Were you or a loved one involved in a motorcycle accident in Peoria, Illinois? Your initial consultation with our Peoria motorcycle accident attorney at Joel E. Brown, P.C. is free of charge. Contact our law offices in Peoria, IL, today at (309) 673-4357.
We’re one of Peoria’s most well-respected personal injury law firms. Our Peoria motorcycle accident lawyer has more than 30 years of experience and has won millions of dollars for our clients. If you hire us to help you with your motorcycle accident case, we’re confident that we can maximize the value of your claim. We can help you file a claim for your lost wages, pain and suffering, medical bills, and more.
How Joel E. Brown, P.C. Can Help After a Motorcycle Accident in Peoria, IL
Motorcycle accidents can be traumatic experiences, and the aftermath can be completely overwhelming. The consequences can impact every aspect of your life at once, and it can be difficult to know what your best course of action is. Even though the law permits you to take legal action against the responsible party, the insurance companies won’t make the process easy.
Hiring Joel E. Brown, P.C. may be the best decision you could possibly make. Our award-winning Peoria personal injury lawyer has received recognition from organizations like the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and The National Trial Lawyers for his stellar legal services.
We’ll use our extensive knowledge of the local courts, procedures, and processes to your benefit every step of the way.
If you select our Peoria motorcycle accident attorney to represent you, we will:
- Internally investigate your crash
- Evaluate your legal options
- Collect the available evidence
- Determine who is liable
- Hire leading experts
- Negotiate for a favorable settlement
- File a lawsuit in Peoria County if necessary
Call us today in Peoria, IL, to learn more about setting up an attorney-client relationship. You can receive some preliminary legal advice at no cost during your initial case review.
How Common Are Motorcycle Accidents in Illinois?
The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) publishes an annual Crash Facts report that has detailed motor vehicle accident stats.
The latest report is from 2022 and states that:
- There were 3,081 motorcycle accidents overall
- Motorcycle crashes accounted for 1% of total accidents, 12.6% of fatal accidents, and 3.7% of injury accidents
- 2,395 motorcyclists were injured in accidents, and 145 were killed
- Motorcycle riders accounted for 10.8% of fatalities in alcohol-related accidents
Based on this data, there are around eight motorcycle accidents each day in Illinois on average. The vast majority of these crashes result in at least one injury.
What Is My Peoria Motorcycle Accident Claim Worth?
Peoria motorcycle accident cases can vary substantially in terms of how much they are worth. The specific facts and circumstances unique to your situation will play a large role in the evaluation process.
Some of the factors we’ll address as we calculate your damages include:
- What kinds of injuries have you sustained?
- How serious are your injuries?
- Will you fully recover?
- Did you contribute to causing the crash?
- What are your financial losses?
- Who is the at-fault party?
- What are the relevant insurance policy limits?
The experience of your motorcycle accident attorney can also make a difference. For example, some lawyers possess more skill than others at effectively negotiating a settlement agreement.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Peoria
Generally speaking, motorcycle accidents happen for the same reasons as car accidents. However, these vehicles are inherently more dangerous and difficult to operate, which can create challenging conditions.
These common causes include:
- Distracted driving
- Improper lane changes/turns
- Failing to check blind spots
- Fatigued driving
- Insufficient rider skill
- Drunk or drugged driving
- Speeding
- Aggressive driving
- Failure to yield the right of way
- Road defects
- Tailgating
- Poor weather conditions
- Defective parts/machinery
- Running a red light/stop sign
You may be due compensation regardless of why your Peoria motorcycle accident happened. Call our attorney today for a free case review.
What Damages Can I Recover After a Motorcycle Accident in Peoria?
Illinois law allows you to pursue both economic and non-economic damages. In rare cases that reach trial, punitive damages might also be awarded.
