Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Antioch, IL

The thrill of riding a motorcycle can be made moot by the injuries negligent drivers cause when they do not respect your safety. If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in Antioch, IL, reach out to the motorcycle accident lawyers of Burger Law immediately at (312) 500-HURT or complete our online form for a complimentary case review.

If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in Antioch, 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 yourself and build a camaraderie with people who share your passions. You are connected to the road and your motorcycle in a way that a car just cannot emulate. Unfortunately, this freedom also comes with a high price. Because motorcycles do not protect riders as well as enclosed vehicles, motorcycle accidents can cause serious injuries. When that happens to you, there are instant hardships and you need someone to stand by your side and ensure you are treated fairly. You want a lawyer with a proven track record of winning motorcycle collision claims in Antioch, IL.

Burger Law has over 70 years of combined experience winning cases in negotiations and in the court room. Our motorcycle accident lawyers will tenaciously pursue every legal avenue to make sure justice is served. 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 Antioch, IL clients.

To discover more about how our personal injury law firm will fight for your rights, call a lawyer at (312) 500-HURT to discuss your motorcycle accident claim for free.

How Common Are Motorcycle Accidents in Antioch, IL?

Despite the fact that motorcycles make up only .06 percent of all traffic miles traveled nationwide, they made up four percent of all injuries and 14 percent of total deaths in traffic-related accidents in 2020, according to research from the National Safety Council. In the entire country, in 2020 there were 82,500 motorcycle accident injuries and 5,579 deaths. In Illinois, of 3,077 motorcycle crashes, 2,404 caused injuries and 152 were fatal, according to the Illinois 2020 Crash Facts and Statistics. Regrettably, the majority of those happened when the motorcycle was going in a straight line, which leads us to believe that the accidents were often due to a car or truck driver was not looking out for bikers. Wrecks happen most frequently in urban areas, especially on arterial roads.

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

The most common season for motorcycle crashes is summer, and half of all wrecks happen between 6 p.m. Friday and 6 a.m. Monday.

What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident in Antioch, IL

There are several steps you should take, 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 accident can be jarring, try to stay as calm as possible. At the accident site, 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. 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 are seriously injured, stay still and wait for emergency personnel.
• Do not take off your protective gear — Removing your helmet, gloves, boots, jacket and other gear could also exacerbate your injuries. Because of adrenaline, a serious injury may not always hurt as much at first.
• Call 911 — Because motorcycle accidents can cause severe injuries, it is probably a good idea to be looked over at the scene instead of leaving and planning to seek medical attention at urgent care or a doctors’ appointment. Police will also be able to file a report stating who they believe is responsible for the accident.
• Gather evidence — Speak to the other driver and ask for an insurance card. 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 be useful to a motorcycle accident lawyer in Antioch, IL when trying to prove who is responsible for your injuries down the road. Get the contact info of any eyewitnesses to the accident.

Finally, 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 Antioch, 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 is also essential to making sure you get full compensation. In order to prove your damages, you need to complete copies of medical medical records which show 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 orders for you.
• Keep Detailed Records — You are also entitled to compensation for lost wages from time when you were unable to work due to your injuries, and any out-of-pocket expenses you incur, such as parking or Uber rides for going to medical appointments or hiring someone to help with housework. Keep all of your receipts and notes about why those charges were due to your injury. 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 hired a motorcycle accident lawyer, let your attorney handle documentation and negotiation. Insurance adjusters try to employ a lot of tactics to devalue claims, and it is better to leave communication up to a lawyer who knows how to combat them.
• Resist Social Media — It is normal to want to share what is going on with your life with others. However, posting too much on social media can hurt your claim. If you tell the insurance company that your injuries prevent you from working, and the insurance finds out you have been at a bar, they they can say your injuries are not actually that severe.

From your initial consultation, we will keep you completely in the loop until we attain a successful resolution. Let us deal with the investigation, documentation, negotiation and litigation so you can focus on your physical and emotional recovery.

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

For some minor claims, where fault is clearly established and your medical expenses are no more than an emergency room visit, you may not need an attorney to get fair compensation. Supply the insurance company with proof of your financial losses, and ask for a little more for inconvenience. In a a settlement for a relatively small sum of money where their policyholder is clearly liable, the adjuster is not going to want to waste their time.

