Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Aledo, IL

The sense of freedom a motorcycle comes with can be canceled out by the harm careless drivers can do to you when they do not respect your safety. If another driver injured you in Aledo, IL, call the motorcycle accident lawyers of Burger Law immediately at (312) 500-HURT or complete our online form for a free case review.

If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in Aledo, 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 enjoy yourself and build a camaraderie with people who share your passions. There is a sense of freedom that a car just cannot emulate. Regrettably, negligent drivers can turn that feeling into something horrific. Because motorcycles do not protect riders as well as enclosed vehicles, the consequences of a motorcycle accident can be devastating. When that happens to you, it carries instant hardships and you need someone to fight for you. You need to find an attorney that has demonstrated that they can get great results in motorcycle accident claims in Aledo, IL.

Our team has more than three decades of experience getting maximum compensation for our clients. Our motorcycle accident lawyers will fight until we win your case and there is nothing left to fight. Do not talk to your insurance or the other side’s insurance without speaking to an attorney first. The insurance adjuster wants to limit your recovery. 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 Aledo, IL clients.

To learn more about what we can do for you, speak to a lawyer at (312) 500-HURT to discuss your motorcycle accident claim now.

How Common Are Motorcycle Accidents in Aledo, IL?

Even though motorcycles account for less than one percent of all traffic miles traveled nationwide, they accounted for four percent of all injuries and 14 percent of all deaths 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 passed away in motorcycle crashes. In Illinois, of 3,077 motorcycle crashes, 2,404 caused injuries and 152 were deadly, according to the Illinois 2020 Crash Facts and Statistics. Sadly, over 50 percent of those occurred when the motorcycle was going in a straight line, which leads us to believe that the accidents were often caused by another driver failing to notice motorcyclists. Crashes are most common in densely populated areas, especially around tolls.

According to the Motorcycle Legal Foundation, Illinois is eighth in the country with close to 300,000 registered motorcycles, and fittingly was eighth in the country in fatalities in 2017.

The most common season for motorcycle crashes is summer, and half of all wrecks happen on the weekends.

What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident in Aledo, IL

There are several things you should do, both at the accident site and in the days and weeks that follow, to ensure both your health and the chances of a successful claim.

At the Accident Site

While any wreck is surprising and scary, try to stay as calm as possible. At the accident site, you should:

• Get out of harm’s way — If you can, 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 put you at risk of further harm. If you suspect you have a spine or head injury, stay still and wait for EMTs to arrive.
• Do not remove your protective gear — Taking off your helmet or other gear could also exacerbate your injuries. Shock may hide how severe an injury actually is.
• Call 911 — As motorcycle accidents can cause severe injuries, it is probably a good idea to be looked over at the scene instead of trying to go to an emergency room yourself. Police know how to determine liability in an accident, and will make a police report.
• Gather evidence — Speak to the other driver 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 that may seem unimportant at first may help a motorcycle accident lawyer in Aledo, IL prove who is responsible for your injuries down the road. See if there are eyewitnesses who can corroborate your claim.

Lastly, receive medical attention if you have not already.

What to Do Throughout the Claim Process

After you first seek medical care, inform both your insurance company and the other driver’s. Then, speak to a motorcycle accident lawyer in Aledo, 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. In order to prove your damages, you need to complete copies of medical medical records which detail the extent of your injuries. The the higher your financial loss, the higher your non-economic damages compensation will be as well. Go to every follow up, chiropractic or physical therapy appointment your doctor orders for you.
• Keep Detailed Records — You are also owed a financial recovery for lost wages from time your injuries caused you to miss out from work, and any out-of-pocket expenses you incur, such as transportation to and from medical appointments or hiring someone to help with housework. Keep all of your receipts and notes about why those charges were necessary. It may also be a good idea to keep a daily journal detailing how your injuries have affected you physically and emotionally for a record of your pain and suffering.
• Do Not Talk to the Insurance Company — Once you have filed your claim and hired a motorcycle accident lawyer, your attorney will will now be intermediary between you and the insurance. Insurance adjusters use a lot of ploys to devalue claims, but your attorney will know how to hold the adjuster accountable.
• Stay off Social Media — It is commonplace to want to share what is going on with your life on social media. However, even a well-meaning post can hurt your claim. If you say your injuries are debilitating, 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. Allow us to deal with the investigation, documentation, negotiation and litigation so you can focus on healing.

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

For some minor claims, where the liable party is taking accountability and your medical expenses only include a visit with your primary care physician, you may be able to get compensation on your own. Give the insurance company proof of your financial losses, and see if they will throw some extra money on top for inconvenience. 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 duty when their policyholders injure someone, they usually have to be convinced to. Situations where you will need a motorcycle accident lawyer in Aledo, IL include:

• Your injuries are severe — The higher your damages, the more the insurance company will fight back against your claim. If your injuries result in permanent disability, you will always need an attorney to precisely value your damages.
• The insurance company’s offer is far below 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 working on your claim, the insurance company will know that you are serious about getting the full compensation you deserve. 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 injuries, especially multi-vehicle accidents, 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 take defensive action and hit a road hazard that a local government should have fixed. A talented Aledo, IL motorcycle accident lawyer will be able to investigate the crash and assign a portion of the damages to each liable party. Identifying everyone who is liable is key if you are owed more compensation than the at-fault driver’s policy limits.
• The insurance adjuster is trying to blame you for the accident — Trying to say your injuries are your own fault is a frequent move insurance adjusters use to devalue your claim. When this happens, an attorney will fight back conclusively demonstrate how the other party was negligent. If it is true that you were partially to blame, 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 Aledo, IL motorcycle accident lawyer at Burger Law knows how to fight back against tactics insurance adjusters use. We have been doing it for more than three decades. Our consultations are free, so speak to an attorney today at (312) 500-HURT to see if we can add value to your claim. We get to work from the moment you hire us, and do not give up until you get all of compensation you deserve.

