Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Alton, IL

The sense of freedom a motorcycle comes with can be ripped away from you by the harm reckless drivers can do to you when they do not pay attention to your safety. If another driver injured you in Alton, IL, reach out to the motorcycle accident lawyers of Burger Law now at (618) 500-HURT or complete our online form for a free consultation.

If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in Alton, or anywhere in Illinois, find out how much your claim may be worth by using our free personal injury calculator.

Motorcycles are a great way to give yourself a sense of calm. You get a feeling of the open road that a car just cannot emulate. Regrettably, this freedom also comes with a high price. Because motorcycles do not protect riders as well as enclosed vehicles, the consequences of a motorcycle accident can be devastating. When you are injured, there are hardships and you need someone to fight for you. You need to find a law firm with a proven track record of winning motorcycle crash lawsuits in Alton, IL.

Burger Law has over three decades of experience getting full financial recoveries for those injured through the negligence of another. Our motorcycle accident lawyers will aggressively pursue your claim to ensure you get the medical care and financial recovery that you are owed and that you deserve. Do not talk to your insurance or the other side’s insurance without speaking to an attorney first. The insurance adjuster is out to limit your compensation. Our firm has a proven track record of successfully fighting the insurance companies and making sure that they give the full compensation they owe our Alton, IL clients.

To find out more about what we can do for you, speak to our team at (312) 500-HURT to discuss your motorcycle accident claim today.

How Common Are Motorcycle Accidents in Alton, IL?

Fourteen percent of traffic deaths and four percent of injuries were sustained by motorcyclists, despite only barely over half a percent of vehicle traffic being motorcycles, according to the National Safety Council. Nationwide, in 2020 there were 82,500 motorcycle accident injuries and 5,579 fatalities. In Illinois, there were 3,077 motorcycle crashes which resulted in 2,404 injuries and 152 fatalities, according to the Illinois 2020 Crash Facts and Statistics. Sadly, the majority of those happened when a passenger car or truck collided with a motorcycle when the biker was driving in a straight line, which means the accidents were often due to a car or truck driver not respecting motorcyclists on the road. Wrecks happen most frequently in urban areas, especially on arterial roads.

According to research from the Motorcycle Legal Foundation, Illinois is eighth in the country with over 280,000 registered motorcycles, and proportionately was eighth in the country in fatalities in 2017.

Almost 50 percent of fatal motorcycle wrecks occur in the between June and September, and 50 percent occur between Friday night and Monday morning.

What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident in Alton, IL

There are several things you should do, both at the accident site and in the days and weeks that follow, to ensure you make both a physical and financial recovery.

At the Accident Site

While any accident can be jarring, try to stay as calm as possible. At the accident site, you should:

• Get to safety — If you are physically able, get to the side of the road and away from other vehicles coming down the street. Leave the bike. It is obviously important to you, but staying with the bike or trying to move it could make your injuries worse. If you suspect you have a spine or head injury, it may be best not to move; instead wait for emergency personnel.
• Do not take off your protective gear — Removing your helmet or other gear could also make serious injuries even worse. Because of adrenaline, a serious injury may not always hurt as much at first.
• Call 911 — Because the injuries caused in a motorcycle wreck can be catastrophic, it is probably a good idea to get medical attention at the scene instead of trying to seek medical attention at urgent care or a doctors’ appointment. Police are trained to determine liability in an accident, and will make a police report.
• Gather evidence — Talk to any other motorists involved and request an insurance card. Take pictures of all vehicles and the crash site from different positions. Take more photos than you think you need. Something that may seem unimportant at first may be useful to a motorcycle accident lawyer in Alton, IL when trying to prove someone else’s negligence in the future. See if there are eyewitnesses who can corroborate your claim.

Finally, receive medical attention if you have not already.

