Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in North Aurora, IL

The sense of freedom a motorcycle comes with can be ripped away from you by the injuries careless drivers cause when they do not follow the rules of the road. If another driver injured you in North Aurora, IL, reach out to the motorcycle accident lawyers of Burger Law today at (312) 500-HURT or contact us online for a free case evaluation.

If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in North Aurora, 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 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, the consequences of a motorcycle accident can be devastating. When you are injured, there are immediate hardships and you need someone to fight for you. You want an attorney that has demonstrated that they can get great results in motorcycle wreck cases in North Aurora, IL.

Burger Law has more than 30 years of experience getting maximum compensation for those injured through the negligence of another. Our motorcycle accident lawyers will aggressively pursue every legal avenue to make sure justice is served. Always speak to a lawyer before accepting an insurance company’s offer. The insurance adjuster wants to limit your compensation. We know how to stand up to insurance companies and ensure that they treat our North Aurora, IL clients fairly.

To learn more about what we can do for you, speak to an attorney at (312) 500-HURT to go over your motorcycle accident claim now.

How Common Are Motorcycle Accidents in North Aurora, IL?

Even though motorcycles make up less than one percent of total traffic miles traveled in the country, they accounted for four percent of all injuries and 14 percent of total fatalities in traffic-related accidents in 2020, according to data from the National Safety Council. In the entire country, in 2020 there were 82,500 motorcycle accident injuries and 5,579 fatalities. In Illinois, there were 3,077 motorcycle wrecks which caused 2,404 injuries and 152 deaths, 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, which means the accidents were often due to a car or truck driver failing to notice motorcyclists. Crashes are most common in densely populated areas, especially around tolls.

According to findings 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 between 6 p.m. Friday and 6 a.m. Monday.

What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident in North Aurora, IL

There are several things you should do, both at the accident site and throughout the length of your claim process, to ensure you make both a physical and financial recovery.

Immediately After The Accident

While any accident is surprising and scary, 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 other vehicles coming down the street. Leave the bike. We know it is a treasure for you, but trying to carry it could exacerbate your injuries. If you suspect you have a spine or head injury, it may be best not to move; instead wait for emergency personnel.
• Do not take off your protective gear — 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 — As motorcycle accidents can cause severe injuries, it is probably best to get medical attention at the scene instead of leaving and planning to seek medical attention at urgent care or a doctors’ appointment. Police are trained to determine fault in an accident, and will make a police report.
• Gather evidence — Talk to any other drivers involved and get their insurance information. Take pictures of the accident, including damage to all vehicles involved 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 North Aurora, IL when trying to prove someone else’s negligence when you make your claim. Get the contact info of any eyewitnesses to the accident.

Finally, receive medical attention if you have not already.

What to Do in the Days, Weeks and Months Afterwards

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

• Get the Full Medical Treatment You Need — This is not only vital for your health, but is also essential to making sure you get full compensation. You need to prove that you sustained financial losses, and to do that you need to complete copies of medical medical records which detail the extent of your injuries. The the higher your financial loss, the higher your pain and suffering compensation will be as well. Go to every every treatment and use all of the equipment and medication your doctor wants you to.
• Keep Detailed Records — You are also owed a financial recovery for lost wages from time spent recovering, and any out-of-pocket expenses that were necessary, such as transportation to and from medical appointments or hiring someone to help with chores around the house. Keep detailed receipts and notes about why those charges were due to your injury. 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.
• Leave the Insurance Company up to Your Attorney — Once you have informed the insurance company about your accident and enlisted the services of a motorcycle accident lawyer, your attorney will handle all communication with the insurance. Insurance adjusters use a lot of ploys to minimize claims, but your attorney will know how to hold the adjuster accountable.
• Stay off Social Media — It is commonplace to want to share what is going on with your 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 the moment you hire us, we will be in contact with you every step of the way until you get the maximum compensation you are owed. Allow us to handle the legal aspect of your case so you can focus on your medical treatment.

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

For some minor claims, where fault is clearly established 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. Supply the insurance company with your records and expenses, 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 their policyholder is clearly liable, the insurance company will only lose money if they try to fight your claim.

However, more likely than not 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 someone is injured by their policyholders’ negligence, they usually have to be convinced to. Situations where you will need a motorcycle accident lawyer in North Aurora, IL include:

• Your injuries require ongoing treatment — The more your medical expenses and time spent off work, the more the insurance company will be resistant to reimbursing you for it. If your injuries require future medical treatment or prevent you from earning a living as you used to, you will absolutely need an attorney to convince the insurance company to pay for future damages as well.
• 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 to take advantage of you. If there is an attorney on the case, 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 is more than party at fault — With some cases, 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 take defensive action and hit an improperly cordoned-off construction site. An experienced North Aurora, IL motorcycle accident lawyer will conduct a full investigation into the wreck and determine all liable parties. Identifying everyone who is liable is crucial if you are owed more compensation than 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 well-known tactic insurance adjusters use to devalue your claim. If the insurance company say your injuries are your own fault, an attorney can step in and conclusively demonstrate how the other party was negligent. If it is true that you were responsible for a portion of the accident, you can still receive some compensation under Missouri’s comparative negligence doctrine. However, a lawyer is likely necessary to get you the most possible compensation.

