East Garfield Park Motorcycle Accident Kills One and Injures Two
Reported on July 2, 2017, that an accident occurred near North Kedzie Avenue between an 2001 Mercury and a motorcycle. The driver of the Mercury was cited for making an illegal left-hand turn. A 28-year old male passenger on the motorcycle was killed and the driver, a 47-year old woman, was taken to Stroger Hospital for serious injuries. A 36-year old female passenger in the car was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.
The driver of the Mercury did not have a valid driver’s license. He also did not have insurance.
Which victims can sue the car driver?
The following people have a right to sue the driver for causing the accident with the motorcycle by making an improper left-hand turn. If the Mercury was owned by the driver’s parents or another party, the owners could also be sued on the theory that owners are responsible for the acts of their agents.
- The family of the man who was killed. The wife and children (if any) of the passenger on the motorcycle and any next of kin, such as parents, could bring a wrongful death action. The damages in wrongful death cases include the pain, sorrow, and suffering of each family member and the loss of financial and emotional support the deceased would have provided each family member.
- The motorcycle passenger who was taken to Stroger Hospital. She could sue for all her hospital bills, doctor bills, medication costs, and the costs of any medical equipment. She could demand compensation for her physical pain and emotional suffering, her lost wages, and any disfigurement that resulted from the accident.
- The Mercury car passenger. The female passenger who was injured could also sue the driver.
If the driver also owned the car, then the claimants would likely bring claims under the uninsured motorist provisions of their own vehicle insurance policies – since the driver did not have his own insurance.
At Gainsberg Injury and Accident Lawyers, P.C, we handle uninsured and underinsured claims in addition to filing civil lawsuits against the owners and drivers of vehicles that cause an accident. Our Chicago motorcycle accident lawyers understand how exposed motorcycle operators and passengers are to the careless acts of other drivers. To speak with an experienced trial attorney, please phone us at 312-600-9585 or complete our contact form to schedule an appointment.
Attorney Neal Gainsberg has spent the last 20+ years fighting to protect the rights of the injured in Chicago and throughout Illinois. For dedicated legal help with a personal injury, car accident, or wrongful death matter, contact Gainsberg Injury and Accident Lawyers in Chicago for a free consultation.