Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Round Lake, IL

The thrill of riding a motorcycle can be made moot by the harm negligent drivers can do to you when they do not pay attention to your safety. If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in Round Lake, IL, reach out to the motorcycle accident lawyers of Burger Law today at (312) 500-HURT or contact us online for a free consultation.

If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in Round Lake, 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 are connected to the road and your motorcycle in a way 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 that happens to you, it carries instant hardships and you need someone to stand by your side and get you the compensation you deserve. You need to find a law firm that has demonstrated that they can full compensation in motorcycle crash lawsuits in Round Lake, IL.

Our team has more than three decades of experience getting full financial recoveries for our clients. Our motorcycle accident lawyers will tenaciously 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 minimize your financial settlement. We know how to stand up to insurance companies and ensure that they give 100 percent of what they owe our Round Lake, IL clients.

To find out more about how our personal injury law firm will fight for your rights, speak to our team at (312) 500-HURT to discuss your motorcycle accident case now.

How Common Are Motorcycle Accidents in Round Lake, IL?

Fourteen percent of motor vehicle fatalities and four percent of injuries were sustained by motorcyclists, despite only less than one percent of vehicle traffic being motorcycles, according to 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, of 3,077 motorcycle accidents, 2,404 caused injuries and 152 were deadly, according to the Illinois 2020 Crash Facts and Statistics. Unfortunately, over half of those happened when the motorcycle was driving straight, insinuating that the accidents were often because of another driver failing to notice motorcyclists. Most of the crashes occurred in metropolitan areas, especially around tolls.

According to data 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 deaths in 2017.

The most common season for motorcycle crashes is summer, and half of all wrecks happen between Friday night and Monday morning.

What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident in Round Lake, IL

There are several things you should do, 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.

Immediately After The Accident

While any wreck is surprising and scary, it is important to keep a clear head. Immediately after the crash, you should:

• Get out of harm’s way — If you are physically able, get to the side of the road and away from oncoming traffic. Leave the bike. It is obviously important to you, but trying to carry it could make your injuries worse. If you believe your injuries may be catastrophic, stay still and wait for emergency personnel.
• Do not remove your protective gear — Removing your helmet, gloves, boots, jacket and other gear could also exacerbate your injuries. 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 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 to blame for the accident.
• Gather evidence — Speak to the other driver and get their insurance information. Take pictures of all vehicles and the crash site from different positions. Take as many pictures as possible. Something that may seem unimportant at first may help a motorcycle accident lawyer in Round Lake, IL prove who is responsible for your injuries down the road. Get the contact info of any eyewitnesses to the accident.

Lastly, if you did not seek medical treatment at the scene, do so immediately.

What to Do in the Days, Weeks and Months Afterwards

After you first seek medical care, inform both your insurance company and the other driver’s. Then, speak to a motorcycle accident lawyer in Round Lake, 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:

• Continue Medical Treatment — This is not only vital for your health, but is also key to making sure you get full compensation. You need to prove how much that accident hurt you, and to do that you need to complete copies of medical medical records which show the extent of your injuries. The more medical expenses you have, the higher your non-economic damages compensation will be as well. Make sure you attend every follow up, chiropractic or physical therapy appointment your doctor orders for you.
• Keep Track of Everything Related to Your Injuries — You are also owed a financial recovery 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 transportation to and from medical appointments or hiring someone to help take care of your children. Manage a file with detailed receipts and explanations for 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.
• Do Not Talk to the Insurance Company — Once you have notified the insurance company about your injuries and enlisted the services of a motorcycle accident lawyer, your attorney will handle all communication with the insurance. Insurance adjusters utilize a lot of tricks to minimize claims, and it is better to leave communication up to an attorney who knows how to combat 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 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 first time you speak with us, we will be in contact with you every step of the way until we reach the great results you deserve. Let us deal with the legal aspect of your case so you can focus on your medical treatment.

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

For some minor claims, where the liable party is obvious and your medical bills are no more than an urgent care visit, you may not need an attorney to get fair compensation. 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 smaller settlement 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 it would be nice if insurance companies fulfilled their obligations when someone is injured under their coverage, they usually have to be convinced to. You will likely need a motorcycle accident lawyer in Round Lake, IL if:

• Your injuries require ongoing treatment — The more your medical expenses and time spent off work, the more the insurance company will fight back against your claim. If your injuries require future medical treatment or prevent you from earning a living as you used to, 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 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. If there is a lawyer on the case, 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 are multiple liable parties — With some cases, especially wrecks involving more than one vehicle, there may be more than one person who was negligent. 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. A knowledgeable Round Lake, IL motorcycle accident lawyer will be able to investigate the wreck and determine all liable parties. Identifying everyone who is liable is imperative if you are owed more compensation than the at-fault driver’s policy limits.
• You are being blamed for the accident — Blaming you for your injuries is a frequent tactic insurance adjusters use to avoid paying you. When this happens, an attorney can step in and prove that is not the case. If you were indeed partially to blame, you can still make a recovery under Missouri’s comparative negligence doctrine. However, you will need an attorney to apply the rule of law and get you that compensation.

