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I was injured in a motorcycle accident, but I wasn't wearing a helmet. Can I still recover damages from the other driver?

 

A: If you were injured an in Illinois motorcycle accident but were not wearing a helmet, you can still recover damages from the other driver if they were at fault.

Motorcycle Equipment Laws in Illinois

Most states have laws pertaining to situations where motorcycle riders must wear helmets. However, Illinois is 1 of only 2 states (along with Iowa) where motorcycle operators are not required to wear helmets under any circumstances.

The only pieces of safety equipment that is mandatory for your motorcycle in the state of Illinois are: 

• Eye protection or a windscreen;
• A passenger seat (if you are transporting a passenger); and
• A passenger footrest (if you are transporting a passenger). 

Types of Damages You May Be Entitled To

Depending on the circumstances of your case, you are entitled to compensatory damages from the party who is responsible for your Illinois motorcycle accident. These damages may include: 

• Reimbursement for medical costs (including ambulance transport, acute treatment, and rehabilitation or physical therapy);
• Compensation for time lost at work recovering from the accident;
• Repair costs for your motorcycle;
• Monies for your pain and suffering; and
• Punitive damages. 

What to Do After an Illinois Motorcycle Accident

If you suffer serious injuries in an Illinois motorcycle accident, here are the actions you must take: 

• Call for medical help.
• Get the name and insurance information from the other driver and everyone else who was involved in the accident.
• Report the accident to your insurance company and to the police if necessary.
• Document the accident with statements from witness, photos of the accident site, pictures of your injuries, and police reports if possible.
• Take notes about your health and the condition of your injuries in the days and weeks after the accident.
• Hire a qualified Chicago motorcycle accident lawyer. Insurance companies may employ tactics to get you to damage your personal injury claim in order to pay the very least for your damages, if at all. A skilled Illinois motorcycle accident attorney from The Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle will handle all communications and negotiations with the insurance companies to ensure you receive the full amount of compensation owed to you for your injuries. 

At BGD, our Illinois motorcycle accident attorneys are qualified to recognize not only your immediate damages and medical needs, but also take into consideration the latent effects of your Illinois motorcycle accident when pursuing a fair settlement for you and your family. Contact us today for a free case evaluation - 312-263-1080. 

The Law Offices of
Barry G. Doyle, P.C.
5215 Old Orchard Road
Suite 710
Skokie, IL 60077
Phone: 312.263.1080
Fax: 312.263.0153

Proudly Serving Many Illinois Cities and Counties, Including:
Chicago, Aurora, Rockford, Naperville, Joliet, Waukegan, Geneva, Sycamore, Woodstock, Kankakee, Morris, Ottawa; Cook, DuPage, Will, Lake, Winnebago, DeKalb, McHenry, Kankakee, Grundy, LaSalle, Peoria, McLean, Champaign, Tazewell Counties

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