Rear-End Motorcycle Accidents

Vehicle Collision Lawyers Serving Wheaton and Schaumburg

Rear-end motorcycle accidents can be especially dangerous for motorcyclists since there is no steel frame protecting the rider. If you have been injured in a rear-end motorcycle crash, you could potentially obtain compensation for your damages. At Therman Law Offices, our skilled Wheaton and Schaumburg motorcycle accident attorneys are prepared to discuss the details of your accident so that we can make a determination about the viability of your legal claim. We understand the severe toll a motorcycle accident can have on virtually every aspect of a rider’s life, which is why we are committed to handling every case with the utmost compassion.

Rear-End Motorcycle Accidents

A rear-end motorcycle accident takes place when one vehicle runs into the back of another. Drivers who are not paying attention, such as distracted drivers, often cause these types of accidents. Other common causes of rear-end accidents include: drowsy driving, drunk driving, excessive speeding, tailgating, limited visibility and/or failure to follow traffic rules.

While rear-end accidents can be relatively minor when they take place at low speeds between two cars or SUVS, they can be much more serious when a vehicle hits the back of a motorcycle. The back wheel of the bike could lift off of the ground, flipping the motorcyclist over. If a car collides with the back of a motorcycle at a high speed, the motorcyclist could even be run over by the car as it may not have time to stop. If a motorcyclist runs into the back of a car that suddenly brakes, the bike may stop but the motorcyclist himself may be thrown off the bike and suffer serious injuries, even death.

Establishing Fault for Rear-End Motorcycle Accidents

The driver of a vehicle could be held liable if his or her negligence was the cause of the rear-end motorcycle accident. Negligence takes place when a person causes an accident and resulting injury by failing to use reasonable care behind the wheel. Reasonable care is defined as how a prudent or sensible person would act under the same or similar circumstances. This includes driving in a safe manner and following the rules of the road. For example, if a car driver caused a rear-end motorcycle accident because he or she was speeding excessively, that driver could be liable for the accident and any resulting harm. A skilled accident lawyer can assess whether you may be able to make a claim base on the facts of your case.

In order to establish negligence, the plaintiff (i.e., the party filing the lawsuit) must establish the following elements:

• The defendant owed the plaintiff a duty to use reasonable care;
• The defendant breached that duty owed to the plaintiff;
• The defendant’s breach was a direct cause of the rear-end motorcycle accident; and
• The plaintiff suffered personal injury or property damage as a result.