Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Mahomet, IL

Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Mahomet, IL

The thrill of riding a motorcycle can be canceled out by the injuries careless drivers cause when they do not respect your safety. If another driver injured you in Mahomet, IL, reach out to the motorcycle accident lawyers of Burger Law immediately at (779) 800-HURT or contact us online for a no-risk, no-obligation consultation.

If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in Mahomet, 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 get your blood racing. You are connected to the road and your motorcycle in a way that is not possible in an enclosed vehicle. Unfortunately, there is a potentially dangerous trade-off. 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, it carries financial, physical and mental consequences and you need someone to stand by your side and ensure you are treated fairly. You want a law firm that has demonstrated that they can full compensation in motorcycle wreck claims in Mahomet, IL.

Our team has more than seven decades of combined litigation and trial experience. 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 will try to devalue your financial settlement. We know how to fight insurance companies and ensure that they treat our Mahomet, IL clients fairly.

To discover more about how our personal injury law firm will fight for your rights, speak to an attorney at (779) 800-HURT to discuss your motorcycle accident claim for free.

How Common Are Motorcycle Accidents in Mahomet, IL?

Even though motorcycles account for only .06 percent of all vehicle miles traveled in the country, they accounted for 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 there were 82,500 motorcycle accident injuries and 5,579 fatalities. In Illinois, of 3,077 motorcycle wrecks, 2,404 caused injuries and 152 were deadly, according to the Illinois 2020 Crash Facts and Statistics. Unfortunately, over 50 percent of those occurred when the motorcycle was going in a straight line, insinuating that the accidents were often because of another driver not respecting motorcyclists on the road. Most of the crashes occurred in metropolitan areas, especially on arterial roads.

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

Just under 50 percent of deadly motorcycle collisions occur in the between June and September, and 50 percent occur on the weekends.

What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident in Mahomet, IL

There are a number things you should do, 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 can be jarring, it is vital to think rationally. At the accident site, you should:

• Get to safety — If possible, get to the side of the road and away from oncoming traffic. Leave the bike. It is obviously important to you, but trying to carry it could put you at risk of further harm. 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 make injuries worse. 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 a good idea to get medical attention there instead of trying to go to an emergency room yourself. Police will also be able to file a report stating who they believe is to blame for the accident.
• Gather evidence — Speak to the other driver and get their insurance information. Take pictures of the accident, including how the vehicles are positioned and the surrounding areas. Take as many pictures as possible. Something you do not think is that big of a deal may help a motorcycle accident lawyer in Mahomet, IL prove who is responsible for your injuries when you make your claim. Get the contact info of any eyewitnesses to the accident.

Lastly, receive medical attention if you have not already.

What to Do in the Ensuing Weeks and Months

After you first seek medical care, inform the insurance company of everybody involved. Then, speak to a motorcycle accident lawyer in Mahomet, 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 detail all of the costs and treatments you incurred because of your injuries. The the higher your financial loss, the higher your non-economic damages compensation will be as well. Make sure you attend every follow up, chiropractic or physical therapy appointment your doctor wants you to.
• Keep Detailed Records — You also deserve reimbursement for lost wages from time your injuries caused you to miss out from work, and any out-of-pocket expenses due to your injuries, such as parking or Uber rides for going to medical appointments or hiring someone to help take care of your children. Keep detailed receipts and notes about why those charges were necessary. It may also be a good idea to 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 hired a motorcycle accident lawyer, your attorney will handle all communication with the insurance. Insurance adjusters utilize a lot of tricks to devalue claims, but your attorney will know how to deal with them.
• Do Not Post on Social Media — It is commonplace to want to share what is going on with your life with others. However, posting too much on social media can do damage to your chances of being fully compensated. If you tell the insurance company that your injuries prevent you from working, and the insurance finds out you have been going out on the weekends, they will use it to attempt to devalue your claim.

From your initial consultation, we will keep you updated throughout your claim until you get the maximum compensation you are owed. Let us handle the legal aspect of your case so you can spend your energy on on your medical treatment.

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

For minor and clear-cut accidents, where the liable party is taking accountability and your medical expenses are no more than an emergency room visit, a lawyer may not be able to add much value to your claim. Give the insurance company proof of your financial losses, and ask for a little more for inconvenience. In a smaller settlement where not much is disputed, the insurance company will only lose money if they try to fight your claim.

