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Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Markham, IL
Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Markham, IL
The exhilaration you feel when riding a motorcycle can be made moot by the harm negligent drivers can do to you when they do not follow the rules of the road. If another driver injured you in Markham, IL, speak to the motorcycle accident lawyers of Burger Law immediately at (312) 500-HURT or fill out our online form for a free consultation.
If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in Markham, 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 yourself and connect with people who share your passions. There is a sense of freedom that you do not get in an enclosed vehicle. Regrettably, negligent drivers can turn that feeling into catastrophic injuries. Because of their relative lack of protection, motorcycle accidents can cause serious injuries. When that happens to you, there are instant financial, physical and mental consequences and you need someone to fight for you. You need to find a lawyer that has demonstrated that they can full compensation in motorcycle collision lawsuits in Markham, IL.
Our attorneys and paralegals have over 70 years of combined litigation and trial experience. Our motorcycle accident lawyers will fight until we win your case and there is nothing left to fight. Always speak to a lawyer before accepting an insurance company’s offer. The insurance adjuster will try to limit your recovery. Our firm has a proven track record of successfully fighting the insurance companies and making sure that they give 100 percent of what they owe our Markham, IL clients.
To discover more about how our personal injury law firm will defend your rights, speak to a lawyer at (312) 500-HURT to go over your motorcycle accident case now.
How Common Are Motorcycle Accidents in Markham, 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 the National Safety Council. Nationwide, in 2020 82,000 people were injured and 5,579 passed away in motorcycle crashes. In Illinois, of 3,077 motorcycle collisions, 2,404 caused injuries and 152 were fatal, according to the Illinois 2020 Crash Facts and Statistics. Unfortunately, the majority of those crashes came when the motorcycle was driving straight, insinuating that the accidents were often due to a car or truck driver was not looking out for bikers. Crashes are most common in urban areas, especially around tolls.
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 Markham, IL
There are a number things you should do, both in the immediate wake of an accident and in the days and weeks that follow, to ensure you make both a physical and financial recovery.
At the Accident Site
While any collision is jarring, it is important to keep a clear head. Immediately after the crash, you should:
Get to safety — If you are physically able, move out of the way of other vehicles coming down the street. 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, it may be best not to move; instead wait for emergency personnel.
Keep your gear on — Taking off your helmet, gloves, boots, jacket and other gear could also make injuries worse. Because of adrenaline, a serious injury may not always hurt as much at first.
Call 911 — Because motorcycle accidents can cause severe injuries, it may be a good idea to be looked over there instead of leaving and planning to seek medical attention at urgent care or a doctors’ appointment. Police will also be able to file a report stating who they believe is liable for the accident.
Gather evidence — Talk to any other motorists involved and get their insurance information. Take photographs 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 matters much may be useful to a motorcycle accident lawyer in Markham, IL when trying to prove who is responsible for your injuries in the future. See if there are eyewitnesses who can corroborate your claim.
Lastly, receive medical attention if you did not already do so.
What to Do Throughout the Claim Process
Once you have gotten medical treatment, inform the insurance company of everybody involved. Then, speak to a motorcycle accident lawyer in Markham, 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 aids your financial recovery as well. You need to prove how much that accident hurt you, and to do that 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 more medical expenses you have, the higher your ultimate compensation will be as well. Go to every every treatment and use all of the equipment and medication your doctor orders for you.
Keep Track of Everything Related to Your Injuries — You are also owed compensation for lost wages from time your injuries caused you to miss out from work, and any out-of-pocket expenses that were necessary, such as parking or Uber rides for going to medical appointments or hiring someone to help take care of your kids. Manage a file with detailed receipts and explanations for why those charges were necessary. It may also be a good idea to write down your every day experiences 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 injuries and hired a motorcycle accident lawyer, let your attorney handle documentation and negotiation. Insurance adjusters use a lot of tactics to avoid paying claims, and it is better to leave communication up to a lawyer who knows how to hold the adjuster accountable.
