Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Stockton, IL

Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Stockton, IL

The exhilaration you feel when riding a motorcycle can be made moot by the harm reckless drivers can do to you when they do not respect your safety. If another driver injured you in Stockton, IL, call the motorcycle accident lawyers of Burger Law immediately at (779) 800-HURT or fill out our online form for a free case evaluation.

If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in Stockton, 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 connect with people who share your passions. You are connected to the road and your motorcycle in a way that you do not get in an enclosed vehicle. Unfortunately, there is a potentially dangerous trade-off. Because motorcycles do not protect riders as well as enclosed vehicles, motorcycle accidents can cause serious injuries. 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 with a proven track record of winning motorcycle collision claims in Stockton, IL.

Our attorneys and paralegals have over 70 years of combined litigation and trial experience. Our motorcycle accident lawyers will aggressively pursue your claim to ensure you get the medical care and financial recovery that you are owed and that you deserve. Always speak to a lawyer before accepting an insurance company’s offer. The insurance adjuster is out to minimize your recovery. Our firm has a proven track record of successfully fighting the insurance companies and making sure that they treat our Stockton, IL clients fairly.

To learn 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 today.

How Common Are Motorcycle Accidents in Stockton, IL?

Even though motorcycles make up only .06 percent of total traffic miles traveled nationwide, 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 there were 82,500 motorcycle accident injuries and 5,579 fatalities. In Illinois, of 3,077 motorcycle collisions, 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 going in a straight line, which leads us to believe that the accidents were often because of another driver not respecting motorcyclists on the road. Wrecks happen most frequently in densely populated areas, especially major city streets.

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 fatalities in 2017.

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 Stockton, IL

There are several steps you should take, 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.

Immediately After The Accident

While any collision 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 can, move out of the way of oncoming traffic. Leave your motorcycle where it is. It is obviously important to you, but trying to carry it could make your injuries worse. If you suspect you have a back or head injury, stay still and wait for EMTs to arrive.
• Do not remove your safety gear — Taking off your helmet or other gear could also make injuries worse. Because of adrenaline, a serious injury may not always hurt as much at first.
• Call 911 — As motorcycle accidents can cause severe injuries, it is probably a good idea to get medical attention there instead of leaving and planning to go to an emergency room yourself. 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 ask for an insurance card. Take photographs 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 Stockton, IL 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 in the Days, Weeks and Months Afterwards

Once you have gotten medical treatment, notify the insurance company of everybody involved. Then, speak to a motorcycle accident lawyer in Stockton, 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 is also key to building your case. In order to prove your damages, you need to be able to point to 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. Go to every follow up, chiropractic or physical therapy appointment your doctor orders for you.
• Keep Track of Everything Related to Your Injuries — You are also entitled to a financial recovery for lost wages from time spent recovering, and any out-of-pocket expenses due to your injuries, such as parking or Uber rides for going to medical appointments or hiring someone to help with household chores. Manage a file with all of your receipts and explanations for why those charges were necessary. 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 handle all communication with the insurance. Insurance adjusters use a lot of tricks to avoid paying claims, and it is better to leave communication up to an attorney who knows how to hold the adjuster accountable.
• Do Not Post on Social Media — In this day and age, many of us want to share details about our life on the Internet. However, even an honest post can do damage to your case. If you say your injuries are debilitating, and the insurance sees pictures of you at a bar, they will use it to attempt to deny your claim.

From your initial consultation, we will be in contact with you every step of the way until you get the full financial recovery you are owed. Allow us to deal with the legal aspect of your case so you can spend your energy on on your physical and emotional recovery.

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

For minor and clear-cut accidents, where fault is clearly established and your medical bills are no more than a visit with your primary care physician, a lawyer may not be able to add much value to your claim. Supply the insurance company with proof of your financial losses, 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 their policyholder is clearly liable, the insurance company will only lose money if they try to deny your claim.

However, in the vast majority of cases, 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, they usually have to be convinced to. You will probably need a motorcycle accident lawyer in Stockton, IL if:

