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Legal Support for Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle accidents can turn your world upside down in an instant. At Mahoney & Mahoney, LLC, we specialize in providing dedicated legal support to individuals affected by these traumatic events. Our priority is to manage your case meticulously, allowing you to concentrate on recovery.


Of the 80 reported motorcycle accidents in Winnebago County, IL in 2015, 57 caused injuries. A significant number of those injuries were the result of another driver’s careless behaviors on the road. Motorcyclists often become the victims of crashes caused by drivers in larger, more protected vehicles. Motorcycle accidents are some of the most catastrophic because of the lack of protection riders have.


Illinois doesn’t have a helmet law, but that doesn’t mean motorcyclists have no recourse when someone else’s negligence leaves them seriously injured and saddled with medical bills and other damages. If you’ve been hurt in a motorcycle crash that wasn’t your fault, our motorcycle accident lawyers can help you pursue compensation through a personal injury claim.


With over 65 years of experience, our locally owned and family-operated firm ensures that you receive the personalized attention and professional expertise you deserve. Contact Mahoney & Mahoney today.



What to Do When the Accident Isn't Your Fault

Even minor injuries can have serious implications on your life. Unfortunately for motorcyclists like you, motorcycle crashes tend to cause injuries of the most catastrophic variety. The more serious the injury is, the more devastating the effects are likely going to be.


Understanding and documenting all the injuries you have suffered is an important part of building a strong claim for compensation from the responsible party. That’s why it’s important that you visit your doctor or a hospital after your crash to make sure your life isn’t in danger and create a medical record of your injuries.


Learn about some of the more serious injury types and the kinds of effects they can have on your life.

  • Traumatic brain injuries

    Head injuries can have a devastating impact on your life. Head trauma can cause permanent memory loss, changes in mood and personality, cognition issues, and even balance and coordination problems. Some of these problems may get better, but sometimes a head injury can affect you for life.

  • Broken bones

    It’s easy to think that broken bones aren’t serious, but it depends on the break. Some breaks never heal. This can lead to decreased mobility, chronic pain, and psychological effects. If you’ve suffered a life-changing bone fracture, you deserve compensation for these hardships.

  • Loss of a limb

    Amputations are extremely serious. Losing a limb can make everything difficult, from getting around to working. You can learn to live with this kind of injury and still lead a full and fulfilling life. However, there’s no question of the pain, emotional damage, and physical limitations this type of injury can have on victims.

  • Severe burns

    Motorcycle burn injuries are rarely minor, and your burn could change the course of your life. Some burns will destroy nerve tissue and can cause issues with mobility. Some victims will experience psychological issues due to the permanent scarring and disfigurement burn injuries can cause.

  • Organ damage

    Damage to any major organ is extremely serious. In some cases, the damage could make it difficult or even impossible to work or enjoy activities that once gave your life meaning. If you’ve suffered organ damage from a motorcycle crash that you didn’t cause, you deserve compensation.

  • Spinal injuries

    Among the worst injuries a crash victim could face, spinal injuries can lead to total or partial paralysis. Depending on your specific spinal injury, you may never be able to walk again or you may never be able to work. This injury is severe and will lead to other damages, such as the cost of caregiving services and mobility devices.

Get in touch with Mahoney & Mahoney to get legal assistance for your motorcycle accident case.



Negligent Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

Pinpointing what caused your crash is critical to discovering who was responsible. For you to file a personal injury claim against the liable party, you must investigate the crash and find evidence to prove fault. Investigating a motorcycle crash is never easy, and evidence doesn’t wait for you to pick it up.


It’s vital that you contact an attorney right away before evidence mysteriously goes missing. When you’ve just been in a serious wreck, chances are you won’t have the presence of mind to halt the paramedics so you can gather evidence. Not to mention, if you don’t start your case as quickly as possible, witnesses could forget what happened.


Your attorney will have to do a lot of the investigating for you. At Mahoney & Mahoney, an attorney will often be able to recreate accident scenes and take other measures to prove your case:


  • Finding accident experts to testify on your behalf
  • Obtaining video and photographic evidence
  • Obtaining witness statements
  • Collecting police and crash reports
  • Helping you gather the medical evidence necessary to prove your injuries and damages


All of this evidence-gathering will help your attorney put together a strong case so you can get the compensation you need. Learn about some of the most common negligent causes of accidents.

  • Improper left turns

    Because the drivers of cars and trucks don’t actively look for vehicles as small as motorcycles, they’re likely to make mistakes like turning left in front of an oncoming motorcycle going the opposite direction. Slamming on your brakes at a normal speed can eject you from your motorcycle, and hitting a vehicle that is turned in front of you can have potentially deadly consequences.

  • Distracted jobs

    Drivers who aren’t distracted at all often hit motorcyclists because they’re not used to looking for them. Add to that danger the distraction of texting, applying makeup, or eating while driving, and you have a recipe for a motorcycle wreck.

  • Drowsy drivers

    Some research has found that driving drowsy can mimic the effects of driving drunk. Falling asleep at the wheel and hitting a motorcyclist is an obvious effect that drowsy drivers can have, but drowsy drivers may also have slowed reaction times, which can easily cause a crash.

  • Drunk drivers

    Driving while intoxicated is a crime, and it can put the life of anyone on the road at risk. Because motorcycles lack the safety features and exterior protection of cars, drunk drivers pose a particularly severe risk to motorcycle riders.

