Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Bradley, IL

The thrill of riding a motorcycle can be made moot by the harm negligent drivers can do to you when they do not respect your safety. If another driver injured you in Bradley, 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 evaluation.

If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in Bradley, 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 connect with people who share your passions. There is a sense of freedom that is not possible in an enclosed vehicle. Unfortunately, there is a potentially dangerous trade-off. 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 hardships and you need someone to stand by your side and ensure you are treated fairly. You want a lawyer that has demonstrated that they can full compensation in motorcycle collision cases in Bradley, IL.

Our attorneys and paralegals have over 30 years of experience getting maximum compensation for our clients. Our motorcycle accident lawyers will aggressively pursue your claim to ensure you get the medical care and financial recovery that you are owed and that you deserve. 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 financial settlement. Our firm has a proven track record of successfully fighting the insurance companies and making sure that they treat our Bradley, IL clients fairly.

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

How Common Are Motorcycle Accidents in Bradley, IL?

Fourteen percent of motor vehicle deaths and four percent of injuries were sustained by motorcyclists, despite only only .06 percent of vehicle traffic being motorcycles, according to the National Safety Council. In the United States, in 2020 there were 82,500 motorcycle accident injuries and 5,579 fatalities. In Illinois, there were 3,077 motorcycle accidents which resulted in 2,404 injuries and 152 fatalities, according to the Illinois 2020 Crash Facts and Statistics. Unfortunately, over half of those happened 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 a car or truck driver was not looking out for bikers. Crashes are most common in metropolitan areas, especially major city streets.

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 on the weekends.

What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident in Bradley, IL

There are a number steps you should take, both immediately following the accident and in the days and weeks that follow, 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. Immediately after the crash, you should:

• Get to safety — If you are physically able, move out of the way of oncoming traffic. Leave the bike. It is obviously important to you, but trying to carry it could exacerbate your injuries. If you suspect you have a spine or head injury, stay still and wait for emergency medical services.
• Keep your gear on — Taking off your helmet, gloves, boots, jacket and other gear could also exacerbate your injuries. Adrenaline may hide how severe 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 go to an emergency room yourself. Police will also be able to file a report stating who they believe is to blame for the accident.
• Gather evidence — Speak to the other driver and get their insurance information. 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 Bradley, IL when trying to prove someone else’s negligence in the future. See if there are eyewitnesses who can corroborate your claim.

Lastly, 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 Bradley, 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 is also key to making sure you get full compensation. You need to prove how much that accident hurt you, and to do that you need to be able to point to medical records which detail the extent of your injuries. The more medical expenses you have, the higher your pain and suffering compensation will be as well. Go to every follow up, chiropractic or physical therapy appointment your doctor prescribes.
• Keep Track of Everything Related to Your Injuries — You are also entitled to a financial recovery for lost wages from time your injuries caused you to miss out from work, and any out-of-pocket expenses that were necessary, such as parking or gas money for going to medical appointments or hiring someone to help with household chores. Manage a file with all of your receipts and notes about why you needed to pay those expenses. You can also 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 notified the insurance company about your claim and hired a motorcycle accident lawyer, your attorney will handle all communication with the insurance. Insurance adjusters utilize a lot of tactics to devalue claims, but your attorney will know how to make the adjuster be honest.
• Do Not Post on Social Media — In this day and age, many of us want to share details about our life on social media. However, posting too much on social media can hurt your case. If you say your injuries are debilitating, and the insurance sees pictures of you going out on the weekends, they will use it to try and devalue your claim.

From the first time you speak with us, we will be in contact with you every step of the way until we reach the great results you deserve. 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 Bradley, IL For My Claim?

For some minor claims, where the liable party is taking accountability and your medical expenses are no more than an emergency room visit, you may be able to get compensation on your own. Supply the insurance company with your records and expenses, and ask for a little more for the trouble. 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 a truly fair society insurance companies would fulfill their duty when their policyholders injure someone, they usually have to be convinced to. Situations where you will need a motorcycle accident lawyer in Bradley, IL include:

• Your injuries require ongoing treatment — The higher your damages, the more the insurance company will be resistant to reimbursing you for it. If your injuries result in permanent disability, you will always need an attorney to precisely value 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 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 is more than party at fault — With some accidents, especially crashes involving more than one vehicle, there may be more than one party that caused your injuries. 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 governmental agency should have fixed. A talented Bradley, IL motorcycle accident lawyer will be able to investigate the crash and determine all liable parties. Identifying everyone who is liable is imperative if your damages exceed the at-fault driver’s policy limits.
• You are being blamed for the accident — Trying to say your injuries are your own fault is a classic trick insurance adjusters use to avoid paying you. If the insurance company say your accident was your own doing, an attorney can step in and prove 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, you will need an attorney to apply the rule of law and get you that compensation.

