Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Palos Heights, IL

Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Palos Heights, IL

The sense of freedom a motorcycle comes with can be made moot by the injuries careless drivers cause when they do not pay attention to your safety. If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in Palos Heights, IL, speak to the motorcycle accident lawyers of Burger Law today at (779) 800-HURT or contact us online for a no-risk, no-obligation case review.

If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in Palos Heights, 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 give yourself a sense of calm. You get a feeling of the open road that is not possible in an enclosed vehicle. Unfortunately, there is a potentially dangerous trade-off. Because of their relative lack of protection, motorcycle accidents can cause serious injuries. When you are injured, it carries instant hardships and you need someone to stand by your side and ensure you are treated fairly. You need to find an attorney with a proven track record of winning motorcycle accident cases in Palos Heights, IL.

Our team has over 30 years of experience getting maximum compensation for our clients. Our motorcycle accident lawyers will fight until you recover all of your damages and there is nothing left to fight. Always speak to a lawyer before agreeing to a settlement. The insurance adjuster wants to devalue your financial settlement. Our firm has a proven track record of successfully fighting the insurance companies and making sure that they treat our Palos Heights, IL clients fairly.

To find out more about what we can do for you, speak to our team at (779) 800-HURT to go over your motorcycle accident case today.

How Common Are Motorcycle Accidents in Palos Heights, 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 research from the National Safety Council. In the entire country, in 2020 there were 82,500 motorcycle accident injuries and 5,579 deaths. 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. Unfortunately, over half of those occurred when the motorcycle was driving straight, insinuating that the accidents were often caused by another driver not respecting motorcyclists on the road. Wrecks happen most frequently in metropolitan areas, especially around tolls.

According to research from the Motorcycle Legal Foundation, Illinois is eighth in the country with close to 300,000 registered motorcycles, and proportionately was eighth in the country in fatalities in 2017.

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 Palos Heights, IL

There are several things you should do, both in the immediate wake of an accident and throughout the process of recovering from your injuries and seeking compensation, to make sure your recover from your injuries both physically and financially.

At the Accident Site

While any wreck is jarring, it is vital to think rationally. 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 your motorcycle where it is. We know it is a treasure for you, but trying to carry it could make your injuries worse. If you suspect you have a back or head injury, 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 motorcycle accidents can cause severe injuries, 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 relating who they believe is liable for the accident.
• Gather evidence — Speak to the other driver and request an insurance card. 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 matters much may be useful to a motorcycle accident lawyer in Palos Heights, IL when trying to prove who is responsible for your injuries in the future. Get the contact info of any eyewitnesses to the accident.

Finally, receive medical attention if you have not already.

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 Palos Heights, 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 aids your financial recovery as well. You need to prove how much that accident hurt you, and to do that you need to complete copies of medical medical records which detail all of the costs and treatments directly associated with the accident. 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 Detailed Records — 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 gas money for going to medical appointments or hiring someone to help with chores around the house. Keep detailed receipts and notes about why you needed to pay those expenses. You can also write down your every day experiences detailing the non-tangible impact of your injuries and your pain and suffering.
• Leave the Insurance Company up to Your Attorney — Once you have filed your claim and enlisted the services of a motorcycle accident lawyer, let your attorney handle documentation and negotiation. Insurance adjusters try to employ a lot of tricks to avoid paying claims, but your attorney will know how to deal with them.
• Do Not Post on Social Media — In this day and age, many of us want to share details about our life with others. However, even an honest post can ruin your case. If you say your injuries are debilitating, and the insurance finds out you have been at a bar, they will use it to attempt to deny your claim.

From the first time you speak with us, we will keep you updated throughout your claim until we reach a successful resolution. Let us handle the investigation, documentation, negotiation and litigation so you can focus on healing.

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

For some minor claims, where there is no discrepancy about who is at fault and your medical expenses only include an emergency room visit, a lawyer may not be able to add much value to your claim. Give the insurance company your records and expenses, and ask for a little more for the trouble. In a smaller settlement 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 a motorcycle accident attorney for your injury claim. While it would be nice if insurance companies fulfilled their obligations when someone is injured under their coverage, they usually have to be convinced to. Situations where you will need a motorcycle accident lawyer in Palos Heights, IL include:

• Your injuries require ongoing treatment — The more your medical bills and lost wages, the more the insurance company will try to avoid their responsibility. 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 precisely value your damages.
• 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. By hiring 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 party that caused your injuries. For example, a driver may cut your off because they did not see you, causing you to swerve and hit an improperly cordoned-off construction zone. An experienced Palos Heights, IL motorcycle accident lawyer will conduct a full investigation into the accident and determine all liable parties. Finding other people who are liable is imperative if your damages exceed the at-fault driver’s policy limits.
• You are being blamed for your injuries — Trying to say your injuries are your own fault is a frequent move insurance adjusters use to avoid paying you. If the insurance company say your accident was your own doing, an attorney use their investigate skills and network of experts to conclusively demonstrate that is not the case. If it is true that you were responsible for a portion of the accident, you are not completely barred from compensation under Missouri’s comparative negligence rule. However, a lawyer is likely necessary to get you the best possible results.

