Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Hazel Crest, IL

The exhilaration you feel when riding a motorcycle can be made moot 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 Hazel Crest, IL, speak to the motorcycle accident lawyers of Burger Law immediately at (312) 500-HURT or fill out our online form for a free case evaluation.

If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in Hazel Crest, 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 give yourself a sense of peace. There is a sense of freedom that a car just cannot emulate. Unfortunately, negligent drivers can turn that feeling into catastrophic injuries. Because of their relative lack of protection, the consequences of a motorcycle accident can be devastating. When you are injured, it carries financial, physical and mental consequences 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 crash cases in Hazel Crest, IL.

Our team has more than three decades of experience getting maximum compensation for those injured through the negligence of another. Our motorcycle accident lawyers will fight until we win your case and there is nothing left to fight. Do not talk to your insurance or the other side’s insurance without speaking to an attorney first. The insurance adjuster will try to limit your recovery. We know how to stand up to insurance companies and ensure that they treat our Hazel Crest, IL clients fairly.

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

How Common Are Motorcycle Accidents in Hazel Crest, IL?

Despite the fact that motorcycles make up only .06 percent of total vehicle miles traveled in the United States, they accounted for four percent of all injuries and 14 percent of all fatalities in traffic-related accidents in 2020, according to the National Safety Council. In the United States, in 2020 82,000 people were injured and 5,579 perished in motorcycle crashes. In Illinois, there were 3,077 motorcycle wrecks which resulted in 2,404 injuries and 152 fatalities, according to the Illinois 2020 Crash Facts and Statistics. Sadly, the majority of those happened when the motorcycle was going in a straight line, which leads us to believe that the accidents were often caused by another driver failing to notice motorcyclists. Wrecks happen most frequently in urban areas, especially on arterial roads.

According to research 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 Hazel Crest, IL

There are a number things you should do, both at the accident site and throughout the process of recovering from your injuries and seeking compensation, to make sure your recover from your injuries both physically and financially.

Immediately After The Accident

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 other vehicles coming down the street. Leave your motorcycle behind. It is obviously important to you, but trying to carry it could put you at risk of further harm. If you are seriously injured, stay still and wait for EMTs to arrive.
• Keep your gear on — Removing your helmet or other gear could also exacerbate your injuries. Adrenaline may hide how significant an injury actually is.
• Call 911 — As the injuries caused in a motorcycle wreck can be catastrophic, it may be a good idea to get medical attention at the scene instead of trying to seek medical attention later. Police know how to assign fault in an accident, and will make a police report.
• Gather evidence — Speak to the other driver and get their insurance information. Take photographs of the accident, including how the vehicles are positioned and the surrounding areas. Take as many pictures as possible. Something you do not think is that big of a deal may help a motorcycle accident lawyer in Hazel Crest, IL prove who is responsible for your injuries down the road. Get the contact info of any eyewitnesses to the accident.

Finally, if you did not opt to get medical treatment at the scene, do so immediately.

What to Do Throughout the Claim Process

Once you have gotten medical treatment, inform the insurance company of everybody involved. Then, speak to a motorcycle accident lawyer in Hazel Crest, 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 is also key to making sure you get full compensation. 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 costs and treatments you incurred because of your injuries. The the higher your financial loss, 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 also deserve compensation 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 take care of your kids. Manage a file with all of your receipts and explanations for why you needed to pay those expenses. It may also be a good idea to write down your every day experiences detailing how your injuries have affected you physically and emotionally for a record of your pain and suffering.
• Do Not Talk to the Insurance Company — Once you have notified the insurance company about your injuries and enlisted the services of a motorcycle accident lawyer, your attorney will will now be intermediary between you and the insurance. Insurance adjusters utilize 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 claim. If you tell the insurance company that your injuries are keeping you from working, and the insurance finds out you have been at a bar, they will use it to attempt to deny your claim.

From the first time you speak with us, we will keep you updated throughout your claim until you get the maximum compensation you are owed. Let us handle the legal aspect of your case so you can spend your energy on on healing.

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

For minor and clear-cut accidents, where fault is clearly established and your medical expenses only include a visit with your primary care physician, you may be able to get compensation on your own. Supply the insurance company with proof of your financial losses, and see if they will throw some extra money on top for the hassle. In a a settlement for a relatively small sum of money where not much is disputed, the adjuster is not going to want to waste their time.

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 duty when their policyholders injure someone, they usually have to be convinced to. You will probably need a motorcycle accident lawyer in Hazel Crest, IL if:

• Your injuries are severe — The more your medical expenses and time spent off work, 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 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 multi-vehicle accidents, there may be more than one party that caused your injuries. For example, a driver may merge into your line because they did not see you, causing you to take defensive action and hit a pothole that a local government should have fixed. An experienced Hazel Crest, IL motorcycle accident lawyer will conduct a full investigation into the accident and assign a portion of the damages to each liable party. Identifying everyone who is liable is essential if you are owed more compensation than the at-fault driver’s policy limits.
• You are being blamed for the accident — Trying to say your injuries are your own fault is a classic tactic insurance adjusters use to avoid paying you. When this happens, an attorney use their investigate skills and network of experts to conclusively demonstrate 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 rule. However, a lawyer is likely necessary to get you the best possible results.

