Were you involved in a motorcycle accident in Lake County, IL? Whether or not you were wearing a helmet could play a role in your case, but it won’t automatically prevent you from recovering compensation. Kass & Moses Personal Injury Lawyers is here to help you file a claim.
Our motorcycle accident lawyers in Lake County, IL, have 68 years of combined experience representing injured riders and have recovered over $125 million for our clients to date. We understand state law inside and out and will do everything we can to increase the value of your claim if you choose us to represent you.
Call us today at (847) 513-9582 to arrange a free consultation.
How Kass & Moses Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Motorcycle Accident in Lake County, Illinois
Insurance companies are often quick to blame the motorcyclist after a crash. They’ll do whatever they can to minimize what you recover, but our lawyers won’t let them get away with it.
At Kass & Moses Personal Injury Lawyers, we can help with your case by:
- Investigating the crash and identifying all of the liable parties
- Collecting medical records and accident reports
- Consulting with medical and accident reconstruction experts
- Calculating your economic and non-economic damages
- Negotiating with insurance companies on your behalf
- Filing a lawsuit if a fair settlement cannot be reached
With decades of combined experience handling motorcycle accident claims in Lake County, Illinois, we know how to address helmet-related arguments and fight to preserve the maximum compensation you’re entitled to. Call our Lake County motorcycle accident attorneys for more information.
Do I Have to Wear a Helmet in Illinois?
Unlike many states, Illinois does not have a universal motorcycle helmet law. This means that riders and passengers are generally not legally required to wear helmets while riding on a motorcycle. As a result, you cannot be cited simply for riding without a helmet.
However, the state still requires riders to either wear shatter-resistant eyewear or have a windshield on their motorcycle. In addition, it is possible that not wearing a helmet could impact your personal injury claim.
How Helmet Use Can Affect a Personal Injury Claim
While helmets are not mandatory in Illinois, they may still be discussed during your motorcycle accident case. For example, the defense may attempt to claim that your injuries would have been less severe if you had been wearing a helmet. This is often raised in cases involving traumatic brain injuries (TBIs).
Illinois also follows a modified comparative negligence law. Under this rule, you can still recover compensation as long as you are not more than 50 percent at fault for your injuries. However, your damages may be reduced if a jury determines that your own actions contributed to the harm you suffered.
For example, let’s say a court finds that another driver caused the crash but believes not wearing a helmet increased your injuries by 20 percent. In that situation, your total compensation could be reduced by that same percentage. An experienced motorcycle accident attorney in Lake County can challenge these arguments by presenting medical evidence and expert testimony to show the true cause of your injuries.
Why Wearing a Helmet Is Still Strongly Recommended
Safety experts widely agree that helmet use significantly reduces the risk of severe head injuries and fatalities. Wearing a properly fitted helmet can provide essential protection in the event of a crash, regardless of the speeds involved in the collision.
Helmets can help prevent many forms of harm, such as:
- TBIs
- Skull fractures and facial injuries
- Concussions
- Long-term cognitive impairment
Choosing to wear a helmet is ultimately a personal decision in Illinois, but it is an important safety measure that can protect both your health and your legal interests.
Contact Our Lake County Motorcycle Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation
Knowing Illinois’s motorcycle helmet laws is important if you have been injured in a crash. Though helmets are not legally required, their use and the circumstances of your accident can still play a role in how your claim is evaluated. Having a trusted attorney on your side can help ensure that your rights are protected and that you are not unfairly blamed for your injuries.
Kass & Moses Personal Injury Lawyers has 68 years of combined experience and has recovered over $125 million for injured clients. We are committed to helping motorcycle accident victims pursue the compensation they need to move forward.
Contact our Lake County motorcycle accident lawyers today to schedule your free case evaluation. Our team works on a contingency fee basis, meaning you only pay attorney’s fees if we win compensation for you.
