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Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Champaign, IL
Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Champaign, IL
The sense of freedom a motorcycle comes with can be made moot by the harm negligent drivers can do to you when they do not follow the rules of the road. If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in Champaign, IL, reach out to the motorcycle accident lawyers of Burger Law immediately at (312) 500-HURT or complete our online form for a complimentary consultation.
If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in Champaign, 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. There is a sense of freedom that you do not get in an enclosed vehicle. Regrettably, negligent drivers can turn that feeling into catastrophic injuries. 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 instant financial, physical and mental consequences and you need someone to stand by your side and get you the compensation you deserve. You need to find a law firm with a proven track record of winning motorcycle collision cases in Champaign, IL.
Our attorneys and paralegals have more than 30 years of experience getting full financial recoveries for those injured through the negligence of another. Our motorcycle accident lawyers will fight until you recover all of your damages and there is nothing left to fight. Always speak to a lawyer before agreeing to a settlement. The insurance adjuster is out to limit your compensation. We know how to fight insurance companies and ensure that they give the full compensation they owe our Champaign, IL clients.
To discover more about how our personal injury law firm will defend your rights, speak to a lawyer at (312) 500-HURT to discuss your motorcycle accident case now.
How Common Are Motorcycle Accidents in Champaign, IL?
Fourteen percent of traffic fatalities and four percent of injuries were sustained by motorcyclists, despite only less than one percent of vehicle traffic being motorcycles, according to the National Safety Council. Nationwide, in 2020 there were 82,500 motorcycle accident injuries and 5,579 deaths. In Illinois, of 3,077 motorcycle collisions, 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 the motorcycle was going straight ahead, which leads us to believe that the accidents were often due to a car or truck driver was not looking out for bikers. Crashes are most common in metropolitan areas, especially around tolls.
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 Champaign, IL
There are several things you should do, both in the immediate wake of an accident and throughout the process of recovering from your injuries and seeking compensation, to make sure your recover from your injuries both physically and financially.
Immediately After The Accident
While any accident is surprising and scary, try to stay as calm as possible. Immediately after the crash, you should:
Get out of harm’s way — If possible, get to the side of the road and away from oncoming traffic. Leave your motorcycle where it is. It is obviously important to you, but trying to carry it could put you at risk of further harm. If you believe your injuries may be catastrophic, stay still and wait for emergency personnel.
Do not take off your safety gear — Taking off your helmet or other gear could also make injuries worse. Because of adrenaline, a serious injury may not always hurt as much at first.
Call 911 — As motorcycle accidents can cause severe injuries, it is probably a good idea to get medical attention 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 — Talk to any other drivers involved and get their insurance information. Take pictures of the accident, including how the vehicles are positioned and the surrounding areas. Take more photos than you think you need. Something that may seem unimportant at first may help a motorcycle accident lawyer in Champaign, IL prove someone else’s negligence down the road. See if there are eyewitnesses who can corroborate your side of the story.
Lastly, if you did not opt to get medical treatment at the scene, do so immediately.
What to Do Throughout the Claim Process
Once you have gotten medical treatment, inform both your insurance company and the other driver’s. Then, speak to a motorcycle accident lawyer in Champaign, 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 is also key to building your case. You need to prove that you sustained financial losses, and to do that 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 pain and suffering compensation will be as well. Make sure you attend every follow up, chiropractic or physical therapy appointment your doctor wants you to.
Keep Detailed Records — You are also owed compensation for lost wages from time spent recovering, and any out-of-pocket expenses due to your injuries, 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 explanations for why you needed to pay those expenses. You can also keep a daily journal showing how your injuries have affected you physically and emotionally for a record of your pain and suffering.
Do Not Talk to the Insurance Company — Once you have informed the insurance company about your injuries and enlisted the services of a motorcycle accident lawyer, your attorney will handle all communication with the insurance. Insurance adjusters utilize a lot of tricks to avoid paying claims, and it is better to leave communication up to an attorney who knows how to hold the adjuster accountable.
Resist Social Media — It is commonplace to want to share what is going on with your life on the Internet. However, even an honest post can ruin your claim. If you tell the insurance company that your injuries prevent you from working, and the insurance finds out you have been at your friend’s barbecue, they will use it to try and deny your claim.