Do Not Post on Social Media — It is normal to want to share what is going on with your life with others. However, posting too much on social media 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 will use it to try and deny your claim.
From the first time you speak with us, we will keep you updated throughout your claim until you get the maximum compensation you are owed. Allow us to handle the investigation, documentation, negotiation and litigation so you can focus on healing.
Get a Free Consultation
We offer free consultations and are available 24/7 to take your call. Live chat, text, and virtual meetings are available.
Do I Need a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Markham, IL For My Claim?
For minor and clear-cut accidents, 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 see if they will throw some extra money on top for the hassle. In a a settlement for a relatively small sum of money where not much is disputed, the insurance company is not going to want to waste their time.
However, in the vast majority of cases, you will need a motorcycle accident attorney for 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 Markham, 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 require ongoing treatment, you will always need an attorney to hold the insurance adjuster accountable for all of your damages.
The insurance company is not being fair — 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 what fair compensation means in your case. If there is an attorney working on your claim, the insurance company will know that you mean business. 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 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 talented Markham, IL motorcycle accident lawyer will conduct a full investigation into the accident and assign a portion of the damages to each liable party. Identifying everyone who is liable is essential 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 move insurance adjusters use to avoid paying you. If the insurance company say your injuries are your own doing, an attorney can step in and prove that is not the case. If it is true that you were partially to blame, you can still make a recovery under Missouri’s comparative negligence doctrine. However, a lawyer is likely necessary to get you the best possible results.
Your Markham, IL motorcycle accident lawyer at Burger Law knows how to combat tricks insurance adjusters use. We have been doing it for more than 30 years. We offer an initial conversation and investigation at no charge, so speak to an attorney today at (312) 500-HURT to see what we can do for your claim. We start working from the moment you hire us, and do not let up until you get all of compensation you are owed.
Recent Burger Law Markham, IL Motorcycle Accident Victories
With any type of legal claim, results matter. You want to feel confident 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 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:
Do I Have a Motorcycle Accident Claim in Markham, IL?
In order to have a valid claim in Markham, IL, you must have sustained an injury that was caused by someone else’s negligence. There are five elements to proving negligence in a personal injury claim:
Duty of care — Did the other person owe you an obligation to protect you from unreasonable harm? 625 ILCS 5/11-1003.1 stipulates that “every driver of a vehicle shall exercise due care,” so other drivers always owe you a duty of care.
Cause in fact — Did the accident cause your injuries?
Proximate cause — Did the person’s negligence cause the accident? If the other driver’s brakes were not working, the person who needs to compensate you may be a manufacturer and not another motorist?.
Damages — Did you sustain losses because of your injuries, such as lost wages and pain and suffering? If your accident caused a few small lacerations and bruising, but it was not serious enough to seek medical treatment, it would be hard for you to file a claim.
If you were injured through another’s negligence, you have an injury claim. Speak to a motorcycle accident attorney now at (312) 500-HURT if you are unsure if you have a claim.
How Much is My Markham, IL Motorcycle Accident Claim Worth?
In any personal injury claim, you are owed compensation for:
Non-economic damages, such as emotional distress, disfigurement 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 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, our injury attorneys are experts at calculating the full value of someone’s injury claim and insisting the insurance company takes responsibility for all of it. If your injuries require ongoing medical care, 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 Markham, IL?
According to 735 ILCS 5/13-202, the statute of limitations for motorcycle accident injuries in Markham, IL is two years. That means the clock starts ticking on the date you were injured 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 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 person responsible for your injuries leaves the state of Illinois for a period, 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 were hurt in a motorcycle accident in Markham, IL. Call us today at (312) 500-HURT.
What Are Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Markham, IL?
Motorcycles are not as easy to spot on the road, do not take up as much space on the road. Due to something referred to as “inattentional blindness,” drivers are less likely to see a motorcycle — even when they are looking for one. 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 Markham, IL.
