Springfield Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Riding a motorcycle through Chicago is one of the great joys of Illinois life. Whether you’re cruising down Lake Shore Drive, cutting through the Wicker Park neighborhood, or heading south on I-55 toward Springfield, the open road offers freedom that few other things can match. But that freedom comes with real risk. When another driver’s carelessness puts you on the ground, the injuries can be life-changing. At Briskman Briskman & Greenberg, we know what riders go through after a crash. We also know how to fight for the compensation you deserve.

Table of Contents

• The Real Danger of Motorcycle Accidents in Illinois
• Illinois Laws That Affect Your Motorcycle Accident Claim
• Who Can Be Held Liable After a Motorcycle Crash?
• What Compensation Can You Recover After a Motorcycle Accident?
• Illinois Helmet Laws and How They Affect Your Case
• Why Briskman Briskman & Greenberg Is Ready to Help You
• FAQs About Springfield Motorcycle Accident Lawyers in Chicago, IL

The Real Danger of Motorcycle Accidents in Illinois

The numbers tell a sobering story. Crashes involving motorcycles accounted for 1.1% of total crashes, 13.1% of fatal crashes, and 3.8% of injury crashes in Illinois in 2024. Think about that for a moment. Motorcycles are a tiny fraction of all vehicles on the road, yet they show up in a hugely disproportionate share of deadly crashes. That gap tells you everything about how vulnerable riders are.

The risk is not just local. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), motorcyclists account for approximately 15 percent of all traffic-related deaths, even though they make up only 3 percent of all registered vehicles in the U.S. The NHTSA notes that motorcyclists are roughly 28 times more likely to be killed in a traffic accident than people in passenger vehicles, based on the number of miles traveled.

In Chicago, the risk is compounded by heavy traffic, distracted drivers, and road conditions on busy corridors like the Kennedy Expressway and the Dan Ryan. Intersections near Millennium Park and the Loop are especially congested. A driver who runs a red light or fails to check a blind spot can send a motorcyclist to the emergency room in seconds. According to the 2024-2026 Illinois Triennial Highway Safety Plan, approximately 13 percent of Illinois’ total fatalities are motorcyclists. That figure is not acceptable, and it underscores why injured riders need strong legal representation after a crash.

If you or someone you love was hurt in a motorcycle accident, do not wait. Contact Briskman Briskman & Greenberg for a free consultation with a Chicago personal injury lawyer who understands what is at stake.

Illinois Laws That Affect Your Motorcycle Accident Claim

Understanding the laws that apply to your case puts you in a stronger position. Illinois has several key statutes that directly affect how motorcycle accident claims are handled.

First, every driver on Illinois roads is required to carry liability insurance. Under 625 ILCS 5/7-601, no person may operate or register a motor vehicle on a public highway in Illinois unless it is covered by a liability insurance policy. That means the driver who hit you should have insurance. But insurance companies do not always pay what they should, and that is where having an attorney matters.

Second, if your crash involved serious injuries or death, the other driver had a legal duty to stay at the scene. Under 625 ILCS 5/11-401, any driver involved in a crash resulting in personal injury or death must immediately stop and remain at the scene until all legal requirements are met. Leaving the scene of an injury crash is a Class 4 felony. If the crash results in a death and the driver flees, it becomes a Class 1 felony. Hit-and-run crashes happen more often than people realize, including near busy Chicago neighborhoods like Logan Square and Pilsen.

Third, Illinois uses a modified comparative fault system. If you were partly at fault for the crash, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. You can still recover as long as your fault is 50% or less. An experienced attorney can help protect your share of fault from being inflated by the defense.

Our Chicago motorcycle accident attorneys know these laws inside and out. We put them to work for injured riders every day.

Who Can Be Held Liable After a Motorcycle Crash?

One of the most important questions after any crash is who bears legal responsibility. The answer is not always limited to the driver of the other vehicle. Illinois law allows injured riders to pursue claims against multiple parties.

