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Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Shannon, IL
Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Shannon, IL
The thrill of riding a motorcycle can be canceled out by the harm negligent drivers can do to you when they do not follow the rules of the road. If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in Shannon, IL, reach out to the motorcycle accident lawyers of Burger Law immediately at (312) 500-HURT or complete our online form for a no-risk, no-obligation case evaluation.
If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in Shannon, 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. There is a sense of freedom 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, there are immediate 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 accident lawsuits in Shannon, IL.
Burger Law has over 30 years of experience getting full financial recoveries for our clients. Our motorcycle accident lawyers will fight until we win your case 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 minimize your compensation. We know how to fight insurance companies and ensure that they treat our Shannon, IL clients fairly.
To discover more about what we can do for you, call an attorney at (312) 500-HURT to discuss your motorcycle accident case immediately.
How Common Are Motorcycle Accidents in Shannon, IL?
Even though motorcycles account for barely over half a percent of total traffic miles traveled in the United States, they made up four percent of all injuries and 14 percent of all fatalities in traffic-related accidents in 2020, according to the National Safety Council. In the United States, in 2020 82,000 people were injured and 5,579 passed away in motorcycle crashes. In Illinois, of 3,077 motorcycle wrecks, 2,404 caused injuries and 152 were deadly, according to the Illinois 2020 Crash Facts and Statistics. Regrettably, over 50 percent 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 because of a car or truck driver was not looking out for bikers. Most of the crashes occurred in densely populated areas, especially major city streets.
Nearly half of deadly motorcycle wrecks occur in the summer months, and 50 percent happen between 6 p.m. Friday and 6 a.m. Monday.
What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident in Shannon, IL
There are a number things you should do, both at the accident site and throughout the length of your claim process, to make sure your recover from your injuries both physically and financially.
At the Accident Site
While any collision is surprising and scary, it is important to keep a clear head. At the accident site, you should:
Get out of harm’s way — If possible, move out of the way of other vehicles coming down the street. Leave the bike. It is obviously important to you, but trying to carry it could put you at risk of further harm. If you are seriously injured, it may be best not to move; instead wait for emergency personnel.
Keep your gear on — Removing your helmet or other gear could also exacerbate your injuries. Shock may hide how significant an injury actually is.
Call 911 — Because motorcycle accidents can cause severe injuries, it may be best to be looked over there instead of leaving and planning to seek medical attention at urgent care or a doctors’ appointment. Police will also be able to file a report stating who they believe is responsible 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 more photos than you think you need. Something that may seem like it does not matter at first may help a motorcycle accident lawyer in Shannon, IL prove your case in the future. See if there are eyewitnesses who can corroborate your side of the story.
Lastly, if you did not seek medical treatment at the crash site, do so immediately.
What to Do Throughout the Claim Process
Once you have gotten medical treatment, inform both your insurance company and the other driver’s. Then, speak to a motorcycle accident lawyer in Shannon, 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 aids your financial recovery as well. In order to prove your damages, you need to complete copies of medical medical records which show all of the treatments and related expenses directly associated with the accident. The more medical expenses you have, the higher your pain and suffering 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 also deserve compensation 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 parking or gas money for going to medical appointments or hiring someone to help with housework. Keep detailed receipts and notes about why you needed to pay those expenses. It may also be a good idea to write down your every day experiences showing 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 hired a motorcycle accident lawyer, your attorney will will now be intermediary between you and the insurance. Insurance adjusters utilize 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, posting too much on social media can hurt your claim. If you say your injuries are debilitating, and the insurance finds out you have been at a bar, they will use it to try and deny your claim.
From the moment you hire us, we will keep you completely in the loop until we attain the great results you deserve. Allow us to deal with the investigation, documentation, negotiation and litigation so you can focus 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 Shannon, IL For My Claim?
For minor and clear-cut accidents, where the liable party is obvious and your medical expenses are no more than an urgent care 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 inconvenience. In a smaller settlement where not much is disputed, the insurance company will only lose money if they try to deny your claim.
However, more likely than not hiring a motorcycle accident lawyer will be the only way to get fair compensation in your injury claim. While it would be nice if insurance companies fulfilled their responsibility when their policyholders injure someone, it usually takes a fair amount of fighting to get them to be fair. You will almost certainly need a motorcycle accident lawyer in Shannon, IL if:
Your injuries are significant — The more your medical bills and lost wages, the more the insurance company will be resistant to reimbursing you for it. 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.
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. 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 cases, especially multi-vehicle accidents, 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 an improperly cordoned-off construction site. A knowledgeable Shannon, IL motorcycle accident lawyer will conduct a full investigation into the accident and assign a portion of the damages to each liable party. Identifying everyone who is liable is crucial if you are owed more compensation than the at-fault driver’s policy limits.
