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Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Salem, IL
Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Salem, IL
The thrill of riding a motorcycle can be neutralized by the injuries reckless drivers cause when they do not follow the rules of the road. If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in Salem, IL, reach out to the motorcycle accident lawyers of Burger Law now at (779) 800-HURT or fill out our online form for a no-risk, no-obligation consultation.
If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in Salem, 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. You get a feeling of the open road that you do not get in an enclosed vehicle. Regrettably, this freedom also comes with a high price. Because motorcycles do not protect their occupants 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 fight for you. You need to find an attorney that has demonstrated that they can get great results in motorcycle crash lawsuits in Salem, IL.
Our team has more than 30 years of experience getting full financial recoveries for those injured through the negligence of another. 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 will try to limit your financial settlement. Our firm has a proven track record of successfully fighting the insurance companies and making sure that they treat our Salem, IL clients fairly.
To discover more about how our personal injury law firm will fight for your rights, call our team at (779) 800-HURT to discuss your motorcycle accident claim immediately.
How Common Are Motorcycle Accidents in Salem, IL?
Despite the fact that motorcycles account for only .06 percent of all traffic miles traveled in the United States, they made up four percent of all injuries and 14 percent of all deaths in traffic-related accidents in 2020, according to the National Safety Council. In the entire country, in 2020 82,000 people were injured and 5,579 perished in motorcycle crashes. In Illinois, there were 3,077 motorcycle crashes which resulted in 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, which leads us to believe that the accidents were often caused by another driver failing to notice motorcyclists. Crashes are most common in metropolitan areas, especially around tolls.
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 Salem, IL
There are several steps you should take, both at the accident site and in the days and weeks that follow, to ensure you make both a physical and financial recovery.
Immediately After The Accident
While any crash can be surprising and scary, it is important to keep a clear head. At the accident site, you should:
Get out of harm’s way — If you are physically able, move out of the way of oncoming traffic. Leave the bike. We know it is your baby, but trying to carry it could put you at risk of further harm. If you believe your injuries may be catastrophic, it may be best not to move; instead wait for emergency personnel.
Keep your gear on — Taking off your helmet, gloves, boots, jacket and other gear could also make injuries worse. Shock may hide how serious an injury actually is.
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 go to an emergency room yourself. Police know how to determine fault in an accident, and will make a police report.
Gather evidence — Talk to any other motorists involved and request an insurance card. Take photographs of all vehicles and the crash site from different positions. Take as many pictures as possible. Something you do not think is that big of a deal may be useful to a motorcycle accident lawyer in Salem, IL when trying to prove who is responsible for your injuries when you make your claim. See if there are eyewitnesses who can corroborate your claim.
Finally, receive medical attention if you have not already.
What to Do Throughout the Claim Process
Once you have gotten medical treatment, notify the insurance company of everybody involved. Then, speak to a motorcycle accident lawyer in Salem, 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 paramount to making sure you get full compensation. 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 pain and suffering compensation will be as well. Go to every every treatment and use all of the equipment and medication your doctor wants you to.
Keep Detailed Records — You are also entitled to a financial recovery for lost wages from time spent recovering, 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 explanations for why you needed to pay those expenses. It may also be a good idea to keep a daily journal detailing 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 accident and hired a motorcycle accident lawyer, let your attorney handle documentation and negotiation. Insurance adjusters utilize a lot of tricks to avoid paying claims, but your attorney will know how to make the adjuster be honest.
Do Not Post on 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 do damage to your claim. If you tell the insurance company that your injuries prevent you from working, and the insurance sees pictures of you at your friend’s barbecue, they will use it to try and deny your claim.
From the moment you hire us, we will be in contact with you every step of the way until we reach a successful resolution. Allow us to deal with the investigation, documentation, negotiation and litigation so you can spend your energy on on your medical treatment.
Get a Free Consultation
We offer free consultations and are available 24/7 to take your call. Live chat, text, and virtual meetings are available.
