Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Bellwood, IL

The exhilaration you feel when riding a motorcycle can be made moot by the harm careless drivers can do to you when they do not follow the rules of the road. If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in Bellwood, IL, speak to the motorcycle accident lawyers of Burger Law immediately at (312) 500-HURT or contact us online for a no-risk, no-obligation case evaluation.

If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in Bellwood, 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. There is a sense of freedom 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 you are injured, there are hardships and you need someone to fight for you. You want a lawyer that has demonstrated that they can get great results in motorcycle accident claims in Bellwood, IL.

Our team has over 70 years of combined litigation and trial experience. Our motorcycle accident lawyers will aggressively 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 will try to devalue your compensation. We know how to stand up to insurance companies and ensure that they treat our Bellwood, IL clients fairly.

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

How Common Are Motorcycle Accidents in Bellwood, IL?

Even though motorcycles account for barely over half a percent of all traffic miles traveled nationwide, they made up four percent of all injuries and 14 percent of all fatalities in traffic-related accidents in 2020, according to data from the National Safety Council. In the United States, in 2020 there were 82,500 motorcycle accident injuries and 5,579 fatalities. In Illinois, of 3,077 motorcycle crashes, 2,404 caused injuries and 152 were deadly, according to the Illinois 2020 Crash Facts and Statistics. Regrettably, over half of those occurred when the motorcycle was driving straight, which leads us to believe that the accidents were often due to another driver not respecting motorcyclists on the road. Most of the crashes occurred in urban areas, especially on arterial roads.

According to findings 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 Friday night and Monday morning.

What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident in Bellwood, 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 ensure you make both a physical and financial recovery.

Immediately After The Accident

While any collision is jarring, it is important to keep a clear head. Immediately after the crash, you should:

• Get out of harm’s way — If you can, move out of the way of oncoming traffic. Leave your motorcycle behind. We know it is a treasure for you, but trying to carry 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.
• Do not remove your safety gear — Removing your helmet, gloves, boots, jacket and other gear could also make injuries worse. Adrenaline may hide how serious an injury actually is.
• Call 911 — Because the injuries caused in a motorcycle wreck can be catastrophic, it may be best to be looked over there instead of leaving and planning to seek medical attention at urgent care or a doctors’ appointment. Police know how to determine liability in an accident, and will make a police report.
• Gather evidence — Talk to any other drivers involved and get their insurance information. Take photographs of the accident, including how the vehicles are positioned and the surrounding areas. Take more photos than you think you need. Something you do not think is that big of a deal may help a motorcycle accident lawyer in Bellwood, IL prove your case down the road. See if there are eyewitnesses who can back up your side of the story.

Finally, receive medical attention if you have not already.

What to Do in the Days, Weeks and Months Afterwards

Once you have gotten medical treatment, inform both your insurance company and the other driver’s. Then, speak to a motorcycle accident lawyer in Bellwood, 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:

• Continue Medical Treatment — This is not only vital for your health, but aids your financial recovery as well. You need to prove that you sustained financial losses, and to do that you need to be able to point to medical records which show the extent of your injuries. The more medical expenses you have, the higher your non-economic damages compensation will be as well. Make sure you attend every every treatment and use all of the equipment and medication your doctor wants you to.
• Keep Detailed Records — You also deserve a financial recovery for lost wages from time spent recovering, and any out-of-pocket expenses you incur, such as parking or gas money for going to medical appointments or hiring someone to help with chores around the house. Keep all of your receipts and notes about why you needed to pay those expenses. You can also keep a daily journal 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, your attorney will handle all communication with the insurance. Insurance adjusters utilize a lot of ploys to avoid paying claims, but your attorney will know how to make the adjuster be honest.
• Resist Social Media — In this day and age, many of us want to share details about our life on social media. However, even an honest post can ruin your chances of being fully compensated. If you tell the insurance company that your injuries are keeping 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 moment you hire us, we will keep you completely in the loop until we attain the great results you deserve. Allow us to deal with the investigation, documentation, negotiation and litigation so you can focus on your medical treatment.

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

For some minor claims, where fault is clearly established and your medical expenses are no more than an urgent care visit, you may be able to get compensation on your own. Give the insurance company proof of your financial losses, and ask for a little more for the hassle. In a a settlement for a relatively small sum of money where not much is disputed, the adjuster will only lose money if they try to deny your claim.

