Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Glenview, IL

Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Glenview, IL

The thrill of riding a motorcycle can be neutralized by the harm careless drivers can do to you when they do not pay attention to your safety. If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in Glenview, IL, reach out to the motorcycle accident lawyers of Burger Law immediately at (779) 800-HURT or contact us online for a complimentary case review.

If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in Glenview, 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, there is a potentially dangerous trade-off. Because of their relative lack of protection, the consequences of a motorcycle accident can be devastating. When that happens to you, it carries economic, physical and emotional consequences and you need someone to stand by your side and get you the compensation you deserve. You want an attorney that has demonstrated that they can get great results in motorcycle crash cases in Glenview, 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 tenaciously pursue every legal avenue to make sure justice is served. Always speak to a lawyer before accepting an insurance company’s offer. The insurance adjuster will try to limit your compensation. 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 Glenview, IL clients.

To learn more about how our personal injury law firm will defend your rights, call our team at (779) 800-HURT to go over your motorcycle accident case for free.

How Common Are Motorcycle Accidents in Glenview, IL?

Despite the fact that motorcycles make up less than one percent of all vehicle miles traveled in the country, they made up 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. In the United States, 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 deadly, according to the Illinois 2020 Crash Facts and Statistics. Unfortunately, over 50 percent 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 caused by a car or truck driver was not looking out for bikers. Most of the crashes occurred in metropolitan areas, especially on arterial roads.

According to research 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.

Almost half of deadly motorcycle accidents occur in the in the summer when the weather is nicer, and half happen between Friday night and Monday morning.

What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident in Glenview, IL

There are a number steps you should take, both immediately following the accident and throughout the process of recovering from your injuries and seeking compensation, to make sure your recover from your injuries both physically and financially.

At the Accident Site

While any wreck can be surprising and scary, try to stay as calm as possible. Immediately after the crash, you should:

• Get to safety — If you are physically able, move out of the way of other vehicles coming down the street. Leave your motorcycle where it is. We know it is a treasure for you, but staying with the bike or trying to move 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 — Removing your helmet or other gear could also make serious injuries even worse. Adrenaline may hide how bad an injury actually is.
• Call 911 — Because 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 to blame 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 is that big of a deal may be useful to a motorcycle accident lawyer in Glenview, IL when trying to prove who is responsible for your injuries in the future. See if there are eyewitnesses who can corroborate your side of the story.

Lastly, if you did not opt to get medical treatment at the crash site, do so immediately.

What to Do Throughout the Claim Process

After you first seek medical care, inform both your insurance company and the other driver’s. Then, speak to a motorcycle accident lawyer in Glenview, 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. You need to prove how much that accident hurt you, and to do that you need to be able to point to medical records which detail all of the treatments and related expenses 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 follow up, chiropractic or physical therapy appointment your doctor prescribes.
• Keep Track of Everything Related to Your Injuries — You are also owed compensation 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 parking or gas money for going to medical appointments or hiring someone to help with household chores. Manage a file with detailed receipts and explanations for why those charges were due to your injury. You can also 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 use a lot of ploys to avoid paying claims, and it is better to leave communication up to a lawyer who knows how to make the adjuster be honest.
• Stay off Social Media — It is commonplace to want to share what is going on with your life on social media. However, even an honest post can do damage to your case. 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 updated throughout your claim until you get the maximum compensation you are owed. Allow us to handle the investigation, documentation, negotiation and litigation so you can spend your energy on on your physical and emotional recovery.

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

For some minor claims, where the liable party is taking accountability and your medical expenses are no more than an emergency room visit, you may be able to get compensation on your own. Supply the insurance company with your records and expenses, and ask for a little more for inconvenience. In a a settlement for a relatively small sum of money 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 responsibility when someone is injured by their policyholders’ negligence, they usually have to be convinced to. Situations where you will need a motorcycle accident lawyer in Glenview, IL include:

• Your injuries require ongoing treatment — The more your medical expenses and lost wages, the more the insurance company will fight back against your claim. If your injuries require future medical treatment or prevent you from earning a living as you used to, you will absolutely need an attorney to convince the insurance company to pay for future damages as well.
• The insurance company’s offer is far below 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 a lawyer on the case, the insurance company will know that you mean business. 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 crashes involving more than one vehicle, there may be more than one liable party. For example, a driver may cut your off while not looking for you, causing you to take defensive action and hit a pothole that a governmental agency should have fixed. A talented Glenview, IL motorcycle accident lawyer will conduct a full investigation into the wreck and assign a portion of the damages to each liable party. 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 — Trying to say your injuries are your own fault is a frequent move insurance adjusters use to devalue your claim. When this happens, an attorney use their investigate skills and network of experts to prove 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, a lawyer is likely necessary to get you the most possible compensation.

