Spinal Cord Injury Claims After a Motorcycle Crash in Chicago: Costs, Rights and Finding an Attorney!

Last updated Thursday, May 21st, 2026

They have experienced one of the most unfortunate events that can occur to a motorcycle rider. In the blink of an eye, a crash, a single moment of impact, and everything can change. Your ability to walk, to work, to take care of yourself, or to lead the life you envisioned will disappear.

Motorcycle riders are exposed to this risk at a level far greater than many people understand. In the U.S., in 2024, approximately 6,228 motorcyclists died in traffic crashes, representing 15 percent of all traffic deaths. Compared to passengers in cars, motorcyclists are about 27 times more likely to lose their lives per mile of travel. Specifically, in Illinois, motorcycle crashes accounted for 1.1 percent of the total number of crashes in 2024 but represented 13.1 percent of fatal crashes and 3.8 percent of injury crashes, resulting in 3,361 crashes with injuries.

Each of these statistics represents actual people, families, and lives that are changed forever.

On the bright side, many spinal cord injuries sustained in motorcycle crashes are survivable. Most importantly, many are preventable. And when the result is due to someone’s negligence, Illinois law affords injured motorcycle riders the opportunity to seek full compensation for their losses.

In the sections that follow, we will provide you with information regarding what you need to know: How spinal injuries are sustained, what the cost of such injuries is, what your legal options are, and how to locate a reputable and knowledgeable Chicago motorcycle accident injury attorney.

Understanding the Spinal Column and Types of Injury

The spinal cord is the major artery that connects the brain to the remainder of the body. The spinal cord runs through a canal created by the vertebrae of the body and is composed of four different regions: Cervical (Neck); Thoracic (Mid Back); Lumbar (Lower Back); and Sacral (Tail Bone Region). The closer to the top an injury is located, the larger portion of the body it will affect.

Injury types fall into two categories: Complete and Incomplete.

Complete means that there is little to no function or feeling below the location of the injury. Complete cervical injuries result in Quadriplegia/Tetraplegia, which results in paralysis of all four extremities and breathing capabilities. Complete thoracic/lumbar injuries result in Paraplegia, which results in paralysis of the legs and possibly the torso.

Incomplete means that some nerve signals continue to pass through the damaged area. An individual may have retained some use or feeling below the damaged area. The recovery process is highly variable depending upon severity and extent of damage; however, most individuals will deal with numerous long-term difficulties.

Common injury types associated with motorcycle crashes include:

• Laceration injuries of the spinal cord resulting from sharp bone fragments from a fractured vertebra.
• Fractured vertebrae from direct contact in the cervical/thoracic region from a crash.
• Herniation of intervertebral discs where the cushion between vertebrae tears and pinches nerves.
• Whiplash/Soft Tissue Injuries, which may affect the cervical spine from even low-speed impacts.

Approximately 39.3% of all spinal cord injuries in the U.S. result from automobile accidents, making this the leading cause. However, motorcycle accidents are underrepresented within that category.

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Causes of Motorcycle Accidents Leading to Spinal Injuries

The physics behind a motorcycle crash produces a unique environment that creates a greater danger for sustaining a spinal injury. When a rider is ejected from his/her bike, he/she strikes the pavement at great velocity without the protection of a vehicle surrounding him/her. Collisions with other vehicles can crush/compress/spin the spinal column severely. Being hit while lying on the ground (a frequent occurrence in multiple vehicle accidents) exacerbates the problem.

Even seemingly minor impacts can produce sufficient force to break a vertebra or herniate a disc. Sudden hyperextension/flexion of the neck during a crash can also result in significant cervical injury.

There are several reasons why riders are uniquely susceptible to injury. Riders have no doors, no airbags, no crumple zone. Other motorists frequently cannot see motorcycles, especially at intersections. Alcohol continues to play a significant role as well: NHTSA reported that forty percent of single-vehicle fatality riders had BACs > .08 g/dl in 2024.

Recognizing Signs/Symptoms and the Importance of Prompt Medical Treatment

If you or another individual has been involved in an incident where there exists even a slight doubt as to whether a spinal injury was sustained, then you MUST CALL FOR EMERGENCY SERVICES IMMEDIATELY AND NOT MOVE THE INJURED PARTY. Moving an injured party post-injury could potentially convert a partial injury into a total injury.

Possible warning signs indicating possible spinal cord injury include:

• Persistent severe neck/back pain, especially pain that appears deep or radiates to the arms/legs.
• Numbness/tingling/loss of sensation below the injury site.
• Muscle weakness/inability to move arms/legs.
• Sensory/motor loss, including bladder/bowel control.
• Difficulty breathing/speaking.
• Uneven positioning/head/neck.

