Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Danforth, IL

Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Danforth, IL

The sense of freedom a motorcycle comes with can be ripped away from you by the harm reckless drivers can do to you when they do not follow the rules of the road. If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in Danforth, IL, call the motorcycle accident lawyers of Burger Law now at (779) 800-HURT or contact us online for a no-risk, no-obligation case review.

If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in Danforth, 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 connect with people who share your passions. You get a feeling of the open road that a car just cannot emulate. Regrettably, this freedom also comes with a high price. Because motorcycles do not protect their occupants as well as enclosed vehicles, motorcycle accidents can cause serious injuries. When that happens to you, it carries instant hardships and you need someone to fight for you. You need to find a law firm with a proven track record of winning motorcycle wreck lawsuits in Danforth, IL.

Our attorneys and paralegals have over seven decades of combined experience winning cases in negotiations and in the court room. Our motorcycle accident lawyers will tenaciously 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 wants to devalue your compensation. Our firm has a proven track record of successfully fighting the insurance companies and making sure that they give 100 percent of what they owe our Danforth, IL clients.

To find out more about what we can do for you, speak to a lawyer at (779) 800-HURT to go over your motorcycle accident claim today.

How Common Are Motorcycle Accidents in Danforth, IL?

Fourteen percent of traffic deaths and four percent of injuries were sustained by motorcyclists, despite only barely over half a percent of vehicle traffic being motorcycles, according to research from the National Safety Council. Nationwide, in 2020 82,000 people were injured and 5,579 perished in motorcycle crashes. In Illinois, there were 3,077 motorcycle crashes which resulted in 2,404 injuries and 152 fatalities, according to the Illinois 2020 Crash Facts and Statistics. Unfortunately, the majority of those crashes came when the motorcycle was going in a straight line, which leads us to believe that the accidents were often due to another driver not respecting motorcyclists on the road. Wrecks happen most frequently in densely populated areas, especially around tolls.

According to 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 Danforth, IL

There are a number steps you should take, both immediately following the accident and throughout the length of your claim process, to ensure both your health and the chances of a successful claim.

Immediately After The Accident

While any collision is jarring, it is vital to think rationally. 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 the bike. We know it is your baby, but trying to carry it could make your injuries worse. If you are seriously injured, it may be best not to move; instead wait for emergency personnel.
• Do not take off your protective gear — Removing your helmet, gloves, boots, jacket and other gear could also make injuries worse. Shock may hide how serious an injury actually is.
• Call 911 — As the injuries caused in a motorcycle wreck can be catastrophic, it may be a good idea 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 liable for the accident.
• Gather evidence — Talk to any other drivers involved and request an insurance card. Take pictures 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 help a motorcycle accident lawyer in Danforth, IL prove your case in the future. See if there are eyewitnesses who can corroborate your side of the story.

Finally, if you did not opt to get medical treatment at the crash site, do so as quickly as possible.

What to Do in the Days, Weeks and Months Afterwards

After you first seek medical care, inform both your insurance company and the other driver’s. Then, speak to a motorcycle accident lawyer in Danforth, 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 not only vital for your health, but aids your financial recovery as well. You need to prove how much that accident hurt you, and to do that you need to complete copies of medical medical records which show the extent of your injuries. The more medical expenses you have, the higher your ultimate compensation will be as well. Go to every every treatment and use all of the equipment and medication your doctor prescribes.
• Keep Track of Everything Related to Your Injuries — You also deserve compensation for lost wages from time your injuries caused you to miss out from work, and any out-of-pocket expenses you incur, such as transportation to and from medical appointments or hiring someone to help look after your children. Keep all of your receipts and notes about why those charges were due to your injury. 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 filed your claim and hired a motorcycle accident lawyer, your attorney will handle all communication with the insurance. Insurance adjusters use a lot of ploys to avoid paying claims, and it is better to leave communication up to a lawyer who knows how to combat them.
• Do Not Post on Social Media — It is normal to want to share what is going on with your life with others. However, posting too much on social media can ruin your chances of being fully compensated. If you say your injuries are debilitating, and the insurance sees pictures of you going out on the weekends, they they can say your injuries are not actually that severe.

From your initial consultation, we will be in contact with you every step of the way until you get the full financial recovery you are owed. Allow us to deal with the legal aspect of your case so you can focus on healing.

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

For minor and clear-cut accidents, where the liable party is obvious and your medical bills only include an urgent care 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 smaller settlement where their policyholder is clearly liable, the adjuster will only lose money if they try to fight your claim.

