Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Little Village, IL

Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Little Village, IL

The sense of freedom a motorcycle comes with can be canceled out by the injuries reckless drivers cause when they do not respect your safety. If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in Little Village, IL, speak to the motorcycle accident lawyers of Burger Law immediately at (779) 800-HURT or contact us online for a complimentary case review.

If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in Little Village, 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. There is a sense of freedom that you do not get in an enclosed vehicle. Regrettably, this freedom also comes with a high price. Because motorcycles do not protect riders as well as enclosed vehicles, the consequences of a motorcycle accident can be devastating. When that happens to you, there are economic, physical and mental consequences and you need someone to stand by your side and get you the compensation you deserve. You need to find a law firm with a proven track record of winning motorcycle wreck cases in Little Village, IL.

Our attorneys and paralegals have over three decades of experience getting full financial recoveries for those injured through the negligence of another. 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 will try to limit your financial settlement. Our firm has a proven track record of successfully fighting the insurance companies and making sure that they treat our Little Village, IL clients fairly.

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

How Common Are Motorcycle Accidents in Little Village, IL?

Despite the fact that motorcycles account for barely over half a percent of total traffic miles traveled in the country, they made up four percent of all injuries and 14 percent of all deaths in traffic-related accidents in 2020, according to data from the National Safety Council. In the United States, in 2020 82,000 people were injured and 5,579 perished in motorcycle crashes. In Illinois, of 3,077 motorcycle collisions, 2,404 caused injuries and 152 were deadly, according to the Illinois 2020 Crash Facts and Statistics. Unfortunately, over half of those crashes came when a passenger car or truck collided with a motorcycle when the biker was driving in a straight line, insinuating that the accidents were often because of another driver failing to notice motorcyclists. Wrecks happen most frequently in urban areas, especially major city streets.

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

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 Little Village, IL

There are several things you should do, both at the accident site and throughout the length of your claim process, to make sure your recover from your injuries both physically and financially.

At the Accident Site

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

• Get to safety — If you can, get to the side of the road and away from 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 are seriously injured, stay still and wait for emergency medical services.
• Keep your gear on — Taking off 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 is probably best to get medical attention at the scene instead of leaving and planning to seek medical attention later. Police know how to determine fault in an accident, and will make a police report.
• Gather evidence — Speak to the other driver and ask for an insurance card. 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 is that big of a deal may be useful to a motorcycle accident lawyer in Little Village, IL when trying to prove someone else’s negligence down the road. Get the contact info of any eyewitnesses to the accident.

Lastly, if you did not opt to get medical treatment at the scene, do so immediately.

What to Do Throughout the Claim Process

After you first seek medical care, notify both your insurance company and the other driver’s. Then, speak to a motorcycle accident lawyer in Little Village, 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 physical recovery, but aids your financial recovery as well. In order to prove your damages, you need to be able to point to medical records which show all of the treatments and related expenses directly associated with the accident. The the higher your financial loss, the higher your non-economic damages compensation will be as well. Make sure you attend 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 take care of your children. Keep all of your receipts and explanations for 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.
• Leave the Insurance Company up to Your Attorney — Once you have informed the insurance company about your claim and hired a motorcycle accident lawyer, your attorney will handle all communication with the insurance. Insurance adjusters try to employ a lot of tactics to minimize claims, but your attorney will know how to hold the adjuster accountable.
• Resist Social Media — In this day and age, many of us want to share details about our life on social media. However, even a well-meaning post can ruin your chances of being fully compensated. If you say your injuries are debilitating, and the insurance finds out you have been at a bar, they they can say your injuries are not actually that severe.

From your initial consultation, we will keep you updated throughout your claim until we attain a successful resolution. Allow us to handle the legal aspect of your case so you can spend your energy on on your physical and emotional recovery.

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

For accidents involving minor injuries, where there is no discrepancy about who is at fault and your medical bills only include an urgent care visit, a lawyer may not be able to add much value to your claim. 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 a settlement for a relatively small sum of money where their policyholder is clearly liable, the insurance company is not going to want to waste their time.

However, in most 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 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 Little Village, IL include:

• Your injuries are severe — The more your medical bills and lost wages, the more the insurance company will try and devalue your injuries. If your injuries require ongoing treatment, 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 there is an attorney on the case, 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 liable party — 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 while not looking for you, causing you to take defensive action and hit an improperly cordoned-off construction zone. A knowledgeable Little Village, IL motorcycle accident lawyer will conduct a full investigation into the wreck and determine all liable parties. Finding other people who are liable is key 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 classic tactic insurance adjusters use to avoid paying you. If the insurance company say your accident was your own doing, an attorney will fight back 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 doctrine. However, a lawyer is likely necessary to get you the best possible results.

