Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Kane County, IL

Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Kane County, IL

The thrill of riding a motorcycle can be ripped away from you by the injuries reckless drivers cause when they do not follow the rules of the road. If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in Kane County, IL, call the motorcycle accident lawyers of Burger Law now at (779) 800-HURT or contact us online for a complimentary case review.

If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in Kane County, 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. You are connected to the road and your motorcycle in a way that a car just cannot emulate. Regrettably, negligent drivers can turn that feeling into catastrophic injuries. Because motorcycles do not protect riders as well as enclosed vehicles, motorcycle accidents can cause serious injuries. When that happens to you, it carries instant financial, physical and emotional consequences and you need someone to fight for you. You want an attorney with a proven track record of winning motorcycle crash claims in Kane County, IL.

Our attorneys and paralegals have more than 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 accepting an insurance company’s offer. The insurance adjuster is out to minimize your financial settlement. Our firm has a proven track record of successfully fighting the insurance companies and making sure that they treat our Kane County, IL clients fairly.

To learn more about how our personal injury law firm will fight for your rights, speak to an attorney at (779) 800-HURT to go over your motorcycle accident claim immediately.

How Common Are Motorcycle Accidents in Kane County, IL?

Fourteen percent of motor vehicle fatalities and four percent of injuries were sustained by motorcyclists, despite only barely over half a percent of vehicle traffic being motorcycles, according to data from the National Safety Council. In the entire country, in 2020 82,000 people were injured and 5,579 passed away in motorcycle crashes. In Illinois, of 3,077 motorcycle accidents, 2,404 caused injuries and 152 were deadly, according to the Illinois 2020 Crash Facts and Statistics. Unfortunately, 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, insinuating that the accidents were often caused by a car or truck driver not respecting motorcyclists on the road. Wrecks happen most frequently in urban areas, especially around tolls.

According to findings from the Motorcycle Legal Foundation, Illinois is eighth in the nation in terms of both registered motorcycles and motorcycle crash fatalities.

Nearly half of fatal motorcycle wrecks occur in the summer months, and half occur on the weekends.

What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident in Kane County, IL

There are several things you should do, both in the immediate wake of an accident 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 collision is jarring, try to stay as calm as possible. At the accident site, you should:

• Get to safety — 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 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.
• Keep your gear on — Removing your helmet, gloves, boots, jacket and other gear could also make serious injuries even worse. Because of adrenaline, a serious injury may not always hurt as much at first.
• Call 911 — Because motorcycle accidents can cause severe injuries, it is probably best to be looked over there instead of leaving and planning to seek medical attention at urgent care or a doctors’ appointment. Police will also be able to file a report relating who they believe is liable for the accident.
• Gather evidence — Talk to any other motorists involved and get their insurance information. Take photographs of all vehicles and the crash site from different positions. Take more photos than you think you need. Something you do not think matters much may be useful to a motorcycle accident lawyer in Kane County, IL when trying to prove someone else’s negligence down the road. Get the contact info of any eyewitnesses to the accident.

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

What to Do in the Ensuing Weeks and Months

After you first seek medical care, notify both your insurance company and the other driver’s. Then, speak to a motorcycle accident lawyer in Kane County, 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 aids your financial recovery as well. In order to prove your damages, you need to complete copies of medical medical records which show 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 prescribes.
• Keep Track of Everything Related to Your Injuries — You are also owed reimbursement for lost wages from time spent recovering, and any out-of-pocket expenses that were necessary, such as transportation to and from medical appointments or hiring someone to help look after your children. Manage a file with detailed receipts and explanations for why you needed to pay those expenses. 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 notified the insurance company about your injuries and enlisted the services of a motorcycle accident lawyer, let your attorney handle documentation and negotiation. Insurance adjusters use a lot of ploys to avoid paying claims, but your attorney will know how to make the adjuster be honest.
• Do Not Post on Social Media — In this day and age, many of us want to share details about our life on the Internet. However, posting too much on social media can hurt your claim. If you tell the insurance company that your injuries prevent you from working, and the insurance sees pictures of you going out on the weekends, they will use it to try and devalue your claim.

From your initial consultation, we will be in contact with you every step of the way until you get the full financial recovery you are owed. Let us deal with the investigation, documentation, negotiation and litigation so you can focus on your physical and emotional recovery.

