Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Danville, IL

Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Danville, IL

The exhilaration you feel when riding a motorcycle can be canceled out by the harm reckless drivers can do to you when they do not pay attention to your safety. If another driver injured you in Danville, IL, call the motorcycle accident lawyers of Burger Law immediately at (314) 500-HURT or complete our online form for a no-risk, no-obligation case review.

If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in Danville, 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 are connected to the road and your motorcycle in a way that you do not get in an enclosed vehicle. Regrettably, negligent drivers can turn that feeling into something horrific. Because of their relative lack of protection, motorcycle accidents can cause serious injuries. When you are injured, it carries instant financial, physical and emotional consequences and you need someone to fight for you. You need to find a lawyer with a proven track record of winning motorcycle collision claims in Danville, IL.

Our team has over 70 years of combined experience winning cases in negotiations and in the court room. Our motorcycle accident lawyers will aggressively pursue every legal avenue to make sure justice is served. Always speak to a lawyer before agreeing to a settlement. The insurance adjuster will try to devalue your compensation. We know how to stand up to insurance companies and ensure that they treat our Danville, IL clients fairly.

To find out more about what we can do for you, call an attorney at (314) 500-HURT to discuss your motorcycle accident claim immediately.

How Common Are Motorcycle Accidents in Danville, IL?

Fourteen percent of motor vehicle deaths and four percent of injuries were sustained by motorcyclists, despite only less than one percent of vehicle traffic being motorcycles, according to data from the National Safety Council. In the United States, in 2020 82,000 people were injured and 5,579 passed away 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. Regrettably, over half of those crashes came when the motorcycle was going straight ahead, insinuating that the accidents were often due to a car or truck driver failing to notice motorcyclists. Most of the crashes occurred in densely populated areas, especially on arterial roads.

According to data from the Motorcycle Legal Foundation, Illinois is eighth in the country with over 280,000 registered motorcycles, and proportionately was eighth in the country in fatalities in 2017.

Nearly 50 percent of fatal motorcycle accidents occur in the summer months, and half happen between Friday night and Monday morning.

What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident in Danville, IL

There are a number things you should do, both at the accident site and in the days and weeks that follow, to make sure your recover from your injuries both physically and financially.

Immediately After The Accident

While any crash can be surprising and scary, try to stay as calm as possible. Immediately after the crash, you should:

• Get out of harm’s way — If you are physically able, move out of the way of oncoming traffic. Leave the bike. We know it is your baby, but staying with the bike or trying to move it could make your injuries worse. If you suspect you have a spine or head injury, stay still and wait for emergency personnel.
• Keep your gear on — Removing 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 — Because motorcycle accidents can cause severe injuries, it may be a good idea to get medical attention at the scene instead of leaving and planning to go to an emergency room yourself. Police know how to determine liability in an accident, and will make a police report.
• Gather evidence — Talk to any other motorists involved and get their insurance information. Take pictures of the accident, including damage to all vehicles involved and the surrounding areas. Take more photos than you think you need. Something that may seem like it does not matter at first may help a motorcycle accident lawyer in Danville, IL prove your case when you make your claim. See if there are eyewitnesses who can corroborate your side of the story.

Lastly, if you did not seek medical treatment at the scene, do so as quickly as possible.

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 Danville, 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 physical recovery, but is also vital to building your case. 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 all of the costs and treatments directly associated with the accident. 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 Track of Everything Related to Your Injuries — You are also owed a financial recovery for lost wages from time when you were unable to work due to your injuries, 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 take care of your kids. Manage a file with detailed receipts and notes about why you needed to pay those expenses. You can also keep a daily journal 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, your attorney will will now be intermediary between you and the insurance. Insurance adjusters utilize a lot of tactics to devalue claims, and it is better to leave communication up to an attorney who knows how to combat them.
• Stay off Social Media — It is commonplace to want to share what is going on with your life on the Internet. 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 the first time you speak with us, we will be in contact with you every step of the way until you get the maximum compensation you are owed. Let us handle the investigation, documentation, negotiation and litigation so you can focus on your medical treatment.

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

For some minor claims, where fault is clearly established and your medical expenses are no more than an appointment with your primary care physician, a lawyer may not be able to add much value to your claim. 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 insurance company is not going to want to waste their time.