Economic damages are for the financial consequences of your crash, including:
- Property damage
- Medical bills, current and future
- Rehabilitation and other similar services
- Lost wages
- Diminished earning capacity
The subjective losses you’ve suffered represent your non-economic damages, such as:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Loss of companionship
- Loss of quality of life
- Emotional distress
Per state statute, punitive damages require “clear and convincing evidence” that the defendant acted egregiously. If they intentionally caused your accident due to “road rage,” for instance, these damages might be available.
We’ll Fight for Compensation Based on Each of Your Motorcycle Accident Injuries
Motorcycles offer a much more visceral experience than driving an automobile, but they are also more dangerous for that same reason.
If you’ve suffered any of the following injuries, we are prepared to help you fight for compensation:
- Broken bones/fractures
- Soft tissue injuries
- Back injuries
- Road rash
- Lacerations
- Amputations
- Nerve damage
- Crushing injuries
- Burns
- Spinal cord damage
- Knee injuries
- Internal bleeding
- Paralysis
- Catastrophic injuries
- Whiplash
- Ankle injuries
- Concussions
- Moderate/severe traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Wrongful death of a loved one
We’re here to help you make the most of your claim if someone else’s wrongdoing is responsible for your injuries. Contact us today for legal advice.
What if I’m Being Blamed for My Peoria Motorcycle Accident?
Like many states, Illinois follows a “modified comparative negligence” doctrine regarding the issue of comparative fault. You can still receive compensation even with sharing some of the blame, but you can’t be mostly at fault.
You’ll be assessed a percentage of responsibility for your crash, and your damages can be adjusted accordingly. If you are found 51% or more at fault, you cannot recover compensation. Otherwise, your damages may be reduced – for instance, sharing 10% responsibility would reduce your damages by 10%.
An experienced motorcycle accident attorney in Peoria can help you respond to allegations of comparative fault effectively. That way, you can demand maximum compensation.
What Is Negligence and How Do I Prove It?
Negligence means something like “carelessness” and is the legal basis for most motorcycle accident claims. If someone fails to act as a “reasonable person” would in a similar situation, they have committed negligence.
There are four legal elements necessary to establish liability:
- Duty of care
- Breach of duty
- Causation, proximate/actual
- Damages
Each must be supported “by a preponderance of the evidence,” which is more or less a more likely than not standard.
Types of evidence you can bring include:
- Medical records
- Eyewitness accounts
- Financial documents
- Photos and videos
- Physical evidence
We have been helping clients prove negligence claims for decades; call today to get started.
How Much Does It Cost To Hire a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?
Most motorcycle accident lawyers in Peoria work for a contingency fee. With this framework, you don’t have to pay anything upfront to hire your attorney. You also won’t pay attorney’s fees at all unless you win compensation.
You’ll sign an agreement detailing the terms at the beginning of your case. In most cases, your attorney will receive about 33% of the jury verdict or settlement they recover for you. Otherwise, your lawyer doesn’t get paid.
This structure can benefit you substantially, as you can afford to hire any attorney that you’d like. Your lawyer will also want to put as much money into your pocket as they can.
How Much Time Do I Have To File a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit in Illinois?
The Illinois statute of limitations gives you two years to file a motorcycle accident lawsuit in most cases. You’ll need to file your lawsuit within two years of the crash date to avoid losing your ability to recover compensation.
It’s possible that the time limit could be different for your case, but exceptions are rare. Contact our legal team straight away so that we can help you file your lawsuit appropriately.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Experienced Peoria Motorcycle Accident Attorney
If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in Peoria, Illinois, compensation may be available. Handling a legal claim on top of everything else you’re dealing with might seem impossible, but you’re not alone. We can pursue legal action on your behalf while you focus on your health and recovery.
Our Peoria motorcycle accident lawyer is experienced, with three full decades under his belt. We will work hard to get you winning results for your case from the start.
Contact Joel E. Brown, P.C. by phone or reach out online today to schedule your free consultation. You won’t be under any obligations afterward.