Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Lake in the Hills, IL

Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Lake in the Hills, IL

The thrill of riding a motorcycle can be ripped away from you by the harm careless drivers can do to you when they do not follow the rules of the road. If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in Lake in the Hills, IL, reach out to the motorcycle accident lawyers of Burger Law now at (312) 500-HURT or fill out our online form for a no-risk, no-obligation case review.

If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in Lake in the Hills, 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 enjoy the road and relax. You are connected to the road and your motorcycle in a way that a car just cannot emulate. 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 that happens to you, there are immediate hardships and you need someone to fight for you. You want an attorney with a proven track record of winning motorcycle wreck claims in Lake in the Hills, IL.

Burger Law has more than 70 years of combined experience winning cases in negotiations and in the court room. Our motorcycle accident lawyers will fight until you recover all of your damages 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 compensation. Our firm has a proven track record of successfully fighting the insurance companies and making sure that they give the full compensation they owe our Lake in the Hills, IL clients.

To discover more about what we can do for you, call an attorney at (312) 500-HURT to discuss your motorcycle accident case today.

How Common Are Motorcycle Accidents in Lake in the Hills, IL?

Fourteen percent of traffic fatalities and four percent of injuries were sustained by motorcyclists, despite only only .06 percent of vehicle traffic being motorcycles, according to data from the National Safety Council. Nationwide, in 2020 there were 82,500 motorcycle accident injuries and 5,579 deaths. 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, over 50 percent 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 caused by a car or truck driver was not looking out for bikers. Wrecks happen most frequently in densely populated areas, especially major city streets.

According to 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 deaths in 2017.

Almost 50 percent of deadly motorcycle accidents occur in the summer months, and 50 percent happen between 6 p.m. Friday and 6 a.m. Monday.

What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident in Lake in the Hills, IL

There are several steps you should take, 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 wreck is surprising and scary, it is important to keep a clear head. At the accident site, you should:

• Get out of harm’s way — If you are physically able, get to the side of the road and away from other vehicles coming down the street. Leave your motorcycle where it is. We know it is a treasure for you, but trying to carry it could put you at risk of further harm. If you believe your injuries may be catastrophic, it may be best not to move; instead wait for emergency personnel.
• Do not take off your protective gear — Removing your helmet, gloves, boots, jacket and other gear could also make serious injuries even 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 get medical attention at the scene instead of leaving and planning to go to an emergency room yourself. Police know how to determine fault in an accident, and will make a police report.
• Gather evidence — Speak to the other driver and get their insurance information. Take photographs of the accident, including damage to all vehicles involved and the surrounding areas. Take as many pictures as possible. Something you do not think matters much may be useful to a motorcycle accident lawyer in Lake in the Hills, IL when trying to 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 did not already do so.

What to Do Throughout the Claim Process

After you first seek medical care, inform both your insurance company and the other driver’s. Then, speak to a motorcycle accident lawyer in Lake in the Hills, 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. You need to prove how much that accident hurt you, and to do that you need to complete copies of medical medical records which show the extent of your injuries. The more medical expenses you have, the higher your pain and suffering compensation will be as well. Make sure you attend every every treatment and use all of the equipment and medication your doctor orders for you.
• 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 parking or gas money for going to medical appointments or hiring someone to help take care of your kids. Manage a file with detailed receipts and notes about why those charges were due to your injury. You can also write down your every day experiences detailing 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 enlisted the services of a motorcycle accident lawyer, your attorney will handle all communication with the insurance. Insurance adjusters try to employ a lot of ploys to avoid paying claims, but your attorney will know how to combat them.
• Do Not Post on Social Media — It is normal to want to share what is going on with your life on social media. However, posting too much on social media can hurt your claim. If you tell the insurance company that your injuries are keeping you from working, and the insurance sees pictures of you at a bar, they will use it to attempt to devalue your claim.

From the first time you speak with us, we will keep you updated throughout your claim until you get the full financial recovery you are owed. Let us deal with the investigation, documentation, negotiation and litigation so you can spend your energy on on healing.

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

For some minor claims, where fault is clearly established and your medical bills only include a visit with your primary care physician, a lawyer may not be able to add much value to your claim. Supply the insurance company with your records and expenses, and ask for a little more for the hassle. In a smaller settlement where not much is disputed, the insurance company will only lose money if they try to fight your claim.

