Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Oak Forest, IL

Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Oak Forest, IL

The sense of freedom a motorcycle comes with can be made moot by the harm negligent drivers can do to you when they do not pay attention to your safety. If another driver injured you in Oak Forest, IL, call the motorcycle accident lawyers of Burger Law now at (312) 500-HURT or contact us online for a free case review.

If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in Oak Forest, 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 enjoy the road and relax. You get a feeling of the open road that a car just cannot emulate. Regrettably, this freedom also comes with a high price. Because of their relative lack of protection, motorcycle accidents can cause serious injuries. When you are injured, there are instant financial, physical and emotional consequences and you need someone to fight for you. You need to find a law firm that has demonstrated that they can get great results in motorcycle crash claims in Oak Forest, IL.

Burger Law has more than 70 years of combined litigation and trial experience. Our motorcycle accident lawyers will fight until you recover all of your damages 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 is out to limit your compensation. Our firm has a proven track record of successfully fighting the insurance companies and making sure that they treat our Oak Forest, IL clients fairly.

To learn more about how our personal injury law firm will defend your rights, speak to an attorney at (312) 500-HURT to go over your motorcycle accident case today.

How Common Are Motorcycle Accidents in Oak Forest, IL?

Despite the fact that motorcycles account for barely over half a percent of all vehicle miles traveled in the United States, they accounted for four percent of all injuries and 14 percent of all deaths in traffic-related accidents in 2020, according to data from the National Safety Council. In the entire country, in 2020 82,000 people were injured and 5,579 passed away 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. Unfortunately, the majority of those crashes came when a passenger car or truck collided with a motorcycle when the biker was driving in a straight line, which leads us to believe that the accidents were often because of a car or truck driver was not looking out for bikers. Crashes are most common in densely populated areas, especially on arterial roads.

According to 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 on the weekends.

What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident in Oak Forest, IL

There are several things you should do, both immediately following the accident and throughout the process of recovering from your injuries and seeking compensation, to ensure both your health and the chances of a successful claim.

Immediately After The Accident

While any crash can be surprising and scary, try to stay as calm as possible. At the accident site, you should:

• Get out of harm’s way — If possible, get to the side of the road and away from oncoming traffic. Leave the bike. We know it is a treasure for you, but trying to carry it could put you at risk of further harm. If you believe your injuries may be catastrophic, stay still and wait for emergency personnel.
• Keep your gear on — Removing your helmet, gloves, boots, jacket and other gear could also make serious injuries even 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 know how to assign fault in an accident, and will make a police report.
• Gather evidence — Speak to the other driver and get their insurance information. Take photographs 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 is that big of a deal may be useful to a motorcycle accident lawyer in Oak Forest, IL when trying to prove someone else’s negligence when you make your claim. See if there are eyewitnesses who can corroborate your side of the story.

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

What to Do in the Ensuing Weeks and Months

Once you have gotten medical treatment, inform both your insurance company and the other driver’s. Then, speak to a motorcycle accident lawyer in Oak Forest, 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 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 show all of the costs and treatments you incurred because 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 orders for you.
• Keep Detailed Records — You are also entitled to compensation 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 with chores around the house. Keep all of your receipts and explanations for why those charges were due to your injury. You can also write down your every day experiences detailing 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 filed your claim and hired a motorcycle accident lawyer, let your attorney handle documentation and negotiation. Insurance adjusters use a lot of ploys to devalue claims, and it is better to leave communication up to a lawyer who knows how to hold the adjuster accountable.
• Stay off Social Media — It is normal to want to share what is going on with your life on the Internet. However, posting too much on social media can ruin your case. 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 deny your claim.

From your initial consultation, we will keep you completely in the loop until we attain the great results you deserve. Let us handle the legal aspect of your case so you can focus on your medical treatment.

