Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in East Peoria, IL

Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in East Peoria, IL

The sense of freedom a motorcycle comes with can be canceled out by the harm reckless drivers can do to you when they do not pay attention to your safety. If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in East Peoria, IL, call the motorcycle accident lawyers of Burger Law now at (312) 500-HURT or fill out our online form for a complimentary consultation.

If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in East Peoria, 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 yourself and build a camaraderie with people who share your passions. There is a sense of freedom that is not possible in an enclosed vehicle. Regrettably, negligent drivers can turn that feeling into something horrific. Because motorcycles do not protect riders as well as enclosed vehicles, the consequences of a motorcycle accident can be devastating. When you are injured, there are hardships and you need someone to fight for you. You want a lawyer that has demonstrated that they can full compensation in motorcycle crash cases in East Peoria, IL.

Our team has over seven decades of combined experience winning cases in negotiations and in the court room. Our motorcycle accident lawyers will fight until we win your case and there is nothing left to fight. Always speak to a lawyer before agreeing to a settlement. The insurance adjuster is out to devalue your recovery. We know how to stand up to insurance companies and ensure that they give the full compensation they owe our East Peoria, IL clients.

To discover more about how our personal injury law firm will fight for your rights, call a lawyer at (312) 500-HURT to discuss your motorcycle accident claim for free.

How Common Are Motorcycle Accidents in East Peoria, IL?

Despite the fact that motorcycles make up less than one percent of total traffic miles traveled in the United States, they made up 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 there were 82,500 motorcycle accident injuries and 5,579 deaths. In Illinois, there were 3,077 motorcycle wrecks which caused 2,404 injuries and 152 fatalities, according to the Illinois 2020 Crash Facts and Statistics. Sadly, over half of those happened when the motorcycle was driving straight, which leads us to believe that the accidents were often because of another driver not respecting motorcyclists on the road. Wrecks happen most frequently 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.

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 East Peoria, IL

There are a number things you should do, both at the accident site and in the days and weeks that follow, to ensure both your health and the chances of a successful claim.

Immediately After The Accident

While any crash is surprising and scary, it is important to keep a clear head. Immediately after the crash, you should:

• Get out of harm’s way — If you are physically able, get to the side of the road and away from oncoming traffic. Leave the bike. It is obviously important to you, 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 remove your safety gear — 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 — As motorcycle accidents can cause severe injuries, it may be best to get medical attention at the scene instead of trying to go to an emergency room yourself. Police are trained to determine liability in an accident, and will make a police report.
• Gather evidence — Speak to the other driver and get their insurance information. Take photographs 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 East Peoria, IL prove your case in the future. Get the contact info of any eyewitnesses to the accident.

Finally, receive medical attention if you have not already.

What to Do in the Ensuing Weeks and Months

Once you have gotten medical treatment, inform the insurance company of everybody involved. Then, speak to a motorcycle accident lawyer in East Peoria, 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 not only vital for your health, but is also key to building your case. You need to prove that you sustained financial losses, and to do that you need to complete copies of medical medical records which detail all of the costs and treatments directly associated with the accident. The more medical expenses you have, the higher your ultimate compensation will be as well. Make sure you attend every every treatment and use all of the equipment and medication your doctor prescribes.
• Keep Detailed Records — You are also owed a financial recovery for lost wages from time spent recovering, 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 housework. Keep detailed receipts and explanations for why those charges were due to your injury. You can also keep a daily journal detailing 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, 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 hold the adjuster accountable.
• Resist Social Media — It is normal to want to share what is going on with your 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 finds out you have been at a bar, they they can say your injuries are not actually that severe.

From your initial consultation, we will keep you completely in the loop until we attain the great results you deserve. Allow us to handle the legal aspect of your case so you can focus on healing.

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

For some minor claims, where the liable party is obvious and your medical bills are no more than an emergency room visit, you may not need an attorney to get fair compensation. Give the insurance company your records and expenses, 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 deny 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 duty when someone is injured by their policyholders’ negligence, it usually takes a fair amount of fighting to get them to do it. Situations where you will need a motorcycle accident lawyer in East Peoria, IL include:

• Your injuries are severe — The higher your damages, the more the insurance company will fight back against your claim. If your injuries require ongoing treatment, you will absolutely need an attorney to precisely value your damages.
• The insurance company is not being fair — 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 a lawyer on the case, 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 accidents, especially multi-vehicle accidents, 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 site. An experienced East Peoria, IL motorcycle accident lawyer will be able to investigate the crash and determine all liable parties. Identifying everyone who is liable is essential 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 well-known trick insurance adjusters use to avoid paying you. If the insurance company say your injuries are your own fault, an attorney can step in and conclusively demonstrate that is not the case. If you were indeed responsible for a portion of the accident, 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 East Peoria, 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 working from the second you hire us, and fight until there is nothing left to fight.

