Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Dolton, 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 pay attention to your safety. If another driver injured you in Dolton, IL, speak to the motorcycle accident lawyers of Burger Law today at (312) 500-HURT or contact us online for a complimentary consultation.

If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in Dolton, 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. There is a sense of freedom that a car just cannot emulate. Regrettably, there is a potentially dangerous trade-off. 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 lawyer that has demonstrated that they can get great results in motorcycle accident cases in Dolton, IL.

Our attorneys and paralegals have over 30 years of experience getting maximum compensation for our clients. Our motorcycle accident lawyers will aggressively pursue every legal avenue to make sure justice is served. Do not talk to your insurance or the other side’s insurance without speaking to an attorney first. The insurance adjuster wants to devalue your financial settlement. 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 Dolton, 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 go over your motorcycle accident case today.

How Common Are Motorcycle Accidents in Dolton, IL?

Despite the fact that motorcycles make up only .06 percent of total vehicle miles traveled in the country, they accounted for four percent of all injuries and 14 percent of all fatalities in traffic-related accidents in 2020, according to research from 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 deadly, according to the Illinois 2020 Crash Facts and Statistics. Unfortunately, the majority of those crashes came when a passenger car or truck collided with a motorcycle when the biker was driving in a straight line, insinuating that the accidents were often caused by a car or truck driver was not looking out for bikers. Crashes are most common in densely populated areas, especially on arterial roads.

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 between 6 p.m. Friday and 6 a.m. Monday.

What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident in Dolton, IL

There are several things you should do, both at the accident site and throughout the process of recovering from your injuries and seeking compensation, to ensure you make both a physical and financial recovery.

Immediately After The Accident

While any collision can be jarring, try to stay as calm as possible. At the accident site, you should:

• Get out of harm’s way — If you can, get to the side of the road and away from other vehicles coming down the street. Leave your motorcycle where it is. It is obviously important to you, but trying to carry it could exacerbate your injuries. 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 serious injuries even 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 is probably 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 motorists involved and request an insurance card. Take photographs of all vehicles and the crash site from different positions. Take more photos than you think you need. Something that may seem unimportant at first may be useful to a motorcycle accident lawyer in Dolton, IL when trying to prove your case when you make your claim. See if there are eyewitnesses who can back up your claim.

Lastly, receive medical attention if you did not already do so.

What to Do in the Days, Weeks and Months Afterwards

After you first seek medical care, notify the insurance company of everybody involved. Then, speak to a motorcycle accident lawyer in Dolton, 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 health, but aids your financial recovery as well. In order to prove your damages, 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 reimbursement 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 Uber rides for going to medical appointments or hiring someone to help with household chores. 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 showing 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, let your attorney handle documentation and negotiation. Insurance adjusters try to employ a lot of tricks to devalue claims, but your attorney will know how to deal with them.
• Stay off 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 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 they can say your injuries are not actually that severe.

From the moment you hire us, we will keep you updated throughout your claim until you get the full financial recovery you are owed. Let us handle the legal aspect of your case so you can focus on your medical treatment.

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

For minor and clear-cut accidents, where fault is clearly established and your medical expenses are no more than an urgent care visit, a lawyer may not be able to add much value to your claim. Supply the insurance company with proof of your financial losses, and see if they will throw some extra money on top for inconvenience. In a smaller settlement where not much is disputed, the adjuster will only lose money if they try to fight your claim.

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 obligations when their policyholders injure someone, it usually takes a fair amount of fighting to get them to be fair. Situations where you will need a motorcycle accident lawyer in Dolton, IL include:

• 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 always need an attorney to precisely value your damages.
• The insurance company’s offer is not close 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 to take advantage of you. If there is an attorney on the case, 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 is more than liable party — With some cases, especially crashes involving more than one vehicle, there may be more than one liable party. For example, a driver may merge into your line while not looking for you, causing you to swerve and hit an improperly cordoned-off construction zone. An experienced Dolton, IL motorcycle accident lawyer will be able to investigate the wreck and assign a portion of the damages to each liable party. Finding other people who are liable is crucial 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 trick insurance adjusters use to minimize your claim. If the insurance company say your accident was your own doing, an attorney use their investigate skills and network of experts to 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 Dolton, IL motorcycle accident lawyer at Burger Law knows how to fight back against tactics insurance adjusters use. We have been doing it for more than three decades. 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 do not give up until you get all of compensation you deserve.