Your Palos Heights, IL motorcycle accident lawyer at Burger Law knows how to combat tactics insurance adjusters use. We have been doing it for over three decades. Our consultations are free, so speak to an attorney now at (779) 800-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 every bit of compensation you are owed.

Recent Burger Law Palos Heights, IL Motorcycle Accident Victories

You need a lawyer who has shown they can get maximum compensation in your type of claim before. Any motorcycle accident lawyer can say they are the best, but a lawyer whose past clients will recommend them and who has the results to prove it is another thing. Check out 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 Palos Heights, IL?

In order to have a valid claim in Palos Heights, IL, 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 liable party owe you an obligation to keep you safe? 625 ILCS 5/11-1003.1 mandates 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 — Did they fail in that duty and did that breach lead to an accident? Was another motorist speeding, texting and driving, drunk driving or otherwise breaking proper procedure behind the wheel?
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 person who needs to be held accountable for your injuries may be a manufacturer and not another motorist?.
5. Damages — Did your injuries lead to losses, such as lost wages and emotional distress? If your accident resulted in some small cuts and bruising, but you did not need any medical treatment, you likely do not have a claim.

If you were injured because of another’s negligence, you have an injury claim. Consult with a motorcycle accident attorney today at (779) 800-HURT if you have any doubts about the validity of your claim.

How Much is My Palos Heights, 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 receive punitive damages if the liable party’s behavior was especially egregious, such as if they were drunk driving

Factors that might make your recovery higher or lower include:

• The severity of your injuries; more significant injuries usually lead to higher medical bills and more pain and suffering
• 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 live the life you are used to

At Burger Law, we know how to calculate the full value of someone’s injury claim and insisting the liable party pay all of it. If your injuries require ongoing medical care, that will also be part of your settlement or verdict, including calculating for inflation.

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

According to 735 ILCS 5/13-202, the statute of limitations for motorcycle accident claims in Palos Heights, IL is two years. That means the clock starts ticking on the date of the accident to file a claim. There are some exceptions:

• If you or your loved one was under the age of 18 when the injuries occurred, 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 negligent party leaves 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, investigating and developing a legal strategy for your claim takes time. Do not wait to reach out to a motorcycle accident lawyer after you have been injured in Palos Heights, IL. Call us now at (779) 800-HURT.

What Are Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Palos Heights, 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 known 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 be aware of larger vehicles, but not for motorcycles. Inattentional blindness contributes to many motorcycle accidents in Palos Heights, IL.

The most common causes of motorcycles accidents are:

• Left-hand turns — According to the Motorcycle Legal Foundation, almost half of all fatal motorcycle crashes occur when a car turns left while and hits a motorcyclist in an intersection. These crashes can happen because of a motorist’s drunkenness, reckless driving or generally not paying close enough attention to the road.
• Other collisions — Head on collisions are also common between motorcycles and other types of vehicles. 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, dead animals, gravel 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 fall.
• Malfunctioning parts — Dozens of motorcycles are recalled every year, either by the manufacturer or by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. If bikes or parts that are defective are allowed to stay on the market, it can cause motorcycle collisions.

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

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

• A governmental body or contracting company for road hazards
• A vehicle manufacturer for a defective product
• A company if their employee injured you while driving, for example in a commercial truck accident

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

Governmental entities are tasked with keeping their roadways safe for citizens to travel on, and when obstruction or other objects in the road cause an accident, the municipality can be held responsible for the motorcycle accident. However, suing a government entity in Illinois has added complications. Our motorcycle accident lawyers in Palos Heights, IL can handle your claim and take the fight to city hall to secure you a full financial recovery.

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

The dangers of motorcycles mean that bikers have a higher death rate than people in passenger cars. If tragedy struck and a loved one 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 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. Beginning with who has 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 siblings’ descendants can file a claim
  3. If no family remains, the court can appoint a plaintiff ad litem to bring a suit
• The damages you can recover include:
  • Under 755 ILCS 5/27-6, the Illinois Survival Act, the economic and noneconomic damages the deceased 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 Palos Heights, IL wrongful death attorneys are not just tremendous at getting our clients full recoveries. 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 cases we we have had great success with in Palos Heights, 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 Palos Heights, IL Today

Our Palos Heights, IL motorcycle accident lawyers will fight until you get the maximum compensation you are owed; that is our guarantee. 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 Palos Heights, IL personal injury law firm will fight for your rights, call our team at (779) 800-HURT or complete our online form for a free case evaluation.