Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Kewanee, IL

Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Kewanee, IL

The sense of freedom a motorcycle comes with can be neutralized by the injuries reckless drivers cause when they do not pay attention to your safety. If another driver injured you in Kewanee, IL, speak to the motorcycle accident lawyers of Burger Law now at (779) 800-HURT or complete our online form for a complimentary case evaluation.

If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in Kewanee, or anywhere in Illinois, find out how much your claim may be worth by using our free personal injury calculator.

Motorcycles are an ideal way to give yourself a sense of calm. You get a feeling of the open road that a car just cannot emulate. Unfortunately, there is a potentially dangerous trade-off. Because of their relative lack of protection, motorcycle accidents can cause serious injuries. When you are injured, there are financial, physical and emotional consequences and you need someone to stand by your side and get you the compensation you deserve. You need to find a lawyer with a proven track record of winning motorcycle wreck lawsuits in Kewanee, IL.

Our team has over 70 years of combined experience winning cases in negotiations and in the court room. 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 agreeing to a settlement. The insurance adjuster is out to devalue your financial settlement. We know how to fight insurance companies and ensure that they give the full compensation they owe our Kewanee, IL clients.

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

How Common Are Motorcycle Accidents in Kewanee, IL?

Fourteen percent of traffic fatalities 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. In the entire country, 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. Unfortunately, over 50 percent of those happened when the motorcycle was going straight ahead, which leads us to believe that the accidents were often because of a car or truck driver not respecting motorcyclists on the road. Most of the crashes occurred in densely populated 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 collisions occur in the in the summer when the weather is nicer, and half happen between 6 p.m. Friday and 6 a.m. Monday.

What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident in Kewanee, IL

There are a number steps you should take, 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.

Immediately After The Accident

While any accident is surprising and scary, it is vital to think rationally. Immediately after the crash, you should:

• Get to safety — If you can, get to the side of the road and away from other vehicles coming down the street. Leave the bike. It is obviously important to you, but staying with the bike or trying to move it could put you at risk of further harm. If you are seriously injured, it may be best not to move; instead wait for emergency personnel.
• Do not remove your protective gear — Taking off 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 the injuries caused in a motorcycle wreck can be catastrophic, it is probably a good idea to be looked over there instead of leaving and planning to go to an emergency room yourself. Police know how to assign liability in an accident, and will make a police report.
• Gather evidence — Speak to the other driver and get their insurance information. Take photographs of all vehicles and the crash site from a variety of angles. Take as many pictures as possible. Something that may seem like it does not matter at first may help a motorcycle accident lawyer in Kewanee, IL prove someone else’s negligence when you make your claim. Get the contact info of any eyewitnesses to the accident.

Finally, receive medical attention if you have not already.

What to Do in the Ensuing Weeks and Months

Once you have gotten medical treatment, inform both your insurance company and the other driver’s. Then, speak to a motorcycle accident lawyer in Kewanee, 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 is also essential to making sure you get full compensation. You need to prove how much that accident hurt you, and to do that you need to complete copies of medical medical records which detail all of the costs and treatments directly associated with the accident. The more medical expenses you have, the higher your ultimate compensation will be as well. Go to every every treatment and use all of the equipment and medication your doctor prescribes.
• Keep Detailed Records — You also deserve compensation for lost wages from time your injuries caused you to miss out from work, and any out-of-pocket expenses you incur, such as transportation to and from medical appointments or hiring someone to help with housework. Keep all of your receipts and notes about why those charges were necessary. You can also 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 claim and hired a motorcycle accident lawyer, your attorney will will now be intermediary between you and the insurance. Insurance adjusters use a lot of tricks to devalue claims, and it is better to leave communication up to an attorney who knows how to hold the adjuster accountable.
• 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 chances of being fully compensated. If you tell the insurance company that your injuries prevent you from working, and the insurance sees pictures of you at a bar, they will use it to try and deny your claim.

From the moment you hire us, we will keep you completely in the loop until we reach a successful resolution. Allow us to handle the legal aspect of your case so you can focus on healing.

