You Were on a Motorcycle. That Doesn't Make You at Fault.
Rider bias is real — but it is not the law. If you were hurt in a motorcycle accident in Chicago or Cook County, we know how to build a case that stands up to the assumptions insurers and juries bring to the table. Jim Coyne has represented injured riders for over 20 years in Illinois courts, and we are ready to do the same for you.
Why Motorcycle Riders Get a Raw Deal — and What Illinois Law Actually Says
Insurance companies move fast after a motorcycle crash, and they move in a predictable direction: toward the rider. The assumption that you were speeding, weaving, or taking risks you shouldn't have taken gets baked into their initial offer before anyone has reviewed the evidence. It is a negotiating tactic dressed up as a conclusion.
Illinois law does not work that way. Under Illinois's modified comparative fault standard, your right to recover damages depends on the facts of the accident — not the vehicle you were riding. A driver who ran a red light, changed lanes without checking mirrors, or opened a car door into your path is liable for the injuries that followed, regardless of what they thought about motorcycles. Bias is a trial risk we take seriously. It is not a legal bar, and it is not a reason to accept less than your case is worth.
We have spent two decades presenting motorcycle accident cases to Cook County courts. We know how to counter the narrative before it takes hold.
Motorcycle Crash Injuries and What They Mean for Your Compensation
Motorcycle riders have almost no physical protection between themselves and the road, other vehicles, or fixed objects. The injuries that result from a crash are often severe, and the costs extend well beyond the emergency room.
Illinois personal injury law allows recovery of future medical expenses and lost earning capacity — not just the bills you have already received. A settlement that only accounts for what has happened so far is not a full recovery. Our job is to calculate what your injuries will cost this year, next year, and into the future, and to make sure that number is reflected in what you recover.
Road Rash
Road rash ranges from surface abrasions to deep tissue damage requiring skin grafting and long-term wound care. Severe road rash can result in permanent scarring, nerve damage, and infection risk that extends the treatment timeline significantly. These ongoing costs belong in your damages calculation.
Traumatic Brain Injury
Even with a helmet, a motorcycle crash can cause a traumatic brain injury. TBI can affect memory, cognition, emotional regulation, and the ability to return to work. The long-term costs of TBI — including specialist care, rehabilitation, and lost earning capacity — are among the most significant damages in serious motorcycle cases.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Impact with pavement or another vehicle at speed can fracture vertebrae or damage the spinal cord. Outcomes range from chronic pain and limited mobility to partial or complete paralysis. Spinal injuries often require surgery, extended rehabilitation, and permanent lifestyle modifications that must be accounted for in any honest damages assessment.
Bone Fractures
Riders instinctively extend their arms to break a fall, and the result is frequently fractured wrists, arms, or clavicles. Lower extremity fractures — femur, tibia, ankle — are also common in direct impact crashes. Complex fractures may require surgical hardware, physical therapy, and extended time away from work.
Internal Injuries
Blunt force trauma from a collision can cause internal bleeding, organ damage, or pneumothorax without visible external injury. These injuries are not always immediately apparent, which is one reason prompt medical evaluation after any motorcycle crash is critical — both for your health and for the documentation your case will need.
Illinois Motorcycle Laws Every Rider — and Every Insurer — Should Know
Understanding the legal framework around motorcycle riding in Illinois matters for your case. Here is what applies:
- Illinois does not require helmets for riders 18 and older. If you were not wearing a helmet, that fact alone does not bar your claim or automatically reduce your recovery. The question is whether your choice contributed to the specific injuries you sustained — and that is a factual determination, not a foregone conclusion.
- Lane filtering is not permitted in Illinois. Riders must follow the same lane discipline as other vehicles.
- Illinois law requires all motorcycle operators to carry liability insurance with minimum coverage of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per occurrence for bodily injury.
- All Illinois drivers are required to carry liability insurance covering injuries to other parties regardless of vehicle type. If a driver hit you, their policy applies to your injuries.
These details matter when your case reaches the negotiation table or the courtroom. We know how to use them.
Notable Results in Motorcycle and Serious Injury Cases
We do not make promises about outcomes — every case turns on its own facts. What we can tell you is that we have recovered substantial results for clients with serious injuries, including a $1.76 million settlement in an auto accident case and a $565,000 settlement in a truck accident case. These numbers reflect what it looks like when a firm takes the full scope of a client's damages seriously.
Working Directly with Jim Coyne from Day One
At Coyne Reinke Law, you work directly with Jim Coyne — not a paralegal, not a case manager, not whoever happens to answer the phone. Jim has been handling personal injury and workers' compensation cases in Chicago for over 20 years, and he is the person who will evaluate your case, negotiate with the insurer, and represent you if your case goes to court.
That structure matters in motorcycle cases. Rider bias does not get dismantled by someone who is not paying close attention to your file. Your case gets the direct attention it needs from the attorney whose name is on the door.
Frequently Asked Questions: Motorcycle Accidents in Illinois
Do I need a lawyer after a motorcycle accident in Illinois?
You are not required to hire an attorney, but the insurance company representing the other driver has lawyers working on their side from the moment the claim is filed. Motorcycle accident cases frequently involve disputed liability and serious injuries — both of which require someone who knows how to build and present a damages case. A free consultation costs you nothing and gives you a clear picture of where you stand.Can I still file a claim if I wasn't wearing a helmet?
Yes. Illinois does not require adult riders to wear helmets, and the absence of a helmet does not automatically bar your claim. The insurer may argue that your head injuries were worsened by not wearing one — a legal theory called comparative fault. Whether that argument succeeds depends on the specific facts of your injuries and the accident. We address this issue directly when it arises.What if the driver says they didn't see me?
"I didn't see the motorcycle" is one of the most common defenses in these cases, and it is not a get-out-of-liability card. Illinois drivers have a legal duty to observe the road and account for all vehicles in their path. Failure to see a motorcycle that was lawfully operating in a travel lane is itself evidence of negligence. We gather the physical evidence, witness statements, and accident reconstruction data needed to counter that defense.How long does a motorcycle accident case take in Illinois?
It depends on the severity of your injuries, the clarity of liability, and whether the case settles or goes to trial. Cases with clear liability and documented injuries can resolve in months. Cases involving disputed fault, catastrophic injuries, or uncooperative insurers take longer. We do not push clients toward early settlements that undervalue their claims. We move at the pace your case requires.What compensation can I recover after a motorcycle accident in Illinois?
Illinois law allows injured riders to recover economic damages — medical expenses, lost wages, and future costs of care — as well as non-economic damages for pain and suffering, disability, and loss of normal life. If your injuries affect your ability to work long-term, lost earning capacity is also recoverable. We assess the full picture, not just the bills you have received so far.
Talk to a Chicago Motorcycle Accident Attorney Today
You do not have to figure this out on your own. If you were injured in a motorcycle crash in Chicago, Cook County, or the surrounding suburbs, we offer a free initial consultation with no obligation. Tell us what happened, and we will tell you exactly where your case stands.