Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in East St. Louis, IL

Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in East St. Louis, IL

The exhilaration you feel when riding a motorcycle can be ripped away from you by the injuries reckless drivers cause when they do not pay attention to your safety. If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in East St. Louis, IL, call the motorcycle accident lawyers of Burger Law now at (618) 500-HURT or fill out our online form for a free consultation.

If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in East St. Louis, 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 you do not get in an enclosed vehicle. Unfortunately, negligent drivers can turn that feeling into something horrific. Because motorcycles do not protect riders as well as enclosed vehicles, motorcycle accidents can cause serious injuries. When you are injured, there are immediate hardships and you need someone to fight for you. You need to find an attorney that has demonstrated that they can full compensation in motorcycle collision lawsuits in East St. Louis, IL.

Our team has more than 30 years of experience getting full financial recoveries for those injured through the negligence of another. Our motorcycle accident lawyers will fight until we win your case and there is nothing left to fight. Always speak to a lawyer before accepting an insurance company’s offer. The insurance adjuster is out to devalue your compensation. We know how to fight insurance companies and ensure that they give 100 percent of what they owe our East St. Louis, IL clients.

To learn more about what we can do for you, speak to a lawyer at (618) 500-HURT to go over your motorcycle accident case today.

How Common Are Motorcycle Accidents in East St. Louis, IL?

Fourteen percent of motor vehicle fatalities and four percent of injuries were sustained by motorcyclists, despite only only .06 percent of vehicle traffic being motorcycles, according to research from the National Safety Council. Nationwide, in 2020 82,000 people were injured and 5,579 passed away in motorcycle crashes. In Illinois, there were 3,077 motorcycle wrecks which caused 2,404 injuries and 152 deaths, according to the Illinois 2020 Crash Facts and Statistics. Unfortunately, over 50 percent of those crashes came when a passenger car or truck collided with a motorcycle when the biker was driving in a straight line, insinuating that the accidents were often due to a car or truck driver not respecting motorcyclists on the road. Most of the crashes occurred in densely populated areas, especially major city streets.

According to data from the Motorcycle Legal Foundation, Illinois is eighth in the nation in terms of both registered motorcycles and motorcycle crash fatalities.

Just under 50 percent of fatal motorcycle accidents occur in the in the summer when the weather is nicer, and half happen between 6 p.m. Friday and 6 a.m. Monday.

What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident in East St. Louis, IL

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There are a number steps you should take, 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 collision can be jarring, it is vital to think rationally. Immediately after the crash, you should:tructru

• Get out of harm’s way — If possible, move out of the way of oncoming traffic. Leave the bike. We know it is your baby, but trying to carry it could make your injuries worse. If you suspect you have a back or head injury, stay still and wait for emergency personnel.
• Do not remove your protective gear — Removing your helmet, gloves, boots, jacket and other gear could also make injuries worse. Because of adrenaline, a serious injury may not always hurt as much at first.
• Call 911 — As the injuries caused in a motorcycle wreck can be catastrophic, it may be a good idea to get medical attention there instead of trying to seek medical attention later. Police know how to assign liability in an accident, and will make a police report.
• Gather evidence — Talk to any other motorists involved and ask for an insurance card. Take photographs of all vehicles and the crash site from different positions. Take more photos than you think you need. Something you do not think is that big of a deal may be useful to a motorcycle accident lawyer in East St. Louis, IL when trying to prove your case when you make your claim. Get the contact info of any eyewitnesses to the accident.

Lastly, receive medical attention if you did not already do so.

What to Do Throughout the Claim Process

Once you have gotten medical treatment, inform both your insurance company and the other driver’s. Then, speak to a motorcycle accident lawyer in East St. Louis, 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 obviously the best thing for your health, but aids your financial recovery as well. In order to prove your damages, you need to complete copies of medical medical records which detail all of the treatments and related expenses directly associated with the accident. The more medical expenses you have, the higher your ultimate compensation will be as well. Go to every follow up, chiropractic or physical therapy appointment your doctor wants you to.
• Keep Track of Everything Related to Your Injuries — You are also entitled to a financial recovery for lost wages from time spent recovering, 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 kids. Keep detailed receipts and notes about why you needed to pay those expenses. You can also keep a daily journal showing how your injuries have affected you physically and emotionally for a record of 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 will now be intermediary between you and the insurance. Insurance adjusters try to employ a lot of tricks to devalue claims, and it is better to leave communication up to a lawyer who knows how to hold the adjuster accountable.
• 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, even a well-meaning post can ruin your chances of being fully compensated. If you say your injuries are debilitating, and the insurance sees pictures of you at a bar, they they can say your injuries are not actually that severe.

