Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Mokena, IL

Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Mokena, IL

The exhilaration you feel when riding a motorcycle can be neutralized 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 Mokena, IL, reach out to the motorcycle accident lawyers of Burger Law now at (312) 500-HURT or contact us online for a complimentary case evaluation.

If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in Mokena, 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 the road and relax. You get a feeling of the open road that you do not get in an enclosed vehicle. Regrettably, there is a potentially dangerous trade-off. Because of their relative lack of protection, the consequences of a motorcycle accident can be devastating. When you are injured, it carries instant hardships and you need someone to fight for you. You want an attorney with a proven track record of winning motorcycle collision lawsuits in Mokena, IL.

Our attorneys and paralegals have more than 30 years of experience getting maximum compensation for those injured through the negligence of another. Our motorcycle accident lawyers will aggressively pursue your claim to ensure you get the medical care and financial recovery that you are owed and that you deserve. Always speak to a lawyer before agreeing to a settlement. The insurance adjuster will try to limit your compensation. Our firm has a proven track record of successfully fighting the insurance companies and making sure that they give the full compensation they owe our Mokena, IL clients.

To learn more about what we can do for you, call a lawyer at (312) 500-HURT to go over your motorcycle accident claim immediately.

How Common Are Motorcycle Accidents in Mokena, IL?

Fourteen percent of traffic deaths and four percent of injuries were sustained by motorcyclists, despite only less than one percent of vehicle traffic being motorcycles, according to the National Safety Council. In the entire country, in 2020 82,000 people were injured and 5,579 died in motorcycle crashes. In Illinois, there were 3,077 motorcycle crashes which caused 2,404 injuries and 152 fatalities, according to the Illinois 2020 Crash Facts and Statistics. Sadly, over 50 percent of those happened when the motorcycle was going straight ahead, which leads us to believe that the accidents were often because of a car or truck driver failing to notice motorcyclists. Crashes are most common in metropolitan areas, especially major city streets.

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 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 Mokena, IL

There are a number steps you should take, both immediately following the accident 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 collision can be surprising and scary, it is vital to think rationally. 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 trying to carry it could exacerbate your injuries. If you believe your injuries may be catastrophic, it may be best not to move; instead wait for emergency personnel.
• Keep your gear on — Removing your helmet or other gear could also make serious injuries even worse. Shock may hide how bad an injury actually is.
• Call 911 — As motorcycle accidents can cause severe injuries, it is probably best to be looked over at the scene instead of leaving and planning to go to an emergency room yourself. Police are trained to assign fault in an accident, and will make a police report.
• Gather evidence — Talk to any other drivers involved and ask for an insurance card. Take photographs of all vehicles and the crash site from a variety of angles. Take as many pictures as possible. Something that may seem like it does not matter at first may be useful to a motorcycle accident lawyer in Mokena, IL when trying to prove who is responsible for your injuries down the road. See if there are eyewitnesses who can corroborate your side of the story.

Lastly, if you did not seek medical treatment at the scene, do so as quickly as possible.

What to Do Throughout the Claim Process

Once you have gotten medical treatment, notify both your insurance company and the other driver’s. Then, speak to a motorcycle accident lawyer in Mokena, 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:

• Keep Going to Your Medical Appointments — This is not only vital for your health, but is also paramount 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 the extent of your injuries. The the higher your financial loss, the higher your ultimate compensation will be as well. Go to every follow up, chiropractic or physical therapy appointment your doctor prescribes.
• Keep Detailed Records — You also deserve compensation for lost wages from time when you were unable to work due to your injuries, and any out-of-pocket expenses due to your injuries, such as transportation to and from medical appointments or hiring someone to help take care of your kids. Manage a file with detailed receipts and notes about why you needed to pay those expenses. It may also be a good idea to keep a daily journal showing the non-tangible impact of your injuries and your pain and suffering.
• Do Not Talk to the Insurance Company — Once you have filed your claim and enlisted the services of a motorcycle accident lawyer, your attorney will will now be intermediary between you and the insurance. Insurance adjusters utilize a lot of tricks to minimize claims, but your attorney will know how to combat them.
• Resist Social Media — In this day and age, many of us want to share details about our life with others. However, posting too much on social media can ruin your claim. If you tell the insurance company that your injuries are keeping you from working, and the insurance finds out you have been at your friend’s barbecue, they they can say your injuries are not actually that severe.

From your initial consultation, we will be in contact with you every step of the way until we attain the great results you deserve. Allow us to 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 Mokena, IL For My Claim?

