Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Downers Grove, IL

The sense of freedom a motorcycle comes with can be neutralized by the harm negligent drivers can do to you when they do not pay attention to your safety. If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in Downers Grove, IL, call the motorcycle accident lawyers of Burger Law immediately at (312) 500-HURT or contact us online for a no-risk, no-obligation case evaluation.

If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in Downers Grove, 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 get your blood racing. There is a sense of freedom that a car just cannot emulate. Unfortunately, this freedom also comes with a high price. Because motorcycles do not protect riders as well as enclosed vehicles, motorcycle accidents can cause serious injuries. When that happens to you, there are instant hardships and you need someone to stand by your side and get you the compensation you deserve. You want a law firm that has demonstrated that they can get great results in motorcycle wreck lawsuits in Downers Grove, IL.

Burger Law has over three decades 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 accepting an insurance company’s offer. The insurance adjuster will try to minimize your financial settlement. We know how to stand up to insurance companies and ensure that they give 100 percent of what they owe our Downers Grove, IL clients.

To discover more about what we can do for you, call our team at (312) 500-HURT to discuss your motorcycle accident claim for free.

How Common Are Motorcycle Accidents in Downers Grove, IL?

Even though motorcycles account for less than one percent of all traffic miles traveled in the country, they made up four percent of all injuries and 14 percent of total fatalities in traffic-related accidents in 2020, 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 accidents which caused 2,404 injuries and 152 deaths, according to the Illinois 2020 Crash Facts and Statistics. Sadly, the majority of those crashes came when the motorcycle was driving straight, which means the accidents were often because of another driver was not looking out for bikers. Wrecks happen most frequently in densely populated areas, especially major city streets.

According to the Motorcycle Legal Foundation, Illinois is eighth in the country with 280,322 registered motorcycles, and fittingly was eighth in the country in deaths in 2017.

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 Downers Grove, IL

There are a number things you should do, both in the immediate wake of an accident and in the days and weeks that follow, to ensure you make both a physical and financial recovery.

Immediately After The Accident

While any wreck can be surprising and scary, it is vital to think rationally. At the accident site, you should:

• Get out of harm’s way — If you can, move out of the way of oncoming traffic. Leave the bike. We know it is your baby, but trying to carry it could make your injuries worse. If you suspect you have a spine or head injury, it may be best not to move; instead wait for emergency personnel.
• Keep your gear on — Taking off your helmet, gloves, boots, jacket and other gear could also exacerbate your injuries. Because of adrenaline, a serious injury may not always hurt as much at first.
• Call 911 — As motorcycle accidents can cause severe injuries, it may be a good idea to be looked over at the scene instead of trying to seek medical attention at urgent care or a doctors’ appointment. 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 get their insurance information. Take photographs of the accident, including how the vehicles are positioned and the surrounding areas. Take more photos than you think you need. Something you do not think matters much may be useful to a motorcycle accident lawyer in Downers Grove, IL when trying to prove your case in the future. See if there are eyewitnesses who can back up your side of the story.

Lastly, receive medical attention if you have not already.

What to Do in the Days, Weeks and Months Afterwards

After you first seek medical care, notify both your insurance company and the other driver’s. Then, speak to a motorcycle accident lawyer in Downers Grove, 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:

• Keep Going to Your Medical Appointments — 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 all of the costs and treatments you incurred because of your injuries. The the higher your financial loss, 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 Detailed Records — You are also entitled to reimbursement for lost wages from time your injuries caused you to miss out from work, 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 take care of your kids. Keep detailed receipts and explanations for why those charges were due to your injury. 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 notified the insurance company about your claim and enlisted the services of a motorcycle accident lawyer, let your attorney handle documentation and negotiation. Insurance adjusters use a lot of tactics to minimize claims, but your attorney will know how to hold the adjuster accountable.
• 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 do damage to your claim. If you say your injuries are debilitating, and the insurance sees pictures of you at your friend’s barbecue, they will use it to try and devalue your claim.

From your initial consultation, we will keep you completely in the loop until we reach the great results you deserve. Allow us to handle the investigation, documentation, negotiation and litigation so you can focus on your medical treatment.