However, more likely than not you will need the assistance of a motorcycle accident attorney for your injury claim. While it would be nice if insurance companies fulfilled their duty when someone is injured by their policyholders’ negligence, it usually takes a fair amount of fighting to get them to be fair. You will likely need a motorcycle accident lawyer in Danville, IL if:

• Your injuries are significant — The higher your damages, the more the insurance company will be resistant to reimbursing you for it. If your injuries require ongoing treatment, you will absolutely need an attorney to convince the insurance company to pay for future damages as well.
• The insurance company’s offer is far below your damages — If your damages are starting to creep up into the tens 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 you enlist the services of 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 are multiple parties at fault — With some accidents, especially crashes involving more than one vehicle, 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 take defensive action and hit an improperly cordoned-off construction zone. A talented Danville, IL motorcycle accident lawyer will conduct a full investigation into the wreck and assign a portion of the damages to each liable party. 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 the accident — Trying to say your injuries are your own fault is a classic tactic insurance adjusters use to avoid paying you. If the insurance company say your injuries are your own fault, an attorney will fight back conclusively demonstrate how the other party was negligent. 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 doctrine. However, a lawyer is likely necessary to get you the most possible compensation.

Your Danville, 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. Our consultations are free, so speak to an attorney now at (314) 500-HURT to see what we can do for your claim. We get to work from the moment you hire us, and do not give up until you get all of compensation you deserve.

Recent Burger Law Danville, IL Motorcycle Accident Victories

With any type of legal claim, results matter. You want to know that you are giving your case to 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. A motorcycle accident lawyer saying they know how to get full compensation is one thing, but a lawyer whose past clients will recommend them and who has the results to prove it is another thing. Click on 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

Client Testimonials

Do I Have a Motorcycle Accident Claim in Danville, IL?

If you want to have a valid claim in Danville, IL, you must have sustained an injury that was caused 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 a responsibility to keep you safe? 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 driver speeding, texting and driving, drunk driving or otherwise not following proper procedure behind the wheel?
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 malfunctioning, the person who needs to be held accountable for your injuries may be a manufacturer and not the driver?.
5. Damages — Did you sustain losses because of your injuries, such as medical expenses and mental anguish? If your accident resulted in some small lacerations and bruising, but they healed without any medical treatment, it would be hard for you to make a claim.

If you were injured because of another’s negligence, you have an injury claim. Speak to a motorcycle accident attorney now at (314) 500-HURT if you have any doubts about the validity of your claim.

How Much is My Danville, 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 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 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 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 calculating for inflation.

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

According to 735 ILCS 5/13-202, the time limit for motorcycle accident claims in Danville, 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 when the injuries occurred, they have until two years after the disability ended
• If the person responsible for your injuries is outside of the state of Illinois for a time, that time does not account against the two years

While two years may seem like a long time, investigating and developing a legal strategy for your claim takes time. Do not hesitate to call a motorcycle accident lawyer after you have been injured in Danville, IL. Call us immediately at (314) 500-HURT.

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

Motorcycles are harder for drivers of enclosed vehicles to see, as they take up less space. Due to something called “inattentional blindness,” it is harder for drivers to see a motorcycle — even if they are doing their due diligence. This is because most drivers have programmed their brains to be aware of larger vehicles, but not for motorcycles. Inattentional blindness is a leading cause of motorcycle accidents in Danville, 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 be the result of a car driver’s intoxication, reckless driving or generally not paying close enough attention to the road.
• Other collisions — Head on collisions also occur frequently between motorcycles and passenger cars. 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 is not always the motorcyclist’s fault.
• Road hazards — Cracked pavement, potholes, dead animals, 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 — Manufacturers and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recall dozens of motorcycles annually. When dangerous bikes and components are not recalled, it can lead to motorcycle collisions.

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

Ninety-four percent of all auto accidents are caused by 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 entity or contracting company for road hazards
• A vehicle designer, manufacturer or vendor in a product liability claim
• A company if their employee injured you while driving, for example in a commercial truck accident

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

Governmental entities are supposed to keep their roadways safe for use by everyone on the roads, and when there are road hazards that cause an accident, the state may have to compensate you for your injuries. However, the state of Illinois does not make it easy to sue them. Our motorcycle accident lawyers in Danville, IL can take on your claim and take the fight to city hall to get you a full financial recovery.

A Loved One Was Killed in a Motorcycle Crash in Danville, 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 fill the whole that is left, it can bring a sense of justice 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 that they were first injured.
• Three groups of people related to the deceased can file a wrongful death claim in Illinois. Beginning with who has 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 bring a suit
  3. If no family remains, a judge can appoint a plaintiff ad litem to file a claim
• Your compensation will 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 related to 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 Danville, IL wrongful death attorneys are not just skilled at getting our clients full recoveries. We are empathetic and have helped many families navigate the sorrow, anger and confusion that comes after a fatal auto accident.

In addition to motorcycle accidents, other personal injury claims we take on and win in Danville, 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 Danville, IL Today

Our Danville, IL motorcycle accident lawyers will not stop fighting until there is nothing left to fight; we promise. You are owed a recovery 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 Danville, IL personal injury law firm will fight for your rights, call our team at (314) 500-HURT or fill out our online form for a free case review.