The insurance adjuster is trying to blame you for your injuries — Blaming you for your injuries is a well-known trick 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 at fault, you are not completely barred from compensation under Missouri’s comparative negligence doctrine. However, you will need an attorney to apply the rule of law and get you that compensation.
Your Shannon, 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 speak to an attorney now at (312) 500-HURT to see what we can do for your claim. We start developing our legal strategy from the moment you hire us, and do not give up until you get every bit of compensation you deserve.
Recent Burger Law Shannon, IL Motorcycle Accident Victories
With any type of legal claim, results matter. You want to know 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 will fight for you, but a lawyer whose past clients will recommend 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:
Do I Have a Motorcycle Accident Claim in Shannon, IL?
If you want to have a valid claim in Shannon, IL, you must have sustained an injury that was caused by another person’s negligence. There are five elements to proving negligence in a personal injury claim:
Duty of care — Did the other person have an obligation to protect you from unreasonable harm? 625 ILCS 5/11-1003.1 states that “every driver of a vehicle shall exercise due care,” so anyone else on the road automatically owes you that duty.
Cause in fact — Did the accident cause your injuries?
Proximate cause — Whose negligence caused the accident? If the other driver’s brakes were malfunctioning, the liable party may be a manufacturer and not another motorist?.
Damages — Did your injuries lead to losses, such as medical expenses and emotional distress? If your accident resulted in a few bruises or scrapes, but they healed without any medical treatment, it would be hard for you to file a claim.
If you were injured because of another’s negligence, you need to file an injury claim. Consult with a motorcycle accident attorney now at (312) 500-HURT if you are unsure if you have a claim.
How Much is My Shannon, IL Motorcycle Accident Claim Worth?
Non-economic damages, such as emotional distress, disfigurement and pain and suffering
In some rare cases, you can 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 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 every dime you are owed and demand that 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 calculating for inflation.
How Long Do I Have to File a Motorcycle Accident Claim in Shannon, IL?
Pursuant to 735 ILCS 5/13-202, the statute of limitations for motorcycle accident claims in Shannon, 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 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 person responsible for your injuries is outside of the state of Illinois for a time, that period does not account against the two years
While two years may seem like a long time, investigating and developing a legal strategy for your claim takes time. Do not hesitate to contact a motorcycle accident lawyer after you were hurt in a motorcycle accident in Shannon, IL. Call us today at (312) 500-HURT.
What Are Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Shannon, IL?
Motorcycles are not as easy to spot on the road, as they take up less space. As a result 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 we train our brains to look for other cars, but not for motorcycles. Inattentional blindness is a leading cause of motorcycle accidents in Shannon, IL.
Most motorcycle accidents occur because of:
Left-hand turns — According to the Motorcycle Legal Foundation, 42 percent of all fatal motorcycle crashes involve a car turning left while the motorcycle was going straight. These crashes can happen because of a motorist’s intoxication, speeding or generally not paying close enough attention to the road.
Other collisions — Head on collisions also occur frequently between motorcycles and other types of vehicles. It is also common for a car to fail to 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, animal carcasses, slick surfaces or other debris on our streets 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.
Malfunctioning 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 cause motorcycle collisions.
Who is Liable for My Motorcycle Accident Injuries in Shannon, IL?
A governmental entity or contracting company for road hazards
A motorcycle designer, manufacturer or vendor for a defective product
A employer if their employee injured you while driving, such as in a commercial truck accident
Can I Sue For My Shannon, IL Motorcycle Accident if it Did Not Involve Another Vehicle?
States and municipalities are supposed to keep their roadways safe for citizens to travel on, and when there are road hazards that cause an accident, the state may have to compensate you for your injuries. However, suing a government entity in Illinois has added complications. Our motorcycle accident lawyers in Shannon, IL can handle your claim and guide you through the complexities of local and state laws to get you the compensation you deserve.
A Loved One Was Killed in a Motorcycle Crash in Shannon, 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 someone you love died in a motorcycle crash, you can make a recovery through a wrongful death claim. While no amount of money can bring back your loved one, it 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:
A wrongful death claim can be made when some is killed by 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 that they were first injured.
Three groups of people related to the deceased can file a wrongful death claim in Illinois. In order of priority, they are:
Members of the nuclear family, 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, the court can designate a plaintiff ad litem to file a claim
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 the deceased, including any benefits they got from their employment
Loss of instruction, guidance and moral training the deceased would have provided
Survivors’ grief, sorrow and mental suffering
Burger Law’s Shannon, IL wrongful death attorneys are not just skilled at securing full compensation. We are understanding and kind 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 take on and win in Shannon, IL include:
Speak to a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Shannon, IL Today
Our Shannon, 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 do not have to pay for someone else’s mistakes. To learn more about how our Shannon, IL personal injury law firm will fight for your rights, call our team at (312) 500-HURT or contact us online for a complimentary case review.
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…