However, in most cases, hiring a motorcycle accident lawyer will be the only way to get fair compensation in your injury claim. While in a a truly fair society insurance companies would fulfill their responsibility when their policyholders injure someone, they usually have to be convinced to. Situations where you will need a motorcycle accident lawyer in Danforth, IL include:

• Your injuries are significant — The higher your damages, the more the insurance company will fight back against your claim. If your injuries result in permanent disability, you will absolutely need an attorney to hold the insurance adjuster accountable for all of your damages.
• Your damages and the insurance company’s offer are way too far apart — If your damages are starting to creep up into the tens 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 multi-vehicle accidents, there may be more than one person who was negligent. For example, a driver may cut your off while not looking for you, causing you to swerve and hit a pothole that a governmental agency should have fixed. A talented Danforth, 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 key if your damages exceed the at-fault driver’s policy limits.
• You are being blamed for your injuries — Blaming you for your injuries is a classic move insurance adjusters use to devalue your claim. If the insurance company say your injuries are your own fault, an attorney will fight back conclusively demonstrate that is not the case. If you were indeed responsible for a portion of the accident, you can still receive some 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 Danforth, IL motorcycle accident lawyer at Burger Law knows how to fight back against tricks 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 start working from the moment you hire us, and do not give up until you get all of compensation you deserve.

Recent Burger Law Danforth, IL Motorcycle Accident Victories

With any type of legal claim, results matter. You want to feel confident 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 will fight for you, 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 Danforth, IL?

If you want to file any Danforth, 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 an obligation to keep you safe? 625 ILCS 5/11-1003.1 mandates that “every driver of a vehicle shall exercise due care,” so other motorists always owe you that duty.
2. Breach of duty — Were they neglectful in that duty and cause an accident? Was another driver speeding, texting and driving, drunk driving or otherwise breaking proper procedure behind the wheel?
3. Cause in fact — Did the accident cause your injuries?
4. Proximate cause — Whose breach of duty caused the accident? If the other driver’s brakes were not working, the person who needs to compensate you may be a manufacturer and not another motorist?.
5. Damages — Did you sustain losses because of your injuries, such as lost wages and pain and suffering? If your accident resulted in some bruises or scrapes, 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. 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 Danforth, 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 emotional distress, scarring and pain and suffering
• While not common, you might be able to be awarded 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 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, our injury attorneys are experts at calculating every dime you are owed and insist the liable party takes responsibility for 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 calculating for inflation.

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

According to 735 ILCS 5/13-202, the statute of limitations for motorcycle accident injuries in Danforth, 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 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 at the time of accident, they have until two years after the disability ended
• If the liable party is outside of 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, 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 Danforth, IL. Call us now at (779) 800-HURT.

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

Motorcycles are not as easy to spot on the road, do not take up as much space on the road. Due to something 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 contributes to many motorcycle accidents in Danforth, IL.

The most common causes of motorcycles accidents are:

• Left-hand turns — The Motorcycle Legal Foundation reports that almost half of all motorcycle accidents that result in deaths occur when a car turns left while the motorcycle was going straight. These crashes can be due to a car driver’s intoxication, speeding or simple inattention.
• Other collisions — Head on collisions also occur frequently between motorcycles and passenger cars. It is also common for a car not 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, animal carcasses, gravel or other roadways debris often do not have much of an impact on a car. However, motorcycles do not have the same level of stability and these hazards can cause a motorcyclist to lose control.
• Defective components — 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 Danforth, IL?

Ninety-four percent of all auto accidents are due to driver error. So, most of the time another motorist is responsible for your injuries. However, depending on the specifics of your case, you may also be able to make a claim against:

• A governmental entity or construction company for road hazards
• A vehicle manufacturer for a defective product
• A employer if their employee injured you while driving, for example in a commercial truck accident

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

Governmental entities are tasked with keeping their roadways safe for use by everyone on the roads, and when there are road hazards that cause an accident, the municipality may have to compensate you for your injuries. However, suing a government entity in Illinois has added complications. Our motorcycle accident lawyers in Danforth, 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 Danforth, IL. What Are My Legal Options?

The dangers of motorcycles mean that bikers have a higher death rate than people in enclosed vehicles. If you were touched by tragedy and a loved one passed away in a motorcycle crash, you can make a wrongful death claim. While no settlement or verdict can bring back your loved one, 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 of your loved one’s death, not the date that they were first injured.
• There are three categories of people who can file a wrongful death claim in Illinois. In order of priority, 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 file a claim
  3. If there are no family members, a judge 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 personal injury damages incurred by the deceased before their death, for example their medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering
  • Funeral expenses
  • Loss of financial support from the deceased, including any benefits they got from 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 Danforth, IL wrongful death attorneys are not just tremendous at securing full compensation. We are empathetic 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 injury claims we we have had great success with in Danforth, 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 Danforth, IL Today

Our Danforth, 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 Danforth, 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 no obligation consultation.