Motorcycle crashes are often catastrophic for riders, sometimes even fatal. Riders have little protection compared to occupants of passenger vehicles. There is no steel frame or airbags to guard from serious harm.
Tragically, most fatal motorcycle accidents in Geneva, IL are preventable. In some cases, drivers fail to share the road or turn left across traffic without seeing an oncoming rider.
If you lost a loved one in an Illinois motorcycle crash caused by someone else’s negligence, state law gives you the right to pursue justice through a Geneva wrongful death claim.
Wrongful Death in Motorcycle Crash Cases
Under Illinois law, a wrongful death occurs when a party fatally injures another party due to negligence or other wrongful conduct. In motorcycle crashes, negligence often involves a driver who failed to see or properly respond to motorcycles sharing the road.
Motorcycle riders are entitled to the same rights and respect as any other driver. When negligence takes a life, families deserve answers and accountability.
Types of Motorcycle Crashes Most Likely To Cause Fatal Injuries
Certain types of motorcycle collisions are more likely to result in fatal outcomes than others.
Left-Turn Collisions
One of the most common causes of serious motorcycle accidents is when a car turns left in front of an oncoming motorcycle. The driver may misjudge speed or fail to see the bike. These crashes often happen at intersections and leave little opportunity for the rider to avoid impact.
Lane-Change Accidents
Motorcycles are smaller and can be harder to see in mirrors. When drivers change lanes without checking blind spots, they can collide with a rider or force them off the road.
High-Speed Highway Crashes
Motorcycle accidents on Illinois highways frequently involve high speeds. The force of impact in a highway crash often leads to traumatic brain injuries or fatal internal trauma.
Rear-End Collisions
When a vehicle strikes a motorcycle from behind, the rider may be thrown from the bike or even rolled over by the driver. These crashes are commonly related to distracted driving.
Head-On Collisions
Head-on motorcycle crashes are often fatal due to the force and impact suffered by the rider.
Damages You Can Recover After a Wrongful Death
A wrongful death lawsuit i Geneva, IL is filed by the personal representative of the deceased’s estate on behalf of surviving family members. This typically includes a spouse and children, and in certain circumstances, other next of kin. The purpose of these claims is to recover compensation for the financial and emotional impact of an untimely death.
Motorcycle wrongful death cases can provide compensation for the financial and personal harm a family suffers due to a wrongful death. Your compensation award may include money for:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Medical bills related to the final injury
- Loss of the deceased’s income and financial contributions
- Loss of companionship and parental guidance
- Grief, sorrow, and mental suffering
In addition to a wrongful death claim, Illinois law permits survival actions. This allows the estate to recover damages the deceased could have pursued had they survived, including the victim’s conscious pain and suffering before death.
If you have lost a loved one in an Illinois motorcycle crash, you have legal options. An experienced motorcycle accident lawyer can help you understand your rights. Contact Feagans Law Group to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case.