Recent Burger Law Dolton, 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. 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. 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

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

In order to have a valid claim in Dolton, IL, you must have been injured 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 a duty to protect you from unreasonable harm? 625 ILCS 5/11-1003.1 stipulates that “every driver of a vehicle shall exercise due care,” so anyone else on the road automatically owes you that duty.
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 the rules of the road?
3. Cause in fact — Were your injuries the direct result of the accident?
4. Proximate cause — Whose breach of duty caused the accident? If the other driver’s brakes were not working, the liable party may be a manufacturer and not another motorist?.
5. Damages — Did your injuries lead to losses, such as lost wages and mental anguish? If your accident resulted in a few small cuts and bruising, but it was not serious enough to seek medical treatment, it would be hard for you to make a claim.

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

How Much is My Dolton, 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 may be able to be awarded 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 usually lead to higher medical bills and more pain and suffering
• Whether or not you were partially to blame for your injuries
• If the accident led to 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 demanding 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 Dolton, IL?

According to 735 ILCS 5/13-202, the time limit for motorcycle accident injuries in Dolton, IL is two years. That means the clock starts ticking on the date you were injured to file a lawsuit in court. Illinois has three 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 leaves 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, 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 Dolton, IL. Call us immediately at (312) 500-HURT.

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

Motorcycles are harder for passenger car drivers to see, being smaller. Because of something known as “inattentional blindness,” it is harder for drivers to see a motorcycle — even when they are looking for one. This is because we train our brains to be aware of larger vehicles, but not for motorcycles. Inattentional blindness contributes to many motorcycle accidents in Dolton, 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 fatalities involve a car turning left while the motorcycle was going straight. These crashes can happen because of a car driver’s drunkenness, speeding or generally not paying close enough attention to the road.
• Other collisions — Head on collisions are also common between motorcycles and other types of vehicles. It is also common for a car 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, slick surfaces or other debris on our streets often do not have much of an impact on a car. However, motorcycles are less stable and these hazards can cause a motorcyclist to spin out.
• Malfunctioning components — Dozens of motorcycles are recalled every year, either by the manufacturer or by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. When dangerous bikes and components are not recalled, it can cause motorcycle crashes.

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

Almost all auto accidents are the result of human error. So, most likely, you will make a claim against another driver. However, other parties that may be held liable include:

• A governmental body or construction company for road hazards
• A motorcycle designer, manufacturer or vendor in a product liability claim
• A employer if someone they hired injured you while driving, for example in a commercial truck accident

Can I Sue For My Dolton, 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 municipality may have to compensate you for your injuries. However, suing a government entity in Illinois has added complications. Our motorcycle accident lawyers in Dolton, IL can handle 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 Dolton, 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 family member passed away in a motorcycle crash, you can make a recovery through 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 the financial hardships 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. When there are no immediate family members, siblings and nieces and nephews can file a claim
  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 passing
  • Funeral expenses
  • Loss of financial support from your loved one, including any work-related benefits
  • Loss of consortium
  • Loss of instruction, guidance and moral training the deceased would have provided
  • Survivors’ grief, sorrow and mental suffering

Burger Law’s Dolton, IL wrongful death attorneys are not just skilled at getting our clients full recoveries. We are empathetic 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 Dolton, 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 Dolton, IL Today

Our Dolton, 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 do not have to pay for someone else’s mistakes. To learn more about how our Dolton, IL personal injury law firm will fight for your rights, call our team at (312) 500-HURT or contact us online for a complimentary case review.