Most motorcycle accidents occur because of:
Left-hand turns — According to data from the Motorcycle Legal Foundation, almost half of all fatal motorcycle crashes involve a car turning left while the motorcycle was going straight. These crashes can happen because of a car driver’s drunkenness, reckless driving or simple inattention.
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 is not always the motorcyclist’s fault.
Road hazards — Uneven pavement, potholes, animal carcasses, gravel or other roadways debris 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 components — Manufacturers and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recall dozens of motorcycles annually. If bikes or parts that are defective are allowed to stay on the market, it can lead to motorcycle collisions.
Who is Liable for My Motorcycle Accident Injuries in Markham, IL?
A employer if someone they hired injured you while driving, for example in a commercial truck accident
Can I Sue For My Markham, 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 municipality can be held responsible for the motorcycle accident. However, the state of Illinois does not make it easy to sue them. Our motorcycle accident lawyers in Markham, IL can pick up 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 Markham, IL. What Are My Legal Options?
Motorcyclists are not only at increased risk of a catastrophic injury, but are more likely to be in a fatal accident. If tragedy struck and someone you love 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 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:
A wrongful death claim can be made when some is killed by 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 of the accident.
There are three categories of people who can file a wrongful death claim in Illinois. In order of priority, they are:
Immediate family members, such as a spouse, children, grandchildren and grandparents
When there are no immediate family members, siblings and nieces and nephews can file a claim
If no family remains, the court can appoint a plaintiff ad litem to file a claim
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 work-related benefits
Loss of instruction, guidance and moral training the deceased would have provided
Survivors’ grief, sorrow and mental suffering
Burger Law’s Markham, IL wrongful death attorneys are not just skilled at getting our clients full recoveries. We are compassionate 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 cases we we have had great success with in Markham, IL include:
Speak to a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Markham, IL Today
Our Markham, 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 do not have to pay for someone else’s mistakes. To learn more about how our Markham, IL personal injury law firm will fight for your rights, call our team at (312) 500-HURT or contact us online for a complimentary case review.
Client Reviews
What our clients are saying about us
Anonymous
This law firm is absolutely amazing. They took on my case, when nobody else would! They fought hard for me when it seemed there was no hope. They kept me informed and always asked for my input before making decisions on my case. Gary puts himself into every case unlike most law firm owners. Gary and his team really care about every one of their clients, and fights hard to get you a fair settlement. They actually won my case out of court, and then reduced my fees to make sure I could get my car fixed and be able to get back to some normality. I would recommend Burger Law over and above any other firm! If you go somewhere else you aren’t getting the best!
Genevieve and Laura have assisted me in my personal injury claim and have made the process so much less stressful. They are extremely knowledgeable, professional, and attentive. Laura is always on top of everything and very sweet. I had no idea how to navigate this process and they have made me feel at ease and like they truly cared about the outcome.
Cara Barton
It has been a long 4 years, but it is finally over! Burger law did a great job handling my case. Grant Doty answered all my questions, promptly returned my phone calls, frequently kept me updated and insured me that he was fighting for me. Jennifer Zini also did a wonderful job, great customer service. It was pleasure getting to know the Burger Law team!
S. Alred
After a driver unexpectedly pulled out right in front of my motorcycle & I suffered injuries, the at-fault driver’s insurance company offered me a $10,000 settlement. I hired Burger Law & they won a $109,000 settlement. I was very happy with the outcome. They were easy to work with & fully explained each step of the process & kept me informed along the way.
Burger Law | St. Louis Personal Injury Lawyer is a team of St. Louis area personal injury attorneys who have earned many distinctions and peer-reviewed awards for our work in civil litigation and trial work in Missouri and Illinois. A few of the honors we have earned include the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, Top 100 Trial Lawyer Award, a Martindale-Hubbell AV rating (the preeminent peer rating standard for legal expertise and ethical standards), Super Lawyers selection as one of the top attorneys in the field of personal injury and board certifications in Civil Litigation. When you are ready to hire our experienced legal team to represent you and demand the compensation you deserve, call us at (866) 934-9059 right away.
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