From the first time you speak with us, we will keep you completely in the loop until we reach the great results you deserve. Let us handle the investigation, documentation, negotiation and litigation so you can focus on your physical and emotional recovery.

Whether you are still sitting in your vehicle at the scene of the accident or are months into your claims process, you need legitimate legal guidance and information in order to increase your chances of a successful case outcome and complete financial recovery in your Illinois civil case. Burger Law’s page on Illinois personal injury resources is a great place to start and come back to throughout the process.

Do I Need a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in East St. Louis, IL For My Claim?

For minor and clear-cut accidents, where fault is clearly established and your medical expenses are no more than an appointment with your primary care physician, a lawyer may not be able to add much value to your claim. Supply the insurance company with 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 adjuster is not going to want to waste their time.

However, in most cases, hiring a motorcycle accident lawyer will be the only way to get fair compensation in your Illinois personal injury claim. While in a perfect world insurance companies would fulfill their obligations when someone is injured by their policyholders’ negligence, they usually have to be convinced to. You will likely need a motorcycle accident lawyer in East St. Louis, IL if:

• Your injuries are severe — The more your medical bills and lost wages, the more the insurance company will be resistant to reimbursing you for it. If your injuries require ongoing treatment, you will always need an attorney to precisely value your damages.
• The insurance company’s offer is not close your damages — If your damages are in the tens or hundreds of thousands, and the insurance company’s offer is no where close to that, 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. In a recent case, Burger Law was able to turn a $3,900 offer into a $100,000 settlement.
• There are multiple parties at fault — With some cases, especially multi-vehicle accidents, there may be more than one party that caused your injuries. For example, a driver may merge into your line because they did not see you, causing you to swerve and hit a pothole that a local government should have fixed. A knowledgeable East St. Louis, IL motorcycle accident lawyer will conduct a full investigation into the wreck and determine all liable parties. Finding other people who are liable is key if you are owed more compensation than the at-fault driver’s policy limits.
• You are being blamed for the accident — Blaming you for your injuries is a well-known trick insurance adjusters use to avoid paying you. If the insurance company say your accident was your own doing, an attorney will fight back prove that is not the case. If it is true that you were responsible for a portion of the accident, you are not completely barred from compensation under Illinois’ modified comparative negligence doctrine. However, a lawyer is likely necessary to get you the best possible results.

Your East St. Louis, IL motorcycle accident lawyer at Burger Law knows how to combat dishonest ploys insurance adjusters use. We have been doing it for over three decades. Our consultations are free, so call us at (618) 500-HURT to see what we can do for your claim. We start developing our legal strategy from the moment you hire us, and fight until there is nothing left to fight.

Recent Burger Law East St. Louis, IL Motorcycle Accident Victories

With any type of legal claim, results matter. You want to feel confident 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. Any motorcycle accident lawyer can say they are the best, but a lawyer whose former clients will vouch for them and who has the results to prove it is another thing. Click on 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 East St. Louis, IL?

If you want to file any East St. Louis, IL injury claim, you must have sustained an injury that was caused by another person’s negligence. There are five elements to proving negligence in a personal injury claim:

1. Duty of care — Did the other person owe you a duty to protect you from unreasonable harm? 625 ILCS 5/11-1003.1 stipulates that “every driver of a vehicle shall exercise due care,” so other motorists always owe you a duty of care.
2. Breach of duty — Were they neglectful in that duty and did that breach lead to an accident? Was another motorist speeding, texting and driving, drunk driving or otherwise breaking proper procedure behind the wheel?
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 person who needs to be held accountable for your injuries may be a manufacturer and not another motorist?.
5. Damages — Did your injuries lead to losses, such as lost wages and mental anguish? If your accident resulted in a few bruises or scrapes, but you did not need any medical treatment, you likely do not have a claim.

Any time somebody else’s carelessness or recklessness injures you, you have an injury claim. Speak to a motorcycle accident attorney now at (618) 500-HURT if you have any doubts about the validity of your claim.

How Much is My East St. Louis, IL Motorcycle Accident Claim Worth?

