Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Des Plaines, IL

The exhilaration you feel when riding a motorcycle can be made moot by the harm reckless drivers can do to you when they do not pay attention to your safety. If another driver injured you in Des Plaines, IL, call the motorcycle accident lawyers of Burger Law now at (312) 500-HURT or contact us online for a no-risk, no-obligation consultation.

If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in Des Plaines, 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 the road and relax. You are connected to the road and your motorcycle in a way 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 immediate economic, physical and mental consequences and you need someone to fight for you. You need to find a lawyer with a proven track record of winning motorcycle accident claims in Des Plaines, IL.

Our team has more than 70 years of combined litigation and trial experience. Our motorcycle accident lawyers will fight until you recover all of your damages and there is nothing left to fight. 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. We know how to fight insurance companies and ensure that they give the full compensation they owe our Des Plaines, IL clients.

To find out more about how our personal injury law firm will defend your rights, call an attorney at (312) 500-HURT to go over your motorcycle accident case today.

How Common Are Motorcycle Accidents in Des Plaines, IL?

Despite the fact that motorcycles make up only .06 percent of total vehicle miles traveled nationwide, they accounted for four percent of all injuries and 14 percent of all deaths in traffic-related accidents in 2020, according to the National Safety Council. In the entire country, in 2020 82,000 people were injured and 5,579 died in motorcycle crashes. 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 occurred when the motorcycle was going in a straight line, insinuating that the accidents were often due to another driver was not looking out for bikers. Wrecks happen most frequently in urban areas, especially around tolls.

According to data from the Motorcycle Legal Foundation, Illinois is eighth in the country with close to 300,000 registered motorcycles, and proportionately was eighth in the country in deaths in 2017.

Almost 50 percent of fatal motorcycle collisions occur in the between June and September, and half happen between 6 p.m. Friday and 6 a.m. Monday.

What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident in Des Plaines, IL

There are a number steps you should take, both at the accident site 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 collision can be surprising and scary, try to stay as calm as possible. At the accident site, you should:

• Get out of harm’s way — If you can, move out of the way of other vehicles coming down the street. Leave your motorcycle where it is. We know it is your baby, but trying to carry it could make your injuries worse. If you believe your injuries may be catastrophic, stay still and wait for emergency medical services.
• 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 the injuries caused in a motorcycle wreck can be catastrophic, it is probably best to get medical attention 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 motorists involved and ask for an insurance card. Take pictures of all vehicles and the crash site from a variety of angles. 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 Des Plaines, IL prove someone else’s negligence down the road. See if there are eyewitnesses who can back up your claim.

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

What to Do Throughout the Claim Process

Once you have gotten medical treatment, inform the insurance company of everybody involved. Then, speak to a motorcycle accident lawyer in Des Plaines, 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 paramount to making sure you get full compensation. In order to prove your damages, 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 ultimate compensation will be as well. Make sure you attend every follow up, chiropractic or physical therapy appointment your doctor orders for you.
• Keep Detailed Records — You are also owed a financial recovery for lost wages from time spent recovering, and any out-of-pocket expenses you incur, such as parking or Uber rides for going to medical appointments or hiring someone to help with chores around the house. Manage a file with detailed receipts and explanations for why you needed to pay those expenses. It may also be a good idea to keep a daily journal detailing the non-tangible impact of your injuries and your pain and suffering.
• Leave the Insurance Company up to Your Attorney — Once you have filed your claim and hired a motorcycle accident lawyer, your attorney will will now be intermediary between you and the insurance. Insurance adjusters use a lot of tricks to devalue claims, but your attorney will know how to combat them.
• Resist Social Media — In this day and age, many of us want to share details about our life on the Internet. However, posting too much on social media can do damage to your claim. 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 attain the great results you deserve. Allow us to deal with the legal aspect of your case so you can focus on your medical treatment.

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

For some minor claims, where the liable party is taking accountability and your medical expenses are no more than a visit with your primary care physician, you may not need an attorney to get fair compensation. Supply the insurance company with your records and expenses, and see if they will throw some extra money on top for the hassle. In a smaller settlement where not much is disputed, the insurance company is not going to want to waste their time.