However, in the vast majority of cases, you will need the assistance of a motorcycle accident attorney for your injury claim. While it would be nice if insurance companies fulfilled their responsibility when someone is injured under their coverage, it usually takes a fair amount of fighting to get them to do it. Situations where you will need a motorcycle accident lawyer in Bellwood, IL include:

• Your injuries are significant — The more your medical expenses and lost wages, the more the insurance company will be resistant to reimbursing you for it. 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 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 adjuster is only offering a few thousand, they are trying to take advantage of you. If there is an attorney 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 is more than party at fault — 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 because they did not see you, causing you to swerve and hit a road hazard that a local government should have fixed. A knowledgeable Bellwood, IL motorcycle accident lawyer will be able to investigate the accident 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.
• You are being blamed for your injuries — Trying to say your injuries are your own fault is a classic tactic insurance adjusters use to avoid paying you. When this happens, an attorney can step in and 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 Missouri’s comparative negligence rule. However, a lawyer is likely necessary to get you the best possible results.

Your Bellwood, 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 30 years. We offer an initial conversation and investigation at no charge, so call us at (312) 500-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 Bellwood, IL Motorcycle Accident Victories

With any type of legal claim, results matter. You want to know 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 whose past clients will recommend them and who has the 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 Bellwood, IL?

If you want to file any Bellwood, IL injury claim, 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 owe you an obligation to protect you from unreasonable harm? 625 ILCS 5/11-1003.1 says 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 driver 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 malfunctioning, the person who needs to compensate you may be a manufacturer and not the driver?.
5. Damages — Did you sustain losses because of your injuries, such as medical expenses and emotional distress? If your accident caused a few small cuts and bruising, 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. Consult with a motorcycle accident attorney immediately at (312) 500-HURT if you are unsure if you have a claim.

How Much is My Bellwood, 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
• While not common, you might be able to receive punitive damages if you were injured by extreme recklessness, such as drunk driving

Factors that determine how much you will recover include:

• The severity of your injuries; more significant injuries usually lead to higher economic and noneconomic damages
• Whether or not you contributed to the accident
• 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 insist the insurance company pay all of it. If your injuries require ongoing medical care, we will ensure you also get money to pay for that, including adjusting for inflation.

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

According to 735 ILCS 5/13-202, the time limit for motorcycle accident claims in Bellwood, 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 their 20th 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 time, that period 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 have been injured in Bellwood, IL. Call us immediately at (312) 500-HURT.

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

Motorcycles are harder for passenger car drivers to see, as they take up less space. Due to something known as “inattentional blindness,” drivers are less likely to see a motorcycle — even when they are looking for one. This is because we train our brains to be aware of other cars, but not for motorcycles. Inattentional blindness is a leading cause of motorcycle accidents in Bellwood, IL.

The most common causes of motorcycles accidents are:

• Left-hand turns — The Motorcycle Legal Foundation reports that 42 percent of all fatal motorcycle crashes occur when a car turns left while the motorcycle was going straight. These crashes can happen because of a car driver’s drunkenness, speeding or generally not paying close enough attention to the road.
• Other collisions — Head on collisions are also common between motorcycles and passenger cars. It is also common for a car to fail to see a motorcyclist when turning in front of them. 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, animal carcasses, slick surfaces or other debris on our streets 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. 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 Bellwood, IL?

Almost all auto accidents are the result of driver error. So, most of the time another driver is responsible for your injuries. However, other parties that may be held accountable include:

• A governmental body or construction company for not repairing or negligent repairing a road
• A motorcycle manufacturer for a defective product
• A company if someone they hired injured you while driving, such as in a commercial truck accident

Can I Sue For My Bellwood, 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 obstruction or other objects in the road cause an accident, the state can be held accountable for the motorcycle accident. However, suing a government entity in Illinois has added complications. Our motorcycle accident lawyers in Bellwood, 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 Bellwood, IL. What Are My Legal Options?

Motorcyclists are not only at higher risk of a serious injury, but are more likely to be in a fatal accident. If you were touched by tragedy and a loved one passed away in a motorcycle crash, you can make a recovery through a wrongful death claim. While no settlement or verdict can bring back your loved one, it 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 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.
• 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. When there are no immediate family members, siblings and nieces and nephews can bring a suit
  3. If there are no family members, the court can designate 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 economic and noneconomic damages your loved one incurred from their injuries before their death
  • Funeral expenses
  • Loss of financial support from your loved one, including any benefits related to 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 Bellwood, 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 we have had great success with in Bellwood, 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 Bellwood, IL Today

Our Bellwood, IL motorcycle accident lawyers will not stop fighting until there is nothing left to fight; 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 Bellwood, IL personal injury law firm will fight for your rights, call our team at (312) 500-HURT or contact us online for a no obligation case evaluation.