What to Do in the Days, Weeks and Months Afterwards

After you first seek medical care, notify the insurance company of everybody involved. Then, speak to a motorcycle accident lawyer in Alton, IL about your case. If your injuries are significant, you will likely need one to get full compensation. While communicating with your attorney, it is important to:

• Get the Full Medical Treatment You Need — This is not only vital for your health, but aids your financial recovery as well. You need to prove how much that accident hurt you, and to do that you need to complete copies of medical medical records which show the extent of your injuries. The the higher your financial loss, the higher your ultimate compensation will be as well. Make sure you attend every every treatment and use all of the equipment and medication your doctor orders for you.
• Keep Detailed Records — You are also owed a financial recovery for lost wages from time when you were unable to work due to your injuries, and any out-of-pocket expenses that were necessary, such as transportation to and from medical appointments or hiring someone to help take care of your children. Keep detailed receipts and explanations for why you needed to pay those expenses. You can also write down your every day experiences showing the non-tangible impact of your injuries and your pain and suffering.
• Leave the Insurance Company up to Your Attorney — Once you have filed your claim and enlisted the services of a motorcycle accident lawyer, your attorney will handle all communication with the insurance. Insurance adjusters use a lot of tactics to minimize claims, but your attorney will know how to make the adjuster be honest.
• Do Not Post on Social Media — In this day and age, many of us want to share details about our life on social media. However, posting too much on social media can ruin your case. If you tell the insurance company that your injuries prevent you from working, and the insurance sees pictures of you at your friend’s barbecue, they they can say your injuries are not actually that severe.

From the first time you speak with us, we will be in contact with you every step of the way until we attain the great results you deserve. Let us handle the legal aspect of your case so you can focus on your medical treatment.

Do I Need a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Alton, IL For My Claim?

For minor and clear-cut accidents, where fault is clearly established and your medical expenses are no more than an emergency room visit, you may be able to get compensation on your own. Give the insurance company your records and expenses, and ask for a little more for inconvenience. In a a settlement for a relatively small sum of money where not much is disputed, the insurance company will only lose money if they try to fight your claim.

However, in most cases, you will need the assistance of a motorcycle accident attorney for your injury claim. While it would be nice if insurance companies fulfilled their obligations when their policyholders injure someone, it usually takes a fair amount of fighting to get them to do it. Situations where you will need a motorcycle accident lawyer in Alton, IL include:

• Your injuries are severe — The more your medical expenses and lost wages, the more the insurance company will try to avoid their responsibility. If your injuries result in permanent disability, you will always need an attorney to convince the insurance company to pay for future damages as well.
• Your damages and the insurance company’s offer are way too far apart — If your damages are starting to creep up into the tens of thousands, and the insurance adjuster is only offering a few thousand, they are trying to take advantage of you. If there is a lawyer on the case, the insurance company will know that you will not back down without a fight. Burger Law has added hundreds of thousands of dollars to claims, including turning a $3,900 offer into a $100,000 settlement.
• There is more than party at fault — With some cases, especially crashes involving more than one vehicle, there may be more than one person who was negligent. For example, a driver may cut your off while not looking for you, causing you to swerve and hit an improperly cordoned-off construction zone. A talented Alton, IL motorcycle accident lawyer will conduct a full investigation into the wreck and determine all liable parties. Identifying everyone who is liable is imperative if your damages exceed the at-fault driver’s policy limits.
• You are being blamed for the accident — Trying to say your injuries are your own fault is a classic tactic insurance adjusters use to minimize your claim. If the insurance company say your injuries are your own fault, an attorney use their investigate skills and network of experts to prove how the other party was negligent. If it is true that you were partially to blame, you can still make a recovery under Missouri’s comparative negligence doctrine. However, a lawyer is likely necessary to get you the best possible results.

Your Alton, IL motorcycle accident lawyer at Burger Law knows how to fight back against tricks insurance adjusters use. We have been doing it for over 30 years. Our consultations are free, so speak to an attorney today at (618) 500-HURT to see what we can do for your claim. We start working from the second you hire us, and do not let up until you get all of compensation you are owed.

