Bloomington Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

If you ride a motorcycle in or around Bloomington, Illinois, you already know how exposed you are on the road. A single wrong move by another driver can send you flying. The injuries are often severe, the medical bills pile up fast, and the insurance companies do not make it easy. At Briskman Briskman & Greenberg, we fight for injured riders and their families across Illinois, including those involved in crashes near Bloomington and throughout the Chicago area.

Table of Contents

• Why Motorcycle Accidents in Illinois Are So Dangerous
• Illinois Laws That Protect Injured Motorcycle Riders
• What to Do After a Motorcycle Crash Near Bloomington
• Compensation You May Be Able to Recover
• Why Choose Briskman Briskman & Greenberg for Your Bloomington Motorcycle Accident Case
• FAQs About Bloomington Motorcycle Accident Claims

Why Motorcycle Accidents in Illinois Are So Dangerous

Motorcycles offer no steel cage, no airbags, and no seat belt to protect you. That is the simple truth about riding. The fatality rate for motorcyclists is more than six times the fatality rate for passenger car occupants per registered vehicle. That gap is staggering, and it shows why crashes that might be minor for a car driver can be catastrophic for a rider.

Illinois roads add their own risks. From the busy stretch of Interstate 55 connecting Chicago to Bloomington, to local roads around Uptown Normal and Veterans Parkway, riders face heavy traffic, distracted drivers, and road conditions that can change without warning. According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, there were 3,070 motorcycle crashes in 2020, resulting in 1,909 injuries and 152 fatalities. Those numbers reflect real people with real lives turned upside down.

Common injuries in motorcycle crashes include broken bones, road rash, spinal injuries, and traumatic brain injuries. Motorcycle accident injuries can be catastrophic. Any part of the body can be injured during a crash, and there is no seat belt to keep you in the seat, unlike a passenger vehicle. Even a low-speed collision can put a rider in the hospital for weeks.

Illinois also has no universal helmet law. When it comes to helmet use for motorcyclists, Illinois lets those who ride decide. Helmets are never required. While that is your legal right, riding without one can complicate your injury claim. Insurance companies may argue that your injuries were worse because you chose not to wear a helmet. That is exactly the kind of challenge you need an experienced legal team to handle. Our Chicago abogados de accidentes de moto know how to push back against those tactics.

Illinois Laws That Protect Injured Motorcycle Riders

Illinois law gives injured motorcycle riders real tools to pursue compensation. Understanding those tools helps you see why acting quickly after a crash matters so much.

Under Illinois law (625 ILCS 5/11-401), any driver involved in a crash that causes personal injury must stop immediately and remain at the scene. If a driver flees, they face serious criminal penalties. A person who fails to stop at the scene of an injury crash is guilty of a Class 4 felony. If they fail to report the crash within half an hour, that becomes a Class 2 felony. If someone dies, the charge rises to a Class 1 felony. This law matters because hit-and-run crashes involving motorcycles happen more often than people realize, and knowing the driver had a legal duty to stay can strengthen your case.

Illinois also requires all motor vehicles to carry liability insurance under 625 ILCS 5/7-601. Every driver on the road must have a policy that meets the state’s minimum coverage amounts. If the at-fault driver was uninsured, you may still have options through your own uninsured motorist coverage or other legal avenues.

Under Illinois joint and several liability law (735 ILCS 5/2-1117), when multiple parties share fault for your crash, any defendant found to be 25% or more at fault is jointly and severally liable for all your damages. This means you are not left fighting over fractions of a recovery when more than one party caused your injuries. A distracted driver, a road maintenance contractor, or even a bar that served an intoxicated driver could all share responsibility.

Speaking of bars, Illinois’s Dram Shop Act (235 ILCS 5/6-21) allows injured parties to bring a claim against a licensed liquor seller whose sale of alcohol contributed to a crash. If a driver who hit you had just left a bar near downtown Bloomington, that establishment may carry some legal responsibility for your injuries.

What to Do After a Motorcycle Crash Near Bloomington

The steps you take right after a crash can make or break your claim. Here is what matters most.

First, call 911. You need a police report, and you may need an ambulance. Even if you feel okay in the moment, adrenaline can mask serious injuries. Head to the emergency room or your doctor right away. Under Illinois law, “personal injury” for accident reporting purposes means any injury requiring immediate professional treatment in a medical facility or doctor’s office. Getting prompt medical care protects your health and creates a clear record linking your injuries to the crash.

Second, gather information at the scene if you are able. Get the other driver’s name, insurance details, and license plate number. Take photos of your motorcycle, the other vehicle, the road, and any visible injuries. If there are witnesses, get their contact information. Crashes on major routes like Route 9 or near landmarks like the McLean County courthouse can attract witnesses who may have seen exactly what happened.

Third, do not talk to the other driver’s insurance company without legal advice. Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize payouts. They may ask you to give a recorded statement or offer a quick settlement that does not come close to covering your actual losses. Before you sign anything, talk to a lawyer.

