Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in La Harpe, IL

The sense of freedom a motorcycle comes with can be canceled out by the harm negligent drivers can do to you when they do not follow the rules of the road. If another driver injured you in La Harpe, IL, call the motorcycle accident lawyers of Burger Law immediately at (312) 500-HURT or contact us online for a no-risk, no-obligation consultation.

If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in La Harpe, 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 are connected to the road and your motorcycle in a way that is not possible in an enclosed vehicle. Unfortunately, this freedom also comes with a high price. Because of their relative lack of protection, the consequences of a motorcycle accident can be devastating. When you are injured, there are instant financial, physical and mental consequences and you need someone to fight for you. You want a law firm with a proven track record of winning motorcycle wreck lawsuits in La Harpe, IL.

Burger Law has over 70 years of combined litigation and trial experience. Our motorcycle accident lawyers will fight until you recover all of your damages 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 devalue your financial settlement. We know how to stand up to insurance companies and ensure that they treat our La Harpe, IL clients fairly.

To discover more about what we can do for you, call our team at (312) 500-HURT to go over your motorcycle accident case today.

How Common Are Motorcycle Accidents in La Harpe, IL?

Despite the fact that motorcycles account for only .06 percent of total traffic miles traveled in the United States, 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 entire country, 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 deaths, according to the Illinois 2020 Crash Facts and Statistics. Regrettably, the majority 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 due to another driver was not looking out for bikers. Crashes are most common in densely populated areas, especially around tolls.

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

Nearly 50 percent of deadly motorcycle accidents occur in the between June and September, and half occur between Friday night and Monday morning.

What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident in La Harpe, IL

There are several things you should do, both immediately following the accident and in the days and weeks that follow, to make sure your recover from your injuries both physically and financially.

At the Accident Site

While any accident can be jarring, try to stay as calm as possible. At the accident site, you should:

• Get to safety — If you are physically able, 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 trying to carry it could put you at risk of further harm. If you believe your injuries may be catastrophic, stay still and wait for EMTs to arrive.
• Keep your gear on — Removing your helmet or other gear could also exacerbate your injuries. 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 may be best to get medical attention there instead of trying to seek medical attention later. Police will also be able to file a report relating who they believe is to blame for the accident.
• Gather evidence — Speak to the other driver and ask for an insurance card. Take pictures 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 La Harpe, IL when trying to prove your case in the future. Get the contact info of any eyewitnesses to the accident.

Lastly, receive medical attention if you have not already.

What to Do Throughout the Claim Process

After you first seek medical care, notify the insurance company of everybody involved. Then, speak to a motorcycle accident lawyer in La Harpe, 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 physical recovery, 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 pain and suffering compensation will be as well. Make sure you attend every follow up, chiropractic or physical therapy appointment your doctor orders for you.
• Keep Track of Everything Related to Your Injuries — You are also owed a financial recovery 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 transportation to and from medical appointments or hiring someone to help with housework. Keep detailed receipts and explanations for why those charges were due to your injury. You can also keep a daily journal showing 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 filed your claim and hired a motorcycle accident lawyer, let your attorney handle documentation and negotiation. Insurance adjusters utilize a lot of tricks to minimize claims, but your attorney will know 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 with others. However, even an honest post can hurt your case. If you say your injuries are debilitating, and the insurance sees pictures of you at your friend’s barbecue, they they can say your injuries are not actually that severe.

From your initial consultation, we will keep you completely in the loop 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 medical treatment.

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

For accidents involving minor injuries, where there is no discrepancy about who is at fault 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. Supply the insurance company with your records and expenses, and see if they will throw some extra money on top for the trouble. In a smaller settlement where not much is disputed, the adjuster will only lose money if they try to deny 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 obligations when their policyholders injure someone, it usually takes a fair amount of fighting to get them to be fair. Situations where you will need a motorcycle accident lawyer in La Harpe, IL include:

• Your injuries are severe — The higher your damages, the more the insurance company will try to avoid their responsibility. If your injuries require ongoing treatment, you will always need an attorney to precisely value your damages.
• 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 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 liable parties — With some accidents, especially multi-vehicle accidents, there may be more than one person who was negligent. For example, a driver may cut your off because they did not see you, causing you to take defensive action and hit an improperly cordoned-off construction zone. An aggressive La Harpe, IL motorcycle accident lawyer will be able to investigate the wreck and assign a portion of the damages to each liable party. Identifying everyone who is liable is imperative 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 frequent move insurance adjusters use to devalue your claim. If the insurance company say your injuries are your own doing, an attorney will fight back prove that is not the case. If it is true that you were partially to blame, you can still make a recovery under Missouri’s comparative negligence rule. However, you will need an attorney to apply the rule of law and get you that compensation.

