Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Lake Forest, IL

The sense of freedom a motorcycle comes with can be made moot by the injuries negligent drivers cause when they do not follow the rules of the road. If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in Lake Forest, IL, call the motorcycle accident lawyers of Burger Law now at (312) 500-HURT or contact us online for a no-risk, no-obligation case review.

If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in Lake Forest, 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 get your blood racing. There is a sense of freedom that you do not get in an enclosed vehicle. Unfortunately, negligent drivers can turn that feeling into catastrophic injuries. Because of their relative lack of protection, motorcycle accidents can cause serious injuries. When that happens to you, there are immediate hardships and you need someone to stand by your side and get you the compensation you deserve. You want a lawyer with a proven track record of winning motorcycle collision cases in Lake Forest, IL.

Our attorneys and paralegals have over 70 years of combined experience winning cases in negotiations and in the court room. Our motorcycle accident lawyers will tenaciously pursue every legal avenue to make sure justice is served. Always speak to a lawyer before accepting an insurance company’s offer. The insurance adjuster will try to devalue your financial settlement. We know how to fight insurance companies and ensure that they treat our Lake Forest, IL clients fairly.

To learn more about what we can do for you, call a lawyer at (312) 500-HURT to go over your motorcycle accident claim for free.

How Common Are Motorcycle Accidents in Lake Forest, IL?

Despite the fact that motorcycles account for less than one percent of total vehicle miles traveled in the United States, they made up four percent of all injuries and 14 percent of total fatalities in traffic-related accidents in 2020, according to research from the National Safety Council. Nationwide, in 2020 82,000 people were injured and 5,579 died in motorcycle crashes. In Illinois, there were 3,077 motorcycle accidents which resulted in 2,404 injuries and 152 deaths, according to the Illinois 2020 Crash Facts and Statistics. Sadly, the majority of those happened when the motorcycle was driving straight, which means the accidents were often because of a car or truck driver was not looking out for bikers. Crashes are most common in urban areas, especially major city streets.

According to findings from the Motorcycle Legal Foundation, Illinois is eighth in the country with close to 300,000 registered motorcycles, and fittingly was eighth in the country in fatalities in 2017.

Nearly 50 percent of fatal motorcycle collisions occur in the in the summer when the weather is nicer, and 50 percent occur on the weekends.

What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident in Lake Forest, IL

There are a number steps you should take, both at the accident site 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 crash is jarring, try to stay as calm as possible. At the accident site, you should:

• Get out of harm’s way — If you can, move out of the way of oncoming traffic. Leave the bike. 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, it may be best not to move; instead wait for emergency personnel.
• Keep your gear on — Removing your helmet, gloves, boots, jacket and other gear could also make injuries 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 may be best to get medical attention there instead of trying to go to an emergency room yourself. 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 request an insurance card. Take pictures of all vehicles and the crash site from a variety of angles. Take more photos than you think you need. Something that may seem unimportant at first may help a motorcycle accident lawyer in Lake Forest, IL prove someone else’s negligence in the future. See if there are eyewitnesses who can corroborate your side of the story.

Finally, if you did not seek medical treatment at the crash site, do so immediately.

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 Lake Forest, 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 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 Detailed Records — You are also entitled to a financial recovery for lost wages from time your injuries caused you to miss out from work, and any out-of-pocket expenses that were necessary, such as parking or gas money for going to medical appointments or hiring someone to help with household chores. Keep detailed receipts and explanations for why you needed to pay those expenses. You can also keep a daily journal showing the non-tangible impact of your injuries and 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 use a lot of tactics to avoid paying 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 with others. However, even a well-meaning post can do damage to your claim. If you say your injuries are debilitating, and the insurance finds out you have been at your friend’s barbecue, they they can say your injuries are not actually that severe.

From the moment you hire us, we will be in contact with you every step of the way until you get the full financial recovery you are owed. Allow us to deal with the legal aspect of your case so you can focus on healing.

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

For some minor claims, where the liable party is obvious and your medical expenses are no more than an appointment with your primary care physician, you may not need an attorney to get fair compensation. Give the insurance company your records and expenses, and see if they will throw some extra money on top for the trouble. In a a settlement for a relatively small sum of money where not much is disputed, the adjuster will only lose money if they try to fight your claim.

