Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Stronghurst, IL

Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Stronghurst, IL

The sense of freedom a motorcycle comes with can be ripped away from you 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 Stronghurst, IL, speak to the motorcycle accident lawyers of Burger Law immediately at (779) 800-HURT or contact us online for a no-risk, no-obligation consultation.

If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in Stronghurst, 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 give yourself a sense of peace. You are connected to the road and your motorcycle in a way that is not possible in an enclosed vehicle. Regrettably, there is a potentially dangerous trade-off. 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 immediate financial, physical and emotional consequences and you need someone to stand by your side and ensure you are treated fairly. You need to find a lawyer that has demonstrated that they can full compensation in motorcycle crash claims in Stronghurst, IL.

Our attorneys and paralegals have over three decades of experience getting full financial recoveries for those injured through the negligence of another. 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 wants to devalue your compensation. We know how to stand up to insurance companies and ensure that they treat our Stronghurst, IL clients fairly.

To find out more about how our personal injury law firm will fight for your rights, call a lawyer at (779) 800-HURT to discuss your motorcycle accident case now.

How Common Are Motorcycle Accidents in Stronghurst, IL?

Fourteen percent of traffic fatalities and four percent of injuries were sustained by motorcyclists, despite only barely over half a percent of vehicle traffic being motorcycles, according to data from the National Safety Council. Nationwide, in 2020 there were 82,500 motorcycle accident injuries and 5,579 deaths. 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, the majority of those occurred when the motorcycle was driving straight, which leads us to believe that the accidents were often due to another driver failing to notice motorcyclists. Most of the crashes occurred in densely populated areas, especially around tolls.

According to the Motorcycle Legal Foundation, Illinois is eighth in the nation in terms of both registered motorcycles and motorcycle crash fatalities.

Almost half of deadly motorcycle wrecks occur in the summer months, and half occur between Friday night and Monday morning.

What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident in Stronghurst, IL

There are a number things you should do, both immediately following the accident and in the days and weeks that follow, to make sure your recover from your injuries both physically and financially.

Immediately After The Accident

While any accident can be jarring, it is important to keep a clear head. Immediately after the crash, you should:

• Get out of harm’s way — If you are physically able, get to the side of the road and away from 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.
• Do not remove your protective gear — Removing your helmet, gloves, boots, jacket and 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 — As motorcycle accidents can cause severe injuries, it is probably best to be looked over at the scene instead of trying to seek medical attention at urgent care or a doctors’ appointment. Police know how to determine liability in an accident, and will make a police report.
• Gather evidence — Talk to any other motorists involved and ask for an insurance card. Take photographs of the accident, including damage to all vehicles involved and the surrounding areas. 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 Stronghurst, IL when trying to prove someone else’s negligence down the road. See if there are eyewitnesses who can corroborate your side of the story.

Finally, if you did not opt to get medical treatment at the crash site, do so immediately.

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 Stronghurst, 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 obviously the best thing for your physical recovery, but aids your financial recovery as well. In order to prove your damages, you need to be able to point to medical records which show the extent of your injuries. The the higher your financial loss, 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 prescribes.
• Keep Detailed Records — You are also entitled to a financial recovery for lost wages from time when you were unable to work due to your injuries, and any out-of-pocket expenses you incur, such as parking or Uber rides for going to medical appointments or hiring someone to help with housework. Keep all of your receipts and explanations for why those charges were necessary. It may also be a good idea to write down your every day experiences 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 notified the insurance company about your accident and hired a motorcycle accident lawyer, your attorney will handle all communication with the insurance. Insurance adjusters utilize a lot of tactics to devalue claims, but your attorney will know how to deal with them.
• Stay off Social Media — It is normal to want to share what is going on with your life on social media. However, posting too much on social media can ruin your claim. If you say your injuries are debilitating, and the insurance sees pictures of you going out on the weekends, they will use it to try and deny your claim.

From your initial consultation, we will keep you updated throughout your claim until you get the maximum compensation you are owed. Let us handle the legal aspect of your case so you can focus on your medical treatment.

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

For some minor claims, where the liable party is obvious and your medical expenses are no more than an appointment with your primary care physician, you may be able to get compensation on your own. Give the insurance company your records and expenses, 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 will only lose money if they try to fight 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 their policyholders injure someone, they usually have to be convinced to. You will almost certainly need a motorcycle accident lawyer in Stronghurst, IL if:

• Your injuries are severe — The more your medical expenses and lost wages, the more the insurance company will be resistant to reimbursing you for it. If your injuries result in permanent disability, you will always need an attorney to convince the insurance company to pay for future damages as well.
• The insurance company is not being fair — If your damages are starting to creep up into the tens of thousands, and the insurance adjuster is only offering a few thousand, they are trying convince you that you do not know how much you are owed. If there is an attorney 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 is more than party at fault — 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 take defensive action and hit a pothole that a local government should have fixed. An experienced Stronghurst, 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 key 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 tactic insurance adjusters use to minimize your claim. If the insurance company say your accident was your own fault, an attorney use their investigate skills and network of experts to conclusively demonstrate how the other party was negligent. 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 Stronghurst, IL motorcycle accident lawyer at Burger Law knows how to fight back against tactics insurance adjusters use. We have been doing it for over three decades. 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 moment you hire us, and fight until there is nothing left to fight.

