatment, lost income, and other losses associated with your injuries.
Compensation Available After a Motorcycle Accident
If another person or entity caused your crash through negligence, you may be able to seek compensation through an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit.
Depending on your circumstances, recoverable damages may include:
- Past and future medical expenses.
- Lost wages.
- Reduced earning capacity.
- Rehabilitation expenses.
- Pain and suffering.
- Disability or disfigurement.
- Damage to your motorcycle and other personal property.
If a motorcycle crash results in death, qualifying family members may have the right to pursue damages through a wrongful death claim.
How Our Melrose Park Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Prove Fault
A successful negligence claim generally requires evidence showing that another party failed to use reasonable care and that this conduct caused your injuries.
As your Melrose Park motorcycle accident lawyers, we may gather evidence such as:
- Police crash reports.
- Photographs of the crash scene and vehicle damage.
- Witness statements.
- Traffic or surveillance video.
- Medical records.
- Vehicle data when available.
- Cell phone or other records when legally obtainable and relevant.
Illinois Comparative Negligence Rules
Insurance companies sometimes argue that the motorcyclist shares responsibility for a collision. Under Illinois law, your percentage of fault can affect how much you are able to recover.
If you are found 50% or less at fault, your compensation is reduced according to your percentage of responsibility. If you are found more than 50% at fault, you generally cannot recover damages.
We examine the evidence carefully and respond when an insurer attempts to place more responsibility on you than the facts support.
Why Motorcycle Riders May Face Unfair Blame
Motorcyclists are sometimes judged based on assumptions about speeding or unsafe riding rather than on evidence from the collision.
An insurer may try to rely on those assumptions when disputing fault or reducing the value of a claim. We focus on driver conduct, physical evidence, witness accounts, and other facts that show how the collision actually occurred.
Our motorcycle accident attorneys in Melrose Park can also handle communications with the insurer, so you do not have to argue your case directly with an adjuster.
Who Can Be Held Responsible for a Motorcycle Accident?
The driver who caused the crash is often the primary responsible party, but some cases involve additional people or entities.
Depending on the facts, potential defendants may include:
A Negligent Driver
A driver may be responsible for speeding, failing to yield, making an unsafe turn, following too closely, or otherwise driving carelessly.
A Driver’s Employer
When someone causes a collision while performing work duties, the employer may also be held responsible under certain circumstances.
A Vehicle Owner
A vehicle owner may face liability in some situations, depending on why another person was driving the vehicle and the circumstances surrounding its use.
A Government Entity or Roadway Contractor
Dangerous roadway conditions may contribute to some crashes. Claims involving government entities can involve different procedural requirements and deadlines, so these cases should be reviewed individually.
Our legal team can investigate which parties may be responsible before deciding how to proceed with a claim.
How Long Do You Have to File a Motorcycle Accident Claim in Illinois?
Illinois generally gives an injured person two years from the date the personal injury claim accrues to file a lawsuit. Missing the applicable deadline can prevent you from recovering compensation through the courts.
Different deadlines or notice requirements may apply in certain circumstances, including some claims involving government entities. The correct filing period depends on the facts of your case.
There are also practical reasons to investigate a crash sooner. Video can be deleted, vehicles can be repaired, physical evidence can disappear, and witnesses can become harder to locate.
Why Choose Charlie?
At Charlie Therman Injury & Accident Lawyers, P.C., we take a personal, client-focused approach to motorcycle accident cases.
Our firm is built around responsive communication and individualized service. We take the time to understand how the crash has affected your health, work, and finances, and we keep you informed as your claim moves forward.
Clients also benefit from our experience dealing with insurance companies. Founding attorney Charlie Therman previously worked on the insurance side at Allstate, giving us insight into how insurers evaluate claims, challenge liability, and approach settlement negotiations.
When you work with our firm, you can expect:
- Personal attention from a boutique law firm.
- Responsive communication throughout your case.
- More than $100 million recovered for injured clients.
- 75 years of combined legal experience.
- Experience informed by Charlie Therman’s prior work with Allstate.
- Free consultations and contingency-fee representation.
- Zoom consultations, when meeting remotely is more convenient.
- Help connecting with medical providers who may accept treatment on a lien when appropriate.
We focus on building a well-supported claim and pursuing compensation that reflects the losses you have experienced.
Schedule a FREE Consultation With Our Motorcycle Accident Attorneys in Melrose Park
A serious motorcycle collision can interfere with your health, your ability to work, and your finances. You do not have to determine on your own what the insurance company should pay or whether you have a valid claim.
Contact Charlie Therman Injury & Accident Lawyers, P.C., to schedule a free consultation with a Melrose Park motorcycle accident attorney.
We handle personal injury cases on a contingency-fee basis, so you pay zero attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you.
