Of the 10 million registered Illinois motorists out there on the roads, over 3.5% are motorcyclists. Drivers on the roads are responsible to other drivers and pedestrians to observe specific rules of the road meant to ensure driver safety. Because motorcyclists represent such a small number of the motorists on the roads and because they are more difficult to see compared to the average vehicle, drivers can often miss seeing a motorcyclist approaching their vehicles from behind, changing lanes or even turning in from of them.
As such, motorcycle accidents can often result from a lack of appropriate care by other motorists on the road. Likewise, a motorcyclist can bear some of the fault in the accident if, for example, he or she fails to be a responsible rider and abide by one or more of the applicable rules of the road that pertain specifically to motorcyclists (thereby reducing any damages owed to them).
Given the nature of a motorcycle, motorcyclists will often sustain significant physical injuries in a wreck and/or incur substantial property damage to their motorcycles, which can lead to astronomical expenses for both medical bills and property repair.
If you find yourself involved in a motorcycle accident, it's imperative that you reach out to a practiced, competent attorney experienced in motorcycle accident personal injury claims.
Panio Law Office attorneys have a wealth of experience winning damages for clients in motorcycle accident cases. We understand the applicable Illinois laws that govern motorcyclists and can minimize any attempt by the adverse insurance carriers to apportion fault to them in these cases.
If you have questions about filing a personal injury claim in a motorcycle accident case, call (708) 928-8680. We can help.