Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Frankfort, IL

 The sense of freedom a motorcycle comes with can be made moot by the harm negligent drivers can do to you when they do not respect your safety. If another driver injured you in Frankfort, IL, call the motorcycle accident lawyers of Burger Law immediately at (312) 500-HURT or contact us online for a no-risk, no-obligation consultation.

If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in Frankfort, 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 is not possible in an enclosed vehicle. 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 ensure you are treated fairly. You want a lawyer that has demonstrated that they can full compensation in motorcycle wreck cases in Frankfort, IL.

Our attorneys and paralegals have more than 70 years of combined litigation and trial experience. Our motorcycle accident lawyers will aggressively pursue your claim to ensure you get the medical care and financial recovery that you are owed and that you deserve. Do not talk to your insurance or the other side’s insurance without speaking to an attorney first. The insurance adjuster will try 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 Frankfort, IL clients.

To learn more about what we can do for you, call a lawyer at (312) 500-HURT to go over your motorcycle accident claim immediately.

How Common Are Motorcycle Accidents in Frankfort, IL?

Even though motorcycles make up less than one percent of all traffic miles traveled in the country, they made up four percent of all injuries and 14 percent of all deaths in traffic-related accidents in 2020, according to data from the National Safety Council. In the entire country, in 2020 82,000 people were injured and 5,579 perished in motorcycle crashes. In Illinois, of 3,077 motorcycle collisions, 2,404 caused injuries and 152 were fatal, according to the Illinois 2020 Crash Facts and Statistics. Sadly, over half of those crashes came when a passenger car or truck collided with a motorcycle when the biker was driving in a straight line, which means the accidents were often because of another driver failing to notice motorcyclists. Crashes are most common in metropolitan areas, especially on arterial roads.

According to findings from the Motorcycle Legal Foundation, Illinois is eighth in the country with over 280,000 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 Frankfort, 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 make sure your recover from your injuries both physically and financially.

At the Accident Site

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

• Get out of harm’s way — If possible, get to the side of the road and away from oncoming traffic. Leave your motorcycle behind. We know it is a treasure for you, but trying to carry it could exacerbate your injuries. If you believe your injuries may be catastrophic, it may be best not to move; instead wait for emergency personnel.
• Do not take off your safety gear — Removing your helmet or other gear could also make serious injuries even worse. Shock may hide how bad an injury actually is.
• Call 911 — As the injuries caused in a motorcycle wreck can be catastrophic, it may be a good idea to be looked over there instead of trying to go to an emergency room yourself. Police will also be able to file a report relating who they believe is to blame for the accident.
• Gather evidence — Speak to the other driver and ask for an insurance card. Take photographs of all vehicles and the crash site from different positions. Take as many pictures as possible. Something you do not think matters much may help a motorcycle accident lawyer in Frankfort, IL prove your case in the future. 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 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 Frankfort, 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 physical recovery, 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 the higher your financial loss, the higher your ultimate compensation will be as well. Go to every follow up, chiropractic or physical therapy appointment 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 you incur, such as transportation to and from medical appointments or hiring someone to help take care of your children. 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 filed your claim and hired a motorcycle accident lawyer, your attorney will handle all communication with the insurance. Insurance adjusters utilize a lot of tactics to avoid paying claims, but your attorney will know how to hold the adjuster accountable.
• Resist Social Media — It is commonplace to want to share what is going on with your life with others. However, even a well-meaning post can ruin your claim. If you say your injuries are debilitating, and the insurance finds out you have been going out on the weekends, they will use it to try and devalue your claim.

From the moment you hire us, we will keep you updated throughout your claim until we reach a successful resolution. Allow us to handle the legal aspect of your case so you can spend your energy on on your medical treatment.

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

For accidents involving minor injuries, where the liable party is obvious and your medical expenses are no more than an urgent care visit, 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 the trouble. In a a settlement for a relatively small sum of money where their policyholder is clearly liable, the adjuster will only lose money if they try to fight your claim.

