Open Door Accidents

Motorcycle Crash Lawyers Representing Riders in Wheaton and Schaumburg

Drivers often disregard motorcyclists on the road. Unfortunately, motorcyclists in Illinois and throughout the United States are often injured or even killed when a car door suddenly swings open and hits the rider or causes them to swerve dangerously into traffic. If you or your loved one has been injured in this type of accident, you need to reach out to a Wheaton or Schaumburg motorcycle accident lawyer without delay. At Therman Law Offices, we are dedicated to getting our clients the compensation that they are entitled to receive for their harm. We know how to protect your rights at every step of the way.

Open Door Accidents Can Cause Serious Injuries to Riders

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), motorcyclists are 35 times more likely to experience a fatal crash on the road than people in passenger cars. Data from the NHTSA reveal that 11 percent of all roadway accidents that occur in the United States involve motorcycles. Motorcycle accidents continue to be a big problem in Illinois. In fact, motorcycle deaths increased in the state by 24 percent in 2015. The IIllinois Division of Traffic Safety has highlighted that motorcycles are the most vulnerable motorized vehicles on the road, since they are smaller and lighter than other vehicles. In addition, motorcycles pose additional risks because they do not have seat belts, and riders can easily be thrown off them.

If someone carelessly opening a car door caused your motorcycle accident and injured your loved one or you, you may be entitled to compensation through a negligence claim. Negligence occurs when a person causes an injury or death by failing to use reasonable care in their actions. Reasonable care is defined as how a prudent person would act in the same or similar circumstances. In some cases, negligence can take place when a person fails to act when there is a duty to do so. In all negligence cases, the harm caused must have been foreseeable. In order to establish negligence, the plaintiff must show that the defendant’s unreasonable conduct was a direct and proximate cause of the accident and resulting injuries.

For example, all drivers and passengers are required to look behind them for oncoming traffic before opening any doors. This is especially true in densely populated urban centers, where pedestrians, motorcyclists, and bicyclists may be traveling nearby. If a driver parks on the street, opens his door without checking for oncoming vehicles, and ends up causing a motorcycle accident, that driver would likely be liable for any resulting harm. This is because a prudent driver would have checked to make sure that the road was clear before opening the door, understanding the foreseeable risk of an accident in not doing so.

Open door accidents can result in serious and long-term injuries, such as broken bones, whiplash, neck injuries, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and disfigurement. These injuries can be extremely costly to treat. Luckily, Illinois law allows victims of accidents to recover a variety of damages for their harm. Typically, an Illinois motorcycle accident victim can recover lost income, medical bills, rehabilitation costs, property damage, pain and suffering, disability, and any other losses arising out of the collision. Each case is unique, and the precise amount of compensation that your attorney can obtain for you will be contingent on the extent of your injuries and costs.

Seek Guidance from a Knowledgeable Motor Vehicle Collision Lawyer

Motorcyclists and bicyclists face a number of dangers on the road, but one of the less obvious risks is an open door accident. If you are a motorcyclist who has been injured due to a car door carelessly opening and causing an accident, we can assist you with your case. At Therman Law Offices, our attorneys can analyze the facts of your situation and help you pursue the compensation that you deserve. We proudly represent victims in cities such as Schaumburg, Wheaton, Elmhurst, West Chicago, Lemont, Westmont, Oakbrook Terrace, Clarendon Hills, Downers Grove, Lisle, Darien, and Bolingbrook. To discuss your open door accident in more detail, call us today at 312-588-1900 or contact us online.