Do I Need a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Salem, IL For My Claim?
For accidents involving minor injuries, where the liable party is taking accountability and your medical bills are no more than an urgent care visit, you may not need an attorney to get fair compensation. 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 not much is disputed, the insurance company will only lose money if they try to deny your claim.
However, in most cases, you will need a motorcycle accident attorney for your injury claim. While it would be nice if insurance companies fulfilled their responsibility when their policyholders injure someone, they usually have to be convinced to. You will likely need a motorcycle accident lawyer in Salem, 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’s offer is far below your damages — If your damages are in the tens or hundreds of thousands, and the insurance adjuster is only offering a few thousand, they are trying to take advantage of you. If there is a lawyer on the case, the insurance company will know that you are serious about getting the full compensation you deserve. Burger Law has added hundreds of thousands of dollars to claims, including turning a $3,900 offer into a $100,000 settlement.
There are multiple parties at fault — With some injuries, especially multi-vehicle accidents, there may be more than one liable party. For example, a driver may merge into your line while not looking for you, causing you to swerve and hit an improperly cordoned-off construction zone. An experienced Salem, IL motorcycle accident lawyer will conduct a full investigation into the wreck and determine all liable parties. Finding other people who are liable is essential if your damages exceed the at-fault driver’s policy limits.
The insurance adjuster is trying to blame you for the accident — Blaming you for your injuries is a classic trick 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 how the other party was negligent. If you were indeed partially at fault, you can still make a recovery under Missouri’s comparative negligence rule. However, a lawyer is likely necessary to get you the most possible compensation.
Your Salem, IL motorcycle accident lawyer at Burger Law knows how to combat tactics insurance adjusters use. We have been doing it for over 30 years. Our consultations are free, so call us at (779) 800-HURT to see what we can do for 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 Salem, IL Motorcycle Accident Victories
With any type of legal claim, results matter. You want to feel confident that you are giving your case to 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 are the best, 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:
Do I Have a Motorcycle Accident Claim in Salem, IL?
In order to file any Salem, IL injury claim, 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:
Duty of care — Did the liable party owe you a responsibility to keep you safe? 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.
Cause in fact — Were your injuries the direct result of the accident?
Proximate cause — Did the person’s breach of duty cause the accident? If the other driver’s brakes were not working, the person who needs to compensate you may be a manufacturer and not the driver?.
Damages — Did you sustain losses because of your injuries, such as medical bills and mental anguish? If your accident resulted in a few bruises or scrapes, but it was not serious enough to seek medical treatment, you likely do not have a claim.
Any time somebody else’s carelessness or recklessness injures you, you need to file an injury claim. Speak to a motorcycle accident attorney now at (779) 800-HURT if you are unsure if you have a claim.
How Much is My Salem, IL Motorcycle Accident Claim Worth?
In any personal injury claim, you are owed compensation for:
Non-economic damages, such as emotional distress, scarring and pain and suffering
While not common, you may 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 typically lead to higher medical bills and more pain and suffering
Whether or not you contributed to the accident
If the accident led to permanent disfigurement or disability
How your life has changed because of your injuries
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 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 Salem, IL?
Under 735 ILCS 5/13-202, the time limit for motorcycle accident injuries in Salem, IL is two years. That means the clock starts ticking on the date the accident occurred to file a claim. Illinois has three exceptions:
If you or your loved one was a minor when the injuries occurred, 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 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 contact a motorcycle accident lawyer after you have been injured in Salem, IL. Call us today at (779) 800-HURT.
What Are Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Salem, IL?
Motorcycles are harder for drivers of enclosed vehicles to see, as they take up less space. Because of a phenomenon known as “inattentional blindness,” drivers are less likely to see a motorcycle — even if they are doing their best to be careful. This is because most drivers have programmed their brains to look for larger vehicles, but not for motorcycles. Inattentional blindness contributes to many motorcycle accidents in Salem, IL.
