Rockford Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Reputable Law Firm for Motorcycle Crash Victims in Rockford, IL

A Rockford motorcycle accident attorney is crucial to getting justice against negligent drivers in Winnebago County. Those injured in a motorcycle crash often suffer serious injuries, such as broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, and organ damage.

Our law firm fights hard for motorcycle accident victims, ensuring they receive full and fair compensation for their injuries. Contact us today for a free consultation.

Settlements Recovered by Our Experienced Attorneys

• $5,250,000 policy limit recovery for an intersection crash
• $1,250,000 for a fatal highway collision
• $925,000 for broken bones from a motorcycle crash
• $250,000 hit-and-run driver settlement

Why Choose Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers

At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, we’re passionate about ensuring that injured motorcyclists receive high-quality legal help. We aggressively represent our clients in Rockford as well as throughout Winnebago, Boone, Ogle, and Stephenson Counties.

Insurance companies will do everything they can to ensure you don’t receive compensation, which is why you need highly experienced motorcycle injury lawyers on your side. Don’t wait until the statute of limitations runs out: contact us today to receive nationally recognized legal representation.

What Qualifies as a Motorcycle Accident Case in Rockford

A Rockford motorcycle crash lawyer from our firm will determine the responsible party in the accident ,depending on how the accident occurred. To do so, we must consider four factors:

• Duty of Care: Did the liable party have a responsibility to act safely around other motorists?
• Breach of Duty: Did this person or entity fail to act as a reasonable person would?
• Causation: Did the responsible party’s actions cause the accident?
• Damages: Did the breach of duty result in personal injury or property damage?

What to Do After a Rockford Motorcycle Wreck

The steps you take after a motorcycle accident are extremely important for your safety and your legal options. Here are a few steps all Rockford, IL, residents should take after suffering severe injuries in a motorcycle accident:

• Notify the Police and File a Report: Notify the Rockford Police Department of the motorcycle accident as soon as possible. This creates physical evidence of the accident and may be used in your case.
• Collect Time-Sensitive Evidence: While a lawyer can help build your case later, some evidence is time-sensitive. Make it a point to gather photographs, videos, or witness contacts.
• Get Medical Treatment: You should always get medical attention after a car accident. Head to the nearest emergency room, such as OSF Saint Anthony, UW Health SwedishAmerican Hospital, or Javon Bea Hospital.
• Preserve Evidence: Keep any personal property damaged in the accident, including the motorcycle and your helmet. Don’t get anything repaired until your motorcycle accident lawyer tells you to.
• Keep Records: Hold onto your medical records, repair costs, communications with third parties, and photos of the accident. Our attorneys can use this as evidence in a lawsuit.
• Contact an Experienced Motorcycle Accident Lawyer: Our Rockford motorcycle accident attorneys will protect your legal rights while you focus on your recovery.

Common Injuries Sustained in Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle accidents often lead to severe, life-changing injuries, such as:

• Broken bones
• Spinal cord injuries
• Internal injuries
• Neck injury
• Rider’s Arm
• Road rash
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Disfigurement
• Burn injuries
• Head injuries
• Torn ligaments or soft tissue injury
• Wrongful death

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Rockford

Motorcycle accidents often arise from many of the same causes as automobile or truck accidents. In many cases, negligence is a key factor in the motorcycle crash. A few of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents in Rockford, IL, include the following:

• Distracted Drivers: Illinois is among the top 10 deadliest states for distracted driving.
• Ignoring Traffic Rules: Failing to follow speed limits and city/county laws can lead to a motorcycle accident. The U.S. Department of Transportation found that residents of Rockford, IL, are among some of the worst drivers in Illinois.
• Improper Left Turns: These are especially dangerous at Rockford’s most hated intersections, like Alpine Road and Rural Street.
• Drowsy Drivers: There are an estimated 6,000 fatal crashes caused by drowsy driving every year in the United States.
• Drunk Driving: Drunk drivers pose a serious risk to motorcyclists and cause a handful of crash victim fatalities in Rockford each year.
• Defective Vehicle Parts: Defective automobile or motorcycle parts or faulty safety features can lead to catastrophic injuries in a motorcycle accident. Our attorneys can help motorcycle accident victims with a product liability claim.
• Road Hazards: While Rockford has received $2.5 million for infrastructure improvements, issues like potholes and poor signage remain serious issues.
• Bad Weather: Rockford, Illinois, receives its fair share of inclement weather, and slippery roads can be a hazard to motorcyclists and reduce driver visibility.

Damages Awarded to Motorcycle Crash Victims

You may receive both economic and non-economic damages for a motorcycle crash. Economic damages cover your financial losses, while non-economic damages compensate you for the emotional and social harm done to you.