Recent Burger Law Aledo, IL Motorcycle Accident Victories

You need a lawyer who has shown they can get results in your type of claim before. A motorcycle accident lawyer saying they are the best is one thing, 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 Aledo, IL?

If you want to file any Aledo, IL injury claim, you must have sustained an injury that was caused by someone else’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 keep you safe? 625 ILCS 5/11-1003.1 states that “every driver of a vehicle shall exercise due care,” so other drivers always owe you a duty of care.
2. Breach of duty — Did they fail in that duty and did that breach lead to an accident? Was another motorist speeding, texting and driving, drunk driving or otherwise not following proper procedure behind the wheel?
3. Cause in fact — Did the accident cause your injuries?
4. Proximate cause — Whose breach of duty caused 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 the driver?.
5. Damages — Did your injuries lead to losses, such as medical expenses and emotional distress? If your accident caused some bruises or scrapes, but they healed without any medical treatment, you likely do not have a claim.

If you were injured through another’s negligence, you can to file an injury claim. Consult with a motorcycle accident attorney today at (312) 500-HURT if you are unsure if you have a claim.

How Much is My Aledo, 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 mental anguish, disfigurement and pain and suffering
• In some rare cases, you can be awarded punitive damages if the liable party’s behavior was especially egregious, such as if they were drunk driving

Factors that determine how much you will recover 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 the accident led to permanent disfigurement or disability
• How your life has changed because of your injuries

At Burger Law, we know how to calculate the full value of someone’s injury claim and demanding the liable party pay 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 Aledo, IL?

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

• If you or your loved one was under the age of 18 when the injuries occurred, they have until two years after their 18th 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 time, that time is not included in 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 reach out to a motorcycle accident lawyer after you were hurt in a motorcycle accident in Aledo, IL. Call us immediately at (312) 500-HURT.

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

Motorcycles are harder for passenger car drivers to see, as they take up less space. Because of something called “inattentional blindness,” drivers are less likely to see a motorcycle — even if they are doing their best to be careful. This is because most drivers have programmed their brains to be aware of larger vehicles, but not for motorcycles. Inattentional blindness contributes to many motorcycle accidents in Aledo, IL.

Most motorcycle accidents occur because of:

• Left-hand turns — The Motorcycle Legal Foundation reports that over 40 percent of all motorcycle accidents that result in fatalities occur when a car turns left while the motorcycle was going straight. These crashes can be due to a car driver’s drunkenness, reckless driving or distracted driving.
• Other collisions — Head on collisions also occur frequently between motorcycles and cars or trucks. 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 motorist, 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 lose control.
• Defective parts — Dozens of motorcycles are recalled every year, either by the manufacturer or by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. If bikes or parts that are defective are allowed to stay on the market, it can lead to motorcycle collisions.

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

More than nine out of 10 motor vehicle accidents are caused by driver error. So, most of the time another motorist is responsible for your injuries. 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 not repairing or negligent repairing a road
• A motorcycle manufacturer in a product liability claim
• A employer if their employee injured you while driving, such as in a commercial truck accident

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

Governmental bodies are supposed to keep their roadways safe for use by everyone on the roads, 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, suing a government entity in Illinois has added complications. Our motorcycle accident lawyers in Aledo, IL can take on your claim and take the fight to city hall to get you a full financial recovery.

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

Motorcyclists are not only at higher risk of a catastrophic injury, but are more likely to perish in a crash. If tragedy struck and a family member died in a motorcycle crash, you can make a wrongful death claim. While no settlement or verdict can fill the whole that is left, it 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:

• You can make a wrongful death claim for negligence, just as your loved one would have made an injury claim if they were injured.
• 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.
• Three groups of people related to the deceased 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. If there are no immediate family members, siblings and siblings’ descendants can file a claim
  3. If there are no family members, the court can designate a plaintiff ad litem to bring a suit
• Your compensation will include:
  • Under 755 ILCS 5/27-6, the Illinois Survival Act, the economic and noneconomic damages your loved one incurred from their injuries before their death
  • Funeral expenses
  • Loss of financial support from the deceased, including any benefits they got from their employment
  • Loss of consortium
  • Loss of instruction, guidance and moral training the deceased would have provided
  • Survivors’ grief, sorrow and mental suffering

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

In addition to motorcycle accidents, other injury claims we take on and win in Aledo, 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 Aledo, IL Today

Our Aledo, 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 Aledo, IL personal injury law firm will fight for your rights, call our team at (312) 500-HURT or fill out our online form for a free consultation.