Finally, contact Briskman Briskman & Greenberg. Our team serves clients across Illinois, including those injured in crashes near Bloomington, Uptown Normal, and along the I-55 corridor. As a trusted Chicago abogado de lesiones personales team, we handle the legal work while you focus on recovering.

Compensation You May Be Able to Recover

After a serious motorcycle crash, you deserve to know what your claim may be worth. Illinois law allows injured riders to seek several types of compensation.

Medical expenses are usually the most immediate concern. This includes emergency room bills, surgery costs, physical therapy, medication, and any future medical care you may need. If your injuries are severe, those future costs can be enormous. A spinal injury, for example, may require ongoing treatment for years.

Lost wages are another major category. If your injuries kept you out of work, you can seek compensation for the income you lost. If your injuries affect your ability to work in the future, that lost earning capacity is also recoverable.

Pain and suffering damages cover the physical pain and emotional distress caused by the crash and your recovery. These are real losses, even though they do not come with a receipt. Illinois courts recognize them as compensable harm.

If a loved one was killed in a motorcycle crash, Illinois’s Wrongful Death Act (740 ILCS 180) allows surviving family members to bring a claim. The law provides that whenever a death is caused by a wrongful act or negligence, the party who would have been liable if death had not occurred remains liable to an action for damages, including punitive damages when applicable. No family should have to face that loss without legal support.

Nuestra motorcycle accident lawyers work to build the strongest possible case for every client. We gather evidence, consult with experts, and negotiate aggressively with insurance companies. When a fair settlement is not on the table, we are ready to go to court.

Why Choose Briskman Briskman & Greenberg for Your Bloomington Motorcycle Accident Case

Choosing the right legal team after a motorcycle crash is one of the most important decisions you will make. You need attorneys who understand Illinois personal injury law, who know how to handle insurance companies, and who will treat you like a person, not a case number.

Briskman Briskman & Greenberg has represented injured people across Illinois for decades. We serve clients in Chicago and throughout the state, including those involved in crashes near Bloomington, along the I-55 corridor, and in surrounding McLean County communities. Whether your crash happened on Veterans Parkway, near Illinois State University, or on a rural highway outside of town, we are ready to help.

We handle motorcycle accident cases on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. There is no upfront cost and no financial risk to getting legal help. You can focus on healing while we handle the legal fight.

Our team also handles related cases across the state. If you or someone you know was injured in a crash in another part of Illinois, our abogados de accidentes de moto in Rockford, our abogados de accidentes de moto in Buffalo Grove, and our abogados de accidentes de moto in Champaign are all part of the same dedicated team. We are here for riders across the state.

Do not wait to get help. Illinois has a two-year statute of limitations for most personal injury claims, which means the clock starts running from the date of your crash. Evidence can disappear, witnesses can forget details, and insurance companies use delay as a strategy. Reach out to Briskman Briskman & Greenberg today for a free consultation. We will listen to your story, explain your options, and tell you honestly what we think your case is worth.

FAQs About Bloomington Motorcycle Accident Claims

Do I need to wear a helmet to ride a motorcycle in Illinois?

No. Illinois does not require motorcycle riders or passengers to wear a helmet. However, the state does require protective eyewear unless your motorcycle has a windscreen. While riding without a helmet is legal, it can complicate your injury claim if you suffer a head injury. Insurance companies may argue that your injuries were worse because you chose not to wear one. Illinois uses a modified comparative negligence system, so your compensation could be reduced if you are found partially at fault for the severity of your injuries.

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

Illinois law requires all drivers to carry liability insurance under 625 ILCS 5/7-601. If the driver who caused your crash was uninsured, you may still have options. Your own uninsured motorist coverage may apply. You may also have claims against other parties, such as a bar that served an intoxicated driver under the Illinois Dram Shop Act (235 ILCS 5/6-21), or a government entity responsible for dangerous road conditions. A lawyer can help you identify every possible source of recovery.

What if more than one party was responsible for my crash?

Illinois law addresses this directly. Under 735 ILCS 5/2-1117, any defendant found to be 25% or more at fault is jointly and severally liable for all your damages. This means that if multiple parties share responsibility, including a negligent driver, a road contractor, or another third party, you are not limited to collecting only a fraction of your losses from each one. A thorough investigation can uncover all parties who contributed to your crash.

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

In most cases, Illinois gives you two years from the date of your injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. For wrongful death claims under the Illinois Wrongful Death Act (740 ILCS 180), the same two-year window generally applies. Missing this deadline typically means losing your right to sue entirely. Do not wait. The sooner you contact a lawyer, the more time your legal team has to gather evidence, interview witnesses, and build a strong case on your behalf.

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

Yes, in many cases. Illinois follows a modified comparative negligence rule. As long as you are 50% or less at fault for the crash, you can still recover damages. However, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you were found 20% at fault and your total damages are $100,000, you would recover $80,000. Insurance companies often try to inflate your share of fault to reduce what they owe you. Having a lawyer on your side helps counter those tactics and protect your recovery.

More Resources About Vehicle Injuries

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