Your Little Village, IL motorcycle accident lawyer at Burger Law knows how to combat tricks insurance adjusters use. We have been doing it for more than three decades. We offer an initial conversation and investigation at no charge, so call us at (779) 800-HURT to see if we can add value to your claim. We get to work from the moment you hire us, and do not let up until you get all of compensation you are owed.

Recent Burger Law Little Village, IL Motorcycle Accident Victories

With any type of legal claim, results matter. You want to know that you are giving your case to 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. A motorcycle accident lawyer saying they are the best is one thing, but a lawyer whose past clients will vouch for them and who has the 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 Little Village, IL?

If you want to have a successful claim in Little Village, 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 keep you safe? 625 ILCS 5/11-1003.1 states that “every driver of a vehicle shall exercise due care,” so other motorists always owe you that duty.
2. Breach of duty — Were they neglectful in that duty and did that breach lead to an accident? Was the other driver speeding, texting and driving, drunk driving or otherwise not following proper procedure behind the wheel?
3. Cause in fact — Did the accident cause your injuries?
4. Proximate cause — Whose negligence caused the accident? If the other driver’s brakes were not working, the liable party may be a manufacturer and not the driver?.
5. Damages — Did your injuries lead to losses, such as lost wages and pain and suffering? If your accident resulted in some bumps and bruises, but you did not need any medical treatment, you likely do not have a claim.

If you were injured through another’s negligence, you can to file an injury claim. Speak to a motorcycle accident attorney immediately at (779) 800-HURT if you are unsure if you have a claim.

How Much is My Little Village, 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
• While not common, you may be able to recover 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 to blame for your injuries
• If you sustained permanent disfigurement or disability
• The impact the injuries have had on your ability to enjoy life

At Burger Law, we know how to calculate the full value of someone’s injury claim and demanding the liable party pay 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 Little Village, IL?

According to 735 ILCS 5/13-202, the statute of limitations for motorcycle accident injuries in Little Village, IL is two years. That means you only have two years from the date the accident occurred to file a claim. There are some 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 at the time of accident, they have until two years after the disability ended
• If the liable party is outside of 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 Little Village, IL. Call us now at (779) 800-HURT.

What Are Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Little Village, 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 known as “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 is a leading cause of motorcycle accidents in Little Village, IL.

Most motorcycle accidents occur because of:

• 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 due to a motorist’s intoxication, reckless driving or generally not paying close enough attention to the road.
• Other collisions — Head on collisions also occur frequently between motorcycles and passenger cars. A car may also to fail to 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, dead animals, gravel or other roadways debris usually do not affect a vehicle with more than two wheels very much. However, motorcycles do not have the same level of stability and these hazards can cause a motorcyclist to lose control.
• Defective components — Dozens of motorcycles are recalled every year, either by the manufacturer or by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. When dangerous bikes and components are not recalled, it can lead to motorcycle collisions.

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

Ninety-four percent of all motor vehicle accidents are caused by 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 agency or contracting company for not repairing or negligent repairing a road
• A motorcycle manufacturer in a product liability claim
• A company if their employee injured you while driving, such as in a commercial truck accident

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

Governmental entities are supposed to keep their roadways safe for citizens to travel on, and when obstruction or other objects in the road cause an accident, the municipality may have to compensate you for your injuries. However, suing a government entity in Illinois has added complications. Our motorcycle accident lawyers in Little Village, IL can handle your claim and take the fight to city hall to secure you the compensation you deserve.

A Loved One Was Killed in a Motorcycle Crash in Little Village, IL. What Are My Legal Options?

Motorcyclists are not only at higher risk of a catastrophic injury, but are more likely to perish in a crash. If tragedy struck and someone you love passed away 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 help provide some sense closure and ease the financial burden 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 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. If there are no immediate family members, siblings and siblings’ descendants can bring a suit
  3. If there are no family members, the court can appoint a plaintiff ad litem to bring a suit
• 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 they got from 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 Little Village, IL wrongful death attorneys are not just experts at getting our clients full recoveries. 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 personal injury claims we take on and win in Little Village, 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 Little Village, IL Today

Our Little Village, IL motorcycle accident lawyers will not stop fighting until there is nothing left to fight; 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 Little Village, 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 case evaluation.