Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Belvidere, IL

Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Belvidere, IL

The sense of freedom a motorcycle comes with can be ripped away from you by the injuries reckless drivers cause when they do not follow the rules of the road. If another driver injured you in Belvidere, IL, call the motorcycle accident lawyers of Burger Law today at (779) 800-HURT or contact us online for a complimentary case review.

If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in Belvidere, 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 get your blood racing. There is a sense of freedom that is not possible in an enclosed vehicle. Regrettably, 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, it carries economic, physical and emotional consequences and you need someone to fight for you. You want a law firm that has demonstrated that they can full compensation in motorcycle accident lawsuits in Belvidere, IL.

Our attorneys and paralegals have more than seven decades of combined litigation and trial experience. Our motorcycle accident lawyers will aggressively pursue every legal avenue to make sure justice is served. Always speak to a lawyer before accepting an insurance company’s offer. The insurance adjuster is out to devalue your recovery. Our firm has a proven track record of successfully fighting the insurance companies and making sure that they treat our Belvidere, IL clients fairly.

To find out more about how our personal injury law firm will fight for your rights, call a lawyer at (779) 800-HURT to go over your motorcycle accident case today.

How Common Are Motorcycle Accidents in Belvidere, IL?

Even though motorcycles make up only .06 percent of total vehicle miles traveled in the country, they accounted for four percent of all injuries and 14 percent of total deaths 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 collisions, 2,404 caused injuries and 152 were fatal, according to the Illinois 2020 Crash Facts and Statistics. Unfortunately, over 50 percent of those occurred when a passenger car or truck collided with a motorcycle when the biker was driving in a straight line, which leads us to believe that the accidents were often caused by another driver not respecting motorcyclists on the road. Most of the crashes occurred in densely populated areas, especially major city streets.

According to research 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 Belvidere, 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.

Immediately After The Accident

While any collision can be surprising and scary, it is vital to think rationally. Immediately after the crash, you should:

• Get to safety — If you are physically able, 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 put you at risk of further harm. If you are seriously injured, stay still and wait for EMTs to arrive.
• Do not take off your protective gear — Taking off your helmet, gloves, boots, jacket and 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 is probably best to be looked over there instead of trying to go to an emergency room yourself. 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 different positions. 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 Belvidere, IL prove who is responsible for your injuries in the future. Get the contact info of any eyewitnesses to the accident.

Finally, if you did not seek medical treatment at the crash site, do so immediately.

What to Do in the Days, Weeks and Months Afterwards

Once you have gotten medical treatment, inform the insurance company of everybody involved. Then, speak to a motorcycle accident lawyer in Belvidere, 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 obviously the best thing for your health, but is also key 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 detail all of the costs and treatments 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 wants you to.
• Keep Track of Everything Related to Your Injuries — You are also owed reimbursement 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 gas money for going to medical appointments or hiring someone to help with housework. Keep all of your receipts and explanations for why those charges were due to your injury. It may also be a good idea to write down your every day experiences showing 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, let your attorney handle documentation and negotiation. Insurance adjusters utilize a lot of tricks to avoid paying claims, but your attorney will know how to hold the adjuster accountable.
• Do Not Post on Social Media — It is commonplace to want to share what is going on with your life with others. However, posting too much on social media can do damage to your chances of being fully compensated. 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 first time you speak with us, we will keep you completely in the loop until you get the maximum compensation you are owed. Let us handle the legal aspect of your case so you can spend your energy on on your medical treatment.

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

For minor and clear-cut accidents, where the liable party is obvious and your medical bills are no more than a visit with your primary care physician, you may not need an attorney to get fair compensation. Give the insurance company your records and expenses, 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 their policyholder is clearly liable, the adjuster will only lose money if they try to fight 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 obligations when their policyholders injure someone, they usually have to be convinced to. You will probably need a motorcycle accident lawyer in Belvidere, IL if:

• Your injuries require ongoing treatment — The higher your damages, the more the insurance company will try to avoid their responsibility. If your injuries result in permanent disability, you will absolutely need an attorney to precisely value your damages.
• The insurance company is not being fair — 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 convince you that you do not know how much you are owed. By hiring a lawyer, the insurance company will know that you will not back down without a fight. 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 cases, especially crashes involving more than one vehicle, 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 take defensive action and hit an improperly cordoned-off construction zone. An aggressive Belvidere, IL motorcycle accident lawyer will conduct a full investigation into the wreck and determine all liable parties. Finding other people who are 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 your injuries — Blaming you for your injuries is a classic trick insurance adjusters use to devalue your claim. When this happens, an attorney can step in and conclusively demonstrate that is not the case. If it is true that you were partially to blame, you are not completely barred from compensation under Missouri’s comparative negligence doctrine. However, a lawyer is likely necessary to get you the best possible results.

