Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Addison, IL

Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Addison, IL

The sense of freedom a motorcycle comes with can be canceled out by the injuries negligent drivers cause when they do not follow the rules of the road. If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in Addison, IL, call the motorcycle accident lawyers of Burger Law immediately at (779) 800-HURT or contact us online for a free case evaluation.

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

Motorcycles are an ideal way to enjoy the road and relax. You get a feeling of the open road that a car just cannot emulate. Unfortunately, negligent drivers can turn that feeling into catastrophic injuries. Because motorcycles do not protect their occupants as well as enclosed vehicles, the consequences of a motorcycle accident can be devastating. When that happens to you, it carries immediate hardships and you need someone to stand by your side and ensure you are treated fairly. You want an attorney with a proven track record of winning motorcycle crash lawsuits in Addison, IL.

Burger Law has more than 70 years of combined litigation and trial experience. 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 will try to minimize your recovery. We know how to fight insurance companies and ensure that they treat our Addison, IL clients fairly.

To discover more about how our personal injury law firm will defend your rights, speak to an attorney at (779) 800-HURT to discuss your motorcycle accident case immediately.

How Common Are Motorcycle Accidents in Addison, IL?

Even though motorcycles account for barely over half a percent of all traffic miles traveled nationwide, they accounted for four percent of all injuries and 14 percent of total fatalities in traffic-related accidents in 2020, according to data from the National Safety Council. Nationwide, in 2020 82,000 people were injured and 5,579 died in motorcycle crashes. In Illinois, of 3,077 motorcycle wrecks, 2,404 caused injuries and 152 were deadly, according to the Illinois 2020 Crash Facts and Statistics. Unfortunately, the majority of those occurred when the motorcycle was driving straight, which leads us to believe that the accidents were often due to another driver was not looking out for bikers. Most of the crashes occurred in urban areas, especially major city streets.

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

Nearly 50 percent of deadly motorcycle accidents occur in the between June and September, and 50 percent happen between Friday night and Monday morning.

What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident in Addison, IL

There are several things you should do, both in the immediate wake of an accident and throughout the length of your claim process, to make sure your recover from your injuries both physically and financially.

Immediately After The Accident

While any crash is jarring, it is vital to think rationally. Immediately after the crash, you should:

• Get out of harm’s way — If you are physically able, get to the side of the road and away from oncoming traffic. Leave the bike. We know it is a treasure for you, but trying to carry it could make your injuries worse. If you believe your injuries may be catastrophic, it may be best not to move; instead wait for emergency personnel.
• Do not take off your safety gear — Removing your helmet or other gear could also make injuries worse. Shock may hide how bad an injury actually is.
• Call 911 — Because the injuries caused in a motorcycle wreck can be catastrophic, it may be best to get medical attention at the scene instead of trying to seek medical attention at urgent care or a doctors’ appointment. Police know how to assign fault in an accident, and will make a police report.
• Gather evidence — Speak to the other driver and get their insurance information. Take photographs of all vehicles and the crash site from a variety of angles. Take as many pictures as possible. Something you do not think matters much may help a motorcycle accident lawyer in Addison, IL prove who is responsible for your injuries when you make your claim. See if there are eyewitnesses who can corroborate your claim.

Finally, receive medical attention if you have not already.

What to Do Throughout the Claim Process

Once you have gotten medical treatment, notify both your insurance company and the other driver’s. Then, speak to a motorcycle accident lawyer in Addison, 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 physical recovery, but is also paramount to building your case. 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 all of the treatments and related expenses directly associated with the accident. The the higher your financial loss, the higher your ultimate compensation will be as well. Make sure you attend every follow up, chiropractic or physical therapy appointment your doctor prescribes.
• Keep Detailed Records — You also deserve reimbursement for lost wages from time spent recovering, and any out-of-pocket expenses you incur, such as transportation to and from medical appointments or hiring someone to help with housework. Keep detailed receipts and notes about why those charges were necessary. You can also write down your every day experiences detailing the non-tangible impact of your injuries and your pain and suffering.
• Do Not Talk to the Insurance Company — 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 utilize a lot of ploys to devalue claims, and it is better to leave communication up to an attorney who knows how to combat them.
• Stay off 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 do damage to your case. If you tell the insurance company that your injuries prevent you from working, and the insurance finds out you have been 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 reach a successful resolution. Let us deal with the legal aspect of your case so you can focus on your physical and emotional recovery.

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

For accidents involving minor injuries, where there is no discrepancy about who is at fault and your medical bills only include a visit with your primary care physician, a lawyer may not be able to add much value to your claim. Supply the insurance company with proof of your financial losses, and ask for a little more for the hassle. In a smaller settlement where their policyholder is clearly liable, the adjuster will only lose money if they try to deny your claim.

However, more likely than not hiring a motorcycle accident lawyer will be the only way to get fair compensation in your injury claim. While it would be nice if insurance companies fulfilled their responsibility when someone is injured by their policyholders’ negligence, they usually have to be convinced to. You will likely need a motorcycle accident lawyer in Addison, IL if:

• Your injuries are severe — The more your medical expenses and time spent off work, the more the insurance company will be resistant to reimbursing you for it. If your injuries require ongoing treatment, you will absolutely need an attorney to convince the insurance company to pay for future damages as well.
• The insurance company’s offer is far below your damages — 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 you enlist the services of an attorney, 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 liable party — With some accidents, especially wrecks involving more than one vehicle, 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 an improperly cordoned-off construction site. An experienced Addison, IL motorcycle accident lawyer will be able to investigate the wreck and assign a portion of the damages to each liable party. Identifying everyone who is liable is crucial if your damages exceed the at-fault driver’s policy limits.
• The insurance adjuster is trying to blame you for your injuries — Blaming you for your injuries is a frequent tactic insurance adjusters use to minimize your claim. When this happens, an attorney use their investigate skills and network of experts to conclusively demonstrate how the other party was negligent. If you were indeed responsible for a portion of the accident, you can still receive some compensation under Missouri’s comparative negligence rule. However, a lawyer is likely necessary to get you the most possible compensation.

