Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Bartlett, IL

Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Bartlett, IL

The thrill of riding a motorcycle can be neutralized by the harm careless drivers can do to you when they do not respect your safety. If another driver injured you in Bartlett, IL, speak to the motorcycle accident lawyers of Burger Law now at (779) 800-HURT or fill out our online form for a free consultation.

If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in Bartlett, 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, negligent drivers can turn that feeling into something horrific. 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, there are financial, physical and mental consequences and you need someone to fight for you. You want a lawyer with a proven track record of winning motorcycle wreck cases in Bartlett, IL.

Our attorneys and paralegals have over 70 years of combined experience winning cases in negotiations and in the court room. Our motorcycle accident lawyers will fight until you recover all of your damages 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 will try to limit your recovery. Our firm has a proven track record of successfully fighting the insurance companies and making sure that they treat our Bartlett, IL clients fairly.

To find out more about what we can do for you, call an attorney at (779) 800-HURT to discuss your motorcycle accident claim for free.

How Common Are Motorcycle Accidents in Bartlett, IL?

Even though motorcycles account for less than one percent of total vehicle miles traveled in the country, they accounted for four percent of all injuries and 14 percent of all fatalities in traffic-related accidents in 2020, according to the National Safety Council. In the entire country, 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 fatal, according to the Illinois 2020 Crash Facts and Statistics. Sadly, over 50 percent 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 caused by another driver not respecting motorcyclists on the road. Wrecks happen most frequently in densely populated areas, especially major city streets.

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

The most common season for motorcycle crashes is summer, and half of all wrecks happen between Friday night and Monday morning.

What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident in Bartlett, IL

There are a number things you should do, both immediately following the accident and throughout the process of recovering from your injuries and seeking compensation, to ensure you make both a physical and financial recovery.

At the Accident Site

While any collision can be jarring, it is important to keep a clear head. At the accident site, you should:

• Get to safety — If possible, get to the side of the road and away from other vehicles coming down the street. Leave the bike. We know it is a treasure for you, but staying with the bike or trying to move it could exacerbate your injuries. If you believe your injuries may be catastrophic, it may be best not to move; instead wait for emergency personnel.
• Keep your gear on — Taking off 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 is probably a good idea to be looked over at the scene instead of leaving and planning to go to an emergency room yourself. 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 get their insurance information. Take pictures of the accident, including damage to all vehicles involved and the surrounding areas. Take as many pictures as possible. Something you do not think matters much may help a motorcycle accident lawyer in Bartlett, IL prove someone else’s negligence in the future. See if there are eyewitnesses who can back up your side of the story.

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

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 Bartlett, 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 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 more medical expenses you have, the higher your non-economic damages compensation will be as well. Go to every every treatment and use all of the equipment and medication your doctor prescribes.
• Keep Detailed Records — You are also owed compensation for lost wages from time when you were unable to work due to your injuries, and any out-of-pocket expenses due to your injuries, such as transportation to and from medical appointments or hiring someone to help with chores around the house. Manage a file with all of your receipts and explanations for why those charges were necessary. It may also be a good idea to write down your every day experiences detailing 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 informed the insurance company about your injuries and hired a motorcycle accident lawyer, your attorney will will now be intermediary between you and the insurance. Insurance adjusters use a lot of tricks to minimize claims, and it is better to leave communication up to a lawyer who knows how to deal with them.
• Stay off Social Media — It is normal to want to share what is going on with your life on the Internet. However, even a well-meaning post 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 a bar, they they can say your injuries are not actually that severe.

From the moment you hire us, we will keep you completely in the loop until you get the maximum compensation you are owed. Let us deal with the investigation, documentation, negotiation and litigation so you can focus on your medical treatment.

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

For accidents involving minor injuries, where the liable party is obvious and your medical bills only include an emergency room visit, 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 the trouble. In a a settlement for a relatively small sum of money where not much is disputed, the insurance company 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 injury claim. While it would be nice if insurance companies fulfilled their obligations when someone is injured by their policyholders’ negligence, they usually have to be convinced to. You will almost certainly need a motorcycle accident lawyer in Bartlett, IL if:

• Your injuries are severe — The higher your damages, the more the insurance company will try and devalue your injuries. If your injuries require future medical treatment or prevent you from earning a living as you used to, you will absolutely need an attorney to convince the insurance company to pay for future damages as well.
• The insurance company is not being fair — If your damages are in the tens or hundreds 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 are multiple liable parties — With some cases, especially multi-vehicle accidents, there may be more than one person who was negligent. For example, a driver may merge into your line while not looking for you, causing you to take defensive action and hit a road hazard that a governmental agency should have fixed. An aggressive Bartlett, IL motorcycle accident lawyer will conduct a full investigation into the crash and determine all liable parties. Finding other people who are liable is essential if you are owed more compensation than 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 trick insurance adjusters use to minimize your claim. If the insurance company say your injuries are your own fault, an attorney can step in and prove how the other party was negligent. If you were indeed 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 Bartlett, IL motorcycle accident lawyer at Burger Law knows how to combat tactics insurance adjusters use. We have been doing it for more than 30 years. We offer an initial conversation and investigation at no charge, so speak to an attorney now at (779) 800-HURT to see if we can add value to your claim. We start working from the second you hire us, and fight until there is nothing left to fight.

Recent Burger Law Bartlett, IL Motorcycle Accident Victories

You need a lawyer who has shown they can get results in your type of claim before. 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 Bartlett, IL?

In order to have a successful claim in Bartlett, 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 other person have a duty to keep you safe? 625 ILCS 5/11-1003.1 stipulates 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 did that breach lead to an accident? Was the other driver speeding, texting and driving, drunk driving or otherwise not following 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 liable party may be a manufacturer and not the driver?.
5. Damages — Did your injuries lead to losses, such as lost wages and emotional distress? If your accident resulted in a few small lacerations and bruising, but it was not serious enough to seek medical treatment, it would be hard for you to file a claim.

Any time somebody else’s carelessness or recklessness injures you, you need to file an injury claim. Speak to a motorcycle accident attorney today at (779) 800-HURT if you have any doubts about the validity of your claim.

How Much is My Bartlett, 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 emotional distress, disfigurement and pain and suffering
• While not common, you may be able to be awarded 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 economic and noneconomic damages
• Whether or not you contributed to the accident
• 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 insisting the liable party takes responsibility for 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 Bartlett, IL?

Under 735 ILCS 5/13-202, the statute of limitations for motorcycle accident claims in Bartlett, IL is two years. That means the clock starts ticking on the date the accident occurred to file a lawsuit in court. 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 when the injuries occurred, 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 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 call a motorcycle accident lawyer after you were hurt in a motorcycle accident in Bartlett, IL. Call us immediately at (779) 800-HURT.

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

Motorcycles are harder for drivers of enclosed vehicles to see, being smaller. Due to something known as “inattentional blindness,” it is harder for drivers to see a motorcycle — even if they are doing their best to be careful. This is because we train our brains to look for other cars, but not for motorcycles. Inattentional blindness contributes to many motorcycle accidents in Bartlett, IL.

Most motorcycle accidents occur because of:

• Left-hand turns — According to data from the Motorcycle Legal Foundation, 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 the result of a car driver’s drunkenness, reckless driving or generally not paying close enough attention to the road.
• Other collisions — Head on collisions also occur frequently between motorcycles and other types of vehicles. A car may also not 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 — Cracked pavement, potholes, dead animals, gravel or other roadways debris usually do not affect a car or truck very much. However, motorcycles do not have the same level of stability 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. When dangerous bikes and components are not recalled, it can lead to motorcycle collisions.

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

Almost 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 body or construction company for not repairing or negligent repairing a road
• A vehicle manufacturer for a defective product
• A company if their employee injured you while driving, for example in a commercial truck accident

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

Governmental agencies 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 Bartlett, IL can take on your claim and guide you through the complexities of local and state laws to get you a full financial recovery.

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

The dangers of motorcycles mean that bikers have a higher death rate than people in enclosed vehicles. If your worst nightmare came true and a family member died in a motorcycle crash, you can make a wrongful death claim. While no amount of money 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:

• 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 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. Beginning with who has the first chance to file, 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
• The damages you can recover include:
  • Under 755 ILCS 5/27-6, the Illinois Survival Act, the economic and noneconomic damages your loved one incurred from their injuries before passing
  • 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 Bartlett, 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 comes after a fatal auto accident.

In addition to motorcycle accidents, other personal injury cases we take on and win in Bartlett, 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 Bartlett, IL Today

Our Bartlett, IL motorcycle accident lawyers will fight until you get the maximum compensation you are owed; we promise. You deserve to be financially compensated 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 Bartlett, IL personal injury law firm will fight for your rights, call our team at (779) 800-HURT or fill out our online form for a complimentary case review.