Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Palos Hills, IL

The sense of freedom a motorcycle comes with can be canceled out by the harm negligent drivers can do to you when they do not respect your safety. If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in Palos Hills, IL, call the motorcycle accident lawyers of Burger Law today at (312) 500-HURT or fill out our online form for a complimentary consultation.

If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in Palos Hills, 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 yourself and connect with people who share your passions. There is a sense of freedom that you do not get 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, there are economic, physical and mental consequences and you need someone to fight for you. You need to find a law firm that has demonstrated that they can full compensation in motorcycle collision lawsuits in Palos Hills, IL.

Our team has more than 70 years of combined experience winning cases in negotiations and in the court room. Our motorcycle accident lawyers will fight until we win your case and there is nothing left to fight. Always speak to a lawyer before agreeing to a settlement. The insurance adjuster is out to limit your recovery. 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 Palos Hills, IL clients.

To learn more about how our personal injury law firm will defend your rights, call an attorney at (312) 500-HURT to discuss your motorcycle accident claim immediately.

How Common Are Motorcycle Accidents in Palos Hills, IL?

Fourteen percent of traffic fatalities and four percent of injuries were sustained by motorcyclists, despite only only .06 percent of vehicle traffic being motorcycles, according to 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 fatalities, according to the Illinois 2020 Crash Facts and Statistics. Regrettably, over half of those crashes came when the motorcycle was going in a straight line, which means the accidents were often because of a car or truck driver was not looking out for bikers. Most of the crashes occurred in urban areas, especially on arterial roads.

According to data from the Motorcycle Legal Foundation, Illinois is eighth in the nation in terms of both registered motorcycles and motorcycle crash fatalities.

Nearly half of deadly motorcycle wrecks occur in the summer months, and half occur between Friday night and Monday morning.

What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident in Palos Hills, IL

There are a number steps you should take, both at the accident site 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 crash can be jarring, it is important to keep a clear head. At the accident site, 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 behind. It is obviously important to you, but staying with the bike or trying to move it could make your injuries worse. If you are seriously injured, stay still and wait for emergency medical services.
• 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 — As the injuries caused in a motorcycle wreck can be catastrophic, it is probably best to get medical attention there instead of trying to seek medical attention at urgent care or a doctors’ appointment. Police will also be able to file a report relating who they believe is to blame for the accident.
• Gather evidence — Talk to any other motorists involved and ask for an insurance card. 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 help a motorcycle accident lawyer in Palos Hills, IL prove who is responsible for your injuries when you make your claim. See if there are eyewitnesses who can back up your side of the story.

Lastly, receive medical attention if you have not already.

What to Do Throughout the Claim Process

After you first seek medical care, notify both your insurance company and the other driver’s. Then, speak to a motorcycle accident lawyer in Palos Hills, 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 obviously the best thing for your physical recovery, but is also vital 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. Make sure you attend every every treatment and use all of the equipment and medication your doctor prescribes.
• Keep Track of Everything Related to Your Injuries — You are also owed reimbursement for lost wages from time your injuries caused you to miss out from work, and any out-of-pocket expenses you incur, such as transportation to and from medical appointments or hiring someone to help take care of your children. Manage a file with 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 how your injuries have affected you physically and emotionally for a record of your pain and suffering.
• Do Not Talk to the Insurance Company — Once you have filed your claim and hired a motorcycle accident lawyer, your attorney will will now be intermediary between you and the insurance. Insurance adjusters utilize a lot of tactics to minimize claims, and it is better to leave communication up to an attorney who knows how to make the adjuster be honest.
• 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 claim. If you say your injuries are debilitating, and the insurance finds out you have been going out on the weekends, they will use it to attempt to devalue your claim.

From the moment you hire us, we will keep you completely in the loop until you get the full financial recovery you are owed. Allow us to handle the legal aspect of your case so you can spend your energy on on healing.

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

For accidents involving minor injuries, where the liable party is obvious and your medical expenses are no more than a visit with your primary care physician, a lawyer may not be able to add much value to your claim. Supply the insurance company with proof of your financial losses, and ask for a little more for the hassle. In a smaller settlement where not much is disputed, the insurance company will only lose money if they try to deny your claim.

However, in most cases, hiring a motorcycle accident lawyer will be the only way to get fair compensation in your injury claim. While in a a truly fair society insurance companies would fulfill their duty when someone is injured under their coverage, it usually takes a fair amount of fighting to get them to be fair. You will almost certainly need a motorcycle accident lawyer in Palos Hills, IL if:

• Your injuries are severe — 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 adjuster is only offering a few thousand, 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 wrecks involving more than one vehicle, there may be more than one party that can be held liable for your injuries. For example, a driver may merge into your line because they did not see you, causing you to swerve and hit an improperly cordoned-off construction zone. An aggressive Palos Hills, IL motorcycle accident lawyer will be able to investigate the wreck and determine all liable parties. Finding other people who are liable is key if your damages exceed 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 well-known move insurance adjusters use to avoid paying you. When this happens, an attorney use their investigate skills and network of experts to conclusively demonstrate how the other party was negligent. If it is true that you were partially to blame, 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 Palos Hills, IL motorcycle accident lawyer at Burger Law knows how to combat 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 if we can add value to your claim. We start developing our legal strategy from the second you hire us, and fight until there is nothing left to fight.

