Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Roselle, IL

Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Roselle, IL

The sense of freedom a motorcycle comes with can be made moot by the harm careless drivers can do to you when they do not pay attention to your safety. If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in Roselle, IL, reach out to the motorcycle accident lawyers of Burger Law now at (779) 800-HURT or fill out our online form for a complimentary consultation.

If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in Roselle, 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. There is a sense of freedom that a car just cannot emulate. Regrettably, there is a potentially dangerous trade-off. Because motorcycles do not protect riders as well as enclosed vehicles, the consequences of a motorcycle accident can be devastating. When you are injured, it carries instant financial, physical and emotional consequences and you need someone to fight for you. You need to find a lawyer that has demonstrated that they can full compensation in motorcycle collision cases in Roselle, IL.

Our attorneys and paralegals have over 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. Do not talk to your insurance or the other side’s insurance without speaking to an attorney first. The insurance adjuster will try to devalue your compensation. Our firm has a proven track record of successfully fighting the insurance companies and making sure that they treat our Roselle, IL clients fairly.

To discover more about how our personal injury law firm will fight for your rights, speak to an attorney at (779) 800-HURT to go over your motorcycle accident case for free.

How Common Are Motorcycle Accidents in Roselle, IL?

Fourteen percent of motor vehicle deaths and four percent of injuries were sustained by motorcyclists, despite only less than one percent of vehicle traffic being motorcycles, according to research from the National Safety Council. Nationwide, in 2020 there were 82,500 motorcycle accident injuries and 5,579 deaths. In Illinois, of 3,077 motorcycle wrecks, 2,404 caused injuries and 152 were deadly, according to the Illinois 2020 Crash Facts and Statistics. Unfortunately, over half 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 caused by a car or truck driver failing to notice motorcyclists. Wrecks happen most frequently in metropolitan areas, especially major city streets.

According to research 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 on the weekends.

What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident in Roselle, IL

There are several things you should do, both immediately following the accident and in the days and weeks that follow, to make sure your recover from your injuries both physically and financially.

At the Accident Site

While any collision can be jarring, try to stay as calm as possible. At the accident site, you should:

• Get to safety — If you are physically able, get to the side of the road and away from oncoming traffic. Leave your motorcycle behind. We know it is a treasure for you, but staying with the bike or trying to move it could exacerbate your injuries. If you suspect you have a back or head injury, it may be best not to move; instead wait for emergency personnel.
• Keep your gear on — Removing your helmet, gloves, boots, jacket and other gear could also make serious injuries even worse. Shock may hide how bad an injury actually is.
• Call 911 — Because the injuries caused in a motorcycle wreck can be catastrophic, it is probably a good idea to be looked over there instead of leaving and planning to seek medical attention later. Police will also be able to file a report relating who they believe is liable for the accident.
• Gather evidence — Talk to any other drivers involved and get their insurance information. Take pictures of all vehicles and the crash site from a variety of angles. 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 Roselle, IL when trying to prove your case in the future. See if there are eyewitnesses who can corroborate your side of the story.

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

What to Do Throughout the Claim Process

After you first seek medical care, notify the insurance company of everybody involved. Then, speak to a motorcycle accident lawyer in Roselle, 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 obviously the best thing for your physical recovery, but aids your financial recovery as well. In order to prove your damages, you need to be able to point to medical records which detail all of the treatments and related expenses you incurred because of your injuries. The more medical expenses you have, 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 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 with household chores. Manage a file with detailed receipts and notes about why those charges were necessary. It may also be a good idea to keep a daily journal detailing 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 try to employ 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 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 sees pictures of you at your friend’s barbecue, 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 spend your energy on on your medical treatment.

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

For minor and clear-cut accidents, where fault is clearly established and your medical expenses only include an urgent care visit, a lawyer may not be able to add much value to your claim. Supply the insurance company with proof of your financial losses, and see if they will throw some extra money on top for inconvenience. 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, more likely than not you will need the assistance of a motorcycle accident attorney for your injury claim. While in a a truly fair society insurance companies would fulfill their duty when someone is injured by their policyholders’ negligence, they usually have to be convinced to. You will almost certainly need a motorcycle accident lawyer in Roselle, IL if:

