Lake County Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Lake County Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Motorcyclists face unique dangers every time they take to the road, and when a serious crash occurs, the consequences are often devastating. At Theodoros & Rooth, P.C., we understand the uphill battle riders face in the aftermath of a motorcycle accident. Insurance companies often rush to blame bikers, minimize injuries, and undervalue claims. Our Lake County motorcycle accident lawyers are here to level the playing field and fight for the justice you deserve.

With over a century of combined experience, our Lake County motorcycle accident lawyer law firm helps injured riders in Hammond, Gary, Crown Point, Schererville, and across Northwest Indiana. We take a thorough, compassionate, and aggressive approach to motorcycle injury cases because your future matters.

The Unique Risks Facing Lake County Motorcyclists

Motorcyclists are more exposed and less protected than drivers in passenger vehicles. Even with protective gear, the lack of a steel frame and airbags means riders are at a much higher risk of catastrophic injuries in a crash.

In Lake County, major roads like I-80/94, US-30, Indianapolis Boulevard, and Route 41 pose consistent threats to motorcycle safety. Heavy traffic, high speeds, and impatient drivers are a dangerous mix. In urban areas like Gary and Hammond, intersections are particularly perilous due to left-turn collisions and inattentive drivers failing to yield.

Whether you’re riding through downtown Crown Point or cruising past the Illinois border near Schererville, you’re relying on other drivers to follow the rules and share the road safely. Unfortunately, not everyone does.

What Causes Motorcycle Crashes in Lake County?

Understanding what causes a motorcycle crash can help identify who’s at fault and build a strong injury claim. Some of the most frequent causes of motorcycle accidents in Northwest Indiana include the following.

Distracted Driving

Distracted drivers who are texting, eating, adjusting the radio, or using GPS often fail to notice motorcycles until it’s too late. Unlike cars or trucks, motorcycles have a smaller visual footprint, making them more vulnerable to distraction-based collisions. A driver glancing down at their phone for even two seconds can travel the length of a football field without realizing a biker has entered their lane or stopped ahead. In busy areas like Indianapolis Boulevard or U.S. Route 30 near Schererville, these moments of inattention can be fatal. Our legal team can obtain cellphone records, vehicle data, and dashcam footage to prove that distraction played a role.

Unsafe Lane Changes

Motorists sometimes swerve into a biker’s lane without checking their blind spot or using a signal. This type of negligence is particularly common on Lake County’s multi-lane roads and interstates like I-80/94, where traffic moves quickly and motorcyclists can be easily overlooked. Bikers riding alongside vehicles may be completely invisible in blind spots, especially if a driver fails to adjust their mirrors or signal their intent properly. These types of accidents can knock riders off balance, send them into adjacent lanes, or cause multi-vehicle chain reactions.

Speeding and Aggressive Driving

High-speed driving leaves little time to react to road hazards or sudden stops, perilous for riders on highways like I-94. When a car tailgates a motorcycle or weaves in and out of traffic at high speeds, the risk of a catastrophic crash skyrockets. Even a minor bump at 65 mph can throw a rider from their bike, resulting in broken bones or traumatic brain injuries. Aggressive driving may also involve illegal passing, brake-checking, or road rage, all of which are illegal and may support a claim for punitive damages in some cases.

Left-Turn Accidents

One of the most common fatal motorcycle crash types, left-turn collisions often occur when a car turns in front of an oncoming bike. These accidents typically happen at intersections, such as those along Ridge Road in Gary or at busy crossings near downtown Crown Point. Drivers may misjudge the speed of an approaching motorcycle or fail to see it altogether. Since bikers have the right-of-way in these scenarios, the turning driver is often at fault. Sadly, these crashes frequently result in life-threatening injuries due to the force of the impact and the limited protection motorcyclists have.

Driving Under the Influence

Drunk or drug-impaired drivers are a danger to everyone on the road, especially vulnerable motorcyclists. Impaired drivers suffer from slower reaction times, reduced coordination, and poor judgment, making them far more likely to cause a serious or fatal collision. In Lake County, weekend nights and holidays often see a spike in DUI-related crashes. If an impaired driver caused your motorcycle accident, you may be entitled to seek punitive damages, and we may also pursue a dram shop claim if a bar or restaurant overserved them in violation of Indiana law.

Road Hazards

Potholes, uneven pavement, debris, poor lighting, and slick surfaces (common in winter or during Lake Michigan fog events) can cause riders to lose control. Unlike drivers in passenger vehicles, motorcyclists have very little margin for error when encountering poor road conditions. A loose gravel patch near a construction site in Hammond or a missing storm drain cover on a Schererville side street can be enough to send a bike skidding. When a hazard is due to poor maintenance or negligence by a city or contractor, legal action against those responsible may be possible. We can help determine whether a government agency or third party should be held accountable.

Devastating Injuries Motorcycle Riders Often Suffer

Motorcycle accidents often result in severe and life-altering injuries. Our team of Lake County motorcycle accident attorneys has helped clients recover compensation for injuries such as:

  • Traumatic brain injuries (TBI), even with helmets
  • Spinal cord injuries, including paralysis
  • Multiple fractures, usually to the legs, hips, arms, and ribs
  • Road rash and skin degloving injuries
  • Internal bleeding or organ damage
  • Severe facial or dental injuries
  • Loss of limbs
  • Psychological trauma, including PTSD

We work with your medical team, rehabilitation specialists, and life care planners to ensure every physical and emotional injury is fully accounted for in your claim.