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

For minor and clear-cut accidents, where the liable party is taking accountability and your medical expenses are no more than an urgent care visit, a lawyer may not be able to add much value to your claim. Give the insurance company your records and expenses, and see if they will throw some extra money on top for inconvenience. In a smaller settlement where their policyholder is clearly liable, 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 duty when someone is injured by their policyholders’ negligence, they usually have to be convinced to. You will almost certainly need a motorcycle accident lawyer in Kewanee, IL if:

• Your injuries require ongoing treatment — The more your medical bills and time spent off work, the more the insurance company will be resistant to reimbursing you for it. If your injuries require ongoing treatment, you will always need an attorney to hold the insurance adjuster accountable for all of your damages.
• 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 company’s offer is no where close to that, they are trying convince you that you do not know how what fair compensation means in your case. If there is a lawyer working on your claim, the insurance company will know that you will not back down without a fight. 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 cases, especially multi-vehicle accidents, there may be more than one liable party. For example, a driver may merge into your line while not looking for you, causing you to take defensive action and hit a road hazard that a governmental agency should have fixed. An experienced Kewanee, IL motorcycle accident lawyer will conduct a full investigation into 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.
• You are being blamed for your injuries — Trying to say your injuries are your own fault is a classic trick insurance adjusters use to minimize your claim. If the insurance company say your accident was your own doing, an attorney can step in and conclusively demonstrate that is not the case. If it is true that you were responsible for a portion of the accident, you are not completely barred from compensation under Missouri’s comparative negligence rule. However, you will need an attorney to apply the rule of law and get you that compensation.

Your Kewanee, IL motorcycle accident lawyer at Burger Law knows how to combat tactics insurance adjusters use. We have been doing it for over three decades. Our consultations are free, so speak to an attorney today 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 give up until you get every bit of compensation you are owed.

Recent Burger Law Kewanee, 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 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 Kewanee, IL?

If you want to file any Kewanee, IL injury claim, you must have been injured 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 have an obligation 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 that duty.
2. Breach of duty — Did they fail in that duty and did that breach lead to an accident? Was the other motorist speeding, texting and driving, drunk driving or otherwise breaking the rules of the road?
3. Cause in fact — Were your injuries the direct result of the accident?
4. Proximate cause — Whose negligence caused the accident? If the other driver’s brakes were malfunctioning, the liable party may be a manufacturer and not another motorist?.
5. Damages — Did you sustain losses because of your injuries, such as medical bills and mental anguish? If your accident resulted in a few bumps and bruises, but it was not serious enough to seek medical treatment, it would be hard for you to file a claim.

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

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

Your compensation will be a combination of:

• Economic damages, such as money you lost out on from time off work recovering, medical bills and out-of-pocket expenses
• Non-economic damages, such as mental anguish, disfigurement and pain and suffering
• While not common, you might be able to receive punitive damages if you were injured by extreme recklessness, such as 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 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, we are experts at calculating every dime you are owed and insist the insurance company pay all of it. If your injuries require ongoing medical care, 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 Kewanee, IL?

Pursuant to 735 ILCS 5/13-202, the time limit for motorcycle accident injuries in Kewanee, 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 under the age of 18 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 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, it takes time to properly build your case. Do not hesitate to contact a motorcycle accident lawyer after you have been injured in Kewanee, IL. Call us today at (779) 800-HURT.

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

Motorcycles are not as easy to spot on the road, do not take up as much space on the road. Due to a phenomenon called “inattentional blindness,” it is harder for drivers to see a motorcycle — even if they are doing their best to be careful. 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 Kewanee, IL.

The most common causes of motorcycles accidents are:

• Left-hand turns — According to data from the Motorcycle Legal Foundation, almost half of all motorcycle accidents that result in fatalities involve a car turning left while the motorcycle was going straight. These crashes can be due to a motorist’s intoxication, speeding or simple inattention.
• 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 have the highest rate of collisions with fixed objects, which may be due to a negligent construction company or governmental entity.
• Road hazards — Uneven pavement, potholes, dead animals, slick surfaces 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 fall.
• Defective parts — Manufacturers and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recall dozens of motorcycles annually. When dangerous bikes and components are not recalled, it can lead to motorcycle accidents.

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

More than nine out of 10 auto accidents are caused by human error. So, most of the time another driver 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 not repairing or negligent repairing a road
• A motorcycle manufacturer for a defective product
• A employer if their employee injured you while driving, such as in a commercial truck accident

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

States and municipalities are tasked with keeping their roadways safe for citizens to travel on, 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 Kewanee, IL can pick up 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 Kewanee, IL. What Are My Legal Options?

The dangers of motorcycles mean that bikers have a higher death rate than people in enclosed vehicles. If tragedy struck 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 bring back your loved one, it 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:

• 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 of your loved one’s death, not the date that they were first injured.
• There are three categories of people who 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
• Your compensation will 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, education and moral training the deceased would have provided
  • Survivors’ grief, sorrow and mental suffering

Burger Law’s Kewanee, IL wrongful death attorneys are not just tremendous at getting our clients full recoveries. We are compassionate 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 Kewanee, 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 Kewanee, IL Today

Our Kewanee, IL motorcycle accident lawyers will fight until you get the maximum compensation you are owed; we promise. 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 Kewanee, IL personal injury law firm will fight for your rights, call our team at (779) 800-HURT or complete our online form for a no obligation case evaluation.