Under 735 ILCS 5/2-1117, all defendants found liable in a personal injury case are jointly and severally liable for the plaintiff’s past and future medical and medically related expenses. Any defendant whose share of fault is 25% or greater is also jointly and severally liable for all other damages. This matters because it means you can collect the full amount of your medical bills from any one liable party, even if multiple defendants are involved.

So who might be liable in a motorcycle crash? Potentially several parties. The other driver is the most obvious. But what about a trucking company whose employee ran you off the road on the Eisenhower Expressway? What about a city or county that failed to repair a dangerous pothole on a Springfield-area road? What about a motorcycle manufacturer whose defective part caused your bike to malfunction? All of these parties can potentially be held responsible.

Liability can also extend to employers when their employees cause crashes while on the job. Illinois workers’ compensation law under 820 ILCS 305 may also come into play if you were injured while working at the time of the crash. Our attorneys examine every angle so no source of recovery is overlooked.

The motorcycle accident attorneys at Briskman Briskman & Greenberg have the experience to identify all liable parties and build a strong case on your behalf.

What Compensation Can You Recover After a Motorcycle Accident?

A serious motorcycle crash can cost you far more than your medical bills. Riders often suffer broken bones, spinal injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and road rash that requires multiple surgeries. Recovery can take months or years. Some injuries are permanent. The financial impact can be devastating for you and your entire family.

Illinois law allows injured riders to pursue compensation for a wide range of losses. These include current and future medical expenses, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and property damage. In cases involving a death, the family may have a wrongful death claim.

Under the Illinois Wrongful Death Act (740 ILCS 180), when a person’s death is caused by a wrongful act, neglect, or default, the responsible party is liable for damages, including punitive damages when applicable. This means that if a loved one was killed in a motorcycle crash caused by a negligent driver, surviving family members may be entitled to pursue a claim on their behalf.

The total estimated cost of crashes in Illinois for 2024 was $8.3 billion. Each fatality was estimated to cost $2,009,575. An incapacitating injury was estimated to cost $171,925. These figures reflect the enormous real-world impact of serious crashes. Insurance companies know these numbers too, and they work hard to minimize what they pay. You need someone in your corner who will fight just as hard for you.

Our motorcycle accident attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.

Illinois Helmet Laws and How They Affect Your Case

Many riders are surprised to learn that Illinois does not require you to wear a helmet. When it comes to helmet use for motorcyclists, Illinois lets those who ride decide. Helmets are never required. Local laws cannot even try to require them. However, using a helmet when riding a motorcycle is always encouraged.

Wearing eye protection gear, however, is required in Illinois. That may include a windshield, shatterproof eye glasses, or windscreen. So while your head is legally unprotected, your eyes must be shielded.

Here is why this matters for your injury claim. If you were not wearing a helmet when you crashed and you suffered a head injury, the insurance company may try to argue that your injuries were made worse by your choice. While Illinois does not have helmet laws at this time, not wearing a helmet could impact victims’ ability to recover compensation for injuries sustained in motorcycle accidents through comparative negligence. If you experience head trauma or other injuries in an accident that could have resulted from the lack of a helmet, insurance companies, attorneys, and courts may consider this negligence at least partly responsible for causing the injury.

This does not mean your case is lost. Illinois uses a modified comparative fault system, and a skilled attorney can push back against inflated fault assignments. The NHTSA estimates that helmets are approximately 37 percent effective in protecting motorcycle riders from fatal injuries. That also means helmets do not prevent all injuries, and a good attorney will make that argument clearly to the insurance company or a jury.

Whether you were wearing a helmet or not, Briskman Briskman & Greenberg will evaluate your case honestly and tell you exactly where you stand. Our motorcycle accident attorneys serve riders across Illinois, from the Chicago neighborhoods of Hyde Park and Bridgeport to communities downstate.