Recent Burger Law Alton, IL Motorcycle Accident Victories

With any type of legal claim, results matter. You want to know that you are giving your case to the best possible lawyer, and that they are going to fight hard to make sure you get 100 percent of the recovery and compensation you deserve. A motorcycle accident lawyer saying they know how to get full compensation is one thing, but a lawyer whose former clients will recommend them and who has the results to prove it is another thing. Check out the following links to see some recent Burger Law motorcycle accident victories and testimonials:

• $495,000 Uninsured Motorcycle Accident Verdict
• $327,000 Motorcycle Accident Settlement
• $250,000 Policy Limits Settlement
• $100,000 Motorcycle Liability Claim
• Maximum Recovery Obtained for Motorcycle Accident

Do I Have a Motorcycle Accident Claim in Alton, IL?

In order to have a valid claim in Alton, IL, you must have been injured by another person’s negligence. There are five elements to proving negligence in a personal injury claim:

1. Duty of care — Did the liable party have a responsibility to keep you safe? 625 ILCS 5/11-1003.1 stipulates that “every driver of a vehicle shall exercise due care,” so other motorists always owe you that duty.
2. Breach of duty — Were they neglectful in that duty and did that breach lead to an accident? Was the other driver speeding, texting and driving, drunk driving or otherwise not following the rules of the road?
3. Cause in fact — Were your injuries the direct result of the accident?
4. Proximate cause — Did the person’s breach of duty cause the accident? If the other driver’s brakes were not working, the liable party may be a manufacturer and not another motorist?.
5. Damages — Did you sustain losses because of your injuries, such as medical bills and emotional distress? If your accident resulted in a few small cuts and bruising, but they healed without any medical treatment, it would be hard for you to make a claim.

If you were injured through another’s negligence, you have an injury claim. Speak to a motorcycle accident attorney now at (618) 500-HURT if you are unsure if you have a claim.

How Much is My Alton, IL Motorcycle Accident Claim Worth?

Your compensation will be a combination of:

• Economic damages, such as money you lost out on from time off work recovering, medical bills and out-of-pocket expenses
• Non-economic damages, such as mental anguish, disfigurement and pain and suffering
• While not common, you might be able to recover punitive damages if you were injured by extreme recklessness, such as drunk driving

Factors that might make your compensation higher or lower include:

• The severity of your injuries; more significant injuries typically lead to higher medical bills and more pain and suffering
• Whether or not you contributed to the accident
• If the accident led to permanent disfigurement or disability
• The impact the injuries have had on your ability to live the life you are used to

At Burger Law, we know how to calculate the full value of someone’s injury claim and demanding the insurance company takes responsibility for all of it. If your injuries require ongoing medical care, we will ensure you also get money to pay for that, including accounting for inflation.

How Long Do I Have to File a Motorcycle Accident Claim in Alton, IL?

According to 735 ILCS 5/13-202, the statute of limitations for motorcycle accident claims in Alton, IL is two years. That means the clock starts ticking on the date of the accident to file a claim. There are some exceptions:

• If you or your loved one was a minor at the time of accident, they have until their 20th birthday
• If you or a loved one was under a legal disability at the time of accident, they have until two years after the disability ended
• If the person responsible for your injuries is outside of the state of Illinois for a time, that period does not account against the two years

While two years may seem like a long time, investigating and developing a legal strategy for your claim takes time. Do not hesitate to contact a motorcycle accident lawyer after you have been injured in Alton, IL. Call us immediately at (618) 500-HURT.

What Are Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Alton, IL?

Motorcycles are harder for drivers of enclosed vehicles to see, being smaller. As a result of a phenomenon referred to as “inattentional blindness,” drivers are less likely to see a motorcycle — even when they are looking for one. This is because we train our brains to be aware of larger vehicles, but not for motorcycles. Inattentional blindness is a leading cause of motorcycle accidents in Alton, IL.