From the first time you speak with us, we will keep you updated throughout your claim until we reach the great results you deserve. Let us deal with the investigation, documentation, negotiation and litigation so you can focus on your medical treatment.
Get a Free Consultation
We offer free consultations and are available 24/7 to take your call. Live chat, text, and virtual meetings are available.
Do I Need a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Champaign, IL For My Claim?
For some minor claims, where there is no discrepancy about who is at fault and your medical expenses only include an urgent care visit, you may not need an attorney to get fair compensation. Give the insurance company your records and expenses, and ask for a little more for the hassle. In a smaller settlement where their policyholder is clearly liable, the insurance company 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 responsibility when someone is injured by their policyholders’ negligence, they usually have to be convinced to. You will likely need a motorcycle accident lawyer in Champaign, IL if:
Your injuries are significant — The more your medical expenses and time spent off work, the more the insurance company will be resistant to reimbursing you for it. If your injuries require ongoing treatment, you will always 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 convince you that you do not know how much you are owed. If there is a lawyer working on your claim, the insurance company will know that you are serious about getting the full compensation you deserve. 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 injuries, especially multi-vehicle accidents, there may be more than one person who was negligent. For example, a driver may merge into your line because they did not see you, causing you to swerve and hit a pothole that a local government should have fixed. A talented Champaign, IL motorcycle accident lawyer will be able to investigate the wreck and assign a portion of the damages to each liable party. Identifying everyone who is liable is imperative 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 — Trying to say your injuries are your own fault is a well-known tactic insurance adjusters use to minimize your claim. When this happens, an attorney can step in and conclusively demonstrate that is not the case. If you were indeed partially at fault, you can still receive some compensation under Missouri’s comparative negligence doctrine. However, a lawyer is likely necessary to get you the most possible compensation.
Your Champaign, IL motorcycle accident lawyer at Burger Law knows how to combat tactics insurance adjusters use. We have been doing it for over three decades. We offer an initial conversation and investigation at no charge, so speak to an attorney today at (312) 500-HURT to see if we can add value to your claim. We start developing our legal strategy from the second you hire us, and do not give up until you get every bit of compensation you are owed.
Recent Burger Law Champaign, 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 know how to get full compensation is one thing, but a lawyer whose former 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:
Do I Have a Motorcycle Accident Claim in Champaign, IL?
If you want to file any Champaign, 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:
Duty of care — Did the other person have an obligation to protect you from unreasonable harm? 625 ILCS 5/11-1003.1 mandates that “every driver of a vehicle shall exercise due care,” so other drivers always owe you a duty of care.
Cause in fact — Did the accident cause your injuries?
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 another motorist?.
Damages — Did your injuries lead to losses, such as medical bills and pain and suffering? If your accident caused a few bruises or scrapes, but it was not serious enough to seek medical treatment, it would be hard for you to file a claim.
If you were injured through another’s negligence, you have an injury claim. Consult with a motorcycle accident attorney today at (312) 500-HURT if you are unsure if you have a claim.
How Much is My Champaign, IL Motorcycle Accident Claim Worth?
While not common, you may be able to recover punitive damages if the liable party’s behavior was especially egregious, such as if they were drunk driving
Factors that determine how much you will recover include:
The severity of your injuries; more significant injuries tend to lead to higher medical bills and more pain and suffering
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 are experts at calculating 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, 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 Champaign, IL?
Under 735 ILCS 5/13-202, the time limit for motorcycle accident injuries in Champaign, IL is two years. That means the clock starts ticking on 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 at the time of accident, 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 liable party is outside of the state of Illinois for a period, that time is not included in 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 hesitate to call a motorcycle accident lawyer after you have been injured in Champaign, IL. Call us today at (312) 500-HURT.
What Are Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Champaign, IL?
Motorcycles are harder for passenger car drivers to see, being smaller. Due to a phenomenon known as “inattentional blindness,” drivers are less likely to see a motorcycle — even if they are doing their due diligence. 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 Champaign, IL.