• Your injuries are severe — The more your medical bills and time spent off work, the more the insurance company will try to avoid their responsibility. If your injuries result in permanent disability, you will absolutely need an attorney to precisely value your damages.
• The insurance company’s offer is far below your damages — 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 convince you that you do not know how much you are owed. If there is an attorney working on your claim, the insurance company will know that you mean business. In a recent case, Burger Law was able to turn a $3,900 offer into a $100,000 settlement.
• There is more than liable party — With some accidents, 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 an improperly cordoned-off construction site. An experienced Stockton, IL motorcycle accident lawyer will be able to investigate the accident and determine all liable parties. Finding other people who are liable is imperative if your damages exceed the at-fault driver’s policy limits.
• The insurance adjuster is trying to blame you for the accident — Trying to say your injuries are your own fault is a well-known move insurance adjusters use to devalue your claim. When this happens, an attorney use their investigate skills and network of experts to conclusively demonstrate how the other party was negligent. If you were indeed partially to blame, you can still receive some 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 Stockton, IL motorcycle accident lawyer at Burger Law knows how to fight back against dishonest ploys insurance adjusters use. We have been doing it for more than 30 years. We offer an initial conversation and investigation for 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 Stockton, IL Motorcycle Accident Victories

You need a lawyer who has shown they can get maximum compensation in your type of claim before. Any motorcycle accident lawyer can say they are the best, but a lawyer whose past 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 Stockton, IL?

In order to have a valid claim in Stockton, IL, you must have been injured 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 duty to keep you safe? 625 ILCS 5/11-1003.1 stipulates that “every driver of a vehicle shall exercise due care,” so other drivers always owe you a duty of care.
2. Breach of duty — Were they neglectful in that duty and cause an accident? Was another driver speeding, texting and driving, drunk driving or otherwise not following the rules of the road?
3. Cause in fact — Did the accident cause your injuries?
4. Proximate cause — Whose negligence caused the accident? If the other driver’s brakes were malfunctioning, the liable party may be a manufacturer and not the driver?.
5. Damages — Did you sustain losses because of your injuries, such as lost wages and emotional distress? If your accident caused 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 have an injury claim. Consult with a motorcycle accident attorney immediately at (779) 800-HURT if you have any doubts about the validity of your claim.

How Much is My Stockton, 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 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 were partially to blame for your injuries
• If you sustained permanent disfigurement or disability
• How your life has changed because of your injuries

At Burger Law, our injury attorneys are experts at calculating every dime you are owed and insist 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 adjusting for inflation.

How Long Do I Have to File a Motorcycle Accident Claim in Stockton, IL?

According to 735 ILCS 5/13-202, the time limit for motorcycle accident injuries in Stockton, IL is two years. That means the clock starts ticking on the date you were injured to file a claim. There are some exceptions:

• If you or your loved one was a minor 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 negligent party leaves 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 hesitate to call a motorcycle accident lawyer after you have been injured in Stockton, IL. Call us today at (779) 800-HURT.

What Are Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Stockton, IL?

Motorcycles are harder for drivers of enclosed vehicles to see, being smaller. Because of a phenomenon known as “inattentional blindness,” it is harder for drivers to see a motorcycle — even if they are doing their due diligence. 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 Stockton, IL.

Most motorcycle accidents occur because of:

• Left-hand turns — According to the Motorcycle Legal Foundation, 42 percent of all motorcycle accidents that result in deaths occur when a car turns left while and hits a motorcyclist in an intersection. These crashes can be due to a motorist’s drunkenness, speeding or simple inattention.
• Other collisions — Head on collisions are also common between motorcycles and other types of vehicles. It is also common for a car not 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 — Cracked pavement, potholes, dead animals, 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 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 accidents.

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

More than nine out of 10 auto accidents are the result of driver error. So, most likely, you will make a claim against another driver. However, other parties that may be held accountable include:

• A governmental entity or construction company for road hazards
• A motorcycle designer, manufacturer or vendor for a defective product
• A company if someone they hired injured you while driving, for example in a commercial truck accident

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

States and municipalities are supposed to keep 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 sue them. Our motorcycle accident lawyers in Stockton, 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 Stockton, 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 it is impossible to put a monetary value on your loved one’s life 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 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:
  1. Members of the nuclear family, such as a spouse, children, grandchildren and grandparents
  2. When there are no immediate family members, siblings and siblings’ descendants can file a claim
  3. If no family remains, the court can appoint 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 the deceased, 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 Stockton, IL wrongful death attorneys are not just skilled at getting our clients full recoveries. We are compassionate 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 injury claims we we have had great success with in Stockton, IL include:

• Truck Crash Lawyers in Illinois
• Wrongful Death Lawyers in Illinois
• Semi-Truck Accident Lawyer in Illinois
• Car Accident Attorney in Illinois

Speak to a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Stockton, IL Today

Our Stockton, IL motorcycle accident lawyers will not stop fighting until there is nothing left to fight; that is our guarantee. You are owed a recovery 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 Stockton, IL personal injury law firm will fight for your rights, call our team at (779) 800-HURT or complete our online form for a complimentary case evaluation.