Taylorville Motorcycle Accident Case Illustration
Motorcycle accidents can leave motorcyclists with severe, even life-threatening injuries. Unfortunately, even the most well trained and observant motorcyclist can do little to avoid larger vehicles whose drivers may not notice them. The sad reality is that almost no motorcyclists get up and just walk away from a motorcycle accident. Motorcyclists have virtually no protection in a collision with a vehicle, aside from a motorcycle helmet, if worn. Consider the following case illustration from our Taylorville motorcycle accident lawyers:
Wade, an experienced motorcycle rider, was injured when Dave unexpectedly veered into Wade’s lane. The motorcycle flipped, causing Wade to be ejected from the motorcycle. Wade was wearing a helmet but landing on the pavement caused serious damage to the spinal vertebrae as well as broken bones. Wade was in the hospital for weeks as his injuries healed.
When he was released, Wade was on crutches, had a pin in his hip, suffered numbness and tingling down his legs and arms from multiple herniated discs, and was looking at multiple months of physical therapy, and potentially additional surgeries. Wade’s hospital bill was more than $100,000. Despite having health insurance, Wade’s deductibles were almost impossible to pay because he could not return to work. Since Wade worked construction, he had no money coming in for his normal monthly expenses including rent and groceries. He ended up back at his parents’ house for help, sleeping in their extra bedroom and feeling extremely depressed.
Wade needed immediate legal help. He was overwhelmed by the future he was facing and unsure of where to turn. The motorcycle accident lawyers at the Noll Law Office can help Taylorville families in such precarious positions. Its attorneys know how to force the at-fault driver to provide their insurance policy information, and regularly practice law in the Taylorville courthouse. They can help Wade negotiate with medical providers on the amount of bills that need to be paid while litigation is pending, and, if there is not enough insurance to cover the medical bills, know how to file “make whole” petitions and other requests for relief with the Court. They know how to sue, and they are quite good at it. However, they also know that sometimes the best bet to help clients is to make immediate demand for tender of the insurance limits to avoid drawn out litigation and to put money in people like Wade’s pocket, more quickly.
Each case requires individualized attention. Every case has an individual fact pattern, with different insurance policies, different injuries, medical treatment, and client needs. You deserve a motorcycle accident lawyer who practices law in Christian County, and will provide you with an informed, honest opinion based on the specific facts of your case.
Local Accident Resources
Those injured in a Taylorville motorcycle accident may request the following accident resources to obtain immediate medical help:
- Taylorville Memorial Hospital—201 E Pleasant Street, Taylorville, IL 62568—(217) 707-5555
- Taylorville Urgent Care—1510 W. Springfield Road, Taylorville, IL 62568—(217) 824-8244
- Taylorville Police Department—108 West Vine Street, Taylorville, IL 62568—(217) 824-2211
What are the Common Factors in Motorcycle Accidents?
While each motorcycle accident is unique, there are some common factors associated with many motorcycle accidents. Inattentive or distracted drivers cause a significant number of vehicle accidents, including motorcycle accidents. If drivers are texting, talking on their phones, eating, or otherwise not paying attention to their driving, they can easily miss a motorcyclist.
Motorcyclists are less likely to be distracted while driving. It simply takes more attention to operate a motorcycle—and would be much more difficult to eat, talk, or text. Drivers, however, can turn in front of an oncoming motorcycle, switch lanes without seeing the motorcyclist, or park and open their car door into an oncoming motorcyclist.
Visibility is another primary cause of motorcycle accidents. While drivers are accustomed to watching out for other passenger vehicles, they are less likely to see a motorcyclist. The motorcyclist could be partially obstructed by another vehicle, or the driver may simply miscalculate the speed the motorcyclist is traveling. When backing out in parking lots, or opening a door after parallel parking, the driver may not look for motorcyclists and cause serious injury.
What Are the Most Common Injuries from Motorcycle Accidents?
Motorcyclists without helmets are most likely to experience a serious head injury, including a traumatic brain injury. Those wearing a helmet are most likely to have chest and spinal cord injuries, as well as broken bones. If not wearing “leathers,” a motorcyclist may experience severe road rash that can potentially become infected. Severe infections can lead to amputations or even death.