• Your injuries are significant — The higher your damages, 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. If there is an attorney working on your claim, the insurance company will know that you will not back down without a fight. In a recent case, Burger Law was able to turn a $3,900 offer into a $100,000 settlement.
• There is more than liable party — With some injuries, especially crashes involving more than one vehicle, there may be more than one party that is responsible for your injuries. For example, a driver may merge into your line because they did not see you, causing you to swerve and hit a pothole that a local government should have fixed. A talented Roselle, IL motorcycle accident lawyer will conduct a full investigation into the crash 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.
• You are being blamed for the accident — 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 can step in and prove how the other party was negligent. If it is true that you were partially to blame, 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 Roselle, IL motorcycle accident lawyer at Burger Law knows how to combat tactics insurance adjusters use. We have been doing it for over three decades. We offer an initial conversation and investigation for free, so call us at (779) 800-HURT to see what we can do for your claim. We start working from the moment you hire us, and do not let up until you get every bit of compensation you deserve.

Recent Burger Law Roselle, IL Motorcycle Accident Victories

With any type of legal claim, results matter. You want to feel confident 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 former clients will vouch for 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 Roselle, IL?

If you want to file any Roselle, IL injury claim, you must have been injured 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 owe you 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 other motorists always owe you a duty of care.
2. Breach of duty — Were they neglectful in that duty and cause 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 compensate you 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 small lacerations and bruising, but you did not need any medical treatment, it would be hard for you to make a claim.

Any time somebody else’s carelessness or recklessness injures you, you can to file an injury claim. Speak to a motorcycle accident attorney immediately at (779) 800-HURT if you are unsure if you have a claim.

How Much is My Roselle, IL Motorcycle Accident Claim Worth?

Your compensation will be a combination of:

• 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, scarring and pain and suffering
• While not common, you may be able to receive 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 tend to 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 enjoy life

At Burger Law, we are experts at calculating every dime you are owed and demand that 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 calculating for inflation.

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

Pursuant to 735 ILCS 5/13-202, the time limit for motorcycle accident claims in Roselle, IL is two years. That means you only have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit in court. There are some exceptions:

• If you or your loved one was under the age of 18 when the injuries occurred, they have until their 20th 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 time, that time 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 wait to call a motorcycle accident lawyer after you were hurt in a motorcycle accident in Roselle, IL. Call us now at (779) 800-HURT.

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

Motorcycles are harder for passenger car drivers to see, being smaller. Because of a phenomenon called “inattentional blindness,” drivers are less likely 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 Roselle, 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 involve a car turning left while and hits a motorcyclist in an intersection. These crashes can happen because of a car driver’s drunkenness, speeding or simple inattention.
• Other collisions — Head on collisions also occur frequently between motorcycles and other types of vehicles. It is also common for a car not see a motorcyclist when turning in front of them. Motorcycles also have the highest rate of collisions with fixed objects, which may be due to a negligent construction company or governmental entity.
• Road hazards — Cracked pavement, potholes, animal carcasses, slick surfaces or other debris on our streets 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.
• Defective components — 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 lead to motorcycle collisions.

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

More than nine out of 10 auto accidents are due to human error. So, most likely, you will make a claim against another driver. However, other parties that may be held liable include:

• A governmental body or contracting company for road hazards
• A vehicle manufacturer in a product liability claim
• A company if someone they hired injured you while driving, for example in a commercial truck accident

Can I Sue For My Roselle, 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 state can be held responsible for the motorcycle accident. However, suing a government entity in Illinois has added complications. Our motorcycle accident lawyers in Roselle, 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 Roselle, IL. What Are My Legal Options?

Motorcyclists are not only at higher risk of a serious injury, but are more likely to be in a fatal accident. If your worst nightmare came true and someone you love 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 bring a sense of justice and ease the financial burden 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 of the accident.
• 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 there are no family members, a judge can appoint a plaintiff ad litem to bring a suit
• 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 your loved one, 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 Roselle, IL wrongful death attorneys are not just tremendous at getting our clients full recoveries. We are empathetic and have helped many families navigate the sorrow, anger and confusion that comes after a fatal auto accident.

In addition to motorcycle accidents, other personal injury claims we we have had great success with in Roselle, 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 Roselle, IL Today

Our Roselle, IL motorcycle accident lawyers will not stop fighting until there is nothing left to fight; that is our guarantee. You deserve to be financially compensated 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 Roselle, IL personal injury law firm will fight for your rights, call our team at (779) 800-HURT or fill out our online form for a complimentary case evaluation.