Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Madison County, IL

Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Madison County, 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 you were injured in a motorcycle accident in Madison County, IL, reach out to the motorcycle accident lawyers of Burger Law now at (779) 800-HURT or complete our online form for a free consultation.

If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in Madison County, 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 peace. There is a sense of freedom that a car just cannot emulate. Regrettably, this freedom also comes with a high price. Because motorcycles do not protect riders as well as enclosed vehicles, motorcycle accidents can cause serious injuries. When that happens to you, there are hardships and you need someone to stand by your side and get you the compensation you deserve. You want a law firm that has demonstrated that they can full compensation in motorcycle collision claims in Madison County, IL.

Burger Law has more than seven decades of combined experience winning cases in negotiations and in the court room. Our motorcycle accident lawyers will fight until we win your case 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 wants 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 Madison County, 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 Madison County, IL?

Even though motorcycles account for only .06 percent of all traffic miles traveled nationwide, they made up four percent of all injuries and 14 percent of total deaths 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 perished in motorcycle crashes. In Illinois, there were 3,077 motorcycle crashes which resulted in 2,404 injuries and 152 deaths, according to the Illinois 2020 Crash Facts and Statistics. Sadly, over 50 percent of those occurred 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 because of another driver was not looking out for bikers. Most of the crashes occurred in urban areas, especially around tolls.

According to data from the Motorcycle Legal Foundation, Illinois is eighth in the country with 280,322 registered motorcycles, and fittingly was eighth in the country in fatalities in 2017.

The most common season for motorcycle crashes is summer, and half of all wrecks happen between 6 p.m. Friday and 6 a.m. Monday.

What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident in Madison County, IL

There are several 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.

At the Accident Site

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

• Get to safety — If possible, get to the side of the road and away from other vehicles coming down the street. Leave your motorcycle where it is. It is obviously important to you, but staying with the bike or trying to move it could put you at risk of further harm. If you suspect you have a spine or head injury, stay still and wait for emergency personnel.
• Keep your gear on — Taking off your helmet or other gear could also make injuries worse. Because of adrenaline, a serious injury may not always hurt as much at first.
• Call 911 — As the injuries caused in a motorcycle wreck can be catastrophic, it may be best to be looked over at the scene instead of trying to go to an emergency room yourself. Police will also be able to file a report relating who they believe is to blame for the accident.
• Gather evidence — Talk to any other motorists involved and get their insurance information. 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 Madison County, IL when trying to prove who is responsible for your injuries when you make your claim. See if there are eyewitnesses who can back up your claim.

Finally, receive medical attention if you did not already do so.

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 Madison County, 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 is also paramount to building your case. In order to prove your damages, you need to complete copies of medical medical records which show all of the costs and treatments directly associated with the accident. The more medical expenses you have, the higher your ultimate compensation will be as well. Make sure you attend every follow up, chiropractic or physical therapy appointment your doctor orders for you.
• Keep Detailed Records — You are also owed reimbursement 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 parking or Uber rides for going to medical appointments or hiring someone to help with chores around the house. Manage a file with all of your receipts and notes about why those charges were necessary. 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.
• Leave the Insurance Company up to Your Attorney — Once you have notified the insurance company about your claim and hired a motorcycle accident lawyer, let your attorney handle documentation and negotiation. Insurance adjusters try to employ a lot of tricks to devalue claims, but your attorney will know how to hold the adjuster accountable.
• Do Not Post on Social Media — In this day and age, many of us want to share details about our life on social media. However, posting too much on social media can do damage to 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 completely in the loop until you get the maximum compensation you are owed. Let us handle the investigation, documentation, negotiation and litigation so you can focus on healing.

Do I Need a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Madison County, IL For My Claim?

For some minor claims, where there is no discrepancy about who is at fault and your medical expenses only include a visit with your primary care physician, you may not need an attorney to get fair compensation. Supply the insurance company with proof of your financial losses, and ask for a little more for inconvenience. In a a settlement for a relatively small sum of money where their policyholder is clearly liable, the adjuster is not going to want to waste their time.

