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Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Stephenson County, IL
Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Stephenson County, IL
The thrill of riding a motorcycle can be canceled out by the injuries reckless drivers cause when they do not follow the rules of the road. If another driver injured you in Stephenson County, IL, call the motorcycle accident lawyers of Burger Law now at (779) 800-HURT or contact us online for a free case evaluation.
If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in Stephenson County, 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 yourself and build a camaraderie with people who share your passions. There is a sense of freedom that is not possible in an enclosed vehicle. Regrettably, negligent drivers can turn that feeling into catastrophic injuries. Because of their relative lack of protection, motorcycle accidents can cause serious injuries. When you are injured, there are instant financial, physical and mental consequences and you need someone to fight for you. You want a lawyer that has demonstrated that they can full compensation in motorcycle crash cases in Stephenson County, IL.
Burger Law has over 70 years of combined experience winning cases in negotiations and in the court room. 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 is out to devalue your financial settlement. Our firm has a proven track record of successfully fighting the insurance companies and making sure that they treat our Stephenson County, IL clients fairly.
To discover more about how our personal injury law firm will fight for your rights, call an attorney at (779) 800-HURT to go over your motorcycle accident case for free.
How Common Are Motorcycle Accidents in Stephenson County, IL?
Fourteen percent of traffic deaths and four percent of injuries were sustained by motorcyclists, despite only barely over half a percent of vehicle traffic being motorcycles, according to the National Safety Council. Nationwide, in 2020 82,000 people were injured and 5,579 died in motorcycle crashes. In Illinois, of 3,077 motorcycle accidents, 2,404 caused injuries and 152 were fatal, according to the Illinois 2020 Crash Facts and Statistics. Regrettably, over half of those happened 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 due to another driver was not looking out for bikers. Wrecks happen most frequently in urban areas, especially on arterial roads.
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 Stephenson County, IL
There are a number things you should do, both in the immediate wake of an accident and in the days and weeks that follow, to ensure you make both a physical and financial recovery.
Immediately After The Accident
While any collision is jarring, it is vital to think rationally. At the accident site, you should:
Get to safety — If possible, move out of the way of oncoming traffic. Leave your motorcycle where it is. We know it is a treasure for you, but staying with the bike or trying to move it could make your injuries worse. If you believe your injuries may be catastrophic, stay still and wait for emergency personnel.
Keep your gear on — Taking off your helmet or other gear could also make serious injuries even worse. 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 best to be looked over there instead of trying 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 liable for the accident.
Gather evidence — Talk to any other drivers involved and request an insurance card. Take photographs of all vehicles and the crash site from a variety of angles. 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 Stephenson County, IL prove your case down the road. Get the contact info of any eyewitnesses to the accident.
Lastly, receive medical attention if you did not already do so.
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 Stephenson County, 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 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 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 follow up, chiropractic or physical therapy appointment your doctor wants you to.
Keep Detailed Records — You also deserve reimbursement for lost wages from time spent recovering, and any out-of-pocket expenses you incur, such as parking or gas money for going to medical appointments or hiring someone to help with household chores. Keep detailed receipts and notes about why you needed to pay those expenses. It may also be a good idea to keep a daily journal showing 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, let your attorney handle documentation and negotiation. Insurance adjusters try to employ a lot of tactics to devalue claims, and it is better to leave communication up to a lawyer who knows how to deal with them.
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 hurt your claim. If you tell the insurance company that your injuries are keeping you from working, and the insurance sees pictures of you at a bar, they they can say your injuries are not actually that severe.
From the first time you speak with us, we will keep you updated throughout your claim until we attain the great results you deserve. Allow us to handle the legal aspect of your case 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 Stephenson County, IL For My Claim?
For minor and clear-cut accidents, where fault is clearly established and your medical bills only include an emergency room visit, you may be able to get compensation on your own. Supply the insurance company with your records and expenses, and see if they will throw some extra money on top for the trouble. In a a settlement for a relatively small sum of money where their policyholder is clearly liable, the adjuster 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 a truly fair society insurance companies would fulfill their duty when their policyholders injure someone, they usually have to be convinced to. Situations where you will need a motorcycle accident lawyer in Stephenson County, IL include:
Your injuries require ongoing treatment — The higher your damages, the more the insurance company will try to avoid their responsibility. If your injuries require ongoing treatment, you will absolutely 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. By hiring an attorney, 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 while not looking for you, causing you to swerve and hit a pothole that a governmental agency should have fixed. An experienced Stephenson County, IL motorcycle accident lawyer will be able to investigate the wreck and determine all liable parties. Finding other people who are liable is key if your damages exceed the at-fault driver’s policy limits.