However, more likely than not you will need a motorcycle accident attorney for your injury claim. While it would be nice if insurance companies fulfilled their obligations when their policyholders injure someone, they usually have to be convinced to. You will almost certainly need a motorcycle accident lawyer in Lake Forest, IL if:

• Your injuries require ongoing treatment — The more your medical bills and lost wages, the more the insurance company will fight back against your claim. If your injuries require future medical treatment or prevent you from earning a living as you used to, you will absolutely need an attorney to precisely value your damages.
• The insurance company’s offer is not close your damages — 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. By hiring a lawyer, 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 is more than party at fault — With some injuries, especially crashes involving more than one vehicle, there may be more than one liable party. For example, a driver may cut your off while not looking for you, causing you to swerve and hit an improperly cordoned-off construction site. A knowledgeable Lake Forest, IL motorcycle accident lawyer will be able to investigate 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.
• The insurance adjuster is trying to blame you for your injuries — Trying to say your injuries are your own fault is a frequent tactic insurance adjusters use to avoid paying you. If the insurance company say your injuries are your own fault, an attorney will fight back prove how the other party was negligent. If it is true that you were partially at fault, 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 Lake Forest, 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 what we can do for your claim. We get to work from the second you hire us, and do not let up until you get all of compensation you deserve.

Recent Burger Law Lake Forest, 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 Lake Forest, IL?

If you want to have a valid claim in Lake Forest, IL, 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 liable party owe you a responsibility 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 — Were they neglectful in that duty and did that breach lead to an accident? Was the other motorist speeding, texting and driving, drunk driving or otherwise breaking proper procedure behind the wheel?
3. Cause in fact — Were your injuries the direct result of the accident?
4. Proximate cause — Did the person’s breach of duty cause the accident? If the other driver’s brakes were malfunctioning, the person who needs to be held accountable for your injuries may be a manufacturer and not another motorist?.
5. Damages — Did your injuries lead to losses, such as lost wages and pain and suffering? If your accident caused a few bumps and bruises, but it was not serious enough to seek medical treatment, it would be hard for you to make 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 (312) 500-HURT if you are unsure if you have a claim.

How Much is My Lake Forest, 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 usually 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
• How your life has changed because of your injuries

At Burger Law, our injury attorneys are experts at calculating every dime you are owed and insist the liable party takes responsibility for 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 Lake Forest, IL?

Pursuant to 735 ILCS 5/13-202, the time limit for motorcycle accident claims in Lake Forest, IL is two years. That means the clock starts ticking on the date you were injured to file a lawsuit in court. Illinois has three 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 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 period is not included in the two years

While two years does not sound like it should give you a sense of urgency, it takes time to properly build your case. Do not hesitate to contact a motorcycle accident lawyer after you were hurt in a motorcycle accident in Lake Forest, IL. Call us today at (312) 500-HURT.

What Are Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Lake Forest, IL?

Motorcycles are not as easy to spot on the road, as they take up less space. Due to a phenomenon called “inattentional blindness,” drivers are less likely to see a motorcycle — even if they are doing their due diligence. This is because most drivers have programmed their brains to look for larger vehicles, but not for motorcycles. Inattentional blindness contributes to many motorcycle accidents in Lake Forest, IL.

The most common causes of motorcycles accidents are:

• Left-hand turns — According to the Motorcycle Legal Foundation, almost half of all fatal motorcycle crashes occur when a car turns left while and hits a motorcyclist in an intersection. These crashes can be the result of a motorist’s drunkenness, reckless driving or simple inattention.
• Other collisions — Head on collisions also occur frequently between motorcycles and other types of vehicles. It is also common for a car to fail to 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, dead animals, slick surfaces or other roadways debris often do not have much of an impact on a car. However, motorcycles do not have the same level of stability and these hazards can cause a motorcyclist to lose control.
• 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 result in motorcycle crashes.

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

More than nine out of 10 auto accidents are the result of human error. So, most likely, you will make a claim against another driver. However, other parties that may be held liable include:

• A governmental agency or contracting company for not repairing or negligent repairing a road
• A vehicle manufacturer for a defective product
• A company if their employee injured you while driving, for example in a commercial truck accident

Can I Sue For My Lake Forest, 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 obstruction or other objects in the road cause an accident, the agency responsible for the neglect may have to compensate you for your injuries. However, the state of Illinois does not make it easy to hold them accountable. Our motorcycle accident lawyers in Lake Forest, IL can take on 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 Lake Forest, IL. What Are My Legal Options?

Motorcyclists are not only at increased 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 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 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 of the accident.
• 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. If there are no immediate family members, siblings and nieces and nephews can file a claim
  3. If there are no family members, a judge can designate a plaintiff ad litem to bring a suit
• Your compensation will 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 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 Lake Forest, 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 comes after a fatal auto accident.

In addition to motorcycle accidents, other injury claims we we have had great success with in Lake Forest, 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 Lake Forest, IL Today

Our Lake Forest, IL motorcycle accident lawyers will not stop fighting until there is nothing left to fight; that is our guarantee. You deserve to be financially compensated 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 Lake Forest, 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.