Your La Harpe, IL motorcycle accident lawyer at Burger Law knows how to fight back against tactics insurance adjusters use. We have been doing it for over 30 years. Our consultations are free, so call us at (312) 500-HURT to see if we can add value to your claim. We start developing our legal strategy from the moment you hire us, and do not give up until you get every bit of compensation you deserve.

Recent Burger Law La Harpe, 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 are the best, 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 La Harpe, IL?

If you want to have a valid claim in La Harpe, IL, 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 owe you 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 other motorists always owe you a duty of care.
2. Breach of duty — Were they neglectful in that duty and did that breach lead to an accident? Was another 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 — Did the person’s breach of duty 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 the driver?.
5. Damages — Did your injuries lead to losses, such as medical bills 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.

If you were injured through another’s negligence, you can to file an injury claim. Consult with a motorcycle accident attorney today at (312) 500-HURT if you are unsure if you have a claim.

How Much is My La Harpe, 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 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 economic and noneconomic damages
• Whether or not you were partially at fault for your injuries
• If you sustained permanent disfigurement or disability
• How your life has changed because of your injuries

At Burger Law, our injury attorneys are experts at calculating the full value of someone’s injury claim and demanding the liable party takes responsibility for 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 accounting for inflation.

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

Under 735 ILCS 5/13-202, the statute of limitations for motorcycle accident injuries in La Harpe, IL is two years. That means the clock starts ticking on the date of the accident to file a lawsuit in court. Illinois has three 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 when the injuries occurred, they have until two years after the disability ended
• If the negligent party is outside of the state of Illinois for a period, that period 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 reach out to a motorcycle accident lawyer after you were hurt in a motorcycle accident in La Harpe, IL. Call us immediately at (312) 500-HURT.

What Are Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in La Harpe, IL?

Motorcycles are harder for drivers of enclosed vehicles to see, do not take up as much space on the road. Because of a phenomenon referred to as “inattentional blindness,” it is harder for drivers 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 other cars, but not for motorcycles. Inattentional blindness is a leading cause of motorcycle accidents in La Harpe, IL.

Most motorcycle accidents occur because of:

• Left-hand turns — According to data from the Motorcycle Legal Foundation, almost half of all fatal motorcycle crashes involve a car turning left while and hits a motorcyclist in an intersection. These crashes can happen because of a motorist’s intoxication, speeding or generally not paying close enough attention to the road.
• Other collisions — Head on collisions are also common between motorcycles and other types of vehicles. It is also common for a car not see a motorcyclist when turning in front of them. 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, animal carcasses, gravel or other roadways debris usually do not affect a car or truck very much. However, motorcycles are less stable and these hazards can cause a motorcyclist to spin out.
• Defective parts — 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 lead to motorcycle accidents.

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

Ninety-four percent of all auto accidents are the result of human 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 body or contracting company for road hazards
• A motorcycle designer, manufacturer or vendor in a product liability claim
• A company if their employee injured you while driving, for example in a commercial truck accident

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

Governmental agencies are tasked with keeping their roadways safe for citizens to travel on, and when there are road hazards that cause an accident, the state can be held liable for the motorcycle accident. However, the state of Illinois does not make it easy to sue them. Our motorcycle accident lawyers in La Harpe, IL can take on your claim and take the fight to city hall to get you the compensation you deserve.

A Loved One Was Killed in a Motorcycle Crash in La Harpe, 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 you were touched by tragedy 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 fill the whole that is left, 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 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. Immediate family members, such as a spouse, children, grandchildren and grandparents
  2. When there are no immediate family members, siblings and siblings’ descendants can file a claim
  3. If no family remains, a judge 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 the deceased incurred from their injuries before their death
  • 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 La Harpe, IL wrongful death attorneys are not just skilled at getting our clients full recoveries. We are understanding and kind and have helped many families get through the sorrow, anger and confusion that accompanies a fatal auto accident.

In addition to motorcycle accidents, other personal injury cases we we have had great success with in La Harpe, 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 La Harpe, IL Today

Our La Harpe, IL motorcycle accident lawyers will fight until you get the maximum compensation you are owed; 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 La Harpe, IL personal injury law firm will fight for your rights, call our team at (312) 500-HURT or fill out our online form for a no obligation case evaluation.