  • Defective vehicle parts

    It could be a part on your bike or a part on another person’s car, but if it malfunctioned and caused your crash, you might be able to hold the manufacturer of that part financially accountable in your claim.

Reach out to us at Mahoney & Mahoney and let us manage your case with the dedication you need.


Maximizing Your Motorcycle Accident Claim

Your motorcycle accident attorney will know how to calculate the value of your claim and fight for every cent you’re owed. Still, you’ll want to have an idea of some of the damages you might receive.


Your potential motorcycle crash compensation can be broken down into two basic types of damages: economic and non-economic. Economic damages cost you money, while non-economic damages can profoundly affect your life but may not cost you a dime. Both types warrant fair compensation from the person responsible for your motorcycle accident.


The following are some examples of economic damages many motorcycle accident victims receive:


  • Healthcare bills, including the costs of hospital stays, doctor visits, medications, physical rehabilitation, and surgeries
  • Lost wages, such as those you miss while in the hospital and those you won’t be able to earn in the future because of your injuries
  • Property damage, which includes the cost of repairing or replacing your motorcycle and any other personal property damaged in the crash


Common non-economic damages in motorcycle accident cases include the following:


  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional trauma
  • Disfigurement or scarring
  • Damage to your personal relationships because of your injuries
  • Wrongful death


You don't have to struggle alone after a motorcycle accident. Let us help you get the compensation you deserve so you can focus on healing. Get in touch with Mahoney & Mahoney now!


A Note on Stereotypes

Without a motorcycle crash attorney’s help, you’re likely going to face several difficulties as you try to obtain the compensation you deserve. One of those hurdles involves stereotypes about motorcyclists.


Many people are familiar with the false reckless biker stereotype. It suggests that motorcyclists are lawless drivers with no respect for traffic laws or the safety of others. Despite how untrue this stereotype is, insurance companies are eager to try to capitalize on it.


Insurers will try to point to this stereotype to suggest that you had a role in causing your motorcycle accident. If that effort is successful, your potential to receive adequate compensation is put in peril.


At Mahoney & Mahoney, we are prepared to take on insurance companies that try to use this tactic. We’ll look to the evidence and the facts instead of relying on unfair stereotypes, and we’ll do everything in our power to keep the insurers from shortchanging you. Connect with us now!



Motorcycle Accident FAQ

Personal injury law can leave your head spinning. We understand, and we’re ready to walk you through the process. We’ve provided the answers to some of the most common questions.

  • Should I talk to the insurance company after my motorcycle accident?

    Although you may need to file an initial claim with your insurer, you should avoid speaking to the insurance company any more than you have to. Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to answer insurers’ questions immediately. Instead, you can direct them to speak with your motorcycle injury lawyer. Doing so will reduce your stress and help you avoid saying anything the insurance company can use against you later on.

  • What if the driver who hit me left the scene?

    If you were injured or there was significant property damage involved in your motorcycle crash, a driver leaving the scene could constitute a hit-and-run. This is potentially a criminal offense. However, you can still pursue personal injury compensation. The other driver will need to be identified, but if he or she is found, your claim will likely have a good chance of success because leaving the scene can make the driver look guilty.

  • Who is responsible if a road hazard caused my motorcycle crash?

    Motorcycles can easily crash when they encounter road hazards that would be nothing more than a bump in the road for a car or truck. Think potholes, turns that are too sharp, and similar hazards. In most cases, local government bodies are responsible for keeping the roads safe. If inattention to road quality caused your crash, you might be able to sue a government agency for the damages you’ve suffered.

  • Can I file a claim against more than one party after a motorcycle collision?

    Yes, you can. It’s often the case that more than one person is responsible for your injuries. For instance, if you were involved in a crash with an 18-wheeler, it could be the trucker’s fault that you were injured. You could file your claim against the negligent trucker, but you may also be able to file a claim against the trucker’s employer.

We’re happy to answer any and all other questions you’d like to ask us. Reach out to us now and talk to the legal team at Mahoney & Mahoney today.


Why You Should Contact Us Immediately

There are compelling reasons to get in touch with Mahoney & Mahoney without delay. If you're not sure, consider the things that make us distinctive:


  • Direct access to your attorney
  • No-risk contact
  • Freeport Journal Standard's "Best in the Region" Reader's Choice Award
  • Voted a top-three attorney in the region since 1999 to present
  • Voted best attorney in the region for nine years
  • Serving you since 1960
  • Emergency consultations in hospitals and homes
  • Same-day consultations
  • Small firm for a targeted focus
  • Support to save you from personal and financial disaster


Contact Mahoney & Mahoney now to secure the legal support you need for your motorcycle accident case. We provide the support you need in your darkest hour.



Contact Us After a Motorcycle Accident

Your motorcycle crash has likely left you in the hospital with serious if not life-threatening injuries. You’re dealing with physical pain, emotional and psychological trauma, and fear for your safety and your future. You probably don’t have it in you to fight a personal injury battle on your own.


Fortunately, we're here to help. You can work with an attorney from our firm. We will fight your battle for you. Your attorney can investigate your motorcycle wreck, collect evidence, file all paperwork, negotiate with insurance companies, and, if necessary, fight for you in court. Trying to file an injury claim on your own isn’t likely in your best interests.


Get in touch with Mahoney & Mahoney today to discuss your motorcycle accident case. Our team is ready to provide the compassionate support you need to navigate this challenging time.

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(815) 324-6944

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