However, more likely than not 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 duty 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 Lake in the Hills, IL include:

• Your injuries are significant — The higher your damages, the more the insurance company will be resistant to reimbursing you for it. If your injuries result in permanent disability, you will always need an attorney to precisely value your damages.
• The insurance company’s offer is far below your damages — 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 to take advantage of you. If you enlist the services of a lawyer, 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 is more than liable party — With some injuries, especially crashes involving more than one vehicle, 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 an improperly cordoned-off construction zone. A knowledgeable Lake in the Hills, IL motorcycle accident lawyer will conduct a full investigation into the crash and assign a portion of the damages to each liable party. Identifying everyone who is liable is imperative if you are owed more compensation than the at-fault driver’s policy limits.
• You are being blamed for the accident — Blaming you for your injuries is a well-known tactic insurance adjusters use to avoid paying you. If the insurance company say your injuries are your own fault, an attorney can step in and prove that is not the case. If you were indeed partially at fault, you are not completely barred from compensation under Missouri’s comparative negligence doctrine. However, a lawyer is likely necessary to get you the best possible results.

Your Lake in the Hills, IL motorcycle accident lawyer at Burger Law knows how to combat tricks insurance adjusters use. We have been doing it for over 30 years. We offer an initial conversation and investigation at no charge, so speak to an attorney today 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 fight until there is nothing left to fight.

Recent Burger Law Lake in the Hills, 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 in the Hills, IL?

If you want to have a successful claim in Lake in the Hills, IL, 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 other person owe you a responsibility 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 motorist 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 — Whose breach of duty 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 expenses and emotional distress? If your accident resulted in some bumps and bruises, but you did not need any 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 (312) 500-HURT if you are unsure if you have a claim.

How Much is My Lake in the Hills, 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 emotional distress, 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 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
• 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 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 Lake in the Hills, IL?

Under 735 ILCS 5/13-202, the statute of limitations for motorcycle accident claims in Lake in the Hills, IL is two years. That means the clock starts ticking on the date of the accident to file a claim. There are some exceptions:

• If you or your loved one was a minor at the time of accident, 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 person responsible for your injuries is outside of the state of Illinois for a period, that period is not included in 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 wait to call a motorcycle accident lawyer after you have been injured in Lake in the Hills, IL. Call us immediately at (312) 500-HURT.

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

Motorcycles are not as easy to spot on the road, do not take up as much space on the road. As a result of something referred to as “inattentional blindness,” drivers are less likely to see a motorcycle — even when they are looking for one. This is because we train our brains to be aware of larger vehicles, but not for motorcycles. Inattentional blindness contributes to many motorcycle accidents in Lake in the Hills, 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 and hits a motorcyclist in an intersection. These crashes can be the result of a motorist’s drunkenness, speeding or generally not paying close enough attention to the road.
• Other collisions — Head on collisions are also common between motorcycles and passenger cars. It is also common for a car 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, wet or icy roadways 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 fall.
• Malfunctioning components — Dozens of motorcycles are recalled every year, either by the manufacturer or by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 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 in the Hills, IL?

Almost all motor vehicle 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 entity or contracting company for road hazards
• A motorcycle manufacturer in a product liability claim
• A employer if their employee injured you while driving, such as in a commercial truck accident

Can I Sue For My Lake in the Hills, 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 may have to compensate you for your injuries. However, suing a government entity in Illinois has added complications. Our motorcycle accident lawyers in Lake in the Hills, IL can handle 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 Lake in the Hills, IL. What Are My Legal Options?

The dangers of motorcycles mean that bikers have a higher death rate than people in passenger cars. If your worst nightmare came true and a family member passed away in a motorcycle crash, you can make a wrongful death claim. While it is impossible to put a monetary value on your loved one’s life 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:

• 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 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. In order of 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 siblings’ descendants can file a claim
  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 economic and noneconomic damages the deceased incurred from their injuries before passing
  • Funeral expenses
  • Loss of financial support from the deceased, including any benefits they got from 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 Lake in the Hills, IL wrongful death attorneys are not just skilled at securing full compensation. 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 injury cases we we have had great success with in Lake in the Hills, 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 Lake in the Hills, IL Today

Our Lake in the Hills, IL motorcycle accident lawyers will fight until you get the maximum compensation you are owed; 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 Lake in the Hills, IL personal injury law firm will fight for your rights, call our team at (312) 500-HURT or contact us online for a free consultation.