However, in most cases, you will need a motorcycle accident attorney for your 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 probably need a motorcycle accident lawyer in Antioch, IL if:

• Your injuries are severe — The more your medical bills and time spent off work, 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 hold the insurance adjuster accountable for all of your damages.
• Your damages and the insurance company’s offer are way too far apart — If your damages are in the tens or hundreds of thousands, and the insurance adjuster is only offering a few thousand, they are trying convince you that you do not know how much you are owed. If there is a lawyer on the case, the insurance company will know that you mean business. In a recent case, Burger Law was able to turn a $3,900 offer into a $100,000 settlement.
• There is more than party at fault — With some accidents, especially wrecks involving more than one vehicle, there may be more than one party that is responsible for your injuries. For example, a driver may cut your off because they did not see you, causing you to take defensive action and hit an improperly cordoned-off construction zone. An aggressive Antioch, IL motorcycle accident lawyer will be able to investigate the crash and determine all liable parties. Finding other people who are liable is essential 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 well-known trick insurance adjusters use to devalue your claim. If the insurance company say your accident was your own fault, an attorney can step in and prove how the other party was negligent. If you were indeed responsible for a portion of the accident, you are not completely barred from compensation under Missouri’s comparative negligence doctrine. However, you will need an attorney to apply the rule of law and get you that compensation.

Your Antioch, IL motorcycle accident lawyer at Burger Law knows how to combat tricks insurance adjusters use. We have been doing it for more than 30 years. We offer an initial conversation and investigation for 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 fight until there is nothing left to fight.

Recent Burger Law Antioch, IL Motorcycle Accident Victories

You need a lawyer who has shown they can get maximum compensation in your type of claim before. A motorcycle accident lawyer saying they know how to get full compensation is one thing, but a lawyer with client testimonials and 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 Antioch, IL?

In order to file any Antioch, IL injury claim, you must have been injured 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 have a duty to keep you safe? 625 ILCS 5/11-1003.1 says that “every driver of a vehicle shall exercise due care,” so other drivers always owe you that duty.
2. Breach of duty — Did they fail in that duty and cause an accident? Was another motorist speeding, texting and driving, drunk driving or otherwise breaking 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 not working, the person who needs to compensate you may be a manufacturer and not another motorist?.
5. Damages — Did your injuries lead to losses, such as lost wages and pain and suffering? If your accident resulted in a few bruises or scrapes, but they healed without any medical treatment, it would be hard for you to file a claim.

If you were injured because of another’s negligence, you need to file an injury claim. Speak to a motorcycle accident attorney now at (312) 500-HURT if you have any doubts about the validity of your claim.

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

Your compensation will be a combination of:

• Economic damages, such as lost wages, 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 typically 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, we know how to calculate the full value of someone’s injury claim and insisting the insurance company takes responsibility for all of it. If your injuries lead to future economic damages like lost earning capacity or future surgeries, 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 Antioch, IL?

According to 735 ILCS 5/13-202, the time limit for motorcycle accident claims in Antioch, 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 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 period, that time does not account against the two years

While two years may seem like a long time, it takes time to properly build your case. Do not hesitate to contact a motorcycle accident lawyer after you were hurt in a motorcycle accident in Antioch, IL. Call us immediately at (312) 500-HURT.

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

Motorcycles are not as easy to spot on the road, being smaller. Because of something called “inattentional blindness,” it is harder for drivers to see a motorcycle — even when they are looking for one. 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 Antioch, IL.

The most common causes of motorcycles accidents are:

• Left-hand turns — According to data from the Motorcycle Legal Foundation, over 40 percent of all fatal motorcycle crashes 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 distracted driving.
• Other collisions — Head on collisions also occur frequently between motorcycles and cars or trucks. A car may also 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 — Uneven pavement, potholes, dead animals, wet or icy roadways or other debris on our streets usually do not affect a vehicle with more than two wheels very much. However, motorcycles are less stable and these hazards can cause a motorcyclist to spin out.
• 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 cause motorcycle crashes.

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

Ninety-four percent of all motor vehicle accidents are caused by human error. So, most likely, you will make a claim against another driver. However, other parties that may be held liable include:

• A governmental agency or construction 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, for example in a commercial truck accident

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

Governmental bodies are tasked with keeping their roadways safe for citizens to travel on, and when there are road hazards that cause an accident, the state may have to compensate you for your injuries. However, suing a government entity in Illinois has added complications. Our motorcycle accident lawyers in Antioch, IL can handle your claim and guide you through the complexities of local and state laws to get you the compensation you deserve.

A Loved One Was Killed in a Motorcycle Crash in Antioch, 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 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:

• 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 of your loved one’s death, not the date that they were first injured.
• Three groups of people related to the deceased 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. If there are no immediate family members, siblings and siblings’ descendants can file a claim
  3. If no family remains, the court can appoint a plaintiff ad litem to file a claim
• 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 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 Antioch, IL wrongful death attorneys are not just experts at getting our clients full recoveries. We are empathetic 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 Antioch, 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 Antioch, IL Today

Our Antioch, IL motorcycle accident lawyers will not stop fighting until there is nothing left to fight; 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 Antioch, IL personal injury law firm will fight for your rights, call our team at (312) 500-HURT or contact us online for a free case review.