Your Hazel Crest, IL motorcycle accident lawyer at Burger Law knows how to fight back against dishonest ploys insurance adjusters use. We have been doing it for more than three decades. Our consultations are free, so speak to an attorney today at (312) 500-HURT to see if we can add value to your claim. We get to work from the second you hire us, and do not give up until you get every bit of compensation you are owed.

Recent Burger Law Hazel Crest, IL Motorcycle Accident Victories

With any type of legal claim, results matter. You want to feel confident that you are putting your case in the hands of 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 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 Hazel Crest, IL?

If you want to have a valid claim in Hazel Crest, IL, you must have been injured by another person’s negligence. There are five elements to proving negligence in a personal injury claim:

1. Duty of care — Did the liable party have an obligation to keep you safe? 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 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 breaking the rules of the road?
3. Cause in fact — Did the accident cause your injuries?
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 another motorist?.
5. Damages — Did you sustain losses because of your injuries, such as lost wages and mental anguish? If your accident caused a few bruises or scrapes, but you did not need any medical treatment, it would be hard for you to file a claim.

Any time somebody else’s carelessness or recklessness injures you, you have an injury claim. Speak to a motorcycle accident attorney now at (312) 500-HURT if you are unsure if you have a claim.

How Much is My Hazel Crest, 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 emotional distress, disfigurement and pain and suffering
• In some rare cases, you can recover 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 economic and noneconomic damages
• Whether or not you contributed to the accident
• If you sustained 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 demanding the insurance company 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 adjusting for inflation.

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

According to 735 ILCS 5/13-202, the statute of limitations for motorcycle accident injuries in Hazel Crest, IL is two years. That means the clock starts ticking on the date of the accident to file a lawsuit in court. There are some exceptions:

• If you or your loved one was a minor 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 liable party is outside of the state of Illinois for a period, that time is not included in 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 contact a motorcycle accident lawyer after you were hurt in a motorcycle accident in Hazel Crest, IL. Call us today at (312) 500-HURT.

What Are Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Hazel Crest, 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 when they are looking for one. This is because most drivers have programmed their brains to look for other cars, but not for motorcycles. Inattentional blindness contributes to many motorcycle accidents in Hazel Crest, IL.

The most common causes of motorcycles accidents are:

• Left-hand turns — According to the Motorcycle Legal Foundation, 42 percent of all motorcycle accidents that result in fatalities 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 simple inattention.
• Other collisions — Head on collisions are also common between motorcycles and passenger cars. A car may also to fail to see a motorcyclist when merging or changing lanes. 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, dead animals, gravel 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 lose control.
• Malfunctioning components — Manufacturers and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recall dozens of motorcycles annually. If bikes or parts that are defective are allowed to stay on the market, it can result in motorcycle collisions.

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

Almost all auto accidents are the result of driver error. So, most likely, you will make a claim against another driver. However, depending on the specifics of your case, you may also be able to make a claim against:

• A governmental entity or construction company for not repairing or negligent repairing a road
• A vehicle manufacturer in a product liability claim
• A employer if someone they hired injured you while driving, such as in a commercial truck accident

Can I Sue For My Hazel Crest, IL Motorcycle Accident if it Did Not Involve Another Vehicle?

Governmental agencies are tasked with keeping their roadways safe for use by everyone on the roads, and when obstruction or other objects in the road cause an accident, the municipality can be held responsible for the motorcycle accident. However, suing a government entity in Illinois has added complications. Our motorcycle accident lawyers in Hazel Crest, IL can pick up your claim and guide you through the complexities of local and state laws to secure you a full financial recovery.

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

Motorcyclists are not only at higher risk of a catastrophic injury, but are more likely to be in a fatal accident. If your worst nightmare came true and a loved one died in a motorcycle crash, you can make a recovery through a wrongful death claim. While no settlement or verdict can fill the whole that is left, it can bring a sense of justice 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:

• 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 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. Immediate family members, such as a spouse, children, grandchildren and grandparents
  2. If 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 file a claim
• 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 your loved one, including any benefits related to 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 Hazel Crest, IL wrongful death attorneys are not just tremendous at getting our clients full recoveries. We are understanding and kind and have helped many families get through the sorrow, anger and confusion that comes after a fatal auto accident.

In addition to motorcycle accidents, other personal injury claims we take on and win in Hazel Crest, 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 Hazel Crest, IL Today

Our Hazel Crest, IL motorcycle accident lawyers will fight until you get the maximum compensation you are owed; that is our guarantee. 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 Hazel Crest, 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 evaluation.