Recent Burger Law Palos Hills, IL Motorcycle Accident Victories

You need a lawyer who has shown they can get results in your type of claim before. Any motorcycle accident lawyer can say they will fight for you, 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 Hills, IL?

In order to file any Palos Hills, 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 keep you safe? 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 — Did they fail in that duty and did that breach lead to an accident? Was the other 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 — Did the person’s breach of duty cause the accident? If the other driver’s brakes were malfunctioning, the person who needs to be held accountable for your injuries 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 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 have an injury claim. Speak to a motorcycle accident attorney today at (312) 500-HURT if you are unsure if you have a claim.

How Much is My Palos Hills, 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 emotional distress, disfigurement and pain and suffering
• While not common, you might be able to recover 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 usually 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
• 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 insisting 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 Palos Hills, IL?

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

• If you or your loved one was a minor at the time of accident, they have until their 20th 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 person responsible for your injuries is outside of 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 wait to contact a motorcycle accident lawyer after you have been injured in Palos Hills, IL. Call us immediately at (312) 500-HURT.

What Are Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Palos Hills, IL?

Motorcycles are not as easy to spot on the road, being smaller. As a result of something 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 is a leading cause of motorcycle accidents in Palos Hills, IL.

The most common causes of motorcycles accidents are:

• Left-hand turns — According to data from the Motorcycle Legal Foundation, over 40 percent of all motorcycle accidents that result in fatalities occur when a car turns left while and hits a motorcyclist in an intersection. These crashes can happen because of a motorist’s intoxication, reckless driving or simple inattention.
• Other collisions — Head on collisions are also common between motorcycles and cars or trucks. It is also common for a car 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, animal carcasses, slick surfaces 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.
• Defective 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 result in motorcycle accidents.

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

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

• A governmental entity or construction company for not repairing or negligent repairing a road
• A motorcycle manufacturer for a defective product
• A employer if someone they hired injured you while driving, for example in a commercial truck accident

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

Governmental agencies 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 municipality can be held accountable for the motorcycle accident. However, suing a government entity in Illinois has added complications. Our motorcycle accident lawyers in Palos Hills, 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 Hills, IL. What Are My Legal Options?

The dangers of motorcycles mean that bikers have a higher death rate than people in passenger cars. If your worst nightmare came true and a loved one died 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 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:

• 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. In order of priority, they are:
  1. Immediate family members, such as a spouse, children, grandchildren and grandparents
  2. If there are no immediate family members, siblings and nieces and nephews can file a claim
  3. If no family remains, a judge 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 economic and noneconomic damages your loved one incurred from their injuries before their death
  • Funeral expenses
  • Loss of financial support from your loved one, 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 Palos Hills, IL wrongful death attorneys are not just tremendous 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 personal injury cases we we have had great success with in Palos Hills, 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 Palos Hills, IL Today

Our Palos Hills, 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 Hills, 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 free case review.

Client Reviews

What our clients are saying about us

Juanita Matthews

Year of 2023

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!

Shaunda S.

7 months ago

I am very happy with the staff at Burger Law. I mostly worked with Michael Sheldon, and he did an amazing job. I trusted him completely with my case, and he did not disappoint. I would definitely recommend this team if your ever in need of good attorneys.

Emelia M.

3 months ago

Burger Law Firm is fantastic. Laura and Genevieve were so amazing and helpful throughout the entire process. They helped me with my personal injury case every step of the way and succeeded at getting me the results I desired.

Helen L.

a year ago

We had a great experience with Burger Law for representing us after a serious car accident. Truly impressed by how professional and supportive the entire team is. And, many thanks to Genavieve and Laura – you are amazing!

Judy M.

a year ago

They did an amazing job on my case! Communication with them was great!!! Kept me informed and in the loop with everything that was going on!!! Will definitely be the 1st ones I’ll call if ever I’m in another accident!!! Thank you very much!!!

Chelsea C.

5 months ago

Let me tell you something about Burger Law.. they are so attentive and kind. Jennifer is my savior!! I love the whole team!!! They are truly a miracle team!! I appreciate their business and would recommend it to others.

David D.

2 months ago

Absolutely the best law firm in the St. Louis area. No matter the size of your case you are treated as if you are the only client on the roster. Will explain anything thoroughly and they work around your availability. Very impressed and appreciative of the service.

Lisa B.

11 months ago

Gary and Casey took great care of me for 2.5 years as my lawsuit was finally settled. I feel he helped me achieve justice for me and my 4 children after their father died from medical malpractice and neglect. Thanks to Gary, my kids now have a great start to their college and adult lives. Thank you Gary and Casey, for fighting for us so hard at our most trying and difficult time in our lives thus far. Love and God bless from my family to yours!

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