For some minor claims, where the liable party is taking accountability and your medical bills are no more than an appointment with your primary care physician, 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 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 the vast majority of cases, hiring a motorcycle accident lawyer will be the only way to get fair compensation in your injury claim. While in a perfect world insurance companies would fulfill their duty when their policyholders injure someone, they usually have to be convinced to. You will almost certainly need a motorcycle accident lawyer in Mokena, IL if:

• Your injuries are significant — The more your medical expenses and time spent off work, the more the insurance company will try and devalue your injuries. If your injuries result in permanent disability, you will always need an attorney to convince the insurance company to pay for future damages as well.
• The insurance company’s offer is far below your damages — If your damages are in the tens or hundreds of thousands, and the insurance adjuster is only offering a few thousand, they are trying to take advantage of you. If you enlist the services of a lawyer, 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 are multiple liable parties — With some accidents, especially multi-vehicle accidents, there may be more than one person who was negligent. 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. An aggressive Mokena, IL motorcycle accident lawyer will be able to investigate the crash and assign a portion of the damages to each liable party. Finding other people who are liable is key 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 — Trying to say your injuries are your own fault is a frequent trick insurance adjusters use to avoid paying you. When this happens, an attorney use their investigate skills and network of experts to prove 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 Mokena, IL motorcycle accident lawyer at Burger Law knows how to fight back against tricks insurance adjusters use. We have been doing it for over three decades. We offer an initial conversation and investigation for free, so speak to an attorney today at (312) 500-HURT to see if we can add value to your claim. We start working from the moment you hire us, and do not let up until you get all of compensation you deserve.

Recent Burger Law Mokena, 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 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 Mokena, IL?

If you want to have a successful claim in Mokena, 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:

1. Duty of care — Did the liable party have an obligation 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 did that breach lead to an accident? Was the other motorist speeding, texting and driving, drunk driving or otherwise not following the rules of the road?
3. Cause in fact — Were your injuries the direct result of the accident?
4. Proximate cause — Did the person’s breach of duty cause the accident? If the other driver’s brakes were malfunctioning, the person who needs to compensate you 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 caused some bruises or scrapes, but it was not serious enough to seek medical treatment, you likely do not have a claim.

If you were injured because of another’s negligence, you need to file an injury claim. Consult with a motorcycle accident attorney today at (312) 500-HURT if you are unsure if you have a claim.

How Much is My Mokena, 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
• While not common, you may be able to recover punitive damages if the liable party’s behavior was especially egregious, such as if they were drunk driving

Factors that might make your compensation higher or lower include:

• The severity of your injuries; more significant injuries usually lead to higher economic and noneconomic damages
• Whether or not you were partially at fault 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 know how to calculate the full value of someone’s injury claim and demanding the liable party 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 Mokena, IL?

Pursuant to 735 ILCS 5/13-202, the statute of limitations for motorcycle accident claims in Mokena, IL is two years. That means the clock starts ticking on the date the accident occurred to file a claim. Illinois has three exceptions:

• If you or your loved one was a minor 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 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 period, that period does not account against the two years

While two years does not sound like it should give you a sense of urgency, 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 Mokena, IL. Call us immediately at (312) 500-HURT.

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

Motorcycles are not as easy to spot on the road, do not take up as much space on the road. Because of a phenomenon referred to as “inattentional blindness,” drivers are less likely to see a motorcycle — even when they are looking for one. This is because we train our brains to be aware of larger vehicles, but not for motorcycles. Inattentional blindness contributes to many motorcycle accidents in Mokena, IL.

The most common causes of motorcycles accidents are:

• 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 intoxication, reckless driving or simple inattention.
• Other collisions — Head on collisions are also common between motorcycles and other types of vehicles. A car may also not see a motorcyclist when merging or changing lanes. Motorcycles also have the highest rate of collisions with fixed objects, which is not always the motorcyclist’s fault.
• Road hazards — Cracked pavement, potholes, animal carcasses, wet or icy roadways or other roadways debris 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 spin out.
• Defective 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 result in motorcycle collisions.

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

Ninety-four percent of all auto accidents are the result of driver error. So, most of the time another motorist is liable. However, other parties that may be held accountable include:

• A governmental entity or contracting company for road hazards
• A motorcycle manufacturer in a product liability claim
• A employer if their employee injured you while driving, such as in a commercial truck accident

Can I Sue For My Mokena, 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 there are road hazards that cause an accident, the municipality can be held responsible for the motorcycle accident. However, the state of Illinois does not make it easy to hold them accountable. Our motorcycle accident lawyers in Mokena, IL can handle 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 Mokena, IL. What Are My Legal Options?

The dangers of motorcycles mean that bikers have a higher death rate than people in passenger cars. If you were touched by tragedy and a family member died in a motorcycle crash, you can make a recovery through a wrongful death claim. While no settlement or verdict can fill the whole that is left, it can bring a sense of justice 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 of your loved one’s death, not the date that they were first injured.
• Three groups of people related to the deceased 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 nieces and nephews can bring a suit
  3. If no family remains, a judge can designate 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 the deceased, 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 Mokena, IL wrongful death attorneys are not just skilled at securing full compensation. 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 personal injury claims we we have had great success with in Mokena, 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 Mokena, IL Today

Our Mokena, 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 Mokena, IL personal injury law firm will fight for your rights, call our team at (312) 500-HURT or fill out our online form for a complimentary case review.