Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Hillsboro, IL

Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Hillsboro, IL

The thrill of riding a motorcycle can be made moot by the injuries careless drivers cause when they do not follow the rules of the road. If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in Hillsboro, IL, reach out to the motorcycle accident lawyers of Burger Law today at (779) 800-HURT or contact us online for a complimentary consultation.

If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in Hillsboro, 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. You get a feeling of the open road that is not possible in an enclosed vehicle. Unfortunately, there is a potentially dangerous trade-off. Because motorcycles do not protect their occupants as well as enclosed vehicles, the consequences of a motorcycle accident can be devastating. When that happens to you, it carries immediate hardships and you need someone to fight for you. You need to find a law firm with a proven track record of winning motorcycle collision claims in Hillsboro, IL.

Our team has over seven decades of combined litigation and trial experience. Our motorcycle accident lawyers will tenaciously pursue your claim to ensure you get the medical care and financial recovery that you are owed and that you deserve. Always speak to a lawyer before accepting an insurance company’s offer. The insurance adjuster wants to minimize your financial settlement. We know how to fight insurance companies and ensure that they give the full compensation they owe our Hillsboro, IL clients.

To learn more about what we can do for you, speak to an attorney at (779) 800-HURT to go over your motorcycle accident case for free.

How Common Are Motorcycle Accidents in Hillsboro, IL?

Fourteen percent of traffic deaths and four percent of injuries were sustained by motorcyclists, despite only less than one percent of vehicle traffic being motorcycles, according to research from the National Safety Council. Nationwide, in 2020 there were 82,500 motorcycle accident injuries and 5,579 fatalities. 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, over half of those occurred when the motorcycle was going straight ahead, insinuating that the accidents were often caused by another driver not respecting motorcyclists on the road. Most of the crashes occurred in densely populated areas, especially major city streets.

According to findings 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 on the weekends.

What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident in Hillsboro, IL

There are several things you should do, both at the accident site and in the days and weeks that follow, to ensure you make both a physical and financial recovery.

Immediately After The Accident

While any crash is surprising and scary, try to stay as calm as possible. 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 your motorcycle behind. It is obviously important to you, but staying with the bike or trying to move it could make your injuries worse. If you suspect you have a back or head injury, it may be best not to move; instead wait for emergency personnel.
• Keep your gear on — Removing your helmet or other gear could also make injuries worse. Adrenaline may hide how serious an injury actually is.
• Call 911 — As the injuries caused in a motorcycle wreck can be catastrophic, it may be best to be looked over there instead of trying to go to an emergency room yourself. Police will also be able to file a report stating who they believe is responsible 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 that may seem like it does not matter at first may be useful to a motorcycle accident lawyer in Hillsboro, IL when trying to prove someone else’s negligence down the road. See if there are eyewitnesses who can corroborate your side of the story.

Finally, receive medical attention if you did not already do so.

What to Do Throughout the Claim Process

Once you have gotten medical treatment, notify the insurance company of everybody involved. Then, speak to a motorcycle accident lawyer in Hillsboro, 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 is also essential to building your case. 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. Make sure you attend every follow up, chiropractic or physical therapy appointment your doctor wants you to.
• 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 you incur, such as parking or Uber rides for going to medical appointments or hiring someone to help with chores around the house. Manage a file with detailed receipts and notes about why those charges were due to your injury. It may also be a good idea to keep a daily journal detailing how your injuries have affected you physically and emotionally for a record of your pain and suffering.
• Leave the Insurance Company up to Your Attorney — 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 ploys to devalue claims, but your attorney will know how to hold the adjuster accountable.
• Stay off Social Media — It is normal to want to share what is going on with your life on social media. However, even an honest post can do damage to your chances of being fully compensated. If you tell the insurance company that your injuries prevent you from working, and the insurance finds out you have been going out on the weekends, they will use it to try and deny 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 deal with 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 Hillsboro, IL For My Claim?

For minor and clear-cut accidents, where fault is clearly established and your medical bills are no more than an appointment with your primary care physician, you may be able to get compensation on your own. Give the insurance company your records and expenses, and see if they will throw some extra money on top for the hassle. In a smaller settlement where not much is disputed, the adjuster will only lose money if they try to deny your claim.