However, in the vast majority of cases, you will need the assistance of a motorcycle accident attorney for your injury claim. While it would be nice if insurance companies fulfilled their responsibility when their policyholders injure someone, it usually takes a fair amount of fighting to get them to do it. Situations where you will need a motorcycle accident lawyer in Madison County, IL include:

• Your injuries are severe — The higher your damages, 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 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 in the tens or hundreds of thousands, and the insurance adjuster is only offering a few thousand, 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 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 parties 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 merge into your line while not looking for you, causing you to swerve and hit an improperly cordoned-off construction site. A talented Madison County, IL motorcycle accident lawyer will be able to investigate 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.
• The insurance adjuster is trying to blame you for your injuries — Blaming you for your injuries is a classic move insurance adjusters use to avoid paying you. If the insurance company say your accident was your own doing, an attorney can step in and conclusively demonstrate how the other party was negligent. If you were indeed responsible for a portion of the accident, you are not completely barred from compensation under Missouri’s comparative negligence doctrine. However, you will need an attorney to apply the rule of law and get you that compensation.

Your Madison County, 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. We offer an initial conversation and investigation for free, so speak to an attorney today at (779) 800-HURT to see what we can do for your claim. We start working from the moment you hire us, and fight until there is nothing left to fight.

Recent Burger Law Madison County, IL Motorcycle Accident Victories

With any type of legal claim, results matter. You want to feel confident 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 whose past clients will recommend 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 Madison County, IL?

If you want to file any Madison County, IL injury claim, 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 other person owe you a duty to protect you from unreasonable harm? 625 ILCS 5/11-1003.1 mandates that “every driver of a vehicle shall exercise due care,” so anyone else on the road automatically owes 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 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 not working, the liable party may be a manufacturer and not the driver?.
5. Damages — Did your injuries lead to losses, such as medical expenses and pain and suffering? If your accident caused a few bumps and bruises, but they healed without any medical treatment, it would be hard for you to file a claim.

Any time somebody else’s carelessness or recklessness injures you, you have an injury claim. Speak to a motorcycle accident attorney now at (779) 800-HURT if you are unsure if you have a claim.

How Much is My Madison County, 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, scarring and pain and suffering
• In some rare cases, you can 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 contributed to the accident
• If you sustained 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 demand that the liable party pay all of it. If your injuries require ongoing medical care, 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 Madison County, IL?

According to 735 ILCS 5/13-202, the time limit for motorcycle accident injuries in Madison County, 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 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 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 may seem like a long time, investigating and developing a legal strategy for your claim takes time. Do not wait to call a motorcycle accident lawyer after you were hurt in a motorcycle accident in Madison County, IL. Call us now at (779) 800-HURT.

What Are Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Madison County, IL?

Motorcycles are not as easy to spot on the road, do not take up as much space on the road. Due to a phenomenon known 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 look for larger vehicles, but not for motorcycles. Inattentional blindness is a leading cause of motorcycle accidents in Madison County, IL.

Most motorcycle accidents occur because of:

• Left-hand turns — The Motorcycle Legal Foundation reports that over 40 percent 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 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 to fail to see a motorcyclist when turning in front of them. Motorcycles also have the highest rate of collisions with fixed objects, which is not always the motorcyclist’s fault.
• Road hazards — Cracked pavement, potholes, dead animals, wet or icy roadways or other debris on our streets often do not have much of an impact on a car. However, motorcycles are less stable and these hazards can cause a motorcyclist to fall.
• Malfunctioning parts — Manufacturers and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recall dozens of motorcycles annually. When dangerous bikes and components are not recalled, it can lead to motorcycle crashes.

Who is Liable for My Motorcycle Accident Injuries in Madison County, IL?

More than nine out of 10 auto accidents are the result of driver 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 road hazards
• 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 Madison County, IL Motorcycle Accident if it Did Not Involve Another Vehicle?

States and municipalities are tasked with keeping 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 Madison County, 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 Madison County, IL. What Are My Legal Options?

The dangers of motorcycles mean that bikers have a higher death rate than people in enclosed vehicles. 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 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. 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 there are no family members, a judge can appoint a plaintiff ad litem to bring a suit
• 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 passing
  • Funeral expenses
  • Loss of financial support from your loved one, 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 Madison County, IL wrongful death attorneys are not just skilled at getting our clients full recoveries. We are compassionate and have helped many families navigate the sorrow, anger and confusion that accompanies a fatal auto accident.

In addition to motorcycle accidents, other injury cases we we have had great success with in Madison County, 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 Madison County, IL Today

Our Madison County, 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 did nothing to deserve being in this situation, and you should not have to pay for it. To learn more about how our Madison County, IL personal injury law firm will fight for your rights, call our team at (779) 800-HURT or complete our online form for a free case review.