Holding Negligent Drivers Accountable

Motorcycle injury claims fall under Indiana’s personal injury laws. To win compensation, we must prove that another party’s negligence caused your injuries. This typically involves establishing:

  • The driver had a duty to operate their vehicle safely
  • They breached that duty through reckless or negligent actions
  • Their actions caused the crash
  • You suffered damages as a result

Our motorcycle accident lawyers often use police reports, eyewitness statements, surveillance or traffic camera footage, crash reconstruction experts, and vehicle damage analysis to build the strongest possible case.

Can I Recover Damages If I Was Partially at Fault in a Motorcycle Crash?

Yes. Indiana uses a modified comparative fault system. As long as you are less than 51% responsible for the crash, you can still recover compensation, but your award will be reduced by your percentage of fault.

For example, if you’re awarded $100,000 but found 20% at fault, you would receive $80,000. Our goal is to minimize any fault assigned to you and maximize the recovery you’re entitled to.

What Compensation Can I Recover After a Motorcycle Crash?

A successful motorcycle accident claim in Indiana may include compensation for:

  • Emergency medical care, surgeries, and hospitalization
  • Ongoing treatment and rehabilitation
  • Lost wages and diminished future earnings
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress and mental anguish
  • Loss of quality of life
  • Scarring or disfigurement
  • Motorcycle replacement or repair
  • In wrongful death cases, funeral expenses and loss of companionship

We take the time to understand how your injuries have affected your daily life, work, and relationships, then fight for a settlement or verdict that reflects that full impact.

What to Do After a Motorcycle Crash in Lake County, Indiana

Your actions after a crash can protect both your health and your legal rights. Here’s what to do:

  • Get Medical Attention: Even if your injuries seem minor, seek immediate medical care. Some injuries, like TBIs or internal bleeding, aren’t apparent right away.
  • Report the Crash: Call 911 and wait for the police to arrive. Ensure your side of the story is included in the official crash report.
  • Preserve Evidence: Take photos of the accident scene, your injuries, vehicle damage, skid marks, road conditions, and traffic signs. Keep your helmet, clothing, and motorcycle in their post-crash condition if possible.
  • Don’t Talk to Insurance Adjusters Alone: Insurance companies often try to get injured riders to settle quickly and cheaply. Let your attorney handle all communication with insurers.
  • Contact a Lake County Motorcycle Accident Lawyer: The sooner you speak with our motorcycle accident attorneys, the better. Our team can begin gathering evidence, protecting your rights, and working toward the financial recovery you need.

Wrongful Death Motorcycle Accidents

When a motorcycle crash results in a fatality, surviving family members may be eligible to file a wrongful death claim. These cases are emotionally charged and legally challenging. Our team helps families seek justice for the loss of their loved one by pursuing compensation for:

  • Funeral and burial expenses
  • Medical costs prior to death
  • Loss of income and financial support
  • Loss of companionship
  • Emotional suffering

Our motorcycle accident lawyers handle these claims with the compassion, diligence, and strength your family deserves.

Is There a Time Limit for Filing a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit?

Under Indiana law, you generally have two years from the date of the motorcycle accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. This deadline is established by the state’s statute of limitations and applies to claims for injuries, property damage, and wrongful death. If you miss this window, your case can be permanently barred, meaning the courts will likely dismiss your lawsuit, and you’ll lose your right to pursue compensation, no matter how strong your case may be. As such, it’s critical to speak with a Lake County, Indiana motorcycle accident attorney as soon as possible after a crash, even if you’re unsure whether you’ll need to file a lawsuit.

If your accident involves a government agency, such as when your crash was caused by a hazardous road condition in Hammond, missing signage in Gary, or a poorly designed intersection in Crown Point, a much shorter timeline applies. Under Indiana’s Tort Claims Act, you must typically file a notice of claim within 180 days of the accident if a local or state agency may be at fault. This notice is a legal prerequisite before you can file a lawsuit, and failing to file it on time can also forfeit your rights.

Delays can also make it harder to gather critical evidence, such as surveillance footage, black box data from commercial vehicles, or accurate witness statements. The sooner you involve a motorcycle accident attorney from our firm, the sooner your legal team can begin preserving evidence, building your case, and protecting your rights.

At Theodoros & Rooth, P.C., we help ensure that all deadlines are met and that your claim is positioned for the best possible outcome. Time is not on your side after a motorcycle accident. Call our motorcycle accident lawyers early to preserve your legal options.

Why Hire the Motorcycle Accident Attorneys at Theodoros & Rooth, P.C.?

We have represented injured clients across Northwest Indiana since 1988. Our motorcycle accident lawyers bring:

  • Over 110 years of combined legal experience
  • Recognition from Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, and Martindale-Hubbell
  • Availability and free consultations
  • A local team that understands Lake County courts and juries
  • A strong reputation for results in serious injury cases

We fight hard for our clients because we live and work in the same communities, and your future matters to us. You’re not just a case number—you’re a neighbor, a family member, and someone we’re committed to protecting.

Contact Our Lake County Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Law Firm Today

If you or someone you love has been injured in a motorcycle crash in Northwest Indiana, you don’t have to face the aftermath alone. At Theodoros & Rooth, P.C., our motorcycle accident lawyers stand with riders and fight for full and fair compensation. Contact us online to schedule your free consultation. Let us take on the legal burden so you can focus on recovery.]