Plainfield Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

If you ride motorcycles in or around Plainfield, Illinois, you know how much you depend on other drivers sharing the road safely. Plainfield sits in Will County, just southwest of Chicago along Interstate 55 and Route 30. It’s a growing community, and with more cars and trucks on roads like 127th Street, Route 59, and the I-55 corridor every year, the risk to motorcyclists keeps rising. When a crash happens, the injuries can be life-changing. Medical bills pile up fast. You may miss work for weeks or months. The road to recovery is hard enough without also fighting an insurance company on your own. That’s where Briskman Briskman & Greenberg can help. Our team of Chicago personal injury lawyers has been standing up for injured riders across the Chicago area for years, and we’re ready to stand up for you.

Table of Contents

• Motorcycle Accidents in Plainfield and the Greater Chicago Area
• Illinois Laws That Apply to Your Motorcycle Accident Case
• What Damages Can You Recover After a Plainfield Motorcycle Accident?
• How Illinois Helmet Laws Affect Your Claim
• Steps to Take After a Motorcycle Accident in Plainfield
• FAQs About Plainfield Motorcycle Accident Claims

Motorcycle Accidents in Plainfield and the Greater Chicago Area

Motorcyclists face serious risks every time they ride. The numbers from the Illinois Department of Transportation make that clear. Crashes involving motorcycles accounted for 1.1% of total crashes in Illinois, yet made up 13.1% of fatal crashes and 3.8% of injury crashes. Think about that. Motorcycles are a tiny fraction of all vehicles on the road, but they account for a huge share of the deaths. In 2024, there were 303,913 total crashes involving motor vehicles in Illinois, with injury crashes accounting for 20.8% and fatal crashes numbering 1,085.

The roads around Plainfield carry heavy traffic. Route 59 runs through the heart of town. I-55 connects Plainfield to Chicago and sees constant commercial truck traffic. Route 30 and 143rd Street are busy corridors where distracted or careless drivers create real danger for riders. Motorcyclists are considered some of the most vulnerable road users in Illinois, and according to the 2024-2026 Illinois Triennial Highway Safety Plan, more than 13 percent of Illinois’ total fatalities involve motorcyclists.

Common causes of motorcycle crashes in the Plainfield area include drivers failing to yield at intersections, distracted driving, unsafe lane changes, and poor road conditions. Riders heading toward downtown Chicago along I-55 also face congestion near Bolingbrook and the interchange at I-355. Any of these situations can turn into a serious crash in seconds. If you’ve been hurt in one of these crashes, working with experienced Chicago motorcycle accident attorneys is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your rights.

Illinois Laws That Apply to Your Motorcycle Accident Case

Illinois has several laws that directly affect your rights after a motorcycle crash. Understanding them helps you know where you stand. First, let’s talk about insurance. Under 625 ILCS 5/7-601, every motor vehicle operated on a public highway in Illinois must be covered by a liability insurance policy. That applies to motorcycles too. Mandatory insurance requirements in Illinois mean all drivers must carry minimum liability insurance, including $25,000 per person for bodily injury, $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $20,000 for property damage. If the driver who hit you was uninsured, there are still legal options available to you.

Illinois also uses a modified comparative negligence system. Under 735 ILCS 5/2-1116, if you are found to be 50% or more at fault for the crash, you cannot recover any compensation. If you are less than 50% at fault, your damages are reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you suffered $100,000 in damages and are found 20% at fault, you would recover $80,000. Insurance companies often try to push fault onto the rider to reduce or eliminate their payout. Don’t let that happen without a fight.

Under 735 ILCS 5/2-1117, all defendants found liable are jointly and severally liable for a plaintiff’s past and future medical and medically related expenses. Any defendant whose fault is 25% or greater of the total fault is jointly and severally liable for all other damages as well. This matters when multiple parties share responsibility for your crash. It means you may be able to recover the full amount of your losses from any one of the at-fault parties.

You also need to know about the accident reporting law. Under 625 ILCS 5/11-401, the driver of any vehicle involved in a crash resulting in personal injury or death must immediately stop at the scene. Failure to stop is a Class 4 felony. If you were the victim of a hit-and-run near Plainfield or along I-55, that driver committed a serious crime. Our motorcycle accident attorneys can help you pursue every avenue of recovery, even in hit-and-run situations.

What Damages Can You Recover After a Plainfield Motorcycle Accident?

After a motorcycle crash, your losses can be significant. Illinois law allows injured riders to seek compensation for a wide range of damages. Knowing what you can claim helps you understand the full value of your case. Many riders only think about their immediate hospital bills, but the true cost of a serious crash goes much further than that.

Economic damages are the measurable financial losses you’ve suffered. These include current and future medical bills, costs for rehabilitation and physical therapy, lost wages from time off work, and reduced earning capacity if your injuries affect your ability to do your job long-term. Your motorcycle may also be damaged or totaled. Under 735 ILCS 5/13-205, you have five years to bring a claim for property damage. So don’t assume you’ve missed your window on that part of your case.

Non-economic damages cover the physical pain and emotional suffering that don’t come with a receipt. These include pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and the impact the injuries have on your relationships. Illinois courts take these losses seriously, and so do we.

In cases where a loved one was killed in a motorcycle crash, the Illinois Wrongful Death Act at 740 ILCS 180/1 allows surviving family members to pursue a claim. Under this law, the person or company that would have been liable had the victim survived is still liable for damages, including punitive damages where applicable. Losing a family member is devastating. Families near Plainfield, Bolingbrook, and the surrounding Will County area deserve answers and accountability. Our motorcycle accident attorneys handle wrongful death cases with care and determination.