Why Briskman Briskman & Greenberg Is Ready to Help You

After a motorcycle crash, you are dealing with pain, medical appointments, insurance adjusters, and financial pressure all at once. The last thing you need is to fight a legal battle alone. Briskman Briskman & Greenberg has been standing up for injured people in Illinois for decades. We know the Cook County court system. We know the Daley Center courthouse. We know how insurance companies think, and we know how to counter their tactics.

We handle motorcycle accident cases throughout the Chicago area and across Illinois. Whether your crash happened on the North Shore, in the western suburbs, near Wrigleyville, or on a rural highway near Springfield, we are ready to help. Our team investigates crashes thoroughly, gathers evidence, works with medical experts, and builds cases designed to maximize your recovery.

We also understand the unique challenges motorcyclists face. Riders often deal with an unfair stigma. Some people assume that if you were on a motorcycle, you must have been riding recklessly. We know that is not true, and we work hard to counter that bias with facts and evidence.

Our motorcycle accident lawyers take cases on a contingency fee basis. There are no upfront costs, and you only pay if we win. Call us today for a free, no-obligation consultation. You have nothing to lose and potentially a great deal to gain.

FAQs About Springfield Motorcycle Accident Lawyers in Chicago, IL

How long do I have to file a motorcycle accident lawsuit in Illinois?

In most personal injury cases in Illinois, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. This deadline is set by the Illinois statute of limitations. If you miss it, you may lose your right to recover compensation entirely. That is why it is important to speak with an attorney as soon as possible after your crash. Evidence fades, witnesses move on, and building a strong case takes time. Do not wait until the deadline is close.

What if the driver who hit me does not have insurance?

This is a real concern in Illinois. If the at-fault driver has no insurance, you may be able to make a claim through your own uninsured motorist coverage. Illinois law requires insurers to offer this coverage, though not all riders purchase it. If the driver had insurance but it is not enough to cover your losses, underinsured motorist coverage may apply. An attorney can review your policy and identify all available sources of recovery so you are not left paying out of pocket for someone else’s negligence.

Can I still recover compensation if I was partly at fault for the crash?

Yes, in most cases. Illinois follows a modified comparative fault rule. As long as your share of fault is 50% or less, you can still recover compensation. However, your award will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you were found 20% at fault and your total damages were $100,000, you would recover $80,000. Insurance companies often try to push your fault percentage higher to reduce what they owe. An experienced attorney can challenge those claims and protect your recovery.

What should I do immediately after a motorcycle accident in Chicago?

Your first priority is your safety and health. Call 911 right away. Under Illinois law (625 ILCS 5/11-401), any driver involved in a crash causing injury must remain at the scene. Get medical attention even if you feel okay, because some injuries are not immediately obvious. Document the scene with photos if you can. Get the other driver’s information, including their insurance details. Avoid giving recorded statements to insurance adjusters before speaking with a lawyer. Contact Briskman Briskman & Greenberg as soon as possible so we can start protecting your rights.

How much does it cost to hire a motorcycle accident lawyer at Briskman Briskman & Greenberg?

Nothing upfront. Briskman Briskman & Greenberg handles motorcycle accident cases on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay no attorney fees unless we recover money for you. Your initial consultation is completely free. We believe that every injured rider deserves quality legal representation regardless of their financial situation. You should never have to choose between getting legal help and paying your bills. Call us today and let us review your case at no cost to you.

More Resources About Vehicle Injuries

• Dangerous Roads & Intersections in Springfield
• Springfield Bicycle Accident Lawyer
• Springfield Car Accident Lawyer
• Springfield Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer
• Springfield Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer
• Springfield Fatal Car Accident Lawyer
• Springfield Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
• Springfield Truck Accident Attorney
• Springfield Uber Accident Lawyer
• Springfield Lyft Accident Lawyer
• Springfield Uninsured Motorist Accident Lawyer