Our attorneys help injured motorcyclists recover the following damages:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Diminished earning capacity
• Wrongful death damages
• Rehabilitation costs
• Property damages
• Physical pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Disability and disfigurement

In a wrongful death lawsuit, you may receive many of the same damages as for a personal injury case, but you can also be compensated for grief, loss of companionship, and loss of financial support. Punitive damages are also sometimes awarded in a court case to punish the negligent person.

Challenges When Filing Motorcycle Accident Claims

Unfortunately, a motorcycle accident lawsuit can be challenging due to bias against bikers. Insurance companies often claim that this mode of transportation is inherently risky, and therefore, motorcyclists are more responsible for accidents. Witness statements might be biased, and juries may assume that motorcyclists are aggressive drivers.

This makes it even more crucial to work with skilled motorcyclist accident attorneys, who can help by gathering evidence that shows driver negligence, not your actions, caused the crash. We ensure you’re treated fairly by insurance companies and juries so that you can receive compensation for your medical bills and lost wages.

You Have Limited Time to File a Motorcycle Accident Claim in Rockford

Illinois sets strict time limits on personal injury cases, also known as the state’s statute of limitations. State law provides just two years from the date of the motorcycle accident to seek compensation through a personal injury claim (§735 ILCS 5/13-213). In a wrongful death case, you have two years from the date of death.

Rockford Motorcycle Accident Statistics

Rockford, Illinois, has a higher-than-average rate of automobile and motorcycle accidents. Many reports show that Rockford has a 45.4 crash score compared to the U.S. average of 27.2, which means local residents are much more likely to be involved in a collision.

In 2023, there were 51 motorcycle crashes, including three deaths. Of these, 14 individuals suffered incapacitating injuries, 19 suffered non-incapacitating injuries, and 7 complained of pain. Only 14 accidents resulted in no injuries.

Rockford Motorcycle Riders’ Rights & Responsibilities

Motorcyclists are required to follow all traffic laws and act appropriately around other vehicles. Some relevant state and local laws include the following.

• Motorcyclists cannot split lanes, meaning they can’t pass two vehicles at once or ride in between lanes (§625 ILCS 5/11-703).
• You cannot operate a motorcycle on just one wheel, otherwise called popping a wheelie (§625 ILCS 5/11-1403.2).
• Everyone on a motorcycle must wear eye protection, like goggles or a face shield (§625 ILCS 5/11-1404).

Rockford has adopted the Illinois Vehicle Code, meaning that all state laws also apply in the city, too (§16-1).

Rockford Motorcycle Accident FAQs

Should I speak to the insurance company after my motorcycle crash?

No, you should not speak to insurance companies after a motorcycle crash. These companies will attempt to play games with you, such as lowballing you, denying your claim without a proper investigation, or insisting you provide additional evidence that’s not really necessary. Allow our motorcycle accident attorneys to handle all communication on your behalf.

What if the other driver fled after my motorcycle accident?

If you are in a hit-and-run accident, then you may be able to file a claim with your uninsured motorist (UM) policy.

It is important to note that your UM policy may require that you have made physical contact with the uninsured vehicle even though state law does not require this (Allstate Fire & Casualty Insurance Co. v. Bochenek). In other words, your motorcycle accident claim may be denied if you only suffered emotional harm.

Who’s liable for road hazards causing motorcycle accidents?

The City of Rockford Public Works Department or the Illinois Department of Transportation can be held liable for road damage like potholes or poor lighting.

However, this can be challenging due to the Tort Immunity Act (§745 ILCS 10/1-101), which limits liability for government agencies. If you intend to sue the city, contact our motorcycle injury lawyers for more advice about these complicated cases.

Can I pursue claims against multiple parties after my motorcycle crash?

Yes, you can file lawsuits against multiple parties. This can include the at-fault driver, employers under vicarious liability, product manufacturers, pedestrians, and government agencies. We will handle all negotiations with these parties so you can focus on recovering.

Can I sue if I was partially at fault for the accident?

Yes, you can sue if you were partially at fault because Illinois uses modified comparative negligence (§735 ILCS 5/2-1116). This means you can sue if you were less than 50% responsible, but you will receive less compensation than if you were entirely blameless.

Consult a Rockford Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Near You!

Motorcycle wrecks can result in serious injuries that entirely change your life. You deserve justice and compensation from negligent drivers, manufacturers, and other parties who failed to act safely. Our attorneys will aggressively fight for your rights and negotiate for maximum compensation.

We have successfully recovered over $450 million for our clients and work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you owe us nothing unless we win your case. Our team is part of the National Trial Lawyers Association and a Super Lawyers firm.

Call our Rockford personal injury lawyers today at (888) 424-5757 or fill out our easy online form for a free case evaluation.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I was in motorcycle accident and the law firm help me with all my legal issues and got a nice settlement for my injury. I will give the information to other riders.

– Victor Marban

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All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.