Most motorcycle accidents occur because of:

• Left-hand turns — According to the Motorcycle Legal Foundation, 42 percent of all motorcycle accidents that result in fatalities involve a car turning left while the motorcycle was going straight. These crashes can be the result of a car driver’s drunkenness, speeding or generally not paying close enough attention to the road.
• Other collisions — Head on collisions also occur frequently between motorcycles and passenger cars. It is also common for a car not see a motorcyclist when turning in front of them. Motorcycles also collide with fixed objects more than any other type of driver, which may be due to a negligent construction company or governmental entity.
• Road hazards — Cracked pavement, potholes, animal carcasses, slick surfaces or other debris on our streets often do not have much of an impact on a car. However, motorcycles do not have the same level of stability and these hazards can cause a motorcyclist to spin out.
• Malfunctioning parts — Dozens of motorcycles are recalled every year, either by the manufacturer or by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. When dangerous bikes and components are not recalled, it can lead to motorcycle collisions.

Who is Liable for My Motorcycle Accident Injuries in Alton, IL?

Ninety-four percent of all auto accidents are caused by driver error. So, most likely, you will make a claim against another driver. However, depending on the specifics of your case, you may also be able to make a claim against:

• A governmental agency or contracting company for road hazards
• A vehicle designer, manufacturer or vendor in a product liability claim
• A company if someone they hired injured you while driving, such as in a commercial truck accident

Can I Sue For My Alton, IL Motorcycle Accident if it Did Not Involve Another Vehicle?

States and municipalities are supposed to keep their roadways safe for use by everyone on the roads, and when obstruction or other objects in the road cause an accident, the municipality may have to compensate you for your injuries. However, suing a government entity in Illinois has added complications. Our personal injury accident lawyers in Alton, IL can handle your claim and take the fight to city hall to secure you the compensation you deserve.

A Loved One Was Killed in a Motorcycle Crash in Alton, IL. What Are My Legal Options?

The dangers of motorcycles mean that bikers have a higher death rate than people in passenger cars. If you were touched by tragedy and a loved one died in a motorcycle crash, you can make a recovery through a wrongful death claim. While it is impossible to put a monetary value on your loved one’s life can bring a sense of justice and ease the financial hardships that come with your loved one’s passing. 740 ILCS 180/, the Illinois Wrongful Death Act, details the laws surrounding wrongful death claims:

• A wrongful death claim can be made when some is killed by another’s negligence or wrongdoing.
• The Illinois statute of limitations for wrongful death claims is two years from the date your loved one died, not the date that they were first injured.
• There are three categories of people who can file a wrongful death claim in Illinois. Beginning with who has priority, they are:
  1. Members of the nuclear family, such as a spouse, children, grandchildren and grandparents
  2. If there are no immediate family members, siblings and nieces and nephews can file a claim
  3. If no family remains, a judge can designate a plaintiff ad litem to file a claim
• Your compensation will include:
  • Under 755 ILCS 5/27-6, the Illinois Survival Act, the personal injury damages incurred by the deceased before their death, for example their medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering
  • Funeral expenses
  • Loss of financial support from your loved one, including any work-related benefits
  • Loss of consortium
  • Loss of instruction, education and moral training the deceased would have provided
  • Survivors’ grief, sorrow and mental suffering

Burger Law’s Alton, IL wrongful death attorneys are not just experts at securing full compensation. We are understanding and kind and have helped many families navigate the sorrow, anger and confusion that accompanies a fatal auto accident.

In addition to motorcycle accidents, other personal injury claims we take on and win in Alton, IL include:

• Truck Crash Lawyers in Illinois
• Wrongful Death Lawyers in Illinois
• Semi-Truck Accident Lawyer in Illinois
• Car Accident Attorney in Illinois

HIRE BURGER LAW

Speak to a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Alton, IL Today

Our Alton, IL motorcycle accident lawyers will fight until you get the maximum compensation you are owed; that is our guarantee. You are owed a recovery for your motorcycle accident. You do not have to pay for someone else’s mistakes. To learn more about how our Alton, IL personal injury law firm will fight for your rights, call our team at (618) 500-HURTor contact us online for a complimentary case evaluation.