Kelly Law's blog

Notable Cases

MOTORCYCLE RIDER HIT BY TURNING SCHOOL BUS
$6,000,000-SETTLEMENT

When a motorcycle rider was hit by a school bus at an uncontrolled intersection, Kelly Law Offices obtained a record-tying settlement of $6 million five days prior to trial when the defendants, fighting both liability and the extent of the injuries claimed, had offered only $3m just three weeks prior.

Been in a Motorcycle Accident? Talk to your Motorcycle Accident Attorney First

Nothing can be more confusing than dealing with slippery insurance companies after a motorcycle accident. Insurance companies use a variety of methods to attempt to reduce the amount they have to pay in motorcycle accident claims. Because vehicle accident injuries can take time to truly surface in their full severity, insurance companies will try to rush the settling of injury claim to avoid a more expensive claim later when the full effects of the accident begin to be known.

Truck Accident Victims Should Be Wary of Insurance Company Tricks

In the aftermath of a trucking accident, a victim and his or her family should be aware that insurance companies want to pay you as little as possible. To do so, they employ various tricks to attempt to reduce the amount paid the victim. In a number of cases, the truck drivers’ insurance company will ask you to sign a release to allow them access to your medical records, a huge part of their investigation into trying to not pay.

Spring is here. Spring means warmer weather. Warmer weather means more motorcycles are on the road. Most drivers have not had to worry about seeing bikes on the road over the past 6 months. This is a dangerous time for riders.

So…

Be alert.
Check blindspots.
Don’t Text.
See the bike and save the life!

And for all you riders out there…

“I just didn’t see the bike.” We hear it all too often. Most Chicago motorcycle accidents and Indiana motorcycle accidents happen because the driver of the other car is distracted driving or as we all too often hear, just doesn’t see the bike. Many of these motorcycle accidents happen because the driver of the other vehicle makes a left turn in front of the motorcycle. This causes the rider to either hit the turning car or lay the bike down. Both options often result in serious motorcycle rider injuries. The injuries include severe road rash, fractures and head injuries.

The Riley Children’s Hospital is putting on its 20th Annual Miracle Ride this weekend. For those of you who do not know what it is, it is a great cause and opportunity for motorcyclists to ride to raise money to benefit the Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis. http://www.miracleride.net/index.php

Just read where there were 4 motorcycle crashes in 6 days in the neighboring towns of Romeoville and Bollingbrook. Our thoughts and prayers are with the injured motorcycle riders.

However, don’t let these motorcycle accidents go without teaching a lesson. Three of the four crashes seem to have occurred because the driver of the van or car didn’t see the motorcycle. To all of the drivers out there, especially during these warm months, please be aware: Motorcycles are Everywhere. Remember, See the Bike, Save the Life!

Everywhere I turn, I hear and see these motorcycle insurance companies selling minimum insurance coverage and telling people to save money, stay legal for less, save time and money shopping online for insurance, etc. When you’re on a tight budget, it may seem like a good idea to save money by carrying a basic policy on your motorcycle, but as a motorcylce personal injury lawyer who has handled hundreds of motorcycle injury cases all around Chicagoland and Indiana, I can tell you it’s not enough to carry the state minumum insurance coverage.

Just wanted to say we are proud to partner with Indiana Bike Week! This will be the First Annual Indiana Bike Week and we are thrilled Kelly Law Offices and their motorcycle lawyers were asked to be an official sponsor of Indiana Bike Week. The week long Indiana motorcycle festival is open to riders from all over. So, all you Chicago motorcycle riders come check out what your neighbors are doing. Indiana Motorcycle riders should head to beautiful Brown County for this week long Midwest motorcycle festival. Indiana Bike Week has a great series of events lined up.