Best Motorcycle Accident Lawyers In Chicago For 2024

Riding a motorcycle is an exhilarating way to experience the beauty of the Windy City. But if you've been involved in a crash or cited for a violation, you may be investigating Chicago motorcycle accident lawyers. Chicago riders can protect their right to recover compensation, avoid tickets and prevent accidents by complying with city and state motorcycle laws.

ConsumerShield specializes in helping you understand the laws and protect your rights. If you need representation, we can connect you with one of the best lawyers in your area. This article will summarize the laws that apply to Chicago motorcycle riders, help you understand what to do if you’re injured in a motorcycle accident and discuss when you might need to contact an attorney.

Illinois Motorcycle Licensing

Motor-driven cycles with less than 150cc displacement require a Class L endorsement to operate, while bikes over 150cc require a Class M endorsement (in addition to a valid Illinois driver's license). To obtain either classification, you must pass a separate motorcycle examination. Individuals at least 16 but under 18 must complete an approved driver education course and an IDOT Motorcycle Rider Education Course.

No special license is required to operate a moped or Ebike as long as the vehicle has a maximum speed of 30 mph, a motor with two brake horsepower or less, displacement of 50cc or less (if it has an internal combustion engine) and does not require manual gear shifting.

All motorcycles and motor-driven cycles must display a license plate (indicating the bike's piston displacement) when operating on streets or highways. You must register your bike with the Illinois Secretary of State to obtain one. Bikes also must meet the following requirements to be street-legal:

• Any passenger must have a seat and a footrest.

• Handlebars must not be above the rider's head.

• Bikes must have a white headlight visible for 500 feet, a red tail light visible for 500 feet and a white license plate bulb that makes the plate visible from 50 feet away.

• Motorcycles must have a horn audible from 200 feet away.

• All motorcycles must have a rearview mirror capable of reflecting 200 feet.

• Mufflers must be properly maintained to prevent excessive or unusual noise and used constantly. Modifying an exhaust system to increase its noise level is illegal.

Illinois requires liability insurance for all operational motor vehicles required to display license plates, including motorcycles. If you are involved in an accident or stopped for a traffic violation, the police will verify you have motorcycle insurance as required by law. If you do not, your registration will be suspended and you will face a fine of at least $500.

If you live in Chicago, you must also obtain a city sticker and display it on your license plate.

Motorcycle Parking in Chicago, Illinois

Motorcycles must pay for parking like other vehicles and park in a legal parking space, although they do not need a resident permit to park in residential parking zones. Smaller bikes must park perpendicular to the curb, while larger bikes should angle to avoid protruding into the road. Scooters and mopeds cannot be parked on the sidewalk or parkway (grass between the sidewalk and street) and cannot be chained to bike racks.

Motorcycle Operating Laws in Chicago, Illinois

Taking a bike down Lake Shore Drive on a warm summer night allows you to appreciate Chicago's skyline, Lake Michigan and the many parks along the way. With the cost of gas, using a motorcycle as your primary commuting vehicle makes more sense than ever. Before you take your bike for a spin, you need to know your responsibilities on the road.

In general, motorcyclists must adhere to the same traffic rules as other vehicles and are entitled to the same rights on the roadway. Other operating laws apply specifically to motorcycles. These include:

• Motorcycles must use their headlights at all times when operating on streets or highways.

• If the bike doesn't have an attached windshield, riders must wear external eye protection (such as goggles).

• Motorcycles may not cross between two vehicles going in the same direction unless there is a traffic lane ("lane splitting").

• Motorcycles are prohibited from passing a vehicle on the right unless at least eight feet of unobstructed pavement exist.

• Motorcycles cannot ride on one wheel ("wheelies").

https://www.ilsos.gov/publications/pdf_publications/dsd_x140.pdf page 5

Illinois law allows a motorcycle rider to proceed through an intersection if a red light fails to turn green after 120 seconds, although they must yield the right-of-way to oncoming traffic. However, this practice is prohibited in Chicago and any other county or municipality with more than 2,000,000 inhabitants. (The population of Cook County was 5.2 million in 2022.)

Causes of Motorcycle Collisions

Many motorcycle accidents occur when a vehicle inattentively switches lanes or cuts in front of a motorcycle, forcing the bike off the road or into the path of another vehicle. Drunk or impaired driving is another unfortunately common cause of many accidents.

Other factors that contribute to Chicago motorcycle accidents include:

• Heavy traffic. A 2022 study ranked Chicago the most congested city in the U.S. and the second worst in the world.

• Severe weather. Chicago winters bring heavy snowfall, gusting winds and icy conditions. In the summer, scorching heat can change the surface traction of some roadways, making them especially hazardous for motorcycles. Torrential downpours, tornadoes, frequent flooding and other extreme weather events are common in the city.

• Poor road conditions and construction diversions. Heavy traffic and severe weather damage Chicago roadways, requiring constant maintenance and construction. Reconfigurations of roadways to enable repairs can confuse drivers and cause collisions.

• Obstacles and hazards. Chicago's potholes are legendary – so much so that the city enables drivers who sustain vehicle damage to file a claim for reimbursement. For motorcyclists, hitting a pothole can cause more than just a broken axle. These and other roadway obstacles can be dangerous or deadly.

Although motorcyclists have the same rights as other drivers, taking extra precautions and driving defensively can help avoid accidents and injury.

How a Chicago Motorcycle Accident Attorney Can Help You Recover

Illinois has a fault-based liability system for vehicle accidents. Insurance companies and drivers often blame the motorcycle operator, hoping to capitalize on any possible biases in the judicial system and intimidate accident victims. An experienced Chicago motorcycle accident attorney can help you recover from an at-fault driver, negligent property owner or other responsible party.

An experienced motorcycle attorney will conduct a thorough investigation to prove fault in cases involving motorcycles. This may include locating and interviewing independent witnesses, obtaining video or images from traffic and security cameras and consulting with accident reconstruction, traffic and weather experts.

Recovering Damages in a Chicago Motorcycle Accident

Riders involved in motorcycle or Ebike accidents frequently walk away with catastrophic, life-altering and financially draining injuries — if they walk away. Broken bones, road rash and serious internal injuries are depressingly common. Injured riders often cannot work and lose income during a lengthy recovery. Medical bills, treatment expenses, prescriptions, vehicle repairs and other costs can add up quickly.

A successful personal injury settlement or verdict can reimburse you for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, vocational rehabilitation, long-term care costs and other damages. Insurance companies work against you, making lowball settlement offers to provide desperately needed quick cash. If your insurance company is unwilling to settle your case for a fair amount, you may be able to file a lawsuit.

Benefits of Hiring a Motorcycle Injury Lawyer in Chicago

Many people injured in motorcycle accidents have significantly larger claims than they realize. Unfortunately, many riders with looming medical bills and expenses feel pressured to settle for less than their case is worth. An attorney can pause collection attempts and negotiate reductions in your bills while pursuing full and fair compensation.

Illinois law limits the time you have to file a lawsuit for your injuries. If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, you should speak with an attorney as soon as possible.