However, in the vast majority of cases, 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 duty when their policyholders injure someone, it usually takes a fair amount of fighting to get them to do it. Situations where you will need a motorcycle accident lawyer in Des Plaines, 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 convince the insurance company to pay for future damages as well.
• 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 an attorney, the insurance company will know that you mean business. Burger Law has added hundreds of thousands of dollars to claims, including turning a $3,900 offer into a $100,000 settlement.
• There are multiple liable parties — With some cases, especially multi-vehicle accidents, there may be more than one liable party. For example, a driver may merge into your line because they did not see you, causing you to swerve and hit an improperly cordoned-off construction site. An aggressive Des Plaines, IL motorcycle accident lawyer will conduct a full investigation into the crash and determine all liable parties. Finding other people who are liable is essential if you are owed more compensation than the at-fault driver’s policy limits.
• You are being blamed for the accident — Blaming you for your injuries is a classic trick insurance adjusters use to avoid paying you. If the insurance company say your injuries are your own doing, an attorney can step in and prove how the other party was negligent. If it is true that you were partially to blame, you can still receive some compensation under Missouri’s comparative negligence rule. However, a lawyer is likely necessary to get you the best possible results.

Your Des Plaines, IL motorcycle accident lawyer at Burger Law knows how to combat tactics insurance adjusters use. We have been doing it for more than 30 years. Our consultations are free, so call us 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 fight until there is nothing left to fight.

Recent Burger Law Des Plaines, IL Motorcycle Accident Victories

You need a lawyer who has shown they can get maximum compensation in your type of claim before. Any motorcycle accident lawyer can say they are the best, 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 Des Plaines, IL?

If you want to have a successful claim in Des Plaines, IL, 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 owe you an obligation to keep you safe? 625 ILCS 5/11-1003.1 states 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 — Were they neglectful in that duty and did that breach lead to 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 — 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 the driver?.
5. Damages — Did your injuries lead to losses, such as medical expenses and emotional distress? If your accident caused some small cuts and bruising, but it was not serious enough to seek medical treatment, it would be hard for you to file a claim.

Any time somebody else’s carelessness or recklessness injures you, you need to file an injury claim. Consult with a motorcycle accident attorney immediately at (312) 500-HURT if you have any doubts about the validity of your claim.

How Much is My Des Plaines, 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
• 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 you sustained permanent disfigurement or disability
• The impact the injuries have had on your ability to enjoy life

At Burger Law, we know how to calculate the full value of someone’s injury claim and insisting the insurance company 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 Des Plaines, IL?

Pursuant to 735 ILCS 5/13-202, the statute of limitations for motorcycle accident claims in Des Plaines, 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 a minor 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 person responsible for your injuries is outside of the state of Illinois for a time, that period is not included in 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 reach out to a motorcycle accident lawyer after you have been injured in Des Plaines, IL. Call us immediately at (312) 500-HURT.

What Are Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Des Plaines, IL?

Motorcycles are harder for passenger car drivers to see, do not take up as much space on the road. Due to a phenomenon referred to as “inattentional blindness,” drivers are less likely to see a motorcycle — even when they are looking for one. This is because we train our brains to look for other cars, but not for motorcycles. Inattentional blindness is a leading cause of motorcycle accidents in Des Plaines, IL.

Most motorcycle accidents occur because of:

• 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 and hits a motorcyclist in an intersection. These crashes can be the result of a car driver’s intoxication, speeding or distracted driving.
• Other collisions — Head on collisions are also common between motorcycles and passenger cars. A car may also to fail to 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 — Uneven pavement, potholes, animal carcasses, wet or icy roadways or other roadways debris often do not have much of an impact on a car. 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. When dangerous bikes and components are not recalled, it can result in motorcycle accidents.

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

More than nine out of 10 motor vehicle accidents are caused by driver 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 construction company for road hazards
• A motorcycle manufacturer in a product liability claim
• A employer if their employee injured you while driving, such as in a commercial truck accident

Can I Sue For My Des Plaines, 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 state may have to compensate you for your injuries. However, the state of Illinois does not make it easy to hold them accountable. Our motorcycle accident lawyers in Des Plaines, 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 Des Plaines, IL. What Are My Legal Options?

Motorcyclists are not only at increased risk of a serious injury, but are more likely to be in a fatal accident. If your worst nightmare came true 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 the financial burden that come with your loved one’s 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.
• 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. If there are no immediate family members, siblings and nieces and nephews can bring a suit
  3. If no family remains, the court can designate a plaintiff ad litem to bring a suit
• 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 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 Des Plaines, IL wrongful death attorneys are not just experts 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 claims we take on and win in Des Plaines, IL include:

• Survival Action Lawyer in Illinois
• 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 Des Plaines, IL Today

Our Des Plaines, IL motorcycle accident lawyers will not stop fighting until there is nothing left to fight; 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 Des Plaines, IL personal injury law firm will fight for your rights, call our team at (312) 500-HURT or contact us online for a complimentary consultation.