The most common causes of motorcycles accidents are:
Left-hand turns — According to the Motorcycle Legal Foundation, almost half of all motorcycle accidents that result in deaths occur when a car turns left while and hits a motorcyclist in an intersection. These crashes can be due to a car driver’s intoxication, speeding 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 not see a motorcyclist when turning in front of them. Motorcycles also have the highest rate of collisions with fixed objects, which is not always the motorcyclist’s fault.
Road hazards — Cracked pavement, potholes, animal carcasses, wet or icy roadways 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 fall.
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 lead to motorcycle crashes.
Who is Liable for My Motorcycle Accident Injuries in Champaign, IL?
A company if someone they hired injured you while driving, for example in a commercial truck accident
Can I Sue For My Champaign, IL Motorcycle Accident if it Did Not Involve Another Vehicle?
States and municipalities are tasked with keeping 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 responsible for the motorcycle accident. However, the state of Illinois does not make it easy to sue them. Our motorcycle accident lawyers in Champaign, IL can take on 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 Champaign, 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 loved one 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 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.
There are three categories of people who can file a wrongful death claim in Illinois. In order of priority, they are:
Immediate family members, such as a spouse, children, grandchildren and grandparents
When there are no immediate family members, siblings and nieces and nephews can file a claim
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 their death
Funeral expenses
Loss of financial support from your loved one, including any work-related benefits
Loss of instruction, education and moral training the deceased would have provided
Survivors’ grief, sorrow and mental suffering
Burger Law’s Champaign, IL wrongful death attorneys are not just skilled at getting our clients full recoveries. We are understanding and kind and have helped many families get through the sorrow, anger and confusion that comes after a fatal auto accident.
In addition to motorcycle accidents, other personal injury cases we we have had great success with in Champaign, IL include:
Speak to a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Champaign, IL Today
Our Champaign, IL motorcycle accident lawyers will not stop fighting until there is nothing left to fight; that is our guarantee. You are owed a recovery for your motorcycle accident. You do not have to pay for someone else’s mistakes. To learn more about how our Champaign, IL personal injury law firm will fight for your rights, call our team at (312) 500-HURT or complete our online form for a free case evaluation.
Client Reviews
What our clients are saying about us
Anonymous
This law firm is absolutely amazing. They took on my case, when nobody else would! They fought hard for me when it seemed there was no hope. They kept me informed and always asked for my input before making decisions on my case. Gary puts himself into every case unlike most law firm owners. Gary and his team really care about every one of their clients, and fights hard to get you a fair settlement. They actually won my case out of court, and then reduced my fees to make sure I could get my car fixed and be able to get back to some normality. I would recommend Burger Law over and above any other firm! If you go somewhere else you aren’t getting the best!
Genevieve and Laura have assisted me in my personal injury claim and have made the process so much less stressful. They are extremely knowledgeable, professional, and attentive. Laura is always on top of everything and very sweet. I had no idea how to navigate this process and they have made me feel at ease and like they truly cared about the outcome.
Cara Barton
It has been a long 4 years, but it is finally over! Burger law did a great job handling my case. Grant Doty answered all my questions, promptly returned my phone calls, frequently kept me updated and insured me that he was fighting for me. Jennifer Zini also did a wonderful job, great customer service. It was pleasure getting to know the Burger Law team!
S. Alred
After a driver unexpectedly pulled out right in front of my motorcycle & I suffered injuries, the at-fault driver’s insurance company offered me a $10,000 settlement. I hired Burger Law & they won a $109,000 settlement. I was very happy with the outcome. They were easy to work with & fully explained each step of the process & kept me informed along the way.
At Burger Law | St. Louis Personal Injury Lawyer, we are a team of personal injury attorneys who have earned many distinctions and peer-reviewed awards for our civil litigation and trial work in Missouri and Illinois. A few of the honors we have earned include the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, Top 100 Trial Lawyer Award, a Martindale-Hubbell AV rating, Super Lawyers selection as one of the top attorneys in the field of personal injury and board certifications in Civil Litigation.
Personal injury lawyers who demand justice in Southern Illinois. The role of a personal injury lawyer in Southern Illinois should be more than just getting you a great settlement…