Symptoms may not manifest immediately. Increased swelling/inflammation can occur over hours; therefore, everyone involved in a serious motorcycle accident should receive immediate evaluation by emergency medical personnel regardless of apparent condition at the time of the incident.

Additionally, obtaining prompt medical treatment is critical to your case, as any gaps/timing discrepancies regarding treatment/diagnosis can be utilized by insurance carriers to contest that your injuries are less severe than claimed or that your injuries resulted from something other than an accident.

Recovery/Treatment

Immediate treatments for spinal cord injuries include stabilization of the spine using immobilization techniques/surgery to stabilize/fractured vertebrae/decompress the spinal cord/pain management medications/reduce inflammation. Ventilatory assistance may also be required in extreme cases.

Once past the initial stages of acute care, rehabilitation becomes the focus. Physical therapists strive to maximize remaining motor function or build up strength around injured areas. Occupational therapists assist individuals in regaining abilities related to performing daily activities. Psychological counseling/support is also commonly provided due to the massive emotional weight of a life-changing event. Potential vocational rehabilitation needs exist when an individual is unable to return to their prior employment.

Long-term complications are common and serious. Common complications include chronic pain, muscle spasms and contractures secondary to immobility, pressure ulcers secondary to decreased mobility/respiratory compromise secondary to immobility/depression secondary to immobility. This type of injury does not cease once discharged from the hospital. Ongoing management for the remainder of life is typically required.

Financial Reality

Costs are overwhelming for individuals suffering from spinal cord injuries. First-year costs exceeding $1 million dollars are common for high-level tetraplegic injuries. Lifetime costs reaching upwards of $4.7 million dollars for a twenty-five-year old experiencing similar injuries can be expected. Costs for lesser injuries in terms of location on the spine can be hundreds of thousands of dollars in the first year alone. Those estimates do not account for lost wages, lost earning capacity, or financial devastation endured by the rider’s family.

Quality Of Life — Long-Term Effects

While physical limitation(s) are certainly aspects of dealing with paralysis, they are not the only consideration. Daily dependency on caregivers for basic care; chronic pain as debilitating and unresponsive to treatments; loss of career/hobbies/autonomy etc. can be substantial.

Psychological consequences are equally serious as well. Depression/anxiety are very prevalent in individuals suffering from spinal cord injuries. PTSD is also not uncommon when a traumatic/violent aspect of a crash occurred. Many report grief over the loss of their pre-crash identity/lifestyle.

Additional secondary health concerns contribute greatly to increased burden: spasm and pain caused by spasm limiting range of motion; pressure ulcers capable of becoming life-threatening infections; bowel/bladder function loss affecting daily life/dignity; respiratory complications requiring continued management.

Support networks are essential during recovery and thereafter. Resources/advice/community support organizations such as United Spinal Association & Christopher/Dana Reeve Foundation provide invaluable assistance and camaraderie for persons living with SCI. Connecting with local support groups provides similarly valuable connections for injured riders and their families, facing isolation in recovering from such an experience

Legal Rights and the Claims Process

Your rights to compensation for a spinal cord injury suffered in a motorcycle collision caused by another driver’s negligence are provided through an Illinois personal injury claim. There are several things you must know concerning how this process works.

Statute of limitations. Generally, you have two years from the date of your injury to file a lawsuit in Illinois. Time can pass quickly while recovering from a serious injury. If you wait too long, you could lose your permanent right to seek compensation for your spinal cord injury.

Comparative negligence. Illinois follows a modified comparative negligence rule. As such, even though your injuries may have been caused entirely by the other party’s actions, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault for the collision. On the other hand, if you are deemed more than 50% responsible for the collision, you will receive no compensation. Because of this, hiring an experienced attorney is important – the Insurance carrier for the defendant will frequently attempt to apportion fault to the rider.

Helmets. While Illinois law does not mandate adult riders to wear helmets, if you did not wear a helmet, the Insurance carrier for the defendant may argue that not wearing a helmet was a contributing factor in your injuries. An experienced attorney will know how to respond to and refute those contentions.

Damages. The types of damages that you can recover in a spinal cord injury claim include:

• current and future medical expenses,
• rehabilitation and long-term care costs,
• lost wages and diminished earning capacity;
• modifications to your home and any assistive device required to accommodate your injuries;
• pain and suffering,
• emotional distress,
• loss of enjoyment of life

Insurance coverage. When pursuing a spinal cord injury claim, there may be numerous Insurance carriers involved in covering your losses. Liability coverage carried by the at-fault driver(s), underinsured/uninsured motorist coverage contained within your own Insurance policy, and third-party claims against vehicle manufacturers, public entities (road construction, etc.), and/or other parties whose negligence contributed to the collision may all be applicable.

