Chicago Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

In Illinois, you’re no longer required to report an accident or file a SR1B Illinois Motorist Report to the Illinois Department of Transportation unless it involves a state vehicle. However, you are required to file a police report if the accident resulted in death, injury, or more than $1,500 in property damage.   

Additionally, if one driver involved in the accident doesn’t have auto insurance, the threshold is $500. If law enforcement doesn’t respond to the accident scene, you have 10 days to report the accident to the Illinois State Police. You can call 911 or visit the Chicago Police Department to document your accident.  

A police report can also serve as evidence to support your case, so we recommend filing an accident report regardless of the circumstances.  

It’s never a good idea to speak directly with the opposing driver’s insurance company, especially if you have yet to speak to an attorney. An offhand comment can be interpreted as you accepting fault. This can significantly reduce your settlement offer. It could also lead the claims adjuster to reduce or deny your claim completely. 

If you do receive a call from an insurance company, direct them to your attorney.  

The answer to this question depends on your attorney. But when you seek counsel from Levin & Perconti, you get the benefit of a contingency fee arrangement. In other words, with our lawyers, you won’t have to pay unless we win your case.  

You are required to carry motorcycle accident insurance in Illinois. Specifically, you must have:   

• $15,000 in coverage for property damage (per accident) 
• $20,000 in coverage for injuries or death for one person per accident
• $40,000 in coverage for injuries or deaths for more than one person per accident 

You must also register your motorcycle with the state if it has more than 150 ccs in engine displacement.  

You are not required to wear a helmet in Chicago. However, plenty of research suggests that wearing a helmet can save your life.  

Lane splitting is not legal in Illinois. While there is no law that directly forbids motorcyclists from lane splitting, the action is prohibited per the state’s right-of-way laws. If you were lane splitting when your accident happened, that may impact the amount of compensation awarded to you. 

Unfortunately, there’s no straightforward answer to this question. Instead, the timeline of your claim will depend on a range of factors and varies by case.  

On average, a settlement can take several months or over a year from start to finish. If your case goes to trial, this time frame can be longer.  

Injuries suffered as a result of these types of accidents can be severe and life altering. Commonly suffered injuries from motorcycle accidents include: 

• Traumatic brain injury (TBI) 
• Whiplash 
• Burns to your head or neck 
• Nerve damage 
• Spinal cord paralysis 
• Broken or dislocated bones or limbs
• Loss of a limb