Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in South Wilmington, IL

The sense of freedom a motorcycle comes with can be neutralized by the injuries careless drivers cause when they do not pay attention to your safety. If another driver injured you in South Wilmington, IL, reach out to the motorcycle accident lawyers of Burger Law immediately at (312) 500-HURT or contact us online for a complimentary case evaluation.

If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in South Wilmington, 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 are connected to the road and your motorcycle in a way that you do not get in an enclosed vehicle. Unfortunately, negligent drivers can turn that feeling into something horrific. Because of their relative lack of protection, motorcycle accidents can cause serious injuries. When you are injured, it carries immediate economic, physical and mental consequences and you need someone to fight for you. You want an attorney that has demonstrated that they can full compensation in motorcycle collision claims in South Wilmington, IL.

Burger Law has over 70 years of combined litigation and trial experience. 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 will try to devalue your compensation. Our firm has a proven track record of successfully fighting the insurance companies and making sure that they give 100 percent of what they owe our South Wilmington, IL clients.

To find out more about what we can do for you, call a lawyer at (312) 500-HURT to discuss your motorcycle accident case immediately.

How Common Are Motorcycle Accidents in South Wilmington, IL?

Even though motorcycles make up only .06 percent of all vehicle miles traveled in the country, 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. Nationwide, in 2020 there were 82,500 motorcycle accident injuries and 5,579 fatalities. In Illinois, there were 3,077 motorcycle crashes which caused 2,404 injuries and 152 deaths, according to the Illinois 2020 Crash Facts and Statistics. Sadly, the majority of those occurred when a passenger car or truck collided with a motorcycle when the biker was driving in a straight line, which means the accidents were often because of another driver not respecting motorcyclists on the road. Crashes are most common in urban areas, especially on arterial roads.

According to the Motorcycle Legal Foundation, Illinois is eighth in the country with close to 300,000 registered motorcycles, and fittingly 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 South Wilmington, IL

There are a number steps you should take, both in the immediate wake of an accident and throughout the process of recovering from your injuries and seeking compensation, to ensure you make both a physical and financial recovery.

Immediately After The Accident

While any wreck can be surprising and scary, try to stay as calm as possible. Immediately after the crash, you should:

• Get to safety — If you can, move out of the way of oncoming traffic. Leave the bike. We know it is your baby, but staying with the bike or trying to move it could exacerbate your injuries. If you suspect you have a spine or head injury, stay still and wait for emergency medical services.
• Keep your gear on — Removing your helmet, gloves, boots, jacket and other gear could also make injuries worse. Adrenaline may hide how severe an injury actually is.
• Call 911 — Because the injuries caused in a motorcycle wreck can be catastrophic, it may be a good idea to be looked over at the scene instead of leaving and planning to seek medical attention later. Police know how to determine liability in an accident, and will make a police report.
• 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 you do not think matters much may be useful to a motorcycle accident lawyer in South Wilmington, IL when trying to prove someone else’s negligence 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, inform both your insurance company and the other driver’s. Then, speak to a motorcycle accident lawyer in South Wilmington, 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 not only vital for your health, 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 the extent of your injuries. The more medical expenses you have, the higher your ultimate compensation will be as well. Make sure you attend every follow up, chiropractic or physical therapy appointment your doctor orders for you.
• Keep Detailed Records — You are also entitled to reimbursement 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 explanations for why you needed to pay those expenses. You can also write down your every day experiences showing how your injuries have affected you physically and emotionally for a record of 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, and it is better to leave communication up to a lawyer who knows how to make the adjuster be honest.
• Resist 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 chances of being fully compensated. 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 first time you speak with us, we will be in contact with you every step of the way until we attain the great results you deserve. Let us handle the legal aspect of your case so you can focus on healing.