A concussion is the most common type of low-grade, traumatic brain injury sustained. There can be multiple symptoms of a concussion, which are not always readily apparent. According to a recent study published in Neurosurgery as summarized in the Stanford Magazine, concussions take five general sub-types with symptoms that may overlap. This includes the cognitive subtypes, ocular-motor subtype, headache/migraine subtype, vestibular, and anxiety/mood subtype. The researchers concluded that the different subtypes may require different types of treatment. It is important that you obtain medical help if you have symptoms of a concussion. You should also find an attorney who is well-versed in litigating claims resulting from them. For example, the ocular-motor subtype can require very specific vision therapy treatments that are not cheap. The lawyers at the Noll Law Office know how to litigate these types of claims.
Spinal cord injuries are also sadly common with motorcycle collisions The cost of long-term medical treatment for spinal cord injuries or traumatic brain injuries can exceed several hundred thousand dollars in the first year. Long-term, the cost of treating these severe injuries can be more than a million dollars.
What Should You Do Following a Motorcycle Accident?
Obtaining medical treatment is crucial following a motorcycle accident. You may have severe, even catastrophic injuries that need immediate treatment. There have been cases, for example, in which a person is walking around following an injury, only to have ongoing swelling cause enough injury to permanently injure the spinal cord and cause paralysis. If you are able, immediately make sure the police are called to the scene of the accident so that they may investigate the crash. Once you are medically able, contact your own insurance company and provide the basic facts about your accident.
Contacting a motorcycle accident lawyer that practices law in Taylorville, Illinois, can help. The attorneys at the Noll Law Office would be honored to work with you. They believe strongly in supporting their community and representing the fine people of Christian County.
How Do I Choose the Best Motorcycle Accident Lawyer for Me?
Communication with your motorcycle lawyer is crucial for a successful outcome. Pick an attorney who can describe recent litigation to you that involve motorcycle accidents, brain injuries, physician depositions, traffic reconstruction and traffic investigation procedures, and more. Pick a local attorney who will sit down and meet with you, and give you honest advice – the good, the bad, and the ugly. Pick an attorney who is not afraid of trial. At the Noll Law Office, the attorneys are successful litigators who use their positive track record for their clients’ benefit. They are compassionate but aggressively advocate for their clients.
How Does the Motorcycle Claims Process Work?
Once you have an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer retained, they will take over communication with the insurance companies involved, and help you put together a claim for damages based upon your lost wages, medical bills, pain and suffering, scarring, and other compensable loss. This can include coverage of future medical care. Once you approve a “settlement demand,” the Noll Law Office will submit it to the insurance company. Oftentimes, insurance companies offer a lowball approach, and negotiation proceeds. In larger cases, this can move towards mediation. Ultimately, if settlement cannot be reached you and your attorney will need to consider active litigation. If the insurance company refuses to offer a fair amount, your attorneys can typically file a lawsuit in the Christian County courthouse located in Taylorville, Illinois. Even though a lawsuit is filed, the insurance company may offer to settle at any point until the jury returns a verdict. Oftentimes, that does not occur until after summary judgment arguments are heard.
How is Fault Determined in a Taylorville, IL Motorcycle Accident?
Ultimately, fault is a question for the jury. However, fault is often proven by several other factors such as the police investigation at the scene of the accident, witness statements, video footage, photographs of the damage to vehicles, and other types of evidence. At times, accident reconstruction or private investigator work may become necessary.
Of course, the insurance company will do their best to show that you were responsible—or at least partially responsible—for the accident. There are millions of dollars in profit at stake over the course of a year. Because of this, having an experienced, aggressive motorcycle accident lawyer is essential.
Do I Have a Motorcycle Accident Case?
Your motorcycle accident lawyer from the Noll Law Office will help you review your claim, to determine whether you have a compensable case. Your initial consultation at the Noll Law Office is always free, and you are never charged unless a settlement or verdict is obtained on your behalf. During this consultation, the attorneys will carefully assess the facts and circumstances surrounding your accident. The attorneys will discuss the process and how to best position yourself to obtain the maximum settlement. Once they have determined the worth of your claim, they will aggressively pursue compensation on your behalf.
How Can Noll Law Office Help Me?
Unlike many other law firms that hand your case off to support staff, you will work with a law partner who owns the firm, directly throughout your case. They will always go the extra mile for you, your family, and your future. They truly care about their clients. If you have been injured as the result of a negligent driver, contact the Noll Law Office today. Remember—you never have to pay attorney’s fees unless the lawyers secure a fair settlement on your behalf.