Most motorcycle accidents occur because of:
Left-hand turns — The Motorcycle Legal Foundation reports that almost half of all fatal motorcycle crashes occur when a car turns left while the motorcycle was going straight. These crashes can be due to a motorist’s intoxication, reckless driving or distracted driving.
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 motorist, which is not always the motorcyclist’s fault.
Road hazards — Uneven pavement, potholes, animal carcasses, wet or icy roadways or other debris on our streets usually do not affect a vehicle with more than two wheels very much. However, motorcycles do not have the same level of stability and these hazards can cause a motorcyclist to lose control.
Malfunctioning 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 cause motorcycle crashes.
Who is Liable for My Motorcycle Accident Injuries in Salem, IL?
A company if their employee injured you while driving, such as in a commercial truck accident
Can I Sue For My Salem, IL Motorcycle Accident if it Did Not Involve Another Vehicle?
Governmental agencies are supposed to keep their roadways safe for citizens to travel on, and when obstruction or other objects in the road cause an accident, the municipality may have to compensate you for your injuries. However, the state of Illinois does not make it easy to sue them. Our motorcycle accident lawyers in Salem, IL can handle 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 Salem, IL. What Are My Legal Options?
Motorcyclists are not only at increased risk of a catastrophic injury, but are more likely to be in a fatal accident. If tragedy struck and a loved one passed away in a motorcycle crash, you can make a wrongful death claim. While no settlement or verdict can bring back your loved one, it 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:
A wrongful death claim can be made when some dies because of another’s negligence or wrongdoing.
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.
Three groups of people related to the deceased can file a wrongful death claim in Illinois. In order of priority, they are:
Immediate family members, such as a spouse, children, grandchildren and grandparents
When there are no immediate family members, siblings and siblings’ descendants can bring a suit
If there are no family members, a judge can designate 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 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 instruction, guidance and moral training the deceased would have provided
Survivors’ grief, sorrow and mental suffering
Burger Law’s Salem, IL wrongful death attorneys are not just experts at securing full compensation. 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 injury cases we take on and win in Salem, IL include:
Speak to a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Salem, IL Today
Our Salem, IL motorcycle accident lawyers will fight until you get the maximum compensation you are owed; 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 Salem, IL personal injury law firm will fight for your rights, call our team at (779) 800-HURT or contact us online for a complimentary case evaluation.
Client Reviews
What our clients are saying about us
Anonymous
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!
Genevieve and Laura have assisted me in my personal injury claim and have made the process so much less stressful. They are extremely knowledgeable, professional, and attentive. Laura is always on top of everything and very sweet. I had no idea how to navigate this process and they have made me feel at ease and like they truly cared about the outcome.
Cara Barton
It has been a long 4 years, but it is finally over! Burger law did a great job handling my case. Grant Doty answered all my questions, promptly returned my phone calls, frequently kept me updated and insured me that he was fighting for me. Jennifer Zini also did a wonderful job, great customer service. It was pleasure getting to know the Burger Law team!
S. Alred
After a driver unexpectedly pulled out right in front of my motorcycle & I suffered injuries, the at-fault driver’s insurance company offered me a $10,000 settlement. I hired Burger Law & they won a $109,000 settlement. I was very happy with the outcome. They were easy to work with & fully explained each step of the process & kept me informed along the way.
At Burger Law | St. Louis Personal Injury Lawyer, we are a team of personal injury attorneys who have earned many distinctions and peer-reviewed awards for our civil litigation and trial work in Missouri and Illinois. A few of the honors we have earned include the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, Top 100 Trial Lawyer Award, a Martindale-Hubbell AV rating, Super Lawyers selection as one of the top attorneys in the field of personal injury and board certifications in Civil Litigation.
Personal injury lawyers who demand justice in Southern Illinois. The role of a personal injury lawyer in Southern Illinois should be more than just getting you a great settlement…