Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Lake View, IL

Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Lake View, IL

The sense of freedom a motorcycle comes with can be made moot by the harm negligent drivers can do to you when they do not respect your safety. If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in Lake View, IL, speak to the motorcycle accident lawyers of Burger Law immediately at (779) 800-HURT or contact us online for a free case evaluation.

If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in Lake View, 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 the road and relax. You get a feeling of the open road that is not possible in an enclosed vehicle. Unfortunately, negligent drivers can turn that feeling into something horrific. Because motorcycles do not protect their occupants as well as enclosed vehicles, the consequences of a motorcycle accident can be devastating. When you are injured, it carries hardships and you need someone to stand by your side and ensure you are treated fairly. You want a law firm with a proven track record of winning motorcycle wreck cases in Lake View, 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 tenaciously pursue every legal avenue to make sure justice is served. Do not talk to your insurance or the other side’s insurance without speaking to an attorney first. The insurance adjuster is out to devalue your financial settlement. Our firm has a proven track record of successfully fighting the insurance companies and making sure that they treat our Lake View, IL clients fairly.

To learn more about what we can do for you, speak to our team at (779) 800-HURT to discuss your motorcycle accident case now.

How Common Are Motorcycle Accidents in Lake View, IL?

Fourteen percent of traffic deaths 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 United States, in 2020 there were 82,500 motorcycle accident injuries and 5,579 deaths. In Illinois, there were 3,077 motorcycle wrecks which caused 2,404 injuries and 152 fatalities, according to the Illinois 2020 Crash Facts and Statistics. Sadly, the majority of those occurred when a passenger car or truck collided with a motorcycle when the biker was driving in a straight line, which leads us to believe that the accidents were often due to another driver was not looking out for bikers. Wrecks happen most frequently in urban areas, especially on arterial roads.

According to research from the Motorcycle Legal Foundation, Illinois is eighth in the country with close to 300,000 registered motorcycles, and proportionately was eighth in the country in deaths in 2017.

The most common season for motorcycle crashes is summer, and half of all wrecks happen on the weekends.

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

There are a number steps you should take, both at the accident site and throughout the length of your claim process, to ensure you make both a physical and financial recovery.

Immediately After The Accident

While any accident is jarring, it is important to keep a clear head. Immediately after the crash, 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 your motorcycle behind. It is obviously important to you, but trying to carry it could exacerbate your injuries. If you are seriously injured, stay still and wait for emergency personnel.
• Keep your gear on — Taking off your helmet, gloves, boots, jacket and other gear could also make injuries worse. Adrenaline may hide how significant an injury actually is.
• 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 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 request an insurance card. Take pictures of all vehicles and the crash site from different positions. Take as many pictures as possible. Something you do not think matters much may be useful to a motorcycle accident lawyer in Lake View, IL when trying to prove your case when you make your claim. Get the contact info of any eyewitnesses to the accident.

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

What to Do in the Days, Weeks and Months Afterwards

After you first seek medical care, notify the insurance company of everybody involved. Then, speak to a motorcycle accident lawyer in Lake View, 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 obviously the best thing for your health, but is also essential to making sure you get full compensation. You need to prove that you sustained financial losses, and to do that you need to be able to point to medical records which show all of the costs and treatments directly associated with the accident. The the higher your financial loss, the higher your non-economic damages compensation will be as well. Go to every every treatment and use all of the equipment and medication your doctor wants you to.
• 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 you incur, such as parking or gas money for going to medical appointments or hiring someone to help with housework. Keep detailed receipts and explanations for why you needed to pay those expenses. 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 informed the insurance company about your accident and hired a motorcycle accident lawyer, let your attorney handle documentation and negotiation. Insurance adjusters utilize a lot of ploys to avoid paying claims, and it is better to leave communication up to a lawyer who knows how to make the adjuster be honest.
• Do Not Post on Social Media — It is commonplace to want to share what is going on with your life on the Internet. However, posting too much on social media can do damage to your claim. If you tell the insurance company that your injuries prevent you from working, and the insurance sees pictures of you at your friend’s barbecue, they they can say your injuries are not actually that severe.

From the moment you hire us, we will keep you completely in the loop until you get the maximum compensation you are owed. Allow us to deal with the legal aspect of your case so you can focus on your medical treatment.

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

For accidents involving minor injuries, 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 proof of your financial losses, 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 is not going to want to waste their time.