Your Addison, IL motorcycle accident lawyer at Burger Law knows how to fight back against dishonest ploys insurance adjusters use. We have been doing it for over 30 years. We offer an initial conversation and investigation for free, so speak to an attorney now at (779) 800-HURT to see what we can do for your claim. We start working from the moment you hire us, and do not let up until you get all of compensation you deserve.

Recent Burger Law Addison, IL Motorcycle Accident Victories

With any type of legal claim, results matter. You want to feel confident that you are putting your case in the hands of 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 with client testimonials and results to prove it is another thing. Here are several of our most recent victories as well as client 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 Addison, IL?

If you want to file any Addison, 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 liable party have a duty to keep you safe? 625 ILCS 5/11-1003.1 mandates that “every driver of a vehicle shall exercise due care,” so anyone else on the road automatically owes you a duty of care.
2. Breach of duty — Were they neglectful in that duty and did that breach lead to an accident? Was the other motorist speeding, texting and driving, drunk driving or otherwise not following the rules of the road?
3. Cause in fact — Did the accident cause your injuries?
4. Proximate cause — Did the person’s negligence cause the accident? If the other driver’s brakes were malfunctioning, 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 small lacerations and bruising, but they healed without 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. Consult with a motorcycle accident attorney today at (779) 800-HURT if you are unsure if you have a claim.

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

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

• Economic damages, such as lost wages, medical bills and out-of-pocket expenses
• Non-economic damages, such as mental anguish, disfigurement and pain and suffering
• In some rare cases, you can be awarded 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 tend to lead to higher medical bills and more pain and suffering
• Whether or not you were partially to blame for your injuries
• If you sustained permanent disfigurement or disability
• The impact the injuries have had on your ability to live the life you are used to

At Burger Law, our injury attorneys are experts at calculating every dime you are owed and demand that the insurance company takes responsibility for all of it. If your injuries lead to future economic damages like lost earning capacity or future surgeries, that will also be part of your settlement or verdict, including accounting for inflation.

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

According to 735 ILCS 5/13-202, the statute of limitations for motorcycle accident injuries in Addison, IL is two years. That means you only have two years from the date you were injured to file a claim. There are some exceptions:

• If you or your loved one was a minor when the injuries occurred, they have until two years after their 18th birthday
• If you or a loved one was under a legal disability when the injuries occurred, 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 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 wait to reach out to a motorcycle accident lawyer after you were hurt in a motorcycle accident in Addison, IL. Call us immediately at (779) 800-HURT.

What Are Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Addison, 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 referred to as “inattentional blindness,” drivers are less likely to see a motorcycle — even if they are doing their due diligence. This is because most drivers have programmed their brains to look for other cars, but not for motorcycles. Inattentional blindness contributes to many motorcycle accidents in Addison, IL.

The most common causes of motorcycles accidents are:

• Left-hand turns — According to the Motorcycle Legal Foundation, almost half of all motorcycle accidents that result in deaths occur when a car turns left while and hits a motorcyclist in an intersection. These crashes can be due to a motorist’s intoxication, reckless driving or simple inattention.
• Other collisions — Head on collisions are also common between motorcycles and passenger cars. A car may also to fail to see a motorcyclist when merging or changing lanes. Motorcycles also collide with fixed objects more than any other type of driver, which is not always the motorcyclist’s fault.
• Road hazards — Uneven pavement, potholes, dead animals, wet or icy roadways or other roadways debris usually do not affect a vehicle with more than two wheels very much. 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 cause motorcycle crashes.

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

More than nine out of 10 auto accidents are the result of 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 body or contracting company for not repairing or negligent repairing a road
• A vehicle manufacturer in a product liability claim
• A employer if someone they hired injured you while driving, for example in a commercial truck accident

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

Governmental entities are tasked with keeping their roadways safe for citizens to travel on, and when there are road hazards that cause an accident, the agency responsible for the neglect may have to compensate you for your injuries. However, the state of Illinois does not make it easy to sue them. Our motorcycle accident lawyers in Addison, IL can handle your claim and guide you through the complexities of local and state laws to secure you the compensation you deserve.

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

The dangers of motorcycles mean that bikers have a higher death rate than people in enclosed vehicles. If tragedy struck and a family member passed away 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 some of the difficulties associated with their 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 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. Beginning with who has the first chance to file, they are:
  1. Immediate family members, such as a spouse, children, grandchildren and grandparents
  2. When there are no immediate family members, siblings and nieces and nephews can file a claim
  3. If there are no family members, the court can designate a plaintiff ad litem to file a claim
• The damages you can recover include:
  • Under 755 ILCS 5/27-6, the Illinois Survival Act, the economic and noneconomic damages the deceased incurred from their injuries before passing
  • Funeral expenses
  • Loss of financial support from your loved one, including any work-related benefits
  • Loss of consortium
  • Loss of instruction, guidance and moral training the deceased would have provided
  • Survivors’ grief, sorrow and mental suffering

Burger Law’s Addison, 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 injury claims we take on and win in Addison, IL include:

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

Speak to a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Addison, IL Today

Our Addison, IL motorcycle accident lawyers will fight until you get the maximum compensation you are owed; that is our guarantee. You deserve to be financially compensated for your motorcycle accident. You do not have to pay for someone else’s mistakes. To learn more about how our Addison, IL personal injury law firm will fight for your rights, call our team at (779) 800-HURT or complete our online form for a complimentary case review.