Recent Burger Law East Peoria, 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 whose former clients will vouch for them and who has the results to prove it is another thing. Check out 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 East Peoria, IL?

If you want to file any East Peoria, IL injury claim, 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 liable party owe you an obligation to protect you from unreasonable harm? 625 ILCS 5/11-1003.1 stipulates that “every driver of a vehicle shall exercise due care,” so other motorists always owe you a duty of care.
2. Breach of duty — Did they fail in that duty and did that breach lead to an accident? Was the other motorist 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 — Did the person’s negligence 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 you sustain losses because of your injuries, such as lost wages and pain and suffering? If your accident caused a few small lacerations and bruising, but it was not serious enough to seek medical treatment, you likely do not have a claim.

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

How Much is My East Peoria, IL Motorcycle Accident Claim Worth?

Your compensation will be a combination of:

• 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 emotional distress, scarring and pain and suffering
• While not common, you may be able to receive 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 typically lead to higher medical bills and more pain and suffering
• Whether or not you contributed to the accident
• If the accident led to permanent disfigurement or disability
• The impact the injuries have had on your ability to enjoy life

At Burger Law, our injury attorneys know how to calculate every dime you are owed and demand that the liable party pay all of it. If your injuries require ongoing medical care, that will also be part of your settlement or verdict, including accounting for inflation.

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

Under 735 ILCS 5/13-202, the statute of limitations for motorcycle accident injuries in East Peoria, IL is two years. That means the clock starts ticking on the date you were injured 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 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 period does not account against the two years

While two years may seem like a long time, it takes time to properly build your case. Do not hesitate to reach out to a motorcycle accident lawyer after you were hurt in a motorcycle accident in East Peoria, IL. Call us immediately at (312) 500-HURT.

What Are Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in East Peoria, IL?

Motorcycles are not as easy to spot on the road, do not take up as much space on the road. As a result of a phenomenon known as “inattentional blindness,” it is harder for drivers to see a motorcycle — even if they are doing their due diligence. This is because we train our brains to be aware of larger vehicles, but not for motorcycles. Inattentional blindness is a leading cause of motorcycle accidents in East Peoria, IL.

The most common causes of motorcycles accidents are:

• Left-hand turns — The Motorcycle Legal Foundation reports that 42 percent of all motorcycle accidents that result in deaths involve a car turning left while the motorcycle was going straight. These crashes can happen because of a motorist’s drunkenness, speeding or simple inattention.
• Other collisions — Head on collisions also occur frequently between motorcycles and cars or trucks. A car may also to fail to see a motorcyclist when turning in front of them. Motorcycles also collide with fixed objects more than any other type of driver, which is not always the motorcyclist’s fault.
• Road hazards — Uneven pavement, potholes, animal carcasses, slick surfaces 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 fall.
• Malfunctioning parts — 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 crashes.

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

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

• A governmental entity or construction 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 East Peoria, IL Motorcycle Accident if it Did Not Involve Another Vehicle?

States and municipalities are tasked with keeping their roadways safe for citizens to travel on, and when there are road hazards that cause an accident, the agency responsible for the neglect can be held accountable for the motorcycle accident. However, suing a government entity in Illinois has added complications. Our motorcycle accident lawyers in East Peoria, 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 East Peoria, IL. What Are My Legal Options?

Motorcyclists are not only at increased risk of a catastrophic injury, but are more likely to perish in a crash. If you were touched by tragedy and a loved one died in a motorcycle crash, you can make a recovery through a wrongful death claim. While no amount of money can bring back your loved one, it can help provide some sense closure 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 of the accident.
• There are three categories of people who 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 file a claim
  3. If no family remains, the court can appoint 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 economic and noneconomic damages your loved one incurred from their injuries before their death
  • 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 East Peoria, 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 accompanies a fatal auto accident.

In addition to motorcycle accidents, other injury cases we take on and win in East Peoria, 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 East Peoria, IL Today

Our East Peoria, IL motorcycle accident lawyers will fight until you get the maximum compensation you are owed; we promise. 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 East Peoria, IL personal injury law firm will fight for your rights, call our team at (312) 500-HURT or contact us online for a no obligation case review.