The insurance adjuster is trying to blame you for your injuries — 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 will fight back conclusively demonstrate how the other party was negligent. If you were indeed responsible for a portion of the accident, 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 Stephenson County, IL motorcycle accident lawyer at Burger Law knows how to combat dishonest ploys insurance adjusters use. We have been doing it for over 30 years. We offer an initial conversation and investigation for free, so speak to an attorney today at (779) 800-HURT to see if we can add value to your claim. We start developing our legal strategy from the moment you hire us, and fight until there is nothing left to fight.
Recent Burger Law Stephenson County, IL Motorcycle Accident Victories
You need a lawyer who has shown they can get maximum compensation in your type of claim before. A motorcycle accident lawyer saying they are the best 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:
Do I Have a Motorcycle Accident Claim in Stephenson County, IL?
If you want to have a valid claim in Stephenson County, 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 owe you a responsibility to keep you safe? 625 ILCS 5/11-1003.1 says that “every driver of a vehicle shall exercise due care,” so other drivers always owe you that duty.
Breach of duty — Were they neglectful in that duty and did that breach lead to an accident? Was the other motorist speeding, texting and driving, drunk driving or otherwise breaking proper procedure behind the wheel?
Cause in fact — Were your injuries the direct result of the accident?
Proximate cause — Did the person’s negligence 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 your injuries lead to losses, such as lost wages and pain and suffering? If your accident resulted in some bruises or scrapes, but you did not need any 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. Consult with a motorcycle accident attorney now at (779) 800-HURT if you are unsure if you have a claim.
How Much is My Stephenson County, IL Motorcycle Accident Claim Worth?
Non-economic damages, such as mental anguish, disfigurement and pain and suffering
While not common, you may be able to 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 tend to 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, our injury attorneys are experts at calculating the full value of someone’s injury claim and demanding the insurance company takes responsibility for all of it. If your injuries require ongoing medical care, 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 Stephenson County, IL?
According to 735 ILCS 5/13-202, the statute of limitations for motorcycle accident claims in Stephenson County, 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 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 when the injuries occurred, they have until two years after the disability ended
If the liable party leaves the state of Illinois for a time, that period is not included in 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 Stephenson County, IL. Call us now at (779) 800-HURT.
What Are Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Stephenson County, IL?
Motorcycles are not as easy to spot on the road, being smaller. As a result of a phenomenon called “inattentional blindness,” it is harder for drivers 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 Stephenson County, IL.
Most motorcycle accidents occur because of:
Left-hand turns — According to the Motorcycle Legal Foundation, over 40 percent of all motorcycle accidents that result in deaths involve a car turning left while and hits a motorcyclist in an intersection. These crashes can be the result of a motorist’s drunkenness, reckless driving or generally not paying close enough attention to the road.
Other collisions — Head on collisions are also common between motorcycles and other types of vehicles. It is also common for a car to fail to see a motorcyclist when merging or changing lanes. 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, gravel or other roadways debris often do not have much of an impact on a car. However, motorcycles do not have the same level of stability and these hazards can cause a motorcyclist to spin out.
Malfunctioning components — 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 Stephenson County, IL?
A governmental entity or contracting company for road hazards
A vehicle designer, manufacturer or vendor in a product liability claim
A employer if their employee injured you while driving, such as in a commercial truck accident
Can I Sue For My Stephenson County, IL Motorcycle Accident if it Did Not Involve Another Vehicle?
Governmental entities are tasked with keeping their roadways safe for use by everyone on the roads, and when obstruction or other objects in the road cause an accident, the municipality can be held liable for the motorcycle accident. However, suing a government entity in Illinois has added complications. Our motorcycle accident lawyers in Stephenson County, IL can handle your claim and take the fight to city hall to secure you a full financial recovery.
A Loved One Was Killed in a Motorcycle Crash in Stephenson County, IL. What Are My Legal Options?
Motorcyclists are not only at higher risk of a serious injury, but are more likely to perish in a crash. 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 fill the whole that is left, 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:
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 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. Beginning with who has priority, they are:
Immediate family members, such as a spouse, children, grandchildren and grandparents
When there are no immediate family members, siblings and nieces and nephews can file a claim
If there are no family members, a judge 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 economic and noneconomic damages your loved one incurred from their injuries before their death
Funeral expenses
Loss of financial support from your loved one, including any benefits related to their employment
Speak to a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Stephenson County, IL Today
Our Stephenson County, IL motorcycle accident lawyers will fight until you get the maximum compensation you are owed; that is our guarantee. 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 Stephenson County, IL personal injury law firm will fight for your rights, call our team at (779) 800-HURT or contact us online for a complimentary consultation.
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.
Burger Law | St. Louis Personal Injury Lawyer is a team of St. Louis area personal injury attorneys who have earned many distinctions and peer-reviewed awards for our work in 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 (the preeminent peer rating standard for legal expertise and ethical standards), Super Lawyers selection as one of the top attorneys in the field of personal injury and board certifications in Civil Litigation. When you are ready to hire our experienced legal team to represent you and demand the compensation you deserve, call us at (866) 934-9059 right away.
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