In any personal injury claim, you are owed compensation for:

• 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 emotional distress, scarring and pain and suffering
• In some rare cases, you can recover punitive damages if you were injured by extreme recklessness, such as drunk driving

Factors that might make your recovery higher or lower include:

• The severity of your injuries; more significant injuries usually 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 enjoy life

At Burger Law, our injury attorneys know how to calculate every dime you are owed and insist the insurance company pay all of it. If your injuries require ongoing medical care, that will also be part of your settlement or verdict, including adjusting for inflation.

How Long Do I Have to File a Motorcycle Accident Claim in East St. Louis, IL?

Under 735 ILCS 5/13-202, the statute of limitations for motorcycle accident injuries in East St. Louis, IL is two years. That means you only have two years from the date of the accident to file a claim. Illinois has three exceptions:

• If you or your loved one was under the age of 18 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 leaves the state of Illinois for a period, that time is not included in the two years

While two years does not sound like it should give you a sense of urgency, it takes time to properly build your case. Do not hesitate to call a motorcycle accident lawyer after you have been injured in East St. Louis, IL. Call us now at (618) 500-HURT.

What Are Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in East St. Louis, IL?

Motorcycles are harder for drivers of enclosed vehicles to see, do not take up as much space on the road. As a result of something known as “inattentional blindness,” it is harder for drivers to see a motorcycle — even when they are looking for one. This is because we train our brains to look for other cars, but not for motorcycles. Inattentional blindness is a leading cause of motorcycle accidents in East St. Louis, IL.

The most common causes of motorcycles accidents are:

• Left-hand turns — The Motorcycle Legal Foundation reports that almost half of all motorcycle accidents that result in deaths involve a car turning left while and hits a motorcyclist in an intersection. 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. A car may also not see a motorcyclist when turning in front of them. Motorcycles also have the highest rate of collisions with fixed objects, which may be due to a negligent construction company or governmental entity.
• Road hazards — Cracked pavement, potholes, animal carcasses, wet or icy roadways 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 components — Manufacturers and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recall dozens of motorcycles annually. When dangerous bikes and components are not recalled, it can lead to motorcycle collisions.

Who is Liable for My Motorcycle Accident Injuries in East St. Louis, IL?

More than nine out of 10 motor vehicle accidents are the result of human error. So, most of the time another motorist is liable. However, other parties that may be held accountable include:

• A governmental agency or construction company for not repairing or negligent repairing a road
• A motorcycle designer, manufacturer or vendor in a product liability claim
• A employer if their employee injured you while driving, for example in a commercial truck accident

Can I Sue For My East St. Louis, 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 state may have to compensate you for your injuries. However, the state of Illinois does not make it easy to hold them accountable. Our motorcycle accident lawyers in East St. Louis, IL can take on your claim and guide you through the complexities of local and Illinois state laws to secure you the compensation you deserve.

A Loved One Was Killed in a Motorcycle Crash in East St. Louis, 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 someone you love 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 help provide some sense closure and ease the financial burden 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 dies because of another’s negligence or wrongdoing.
• The Illinois statute of limitations for wrongful death claims is two years from the date of your loved one’s death, not the date of the accident.
• There are three categories of people who can file a wrongful death claim in Illinois. In order of priority, they are:
  1. Immediate family members, such as a spouse, children, grandchildren and grandparents
  2. When there are no immediate family members, siblings and siblings’ descendants can file a claim
  3. If no family remains, a judge can appoint a plaintiff ad litem to bring a suit
• The damages you can recover 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 the deceased, 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 East St. Louis Illinois wrongful death attorneys are not just skilled at getting our clients full recoveries. We are empathetic and have helped many families get through the sorrow, anger and confusion that accompanies a fatal auto accident.

In addition to motorcycle accidents, other personal injury claims we have had great success with in East St. Louis, IL include:

• Personal injury
• Car accident
• Truck accident
• Motorcycle accident

Speak to a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer East St. Louis, IL Today

Our East St. Louis, IL motorcycle accident lawyers will not stop fighting until there is nothing left to fight; that is our guarantee. You are owed a recovery for your motorcycle accident. You did nothing to deserve being in this situation, and you should not have to pay for it. To learn more about how our East St. Louis, IL personal injury law firm will fight for your rights, call our team at (618) 500-HURT or contact us online for a no obligation case evaluation.