Step-by-step guide to the claims process:

1. Obtain immediate medical care and comply with all medical advice/treatment. Both your physical well-being and your entitlement to pursue a claim depend upon this.
2. Document everything. Take photographs of both the scene of the collision and of your injuries. Record and keep copies of all medical bills, prescriptions, and out-of-pocket expenses incurred due to your injuries, and document the ways in which your injuries have impacted your ability to perform everyday tasks.
3. Do not grant a recorded statement to any Insurance carrier prior to speaking with an attorney. Insurance companies utilize recorded statements to reduce the amount of money they are required to pay on behalf of their insureds.
4. Contact a Chicago motorcycle accident attorney who specializes in spinal cord injury claims. The earlier you contact us, the greater advantage you will have in terms of maximizing potential compensation.

Selecting a Chicago Motorcycle Collision Attorney

Not all personal injury attorneys are capable of handling spinal cord injury claims. Due to the fact that these claims involve significant medical complications and substantial financial burdens, an attorney who handles small collision cases on a regular basis is not equal to one who continually handles cases involving paralysis/quadriplegia/lifetime care costs exceeding $1 million. Request information regarding their Experience in handling spinal cord injury claims and the results they have produced.

Familiarity with motorcycle collisions. Cases resulting from motorcycle accidents possess certain characteristics. Anti-rider Bias exists; an attorney who lacks understanding of how to combat anti-rider Bias can cost you thousands of dollars in lost benefits. Find an attorney who either rides or is thoroughly knowledgeable about the motorcycle culture.

Ability to obtain necessary expert testimony. To develop a successful spinal cord injury claim, you must be able to employ life care planners, medical experts, vocational rehabilitation professionals, and economists to demonstrate projected lifetime costs associated with treating your spinal cord injuries. Ask if the attorney possesses established relationships with these professionals and utilizes them on a routine basis.

Contingent fees. Experienced motorcycle accident attorneys typically operate on a contingent fee basis. That means you pay no fees until you receive payment on your claim; after receiving payment on your claim, the attorney earns their fee based upon a percentage of that payment. If any entity requests payment prior to you achieving a settlement/recovery, discontinue communication immediately.

Accessibility for paralyzed clients. Your attorney should be willing to visit you at home or at the hospital, rather than requiring you to travel to his/her office, if you are unable to physically attend his/her office.

All consultations conducted with attorneys regarding your claim should be complimentary. Utilize this opportunity to inquire regarding the attorney’s history of success, their approach to your particular situation, and reasonable expectations regarding potential awards/recoveries.

How Riders Can Minimize Their Risk of Sustaining Serious Injuries Resulting From Collisions

We vigorously advocate on behalf of injured riders and continuously educate riders about methods to avoid collisions that result in serious injuries.

Safety is an integral component of our mission and advocacy efforts.

To decrease your chance of sustaining serious injuries from motorcycle collisions, consider the following:

• Always wear a DOT-approved helmet when riding. Although Illinois does not require adult riders to wear helmets, helmets can significantly reduce the severity of head trauma from collisions, ultimately preventing fatalities; likewise, helmets can greatly diminish the severity of TBIs that occur when riders collide with objects; and in some instances, helmets can literally save lives.
• Dress appropriately for each ride using gear designed for protection. Protective jackets and pants provide protection from road rash; however, these items also protect from impacts that could potentially cause damage to your spine.
• Never ride while intoxicated or under the influence of any substance that impairs your judgment. According to NHTSA statistics, alcohol impairment is present in approximately 30 percent of fatal single-vehicle motorcycle crashes.
• Ride defensively. Always assume that vehicles approaching intersections will fail to recognize motorcycles passing through intersections or turning into lanes where riders are traveling. Maintain adequate space around yourself and do not position yourself directly adjacent to other vehicles.
• Attend a motorcycle safety training course. Taking the time to invest in learning safe techniques will benefit you for years to come. We also sponsor Accident Scene Management courses so that riders know exactly what they must do when they encounter a collision prior to the arrival of emergency responders.
• Increase visibility. Make yourself easily recognizable by utilizing reflective materials, brightly colored clothing, and operating your vehicle during daylight hours using daytime running lights.
• Keep your motorcycle properly maintained. Failure to maintain brakes, tires, and other mechanical components of your motorcycle increases the likelihood that you will be involved in a crash that causes serious injuries. Regularly inspect your motorcycle and complete necessary repairs/maintenance accordingly