Your Bradley, IL motorcycle accident lawyer at Burger Law knows how to fight back against dishonest ploys 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 (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 Bradley, 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 whose past clients will vouch for 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 Bradley, IL?

In order to file any Bradley, 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 have a responsibility to keep you safe? 625 ILCS 5/11-1003.1 says that “every driver of a vehicle shall exercise due care,” so anyone else on the road automatically owes you a duty of care.
2. Breach of duty — Did they fail in that duty and cause an accident? Was the other 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 breach of duty cause the accident? If the other driver’s brakes were not working, the person who needs to be held accountable for your injuries may be a manufacturer and not another motorist?.
5. Damages — Did you sustain losses because of your injuries, such as lost wages and emotional distress? If your accident resulted in some bruises or scrapes, but it was not serious enough to seek medical treatment, you likely do not have a claim.

If you were injured through another’s negligence, you need to file 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 Bradley, 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 you were injured by extreme recklessness, such as drunk driving

Factors that might make your compensation higher or lower include:

• The severity of your injuries; more significant injuries tend to lead to higher economic and noneconomic damages
• Whether or not you were partially at fault for your injuries
• If you sustained permanent disfigurement or disability
• How your life has changed because of your injuries

At Burger Law, we know how to calculate every dime you are owed and demand that the liable party pay all of it. If your injuries lead to future economic damages like lost earning capacity or future surgeries, that will also be part of your settlement or verdict, including accounting for inflation.

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

Pursuant to 735 ILCS 5/13-202, the time limit for motorcycle accident claims in Bradley, IL is two years. That means the clock starts ticking on the date the accident occurred 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 their 20th 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 period does not account against the two years

While two years does not sound like it should give you a sense of urgency, it takes time to properly build your case. Do not wait to reach out to a motorcycle accident lawyer after you were hurt in a motorcycle accident in Bradley, IL. Call us today at (312) 500-HURT.

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

Motorcycles are not as easy to spot on the road, as they take up less space. Because of a phenomenon 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 look for other cars, but not for motorcycles. Inattentional blindness is a leading cause of motorcycle accidents in Bradley, IL.

Most motorcycle accidents occur because of:

• Left-hand turns — The Motorcycle Legal Foundation reports that almost half of all fatal motorcycle crashes occur when a car turns left while and hits a motorcyclist in an intersection. These crashes can be due to a motorist’s intoxication, reckless driving or generally not paying close enough attention to the road.
• Other collisions — Head on collisions are also common between motorcycles and cars or trucks. A car may also not see a motorcyclist when merging or changing lanes. Motorcycles also have the highest rate of collisions with fixed objects, which may be due to a negligent construction company or governmental entity.
• Road hazards — Uneven pavement, potholes, animal carcasses, slick surfaces or other roadways debris usually do not affect a vehicle with more than two wheels very much. However, motorcycles do not have the same level of stability 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 cause motorcycle accidents.

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

Almost all auto accidents are the result of human 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 contracting company for not repairing or negligent repairing a road
• A motorcycle designer, manufacturer or vendor in a product liability claim
• A employer if someone they hired injured you while driving, such as in a commercial truck accident

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

States and municipalities 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 agency responsible for the neglect can be held liable for the motorcycle accident. However, suing a government entity in Illinois has added complications. Our motorcycle accident lawyers in Bradley, IL can pick up your claim and take the fight to city hall to secure you a full financial recovery.

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

Motorcyclists are not only at increased risk of a catastrophic injury, but are more likely to be in a fatal accident. If your worst nightmare came true and a loved one 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 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:

• 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 of the accident.
• There are three categories of people who can file a wrongful death claim in Illinois. Beginning with who has 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 nieces and nephews can file a claim
  3. If there are no family members, a judge can designate 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 the deceased incurred from their injuries before their death
  • Funeral expenses
  • Loss of financial support from your loved one, including any benefits they got from their employment
  • Loss of consortium
  • Loss of instruction, education and moral training the deceased would have provided
  • Survivors’ grief, sorrow and mental suffering

Burger Law’s Bradley, IL wrongful death attorneys are not just experts at getting our clients full recoveries. 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 injury claims we take on and win in Bradley, 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 Bradley, IL Today

Our Bradley, 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 do not have to pay for someone else’s mistakes. To learn more about how our Bradley, 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 consultation.