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

For some minor claims, where the liable party is obvious and your medical bills only include an urgent care visit, you may be able to get compensation on your own. Give the insurance company 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 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, it usually takes a fair amount of fighting to get them to do it. You will probably need a motorcycle accident lawyer in Oak Forest, IL if:

• Your injuries require ongoing treatment — The higher your damages, the more the insurance company will fight back against your claim. If your injuries result in permanent disability, you will always need an attorney to precisely value your damages.
• The insurance company’s offer is far below your damages — If your damages are in the tens or hundreds of thousands, and the insurance company’s offer is no where close to that, they are trying to take advantage of you. By hiring an attorney, 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 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 because they did not see you, causing you to take defensive action and hit an improperly cordoned-off construction zone. An experienced Oak Forest, IL motorcycle accident lawyer will conduct a full investigation into the accident and determine all liable parties. Identifying everyone who is 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 — Blaming you for your injuries is a well-known tactic insurance adjusters use to devalue your claim. If the insurance company say your injuries are your own doing, an attorney can step in and prove how the other party was negligent. If it is true that you were partially at fault, you can still receive some 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 Oak Forest, 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. Our consultations are free, so call us at (312) 500-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 Oak Forest, 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 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 Oak Forest, IL?

In order to have a successful claim in Oak Forest, 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 a duty to keep you safe? 625 ILCS 5/11-1003.1 states 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 another driver speeding, texting and driving, drunk driving or otherwise breaking 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 another motorist?.
5. Damages — Did you sustain losses because of your injuries, such as lost wages and pain and suffering? If your accident resulted in a few bumps and bruises, but they healed without any medical treatment, it would be hard for you to make a claim.

Any time somebody else’s carelessness or recklessness injures you, you have 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 Oak Forest, IL Motorcycle Accident Claim Worth?

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

• 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 be awarded punitive damages if the liable party’s behavior was especially egregious, such as if they were drunk driving

Factors that determine how much you will recover include:

• The severity of your injuries; more significant injuries tend to lead to higher medical bills and more pain and suffering
• Whether or not you were partially to blame for your injuries
• If the accident led to permanent disfigurement or disability
• The impact the injuries have had on your ability to live the life you are used to

At Burger Law, we are experts at calculating the full value of someone’s injury claim and insisting the insurance company pay all of it. If your injuries lead to future economic damages like lost earning capacity or future surgeries, we will ensure you also get money to pay for that, including accounting for inflation.

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

Under 735 ILCS 5/13-202, the time limit for motorcycle accident claims in Oak Forest, IL is two years. That means the clock starts ticking on 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 when the injuries occurred, they have until two years after the disability ended
• If the negligent party is outside of the state of Illinois for a period, that period 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 wait to call a motorcycle accident lawyer after you were hurt in a motorcycle accident in Oak Forest, IL. Call us today at (312) 500-HURT.

What Are Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Oak Forest, IL?

Motorcycles are harder for passenger car drivers to see, being smaller. Because of a phenomenon referred to as “inattentional blindness,” it is harder for drivers to see a motorcycle — even if they are doing their due diligence. This is because most drivers have programmed their brains to be aware of other cars, but not for motorcycles. Inattentional blindness contributes to many motorcycle accidents in Oak Forest, IL.

Most motorcycle accidents occur because of:

• Left-hand turns — According to data from the Motorcycle Legal Foundation, 42 percent of all fatal motorcycle crashes occur when a car turns left while the motorcycle was going straight. These crashes can be the result of a car driver’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 cars or trucks. A car may also not 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 — Cracked pavement, potholes, dead animals, wet or icy roadways or other roadways debris 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 spin out.
• Defective 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 result in motorcycle collisions.

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

Almost all auto accidents are the result of human error. So, most of the time another motorist is responsible for your injuries. However, depending on the specifics of your case, you may also be able to make a claim against:

• A governmental body or construction company for road hazards
• A vehicle designer, manufacturer or vendor for a defective product
• A company if someone they hired injured you while driving, for example in a commercial truck accident

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

Governmental entities 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 Oak Forest, 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 Oak Forest, 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 someone you love died in a motorcycle crash, you can make 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 the financial hardships 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. 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 there are no family members, the court can appoint 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 economic and noneconomic damages your loved one incurred from their injuries before passing
  • Funeral expenses
  • Loss of financial support from the deceased, 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 Oak Forest, IL wrongful death attorneys are not just tremendous at securing full compensation. We are compassionate and have helped many families get through the sorrow, anger and confusion that comes after a fatal auto accident.

In addition to motorcycle accidents, other personal injury claims we take on and win in Oak Forest, 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 Oak Forest, IL Today

Our Oak Forest, IL motorcycle accident lawyers will not stop fighting until there is nothing left to fight; that is our guarantee. 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 Oak Forest, 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.