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

For accidents involving minor injuries, where the liable party is taking accountability and your medical expenses only include a visit with your primary care physician, you may not need an attorney to get fair compensation. Give the insurance company proof of your financial losses, and see if they will throw some extra money on top for the trouble. In a smaller settlement where their policyholder is clearly liable, 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 in a a truly fair society insurance companies would fulfill their duty when their policyholders injure someone, it usually takes a fair amount of fighting to get them to do it. Situations where you will need a motorcycle accident lawyer in Kane County, IL include:

• Your injuries require ongoing treatment — The higher your damages, the more the insurance company will fight back against your claim. If your injuries result in permanent disability, you will absolutely need an attorney to convince the insurance company to pay for future damages as well.
• The insurance company is not being fair — If your damages are in the tens or hundreds of thousands, and the insurance company’s offer is no where close to that, they are trying to take advantage of you. If there is an attorney working on your claim, 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 are multiple parties at fault — With some accidents, especially wrecks involving more than one vehicle, there may be more than one person who was negligent. For example, a driver may merge into your line while not looking for you, causing you to take defensive action and hit an improperly cordoned-off construction site. A talented Kane County, IL motorcycle accident lawyer will be able to investigate the wreck and determine all liable parties. Identifying everyone who is liable is imperative if your damages exceed the at-fault driver’s policy limits.
• The insurance adjuster is trying to blame you for your injuries — Blaming you for your injuries is a classic move insurance adjusters use to minimize your claim. If the insurance company say your accident was your own doing, an attorney will fight back prove how the other party was negligent. If you were indeed partially at fault, you can still make a recovery under Missouri’s comparative negligence doctrine. However, you will need an attorney to apply the rule of law and get you that compensation.

Your Kane County, IL motorcycle accident lawyer at Burger Law knows how to fight back against tactics insurance adjusters use. We have been doing it for over three decades. We offer an initial conversation and investigation at no charge, so speak to an attorney now at (779) 800-HURT to see what we can do for your claim. We start working from the moment you hire us, and fight until there is nothing left to fight.

Recent Burger Law Kane County, 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 are the best is one thing, 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 Kane County, IL?

If you want to file any Kane County, IL injury claim, 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 have a duty to protect you from unreasonable harm? 625 ILCS 5/11-1003.1 states 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 — Were they neglectful in that duty and cause an accident? Was the other driver 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 — Whose negligence caused 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 pain and suffering? If your accident resulted in a few 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. Speak to a motorcycle accident attorney today at (779) 800-HURT if you are unsure if you have a claim.

How Much is My Kane County, 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, scarring and pain and suffering
• In some rare cases, you can be awarded punitive damages if you were injured by extreme recklessness, such as drunk driving

Factors that determine how much you will recover include:

• The severity of your injuries; more significant injuries tend to lead to higher medical bills and more pain and suffering
• Whether or not you were partially to blame for your injuries
• If you sustained 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 know how to calculate every dime you are owed and demand that 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 accounting for inflation.

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

According to 735 ILCS 5/13-202, the statute of limitations for motorcycle accident claims in Kane County, 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 when the injuries occurred, they have until their 20th 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 leaves the state of Illinois for a time, 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 hesitate to reach out to a motorcycle accident lawyer after you were hurt in a motorcycle accident in Kane County, IL. Call us now at (779) 800-HURT.

What Are Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Kane County, IL?

Motorcycles are not as easy to spot on the road, as they take up less space. 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 we train our brains to be aware of other cars, but not for motorcycles. Inattentional blindness contributes to many motorcycle accidents in Kane County, IL.

The most common causes of motorcycles accidents are:

• Left-hand turns — According to the Motorcycle Legal Foundation, over 40 percent 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, reckless driving or generally not paying close enough attention to the road.
• Other collisions — Head on collisions also occur frequently between motorcycles and cars or trucks. 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 is not always the motorcyclist’s fault.
• Road hazards — Uneven pavement, potholes, animal carcasses, slick surfaces or other debris on our streets usually do not affect a vehicle with more than two wheels very much. However, motorcycles are less stable 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 lead to motorcycle crashes.

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

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

• A governmental agency or contracting company for road hazards
• A motorcycle designer, manufacturer or vendor for a defective product
• A employer if someone they hired injured you while driving, for example in a commercial truck accident

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

States and municipalities are tasked with keeping their roadways safe for use by everyone on the roads, and when there are road hazards that cause an accident, the state can be held accountable for the motorcycle accident. However, suing a government entity in Illinois has added complications. Our motorcycle accident lawyers in Kane County, IL can take on your claim and guide you through the complexities of local and state laws to get you a full financial recovery.

A Loved One Was Killed in a Motorcycle Crash in Kane County, 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 tragedy struck and someone you love passed away in a motorcycle crash, you can make a recovery through a wrongful death claim. While no amount of money can fill the whole that is left, 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:

• 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.
• Three groups of people related to the deceased can file a wrongful death claim in Illinois. Beginning with who has the first chance to file, 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 bring a suit
  3. If no family remains, a judge 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 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 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 Kane County, IL wrongful death attorneys are not just experts at securing full compensation. We are compassionate 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 cases we take on and win in Kane County, 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 Kane County, IL Today

Our Kane County, IL motorcycle accident lawyers will not stop fighting until there is nothing left to fight; we promise. 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 Kane County, IL personal injury law firm will fight for your rights, call our team at (779) 800-HURT or complete our online form for a complimentary consultation.