Your North Aurora, IL motorcycle accident lawyer at Burger Law knows how to combat tactics insurance adjusters use. We have been doing it for more than three decades. We offer an initial conversation and investigation at no charge, 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 second you hire us, and do not let up until you get all of compensation you deserve.

Recent Burger Law North Aurora, IL Motorcycle Accident Victories

You need a lawyer who has shown they can get results in your type of claim before. A motorcycle accident lawyer saying they know how to get full compensation is one thing, but a lawyer whose former clients will vouch for them and who has the results to prove it is another thing. Click on the following links to see some recent Burger Law motorcycle accident victories and 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 North Aurora, IL?

If you want to file any North Aurora, 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 have 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 anyone else on the road automatically owes you that duty.
2. Breach of duty — Were they neglectful in that duty and cause an accident? Was another 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 negligence caused 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 you sustain losses because of your injuries, such as lost wages and emotional distress? 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.

Any time somebody else’s carelessness or recklessness injures you, you need to file an injury claim. Consult with a motorcycle accident attorney now at (312) 500-HURT if you have any doubts about the validity of your claim.

How Much is My North Aurora, IL Motorcycle Accident Claim Worth?

In any personal injury claim, you are owed compensation for:

• Economic damages, such as money you lost out on from time off work recovering, medical bills and out-of-pocket expenses
• Non-economic damages, such as mental anguish, disfigurement and pain and suffering
• While not common, you might be able to be awarded punitive damages if you were injured by extreme recklessness, such as drunk driving

Factors that might make your compensation higher or lower include:

• The severity of your injuries; more significant injuries typically lead to higher medical bills and more pain and suffering
• Whether or not you contributed to the accident
• If you sustained permanent disfigurement or disability
• How your life has changed because of your injuries

At Burger Law, our injury attorneys know how to calculate the full value of someone’s injury claim and insisting 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 North Aurora, IL?

Pursuant to 735 ILCS 5/13-202, the statute of limitations for motorcycle accident injuries in North Aurora, IL is two years. That means you only have two years from the date you were injured to file a claim. Illinois has three exceptions:

• If you or your loved one was under the age of 18 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 leaves the state of Illinois for a time, that time is not included in 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 North Aurora, IL. Call us now at (312) 500-HURT.

What Are Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in North Aurora, IL?

Motorcycles are not as easy to spot on the road, being smaller. As a result of a phenomenon known as “inattentional blindness,” it is harder for drivers to see a motorcycle — even if they are doing their due diligence. This is because we train our brains to look for larger vehicles, but not for motorcycles. Inattentional blindness contributes to many motorcycle accidents in North Aurora, IL.

The most common causes of motorcycles accidents are:

• Left-hand turns — The Motorcycle Legal Foundation reports that 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 the result of 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 collide with fixed objects more than any other type of driver, which may be due to a negligent construction company or governmental entity.
• Road hazards — Uneven 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 do not have the same level of stability and these hazards can cause a motorcyclist to lose control.
• Malfunctioning 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 cause motorcycle accidents.

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

Ninety-four percent of all auto 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, for example in a commercial truck accident

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

Governmental agencies are tasked with keeping 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 North Aurora, IL can take on your claim and guide you through the complexities of local and state laws to secure you a full financial recovery.

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

Motorcyclists are not only at increased risk of a catastrophic injury, but are more likely to perish in a crash. If your worst nightmare came true and a loved one passed away in a motorcycle crash, you can make a recovery through a wrongful death claim. While it is impossible to put a monetary value on your loved one’s life 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:

• 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 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. Members of the nuclear family, 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 no family remains, a judge can designate a plaintiff ad litem to file a claim
• The damages you can recover 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, education and moral training the deceased would have provided
  • Survivors’ grief, sorrow and mental suffering

Burger Law’s North Aurora, IL wrongful death attorneys are not just experts at securing full compensation. We are understanding and kind 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 North Aurora, IL include:

• Truck Crash Lawyers in Illinois
• Wrongful Death Lawyers in Illinois
• Semi-Truck Accident Lawyer in Illinois
• Car Accident Attorney in Illinois

HIRE BURGER LAW

Speak to a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer North Aurora, IL Today

Our North Aurora, IL motorcycle accident lawyers will fight until you get the maximum compensation you are owed; we promise. You are owed a recovery 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 North Aurora, IL personal injury law firm will fight for your rights, call our team at (312) 500-HURT or contact us online for a complimentary consultation.