However, more likely than not you will need the assistance of a motorcycle accident attorney for your injury claim. While it would be nice if insurance companies fulfilled their responsibility when their policyholders injure someone, it usually takes a fair amount of fighting to get them to be fair. You will likely need a motorcycle accident lawyer in Hillsboro, IL if:

• Your injuries require ongoing treatment — 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 convince the insurance company to pay for future damages as well.
• Your damages and the insurance company’s offer are way too far apart — 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 convince you that you do not know how much you are owed. By hiring an attorney, the insurance company will know that you are serious about getting the full compensation you deserve. In a recent case, Burger Law was able to turn a $3,900 offer into a $100,000 settlement.
• There are multiple parties at fault — With some injuries, especially multi-vehicle accidents, there may be more than one liable party. 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 governmental agency should have fixed. A talented Hillsboro, IL motorcycle accident lawyer will conduct a full investigation into the wreck 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 the accident — Trying to say your injuries are your own fault is a well-known move insurance adjusters use to avoid paying you. When this happens, an attorney can step in and prove that is not the case. If you were indeed partially to blame, 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 Hillsboro, IL motorcycle accident lawyer at Burger Law knows how to fight back against tactics insurance adjusters use. We have been doing it for more than 30 years. Our consultations are free, so call us at (779) 800-HURT to see what we can do for your claim. We start developing our legal strategy from the second you hire us, and do not let up until you get every bit of compensation you are owed.

Recent Burger Law Hillsboro, IL Motorcycle Accident Victories

You need a lawyer who has shown they can get results in your type of claim before. Any motorcycle accident lawyer can say they will fight for you, 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 Hillsboro, IL?

In order to file any Hillsboro, IL injury claim, 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 owe you an obligation to keep you safe? 625 ILCS 5/11-1003.1 mandates that “every driver of a vehicle shall exercise due care,” so other drivers always owe you that duty.
2. Breach of duty — Were they neglectful in that duty and cause an accident? Was another 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 malfunctioning, the person who needs to compensate you may be a manufacturer and not another motorist?.
5. Damages — Did you sustain losses because of your injuries, such as medical expenses 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.

Any time somebody else’s carelessness or recklessness injures you, you can to file an injury claim. Speak to a motorcycle accident attorney now at (779) 800-HURT if you are unsure if you have a claim.

How Much is My Hillsboro, 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 emotional distress, disfigurement and pain and suffering
• In some rare cases, you can be awarded 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 were partially to blame for your injuries
• If the accident led to permanent disfigurement or disability
• The impact the injuries have had on your ability to live the life you are used to

At Burger Law, our injury attorneys are experts at calculating every dime you are owed and demand that the insurance company pay all of it. If your injuries lead to future economic damages like lost earning capacity or future surgeries, 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 Hillsboro, IL?

According to 735 ILCS 5/13-202, the statute of limitations for motorcycle accident injuries in Hillsboro, IL is two years. That means you only have two years from the date you were injured to file a lawsuit in court. There are some 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 when the injuries occurred, 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 time, that time does not account against the two years

While two years does not sound like it should give you a sense of urgency, investigating and developing a legal strategy for your claim takes time. Do not hesitate to call a motorcycle accident lawyer after you have been injured in Hillsboro, IL. Call us now at (779) 800-HURT.

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

Motorcycles are not as easy to spot on the road, being smaller. Because 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 look for other cars, but not for motorcycles. Inattentional blindness contributes to many motorcycle accidents in Hillsboro, IL.

Most motorcycle accidents occur because of:

• Left-hand turns — According to data from the Motorcycle Legal Foundation, almost half of all motorcycle accidents that result in deaths occur when a car turns left while the motorcycle was going straight. These crashes can be the result of a motorist’s intoxication, speeding 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 to fail to see a motorcyclist when merging or changing lanes. 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 roadways debris usually do not affect a vehicle with more than two wheels very much. However, motorcycles do not have the same level of stability and these hazards can cause a motorcyclist to fall.
• Defective components — Manufacturers and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recall dozens of motorcycles annually. When dangerous bikes and components are not recalled, it can result in motorcycle crashes.

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

Almost all motor vehicle accidents are due to 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 agency or contracting company for not repairing or negligent repairing a road
• A vehicle designer, manufacturer or vendor for a defective product
• A company if someone they hired injured you while driving, for example in a commercial truck accident

Can I Sue For My Hillsboro, 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 obstruction or other objects in the road cause an accident, the municipality may have to compensate you for your injuries. However, the state of Illinois does not make it easy to sue them. Our motorcycle accident lawyers in Hillsboro, IL can take on your claim and guide you through the complexities of local and state laws to get you the compensation you deserve.

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

Motorcyclists are not only at increased risk of a serious injury, but are more likely to be in a fatal accident. If tragedy struck and a loved one passed away 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 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 of the accident.
• Three groups of people related to the deceased 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 bring a suit
  3. If no family remains, the court can designate 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 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 work-related benefits
  • Loss of consortium
  • Loss of instruction, education and moral training the deceased would have provided
  • Survivors’ grief, sorrow and mental suffering

Burger Law’s Hillsboro, IL wrongful death attorneys are not just skilled at getting our clients full recoveries. We are empathetic 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 Hillsboro, 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

Speak to a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Hillsboro, IL Today

Our Hillsboro, IL motorcycle accident lawyers will not stop fighting until there is nothing left to fight; that is our guarantee. You are owed a recovery 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 Hillsboro, IL personal injury law firm will fight for your rights, call our team at (779) 800-HURT or contact us online for a no obligation case review.