However, in most 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 responsibility when their policyholders injure someone, they usually have to be convinced to. You will probably need a motorcycle accident lawyer in Frankfort, IL if:

• Your injuries require ongoing treatment — The higher your damages, the more the insurance company will try and devalue your injuries. If your injuries require ongoing treatment, you will always need an attorney to precisely value your damages.
• Your damages and the insurance company’s offer are way too far apart — If your damages are in the tens or hundreds 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 there is an attorney 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 liable party — With some accidents, especially multi-vehicle accidents, 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 an improperly cordoned-off construction site. A knowledgeable Frankfort, IL motorcycle accident lawyer will be able to investigate the accident and determine all liable parties. Identifying everyone who is 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 — Blaming you for your injuries is a frequent tactic insurance adjusters use to avoid paying you. When this happens, an attorney can step in and conclusively demonstrate how the other party was negligent. If you were indeed 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 Frankfort, IL motorcycle accident lawyer at Burger Law knows how to combat tricks insurance adjusters use. We have been doing it for over 30 years. We offer an initial conversation and investigation for 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 moment you hire us, and do not give up until you get every bit of compensation you deserve.

Recent Burger Law Frankfort, IL Motorcycle Accident Victories

You need a lawyer who has shown they can get results in your type of claim before. A motorcycle accident lawyer saying they know how to get full compensation is one thing, 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 Frankfort, IL?

In order to file any Frankfort, IL injury claim, 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 liable party owe you an obligation to protect you from unreasonable harm? 625 ILCS 5/11-1003.1 mandates that “every driver of a vehicle shall exercise due care,” so other drivers always owe you a duty of care.
2. Breach of duty — Did they fail in that duty and cause an accident? Was the other motorist speeding, texting and driving, drunk driving or otherwise not following 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 breach of duty cause the accident? If the other driver’s brakes were malfunctioning, the person who needs to compensate you may be a manufacturer and not the driver?.
5. Damages — Did you sustain losses because of your injuries, such as lost wages and mental anguish? If your accident caused some bumps and bruises, but it was not serious enough to seek medical treatment, you likely do not have 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 are unsure if you have a claim.

How Much is My Frankfort, IL Motorcycle Accident Claim Worth?

In any personal injury claim, you are owed compensation for:

• Economic damages, such as lost wages, medical bills and out-of-pocket expenses
• Non-economic damages, such as mental anguish, 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 might make your compensation higher or lower include:

• The severity of your injuries; more significant injuries usually 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, we 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 Frankfort, IL?

Pursuant to 735 ILCS 5/13-202, the statute of limitations for motorcycle accident injuries in Frankfort, IL is two years. That means you only have two years from the date the accident occurred to file a lawsuit in court. There are some exceptions:

• If you or your loved one was under the age of 18 when the injuries occurred, 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 negligent party is outside of the state of Illinois for a time, that period does not account against 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 wait to call a motorcycle accident lawyer after you were hurt in a motorcycle accident in Frankfort, IL. Call us today at (312) 500-HURT.

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

Motorcycles are harder for drivers of enclosed vehicles to see, do not take up as much space on the road. Because of a phenomenon referred to as “inattentional blindness,” drivers are less likely to see a motorcycle — even if they are doing their best to be careful. 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 Frankfort, IL.

The most common causes of motorcycles accidents are:

• Left-hand turns — The Motorcycle Legal Foundation reports that almost half of all fatal motorcycle crashes involve a car turning left while and hits a motorcyclist in an intersection. These crashes can be due to 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 not see a motorcyclist when merging or changing lanes. Motorcycles also collide with fixed objects more than any other type of motorist, which is not always the motorcyclist’s fault.
• Road hazards — Cracked pavement, potholes, animal carcasses, wet or icy roadways 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 — 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 accidents.

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

More than nine out of 10 auto accidents are the result of driver error. So, most of the time another driver is responsible for your injuries. However, other parties that may be held liable include:

• A governmental agency or construction company for not repairing or negligent repairing a road
• A vehicle designer, manufacturer or vendor in a product liability claim
• A company if someone they hired injured you while driving, for example in a commercial truck accident

Can I Sue For My Frankfort, 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, suing a government entity in Illinois has added complications. Our motorcycle accident lawyers in Frankfort, 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 Frankfort, IL. What Are My Legal Options?

Motorcyclists are not only at higher risk of a serious injury, but are more likely to perish in a crash. If your worst nightmare came true 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 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 your loved one died, not the date of the accident.
• Three groups of people related to the deceased 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 file a claim
  3. If no family remains, the court can designate 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 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 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 Frankfort, IL wrongful death attorneys are not just tremendous at securing full compensation. 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 injury claims we take on and win in Frankfort, 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 Frankfort, IL Today

Our Frankfort, 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 do not have to pay for someone else’s mistakes. To learn more about how our Frankfort, 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 consultation.