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

For some minor claims, where the liable party is taking accountability and your medical expenses only include a visit with your primary care physician, you may not need an attorney to get fair compensation. 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 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 hiring a motorcycle accident lawyer will be the only way to get fair compensation in your injury claim. While in a perfect world insurance companies would fulfill their duty when someone is injured by their policyholders’ negligence, it usually takes a fair amount of fighting to get them to do it. Situations where you will need a motorcycle accident lawyer in South Wilmington, IL include:

• Your injuries are severe — The more your medical expenses and time spent off work, 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.
• Your damages and the insurance company’s offer are way too far apart — 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 an attorney working on your claim, the insurance company will know that you will not back down without a fight. 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 liable party — With some cases, especially crashes involving more than one vehicle, there may be more than one party that caused 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 governmental agency should have fixed. A talented South Wilmington, IL motorcycle accident lawyer will conduct a full investigation into the crash and determine all liable parties. Finding other people who are liable is essential if your damages exceed 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 classic trick insurance adjusters use to minimize your claim. When this happens, an attorney will fight back prove that is not the case. If you were indeed responsible for a portion of the accident, you are not completely barred from 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 South Wilmington, IL motorcycle accident lawyer at Burger Law knows how to combat tactics insurance adjusters use. We have been doing it for more than 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 start working from the second you hire us, and do not let up until you get every bit of compensation you deserve.

Recent Burger Law South Wilmington, 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. A motorcycle accident lawyer saying they are the best is one thing, but a lawyer whose former clients will recommend them and who has the 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 South Wilmington, IL?

In order to file any South Wilmington, 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 liable party owe you an obligation to keep you safe? 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 a duty of care.
2. Breach of duty — Did they fail in that duty and cause an accident? Was another motorist speeding, texting and driving, drunk driving or otherwise not following proper procedure behind the wheel?
3. Cause in fact — Were your injuries the direct result of the accident?
4. Proximate cause — Whose negligence caused 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 your injuries lead to losses, such as medical bills and mental anguish? If your accident caused some bruises or scrapes, but you did not need any medical treatment, it would be hard for you to file a claim.

If you were injured through another’s negligence, you need to file an injury claim. Speak to a motorcycle accident attorney now at (312) 500-HURT if you are unsure if you have a claim.

How Much is My South Wilmington, IL Motorcycle Accident Claim Worth?

Your compensation will be a combination of:

• 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
• In some rare cases, you can be awarded 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 economic and noneconomic damages
• 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 liable party takes responsibility for all of it. If your injuries require ongoing medical care, 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 South Wilmington, IL?

Under 735 ILCS 5/13-202, the time limit for motorcycle accident claims in South Wilmington, IL is two years. That means you only have two years from the date you were injured to file a lawsuit in court. Illinois has three exceptions:

• If you or your loved one was a minor 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 is outside of the state of Illinois for a period, 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 wait to call a motorcycle accident lawyer after you have been injured in South Wilmington, IL. Call us now at (312) 500-HURT.

What Are Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in South Wilmington, IL?

Motorcycles are harder for passenger car drivers to see, as they take up less space. As a result of something referred to as “inattentional blindness,” it is harder for drivers to see a motorcycle — even when they are looking for one. This is because most drivers have programmed their brains to look for larger vehicles, but not for motorcycles. Inattentional blindness is a leading cause of motorcycle accidents in South Wilmington, IL.

Most motorcycle accidents occur because of:

• Left-hand turns — According to the Motorcycle Legal Foundation, almost half of all fatal motorcycle crashes occur when a car turns left while the motorcycle was going straight. These crashes can happen because of a car driver’s drunkenness, reckless driving 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. 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, gravel 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 spin out.
• Defective parts — 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 lead to motorcycle accidents.

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

Ninety-four percent of all motor vehicle accidents are caused by driver 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 employer if someone they hired injured you while driving, for example in a commercial truck accident

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

Governmental bodies 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 agency responsible for the neglect may have to compensate you for your injuries. However, the state of Illinois does not make it easy to hold them accountable. Our motorcycle accident lawyers in South Wilmington, IL can take on 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 South Wilmington, IL. What Are My Legal Options?

The dangers of motorcycles mean that bikers have a higher death rate than people in enclosed vehicles. 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 hardships 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.
• There are three categories of people who 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 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 economic and noneconomic damages your loved one incurred from their injuries before their death
  • Funeral expenses
  • Loss of financial support from the deceased, including any benefits they got from their employment
  • Loss of consortium
  • Loss of instruction, guidance and moral training the deceased would have provided
  • Survivors’ grief, sorrow and mental suffering

Burger Law’s South Wilmington, IL wrongful death attorneys are not just skilled at getting our clients full recoveries. We are empathetic and have helped many families get through the sorrow, anger and confusion that comes after a fatal auto accident.

In addition to motorcycle accidents, other personal injury cases we take on and win in South Wilmington, 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 South Wilmington, IL Today

Our South Wilmington, 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 South Wilmington, 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

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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