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 someone is injured by their policyholders’ negligence, they usually have to be convinced to. Situations where you will need a motorcycle accident lawyer in Lake View, IL include:

• Your injuries are severe — The higher your damages, the more the insurance company will try and devalue your injuries. If your injuries require future medical treatment or prevent you from earning a living as you used to, you will always need an attorney to precisely value 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 much you are owed. If you enlist the services of an attorney, the insurance company will know that you are serious about getting the full compensation you deserve. 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 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 an improperly cordoned-off construction zone. An aggressive Lake View, IL motorcycle accident lawyer will be able to investigate the accident and assign a portion of the damages to each liable party. Identifying everyone who is liable is crucial if your damages exceed 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 well-known trick insurance adjusters use to avoid paying you. If the insurance company say your accident was your own fault, an attorney will fight back prove that is not the case. If you were indeed partially to blame, you are not completely barred from compensation under Missouri’s comparative negligence rule. However, a lawyer is likely necessary to get you the most possible compensation.

Your Lake View, IL motorcycle accident lawyer at Burger Law knows how to combat dishonest ploys 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 now at (779) 800-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 View, IL Motorcycle Accident Victories

With any type of legal claim, results matter. You want to know that you are putting your case in the hands of the best possible lawyer, and that they are going to fight hard to make sure you get 100 percent of the recovery and compensation you deserve. Any motorcycle accident lawyer can say they will fight for you, but a lawyer with client testimonials and results to prove it is another thing. Click on 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 Lake View, IL?

If you want to file any Lake View, IL injury claim, 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 have a responsibility to keep you safe? 625 ILCS 5/11-1003.1 says that “every driver of a vehicle shall exercise due care,” so other drivers always owe you a duty of care.
2. Breach of duty — Did they fail in that duty and did that breach lead to an accident? Was the other driver speeding, texting and driving, drunk driving or otherwise breaking proper procedure behind the wheel?
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 not working, 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 medical bills and mental anguish? If your accident caused a few bruises or scrapes, but it was not serious enough to seek medical treatment, it would be hard for you to make a claim.

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

How Much is My Lake View, 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 mental anguish, disfigurement and pain and suffering
• While not common, you may be able to be awarded punitive damages if you were injured by extreme recklessness, such as drunk driving

Factors that might make your recovery higher or lower include:

• The severity of your injuries; more significant injuries tend to 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
• The impact the injuries have had on your ability to enjoy life

At Burger Law, we are experts at calculating every dime you are owed and insist the insurance company 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 adjusting for inflation.

How Long Do I Have to File a Motorcycle Accident Claim in Lake View, IL?

According to 735 ILCS 5/13-202, the statute of limitations for motorcycle accident claims in Lake View, 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 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 when the injuries occurred, they have until two years after the disability ended
• If the negligent party leaves the state of Illinois for a time, that period 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 wait to reach out to a motorcycle accident lawyer after you were hurt in a motorcycle accident in Lake View, IL. Call us now at (779) 800-HURT.

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

Motorcycles are not as easy to spot on the road, being smaller. Because of something called “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 Lake View, IL.

The most common causes of motorcycles accidents are:

• Left-hand turns — The Motorcycle Legal Foundation reports that almost half of all fatal motorcycle crashes occur when a car turns left while the motorcycle was going straight. These crashes can be due to a motorist’s drunkenness, reckless driving or distracted driving.
• Other collisions — Head on collisions also occur frequently between motorcycles and cars or trucks. A car may also 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 — Uneven pavement, potholes, animal carcasses, gravel or other debris on our streets usually do not affect a car or truck very much. However, motorcycles do not have the same level of stability and these hazards can cause a motorcyclist to fall.
• Defective 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 accidents.

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

Ninety-four percent of all motor vehicle accidents are the result of 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 agency or contracting company for road hazards
• A motorcycle manufacturer 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 Lake View, 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 can be held accountable for the motorcycle accident. However, suing a government entity in Illinois has added complications. Our motorcycle accident lawyers in Lake View, IL can handle 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 Lake View, 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 someone you love passed away in a motorcycle crash, you can make a recovery through a wrongful death claim. While it is impossible to put a monetary value on your loved one’s life 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.
• There are three categories of people who can file a wrongful death claim in Illinois. Beginning with who has the first chance to file, 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, the court 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 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, education and moral training the deceased would have provided
  • Survivors’ grief, sorrow and mental suffering

Burger Law’s Lake View, IL wrongful death attorneys are not just skilled at securing full compensation. We are understanding and kind 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 we have had great success with in Lake View, 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 View, IL Today

Our Lake View, 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 Lake View, IL personal injury law firm will fight for your rights, call our team at (779) 800-HURT or contact us online for a no obligation consultation.