Your Glenview, IL motorcycle accident lawyer at Burger Law knows how to combat tricks insurance adjusters use. We have been doing it for more than three decades. Our consultations are free, so call us at (779) 800-HURT to see what we can do for your claim. We start working from the second you hire us, and do not give up until you get all of compensation you deserve.

Recent Burger Law Glenview, 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 recommend 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 Glenview, IL?

In order to have a successful claim in Glenview, IL, you must have sustained an injury that was caused by another person’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 motorists always owe you a duty of care.
2. Breach of duty — Did they fail in that duty and cause an accident? Was the other driver speeding, texting and driving, drunk driving or otherwise not following the rules of the road?
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 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 medical bills and emotional distress? If your accident resulted in some bumps and bruises, but you did not need any medical treatment, it would be hard for you to make a claim.

If you were injured through another’s negligence, you have an injury claim. Speak to a motorcycle accident attorney now at (779) 800-HURT if you have any doubts about the validity of your claim.

How Much is My Glenview, 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 mental anguish, disfigurement and pain and suffering
• In some rare cases, you can 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 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, our injury attorneys know how to calculate the full value of someone’s injury claim and insisting the liable party pay 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 adjusting for inflation.

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

Under 735 ILCS 5/13-202, the statute of limitations for motorcycle accident claims in Glenview, IL is two years. That means the clock starts ticking on the date you were injured 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 leaves the state of Illinois for a time, that time does not account against the two years

While two years may seem like a long time, investigating and developing a legal strategy for your claim takes time. Do not wait to call a motorcycle accident lawyer after you were hurt in a motorcycle accident in Glenview, IL. Call us now at (779) 800-HURT.

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

Motorcycles are harder for drivers of enclosed vehicles to see, being smaller. As a result of something known 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 is a leading cause of motorcycle accidents in Glenview, IL.

Most motorcycle accidents occur because of:

• Left-hand turns — The Motorcycle Legal Foundation reports that over 40 percent of all fatal motorcycle crashes occur when a car turns left while and hits a motorcyclist in an intersection. These crashes can be the result of a motorist’s drunkenness, reckless driving or generally not paying close enough attention to the road.
• Other collisions — Head on collisions are also common between motorcycles and passenger cars. It is also common for a car not see a motorcyclist when merging or changing lanes. Motorcycles also collide with fixed objects more than any other type of motorist, which may be due to a negligent construction company or governmental entity.
• Road hazards — Uneven 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 spin out.
• Defective 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 cause motorcycle crashes.

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

More than nine out of 10 auto accidents are caused by human error. So, most of the time another motorist is responsible for your injuries. However, depending on the specifics of your case, you may also be able to make a claim against:

• A governmental entity or contracting company for road hazards
• A motorcycle 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 Glenview, IL Motorcycle Accident if it Did Not Involve Another Vehicle?

Governmental entities are supposed to keep their roadways safe for citizens to travel on, and when there are road hazards that cause an accident, the agency responsible for the neglect may have to compensate you for your injuries. However, suing a government entity in Illinois has added complications. Our motorcycle accident lawyers in Glenview, IL can handle your claim and guide you through the complexities of local and state laws to secure you the compensation you deserve.

A Loved One Was Killed in a Motorcycle Crash in Glenview, IL. What Are My Legal Options?

The dangers of motorcycles mean that bikers have a higher death rate than people in passenger cars. If you were touched by tragedy and a family member died in a motorcycle crash, you can make 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:

• 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 that they were first injured.
• 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. If there are no immediate family members, siblings and siblings’ descendants can file a claim
  3. If no family remains, the court 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 economic and noneconomic damages the deceased incurred from their injuries before passing
  • Funeral expenses
  • Loss of financial support from the deceased, 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 Glenview, IL wrongful death attorneys are not just skilled at getting our clients full recoveries. We are empathetic and have helped many families navigate the sorrow, anger and confusion that accompanies a fatal auto accident.

In addition to motorcycle accidents, other personal injury claims we we have had great success with in Glenview, 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 Glenview, IL Today

Our Glenview, 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 Glenview, IL personal injury law firm will fight for your rights, call our team at (779) 800-HURT or fill out our online form for a complimentary case evaluation.