Recent Burger Law Stronghurst, IL Motorcycle Accident Victories

You need a lawyer who has shown they can get results 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. Here are several of our most recent victories as well as client 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 Stronghurst, IL?

If you want to file any Stronghurst, IL injury claim, 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 liable party have an obligation to protect you from unreasonable harm? 625 ILCS 5/11-1003.1 mandates 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 — Were they neglectful in that duty and did that breach lead to an accident? Was another driver speeding, texting and driving, drunk driving or otherwise breaking proper procedure behind the wheel?
3. Cause in fact — Did the accident cause your injuries?
4. Proximate cause — Whose breach of duty caused the accident? If the other driver’s brakes were malfunctioning, the person who needs to compensate you may be a manufacturer and not the driver?.
5. Damages — Did your injuries lead to losses, such as lost wages and emotional distress? If your accident caused a few small lacerations and bruising, but you did not need any medical treatment, you likely do not have a claim.

If you were injured through another’s negligence, you have 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 Stronghurst, IL Motorcycle Accident Claim Worth?

In any personal injury claim, you are owed compensation for:

• Economic damages, such as money you lost out on from time off work recovering, medical bills and out-of-pocket expenses
• Non-economic damages, such as mental anguish, disfigurement and pain and suffering
• In some rare cases, you can be awarded punitive damages if you were injured by extreme recklessness, such as drunk driving

Factors that might make your compensation higher or lower include:

• The severity of your injuries; more significant injuries usually lead to higher medical bills and more pain and suffering
• Whether or not you were partially at fault for your injuries
• If you sustained 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 insurance company 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 adjusting for inflation.

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

According to 735 ILCS 5/13-202, the time limit for motorcycle accident claims in Stronghurst, IL is two years. That means you only have two years from 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 when the injuries occurred, they have until two years after the disability ended
• If the person responsible for your injuries leaves the state of Illinois for a time, that period is not included in the two years

While two years may seem like a long time, it takes time to properly build your case. Do not hesitate to call a motorcycle accident lawyer after you have been injured in Stronghurst, IL. Call us now at (779) 800-HURT.

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

Motorcycles are harder for passenger car drivers to see, being smaller. As a result of a phenomenon known as “inattentional blindness,” it is harder for drivers to see a motorcycle — even when they are looking for one. This is because we train our brains to be aware of larger vehicles, but not for motorcycles. Inattentional blindness contributes to many motorcycle accidents in Stronghurst, IL.

The most common causes of motorcycles accidents are:

• Left-hand turns — The Motorcycle Legal Foundation reports that 42 percent of all fatal motorcycle crashes involve a car turning left while and hits a motorcyclist in an intersection. These crashes can be the result of a motorist’s intoxication, reckless driving or simple inattention.
• Other collisions — Head on collisions are also common between motorcycles and passenger cars. It is also common for a car not see a motorcyclist when turning in front of them. Motorcycles also collide with fixed objects more than any other type of driver, which may be due to a negligent construction company or governmental entity.
• Road hazards — Cracked pavement, potholes, animal carcasses, wet or icy roadways or other roadways debris 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 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 crashes.

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

Almost all motor vehicle accidents are the result of human error. So, most likely, you will make a claim against another driver. However, depending on the specifics of your case, you may also be able to make a claim against:

• A governmental agency or construction company for not repairing or negligent repairing a road
• A vehicle manufacturer 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 Stronghurst, IL Motorcycle Accident if it Did Not Involve Another Vehicle?

States and municipalities are tasked with keeping their roadways safe for citizens to travel on, and when there are road hazards that 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 Stronghurst, IL can pick up your claim and take the fight to city hall to secure you the compensation you deserve.

A Loved One Was Killed in a Motorcycle Crash in Stronghurst, IL. What Are My Legal Options?

The dangers of motorcycles mean that bikers have a higher death rate than people in passenger cars. If tragedy struck and someone you love died 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 burden 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.
• Three groups of people related to the deceased can file a wrongful death claim in Illinois. Beginning with who has priority, 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 file a claim
  3. If no family remains, the court 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 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, guidance and moral training the deceased would have provided
  • Survivors’ grief, sorrow and mental suffering

Burger Law’s Stronghurst, IL wrongful death attorneys are not just skilled at getting our clients full recoveries. We are understanding and kind 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 Stronghurst, 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 Stronghurst, IL Today

Our Stronghurst, IL motorcycle accident lawyers will fight until you get the maximum compensation you are owed; 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 Stronghurst, IL personal injury law firm will fight for your rights, call our team at (779) 800-HURT or complete our online form for a no obligation case evaluation.