Your Round Lake, 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 (312) 500-HURT to see what we can do for your claim. We get to work from the moment you hire us, and do not give up until you get every bit of compensation you deserve.

Recent Burger Law Round Lake, 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. Any motorcycle accident lawyer can say they will fight for you, but a lawyer with client testimonials and 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 Round Lake, IL?

In order to have a successful claim in Round Lake, 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 other person owe you a responsibility to protect you from unreasonable harm? 625 ILCS 5/11-1003.1 says 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 cause an accident? Was the other driver speeding, texting and driving, drunk driving or otherwise not following 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 malfunctioning, the liable party may be a manufacturer and not another motorist?.
5. Damages — Did your injuries lead to losses, such as medical bills and mental anguish? If your accident resulted in some small lacerations and bruising, but it was not serious enough to seek 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. Speak to a motorcycle accident attorney immediately at (312) 500-HURT if you are unsure if you have a claim.

How Much is My Round Lake, 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
• While not common, you might be able to receive punitive damages if you were injured by extreme recklessness, such as drunk driving

Factors that determine how much you will recover include:

• The severity of your injuries; more significant injuries usually lead to higher economic and noneconomic damages
• Whether or not you were partially at fault 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 know how to calculate the full value of someone’s injury claim and insisting the insurance company takes responsibility for 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 Round Lake, IL?

According to 735 ILCS 5/13-202, the time limit for motorcycle accident injuries in Round Lake, IL is two years. That means you only have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit in court. Illinois has three exceptions:

• If you or your loved one was under the age of 18 at the time of accident, 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 liable party is outside of the state of Illinois for a period, 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 hesitate to call a motorcycle accident lawyer after you were hurt in a motorcycle accident in Round Lake, IL. Call us immediately at (312) 500-HURT.

What Are Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Round Lake, IL?

Motorcycles are harder for passenger car drivers to see, being smaller. Due to something called “inattentional blindness,” drivers are less likely to see a motorcycle — even when they are looking for one. This is because we train our brains to be aware of other cars, but not for motorcycles. Inattentional blindness contributes to many motorcycle accidents in Round Lake, 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 involve a car turning left while the motorcycle was going straight. These crashes can be the result of a motorist’s intoxication, reckless driving or distracted driving.
• Other collisions — Head on collisions also occur frequently between motorcycles and cars or trucks. It is also common for a car not see a motorcyclist when merging or changing lanes. 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 — Uneven pavement, potholes, dead animals, gravel 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 spin out.
• Defective parts — Manufacturers and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recall dozens of motorcycles annually. If bikes or parts that are defective are allowed to stay on the market, it can result in motorcycle collisions.

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

Almost all auto accidents are due to human error. So, most of the time another driver is responsible for your injuries. However, other parties that may be held accountable include:

• A governmental body or contracting company for not repairing or negligent repairing a road
• A motorcycle manufacturer for a defective product
• A company if someone they hired injured you while driving, such as in a commercial truck accident

Can I Sue For My Round Lake, 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 agency responsible for the neglect can be held liable for the motorcycle accident. However, the state of Illinois does not make it easy to hold them accountable. Our motorcycle accident lawyers in Round Lake, IL can pick up your claim and take the fight to city hall to get you a full financial recovery.

A Loved One Was Killed in a Motorcycle Crash in Round Lake, 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 help provide some sense closure 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 that they were first injured.
• Three groups of people related to the deceased can file a wrongful death claim in Illinois. Beginning with who has the first chance to file, they are:
  1. Immediate family members, such as a spouse, children, grandchildren and grandparents
  2. If there are no immediate family members, siblings and siblings’ descendants can file a claim
  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, education and moral training the deceased would have provided
  • Survivors’ grief, sorrow and mental suffering

Burger Law’s Round Lake, IL wrongful death attorneys are not just skilled at securing full compensation. We are empathetic and have helped many families navigate the sorrow, anger and confusion that accompanies a fatal auto accident.

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

Our Round Lake, IL motorcycle accident lawyers will not stop fighting until there is nothing left to fight; we promise. 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 Round Lake, 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 no obligation consultation.