Getting into a motorcycle accident can cause serious injuries – and may potentially be deadly. According 
to the latest statistics from the Illinois Department of Transportation, there were 3,326 motorcycle crashes in the state in 2017. Sadly, 2,514 motorcyclists were injured and 160 were killed.
If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle crash in Cook County but don’t know where to turn, don’t fret: Chicago Legal Group has you covered. We are motorcycle accident lawyers with extensive experience with motorcycle crashes, and we’re standing by and ready to help.
Here are answers to questions you may have at this moment, as well as information on how to proceed with your motorcycle accident case.
Can I Recover for My Property Damage?
There is a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury in Illinois, as well as a five-year statute of limitations for property damage. As long as you file your lawsuit within that time frame for a personal injury, property damage, or both, then you may be able to recover for your property damage. You’d have to work with your personal injury lawyer to successfully prove that the defendant was responsible for the damage. You could receive money to cover damage to your motorcycle, helmet, and any other personal items that were destroyed in the crash.
Should I Use My Own Insurance for Property Damage?
If you’ve involved in a lawsuit, it could take several months or even years to come to a settlement. In the meantime, you may need to fix your motorcycle or purchase a new one in order to get around. You could always use your own insurance for property damage and then reimburse yourself once you reach a settlement.
Will My Deductible Go Up if I Use My Own Motorcycle Insurance?
Your insurance company will complete their own investigation to determine who is at fault for the accident. You should provide them with all the details you have about the accident and send in pictures to support your case.
Even if you use your own motorcycle insurance to cover your property damage, your premium may not go up, as long as you are not at fault for your motorcycle accident and you have a good driving record. Additionally, if you have accident forgiveness with your motorcycle insurance, your premium won’t go up after your first accident.
What to Do if You’re in a Motorcycle Crash
When you get into a motorcycle crash, the first thing you should do is call the cops. You should also take photos of the scene of the crash, the damage to your car, and your injuries.
It’s important to collect the driver’s information, including their name and phone number, as well as their insurance policy number. If there are any witnesses, gather their statements and contact information, and note if there are any traffic or surveillance cameras that may have footage of the crash.
Then, it’s critical to go to the hospital right away. You’ll need to ask for a full check-up and get X-rays, MRIs, and other tests to check for internal damage.
If your doctor refers you to specialists or prescribes you medicine, make sure you follow their orders. If you wait to go to the hospital or don’t seek additional treatment for your injuries, it could work against you in your motorcycle accident case. That’s because the insurance company could claim that something else injured you, not the crash, since you didn’t go to the hospital immediately after it happened.
The defendant’s insurance company is likely going to call you to ask you for details about the accident and offer you a settlement. Even if the settlement seems suitable, you never know how your injuries are going to manifest in the long run and how high your medical bills are going to be.
The insurance company may offer you something paltry, like $500, and that just isn’t enough to cover your medical bills and car repairs, which are both notoriously expensive.
Instead, if you’ve gotten into a motorcycle accident in Cook County, then call our motorcycle attorneys to help you recover property damages as well as costs for your medical bills.
Chicago Legal Group: Serving Cook County, Illinois and Beyond
Cook County is known for being the second most populous county in the nation, as well as the 19th largest government in the country. It has a diverse population of 5.3 million people and contains natural beauty like Lake Michigan along with the exciting urban center of Chicago.
If you’ve been in a motorcycle accident and need legal assistance, contact Chicago Legal Group today at 1-847-305-4105. We look forward to hearing from you.