Your Belvidere, IL motorcycle accident lawyer at Burger Law knows how to combat dishonest ploys insurance adjusters use. We have been doing it for over three decades. Our consultations are free, so call us at (779) 800-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 Belvidere, 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 will fight for you, but a lawyer whose past clients will recommend them and who has the 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 Belvidere, IL?

In order to file any Belvidere, 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 have a duty 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 motorists 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 motorist speeding, texting and driving, drunk driving or otherwise not following the rules of the road?
3. Cause in fact — Were your injuries the direct result of the accident?
4. Proximate cause — Did the person’s negligence 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 you sustain losses because of your injuries, such as medical bills and mental anguish? If your accident caused some 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 now at (779) 800-HURT if you are unsure if you have a claim.

How Much is My Belvidere, 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 mental anguish, scarring and pain and suffering
• While not common, you might be able to recover punitive damages if the liable party’s behavior was especially egregious, such as if they were drunk driving

Factors that might make your recovery higher or lower include:

• The severity of your injuries; more significant injuries usually lead to higher economic and noneconomic damages
• Whether or not you were partially at fault 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 are experts at calculating every dime you are owed and demand that 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 calculating for inflation.

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

Under 735 ILCS 5/13-202, the time limit for motorcycle accident claims in Belvidere, IL is two years. That means you only have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit in court. There are some exceptions:

• If you or your loved one was a minor 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 negligent party leaves the state of Illinois for a time, that time does not account against the two years

While two years does not sound like it should give you a sense of urgency, investigating and developing a legal strategy for your claim takes time. Do not hesitate to call a motorcycle accident lawyer after you were hurt in a motorcycle accident in Belvidere, IL. Call us immediately at (779) 800-HURT.

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

Motorcycles are not as easy to spot on the road, as they take up less space. Because of a phenomenon referred to 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 larger vehicles, but not for motorcycles. Inattentional blindness contributes to many motorcycle accidents in Belvidere, IL.

The most common causes of motorcycles accidents are:

• Left-hand turns — The Motorcycle Legal Foundation reports that over 40 percent of all motorcycle accidents that result in deaths involve a car turning left while the motorcycle was going straight. These crashes can happen because of a motorist’s drunkenness, reckless driving or simple inattention.
• Other collisions — Head on collisions are also common between motorcycles and other types of vehicles. 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 may be due to a negligent construction company or governmental entity.
• Road hazards — Uneven pavement, potholes, dead animals, slick surfaces or other debris on our streets usually do not affect a car or truck very much. However, motorcycles are less stable and these hazards can cause a motorcyclist to lose control.
• Malfunctioning components — Manufacturers and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recall dozens of motorcycles annually. If bikes or parts that are defective are allowed to stay on the market, it can result in motorcycle crashes.

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

Almost all motor vehicle accidents are the result of driver error. So, most likely, you will make a claim against another driver. However, other parties that may be held liable include:

• A governmental body or contracting company for road hazards
• A vehicle designer, manufacturer or vendor 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 Belvidere, IL Motorcycle Accident if it Did Not Involve Another Vehicle?

Governmental agencies are tasked with keeping their roadways safe for citizens to travel on, and when there are road hazards that cause an accident, the state can be held responsible for the motorcycle accident. However, the state of Illinois does not make it easy to sue them. Our motorcycle accident lawyers in Belvidere, IL can pick up 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 Belvidere, IL. What Are My Legal Options?

Motorcyclists are not only at increased risk of a serious injury, but are more likely to perish in a crash. If tragedy struck and someone you love passed away in a motorcycle crash, you can make a wrongful death claim. While it is impossible to put a monetary value on your loved one’s life can help provide some sense closure 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 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. 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 bring a suit
  3. If there are no family members, the court can appoint 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 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 Belvidere, IL wrongful death attorneys are not just tremendous at securing full compensation. We are compassionate and have helped many families get through the sorrow, anger and confusion that accompanies a fatal auto accident.

In addition to motorcycle accidents, other personal injury cases we we have had great success with in Belvidere, 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 Belvidere, IL Today

Our Belvidere, 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 Belvidere, IL personal injury law firm will fight for your rights, call our team at (779) 800-HURT or contact us online for a complimentary consultation.