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 obligations when their policyholders injure someone, they usually have to be convinced to. Situations where you will need a motorcycle accident lawyer in Mahomet, IL include:

• Your injuries require ongoing treatment — The more your medical expenses and time spent off work, 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 convince the insurance company to pay for future damages as well.
• The insurance company is not being fair — If your damages are starting to creep up into the tens 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 a lawyer working on your claim, the insurance company will know that you mean business. In a recent case, Burger Law was able to turn a $3,900 offer into a $100,000 settlement.
• There are multiple parties at fault — With some cases, especially multi-vehicle accidents, there may be more than one party that caused your injuries. For example, a driver may cut your off while not looking for you, causing you to swerve and hit a road hazard that a local government should have fixed. A talented Mahomet, IL motorcycle accident lawyer will conduct a full investigation into the wreck and assign a portion of the damages to each liable party. Finding other people who are liable is crucial if you are owed more compensation than the at-fault driver’s policy limits.
• The insurance adjuster is trying to blame you for the accident — Trying to say your injuries are your own fault is a frequent move insurance adjusters use to devalue your claim. When this happens, an attorney will fight back conclusively demonstrate that is not the case. If you were indeed responsible for a portion of the accident, 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 Mahomet, IL motorcycle accident lawyer at Burger Law knows how to fight back against tricks insurance adjusters use. We have been doing it for more than three decades. We offer an initial conversation and investigation for free, so call us at (779) 800-HURT to see what we can do for your claim. We start working from the second you hire us, and do not let up until you get all of compensation you are owed.

Recent Burger Law Mahomet, 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. A motorcycle accident lawyer saying they know how to get full compensation is one thing, 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 Mahomet, IL?

In order to file any Mahomet, 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 owe you a duty to protect you from unreasonable harm? 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 cause 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 lost wages and emotional distress? If your accident resulted in a few bruises or scrapes, but you did not need 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. Consult with a motorcycle accident attorney immediately at (779) 800-HURT if you have any doubts about the validity of your claim.

How Much is My Mahomet, 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 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 usually lead to higher economic and noneconomic damages
• Whether or not you contributed to the accident
• If the accident led to permanent disfigurement or disability
• The impact the injuries have had on your ability to enjoy life

At Burger Law, our injury attorneys know how to calculate every dime you are owed and demand that the liable party takes responsibility for all of it. If your injuries require ongoing medical care, we will ensure you also get money to pay for that, including adjusting for inflation.

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

According to 735 ILCS 5/13-202, the time limit for motorcycle accident claims in Mahomet, IL is two years. That means the clock starts ticking on the date of the accident to file a claim. Illinois has three 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 time does not account against 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 have been injured in Mahomet, IL. Call us immediately at (779) 800-HURT.

What Are Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Mahomet, IL?

Motorcycles are not as easy to spot on the road, being smaller. Due to a phenomenon known as “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 other cars, but not for motorcycles. Inattentional blindness contributes to many motorcycle accidents in Mahomet, IL.

The most common causes of motorcycles accidents are:

• Left-hand turns — According to data from the Motorcycle Legal Foundation, 42 percent 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 due to a motorist’s intoxication, reckless driving or simple inattention.
• Other collisions — Head on collisions also occur frequently between motorcycles and cars or trucks. It is also common for a car to fail to see a motorcyclist when turning in front of them. Motorcycles also collide with fixed objects more than any other type of driver, which is not always the motorcyclist’s fault.
• Road hazards — Uneven pavement, potholes, animal carcasses, gravel or other debris on our streets usually do not affect a vehicle with more than two wheels very much. However, motorcycles are less stable and these hazards can cause a motorcyclist to lose control.
• Defective components — Manufacturers and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recall dozens of motorcycles annually. When dangerous bikes and components are not recalled, it can cause motorcycle accidents.

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

Almost all motor vehicle accidents are caused by human error. So, most likely, you will make a claim against another driver. However, other parties that may be held liable include:

• A governmental entity 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 Mahomet, 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 agency responsible for the neglect can be held responsible for the motorcycle accident. However, suing a government entity in Illinois has added complications. Our motorcycle accident lawyers in Mahomet, IL can take on your claim and guide you through the complexities of local and state laws to get you a full financial recovery.

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

Motorcyclists are not only at higher risk of a catastrophic injury, but are more likely to be in a fatal accident. If you were touched by tragedy and a family member 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 some of the difficulties associated with their 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 of your loved one’s death, not the date of the accident.
• 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. 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 bring a suit
• Your compensation will include:
  • Under 755 ILCS 5/27-6, the Illinois Survival Act, the economic and noneconomic damages your loved one 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, guidance and moral training the deceased would have provided
  • Survivors’ grief, sorrow and mental suffering

Burger Law’s Mahomet, IL wrongful death attorneys are not just tremendous at getting our clients full recoveries. We are understanding and kind and have helped many families get through the sorrow, anger and confusion that accompanies a fatal auto accident.

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

Our Mahomet, IL motorcycle accident lawyers will not stop fighting until there is nothing left to fight; we promise. You are owed a recovery for your motorcycle accident. You do not have to pay for someone else’s mistakes. To learn more about how our Mahomet, IL personal injury law firm will fight for your rights, call our team at (779) 800-HURT or contact us online for a free case evaluation.