Illinois law gives personal injury victims two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. In Illinois, the statute of limitations is two years from the date of the injury or discovery of injury, which means that victims have two years to file a claim or lawsuit before they are unable to seek compensation. Missing that deadline can cost you everything. Contact Briskman Briskman & Greenberg as soon as possible after your crash.

How Illinois Helmet Laws Affect Your Claim

One question riders often ask is whether not wearing a helmet hurts their case. It’s a fair question, and the answer is more nuanced than many people expect. Illinois is one of only three states, including Iowa and New Hampshire, that do not require motorcycle riders to wear a helmet. Wearing eye protection gear, however, is required in Illinois, including a windshield, shatterproof eyeglasses, or windscreen.

So if you weren’t wearing a helmet when you were hurt, does that mean you can’t recover damages? Not necessarily. It’s legal to ride a motorcycle without a helmet in Illinois, but not wearing a helmet could impact perception of fault in a motorcycle accident claim. If a rider is injured while not wearing a helmet, the question may arise as to whether they are partially at fault for their injuries. Fortunately, Illinois recognizes comparative fault, so you are likely still entitled to damages for your injuries even if you were not wearing a helmet.

Insurance adjusters and defense lawyers may try to use your lack of a helmet against you. They may argue that your head or brain injuries would have been less severe had you worn one. That argument can affect the percentage of fault assigned to you, which in turn affects your recovery. This is exactly why having a skilled attorney in your corner matters. Our motorcycle accident attorneys know how to counter those arguments with strong evidence and legal strategy. Don’t assume that riding without a helmet means you have no case. Talk to us first.

Steps to Take After a Motorcycle Accident in Plainfield

What you do in the hours and days after a crash can have a big impact on your case. Here’s what matters most. First, call 911. Under Illinois law, you must report a crash involving injury or death. Police will respond, document the scene, and create an official crash report. That report becomes important evidence. If you’re near Plainfield, officers from the Plainfield Police Department or the Will County Sheriff’s Office will typically respond. The Will County Courthouse in Joliet is where civil cases in this area are often filed.

Second, get medical attention right away, even if you feel okay at first. Injuries like traumatic brain injuries, internal bleeding, and spinal damage don’t always show symptoms immediately. Seeing a doctor creates a medical record that connects your injuries to the crash. Insurance companies love to argue that a gap in treatment means your injuries weren’t serious. Don’t give them that opening.

Third, gather evidence at the scene if you’re able. Take photos of the crash site, your motorcycle, the other vehicle, road conditions, and any visible injuries. Get the names and contact information of witnesses. If the crash happened near a business or intersection with cameras, those recordings may be critical. Evidence disappears quickly, so acting fast matters.

Fourth, do not speak to the other driver’s insurance company without legal advice. Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize payouts. Anything you say can be used to reduce your claim. Let Briskman Briskman & Greenberg handle those conversations for you. Our motorcycle accident lawyers know how to deal with insurance companies and fight for the full compensation you deserve. We serve clients throughout the Chicago area, including Plainfield, Joliet, Naperville, and surrounding Will County communities. Call us for a free consultation today.

FAQs About Plainfield Motorcycle Accident Claims

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

In Illinois, you generally have two years from the date of your motorcycle accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. This deadline is set by the Illinois statute of limitations. If you miss this window, you may lose your right to any compensation. Property damage claims have a five-year window under 735 ILCS 5/13-205. Either way, it’s best to speak with an attorney as soon as possible after your crash so evidence can be preserved and your case can be built properly.

Can I still recover compensation if I wasn’t wearing a helmet?

Yes, you may still be able to recover compensation. Illinois does not require motorcycle riders to wear helmets, and there is no law that bars you from seeking damages simply because you weren’t wearing one. However, the defense may argue that your injuries were worsened by the lack of a helmet, which could affect the percentage of fault assigned to you under Illinois’ modified comparative negligence rules. As long as you are less than 50% at fault for the crash itself, you can still recover damages, though they may be reduced by your share of fault.

What if the driver who hit me doesn’t have insurance?

Illinois law requires all drivers to carry liability insurance under 625 ILCS 5/7-601, but not everyone follows that law. If the at-fault driver was uninsured, you may be able to file a claim under your own uninsured motorist coverage, if you carry it. You may also have options through underinsured motorist coverage if the other driver’s policy limits don’t cover your full losses. An attorney can review all available insurance policies and identify every possible source of recovery for you.

What types of compensation can I seek after a Plainfield motorcycle accident?

You can seek compensation for a broad range of losses. Economic damages include medical bills, future medical costs, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, and property damage to your motorcycle. Non-economic damages cover pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. In cases involving extreme recklessness, Illinois courts may also award punitive damages. If a loved one was killed in the crash, surviving family members may pursue a wrongful death claim under 740 ILCS 180/1 for additional losses including loss of companionship and funeral expenses.

What should I do if the other driver claims I was at fault for the crash?

Don’t panic, and don’t admit fault to anyone. Illinois uses a modified comparative negligence system, which means fault can be shared between multiple parties. The key is that you must be less than 50% at fault to recover any compensation. Insurance companies and defense lawyers often try to shift blame onto the motorcyclist. That’s why having an attorney review your case early is so important. Briskman Briskman & Greenberg can investigate the crash, gather evidence, consult with accident reconstruction experts if needed, and build a strong case showing who was truly responsible for your injuries.

More Resources About Vehicle Injuries

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