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

For some minor claims, where the liable party is obvious and your medical bills only include a visit with your primary care physician, you may be able to get compensation on your own. Give the insurance company proof of your financial losses, and ask for a little more for inconvenience. In a a settlement for a relatively small sum of money 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 you will need a motorcycle accident attorney for your injury claim. While in a perfect world insurance companies would fulfill 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 Downers Grove, IL include:

• Your injuries require ongoing treatment — 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 hold the insurance adjuster accountable for all of your damages.
• The insurance company’s offer is not close your damages — If your damages are in the tens or hundreds 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 are serious about getting the full compensation you deserve. 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 parties at fault — With some accidents, especially crashes involving more than one vehicle, there may be more than one party that is responsible for your injuries. For example, a driver may cut your off because they did not see you, causing you to swerve and hit a road hazard that a local government should have fixed. An experienced Downers Grove, IL motorcycle accident lawyer will be able to investigate the accident and determine all liable parties. Finding other people who are liable is imperative 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 frequent trick insurance adjusters use to minimize your claim. If the insurance company say your injuries are your own fault, 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 at fault, 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 Downers Grove, IL motorcycle accident lawyer at Burger Law knows how to fight back against dishonest ploys insurance adjusters use. We have been doing it for over three decades. Our consultations are free, so call us at (312) 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 every bit of compensation you deserve.

Recent Burger Law Downers Grove, IL Motorcycle Accident Victories

With any type of legal claim, results matter. You want to feel confident 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 are the best is one thing, but a lawyer whose former 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

Do I Have a Motorcycle Accident Claim in Downers Grove, IL?

If you want to have a successful claim in Downers Grove, 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 protect you from unreasonable harm? 625 ILCS 5/11-1003.1 says that “every driver of a vehicle shall exercise due care,” so other drivers always owe you a duty of care.
2. Breach of duty — Were they neglectful in that duty and did that breach lead to an accident? Was the other 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 malfunctioning, the liable party may be a manufacturer and not another motorist?.
5. Damages — Did you sustain losses because of your injuries, such as medical expenses and emotional distress? If your accident resulted in some bruises or scrapes, but they healed without any medical treatment, you likely do not have a claim.

If you were injured because of another’s negligence, you need to file an injury claim. Consult with a motorcycle accident attorney now at (312) 500-HURT if you have any doubts about the validity of your claim.

How Much is My Downers Grove, 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, scarring and pain and suffering
• In some rare cases, you can recover 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 tend to lead to higher economic and noneconomic damages
• Whether or not you were partially to blame for your injuries
• If the accident led to permanent disfigurement or disability
• How your life has changed because of your injuries

At Burger Law, we know how to calculate 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 calculating for inflation.

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

According to 735 ILCS 5/13-202, the statute of limitations for motorcycle accident claims in Downers Grove, IL is two years. That means you only have two years from the date the accident occurred to file a lawsuit in court. Illinois has three exceptions:

• If you or your loved one was a minor when the injuries occurred, they have until two years after their 18th 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 person responsible for your injuries 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 were hurt in a motorcycle accident in Downers Grove, IL. Call us immediately at (312) 500-HURT.

What Are Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Downers Grove, IL?

Motorcycles are not as easy to spot on the road, as they take up less space. As a result 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 most drivers have programmed their brains to be aware of larger vehicles, but not for motorcycles. Inattentional blindness contributes to many motorcycle accidents in Downers Grove, IL.

The most common causes of motorcycles accidents are:

• Left-hand turns — According to the Motorcycle Legal Foundation, 42 percent of all fatal motorcycle crashes occur when a car turns left while and hits a motorcyclist in an intersection. These crashes can happen because of a car driver’s drunkenness, reckless driving or generally not paying close enough attention to the road.
• Other collisions — Head on collisions also occur frequently between motorcycles and cars or trucks. A car may also not see a motorcyclist when turning in front of them. Motorcycles also have the highest rate of collisions with fixed objects, which may be due to a negligent construction company or governmental entity.
• Road hazards — Cracked pavement, potholes, dead animals, gravel or other debris on our streets 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.
• Malfunctioning components — 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 Downers Grove, IL?

Ninety-four percent of all auto accidents are due to human error. So, most of the time another motorist is responsible for your injuries. However, other parties that may be held liable include:

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

Can I Sue For My Downers Grove, 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 there are road hazards that cause an accident, the state can be held responsible for the motorcycle accident. However, suing a government entity in Illinois has added complications. Our motorcycle accident lawyers in Downers Grove, 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 Downers Grove, IL. What Are My Legal Options?

Motorcyclists are not only at increased risk of a serious injury, but are more likely to perish in a crash. If tragedy struck and a loved one 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 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 of the accident.
• 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 siblings’ descendants can bring a suit
  3. If there are no family members, 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 Downers Grove, IL wrongful death attorneys are not just skilled at securing full compensation. We are understanding and kind and have helped many families get through the sorrow, anger and confusion that accompanies a fatal auto accident.

In addition to motorcycle accidents, other personal injury cases we take on and win in Downers Grove, 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 Downers Grove, IL Today

Our Downers Grove, IL motorcycle accident lawyers will not stop fighting until there is nothing left to fight; that is our guarantee. You deserve to be financially compensated 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 Downers Grove, 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.