Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Winthrop Harbor, IL

Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Winthrop Harbor, IL

The thrill of riding a motorcycle 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 Winthrop Harbor, IL, call the motorcycle accident lawyers of Burger Law immediately at (312) 500-HURT or contact us online for a no-risk, no-obligation case evaluation.

If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in Winthrop Harbor, 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 get your blood racing. You are connected to the road and your motorcycle in a way that a car just cannot emulate. Regrettably, there is a potentially dangerous trade-off. Because motorcycles do not protect riders as well as enclosed vehicles, the consequences of a motorcycle accident can be devastating. When you are injured, it carries economic, physical and emotional consequences and you need someone to stand by your side and ensure you are treated fairly. You need to find a law firm with a proven track record of winning motorcycle accident cases in Winthrop Harbor, IL.

Our attorneys and paralegals have more than 30 years of experience getting full financial recoveries for those injured through the negligence of another. Our motorcycle accident lawyers will tenaciously pursue your claim to ensure you get the medical care and financial recovery that you are owed and that you deserve. Do not talk to your insurance or the other side’s insurance without speaking to an attorney first. The insurance adjuster wants to limit your recovery. Our firm has a proven track record of successfully fighting the insurance companies and making sure that they treat our Winthrop Harbor, IL clients fairly.

To discover more about how our personal injury law firm will fight for your rights, call our team at (312) 500-HURT to go over your motorcycle accident claim immediately.

How Common Are Motorcycle Accidents in Winthrop Harbor, IL?

Even though motorcycles account for less than one percent of total vehicle miles traveled in the country, they accounted for four percent of all injuries and 14 percent of total fatalities in traffic-related accidents in 2020, according to data from 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, there were 3,077 motorcycle wrecks which resulted in 2,404 injuries and 152 fatalities, according to the Illinois 2020 Crash Facts and Statistics. Regrettably, over half of those occurred when the motorcycle was driving straight, which leads us to believe that the accidents were often caused by another driver not respecting motorcyclists on the road. Crashes are most common in densely populated areas, especially on arterial roads.

According to findings from 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 fatalities in 2017.

Almost 50 percent of fatal motorcycle wrecks occur in the in the summer when the weather is nicer, and 50 percent happen between Friday night and Monday morning.

What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident in Winthrop Harbor, 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 accident can be surprising and scary, it is important to keep a clear head. At the accident site, you should:

• Get out of harm’s way — If you can, move out of the way of other vehicles coming down the street. Leave the bike. We know it is a treasure for you, but staying with the bike or trying to move it could exacerbate your injuries. If you believe your injuries may be catastrophic, it may be best not to move; instead wait for emergency personnel.
• Keep your gear on — Taking off your helmet, gloves, boots, jacket and 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 best to get medical attention at the scene instead of trying to go to an emergency room yourself. Police know how to assign fault in an accident, and will make a police report.
• Gather evidence — Talk to any other drivers 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 matters much may help a motorcycle accident lawyer in Winthrop Harbor, IL prove who is responsible for your injuries when you make your claim. See if there are eyewitnesses who can back up your claim.

Lastly, if you did not opt to get medical treatment at the scene, do so as quickly as possible.

What to Do Throughout the Claim Process

After you first seek medical care, notify the insurance company of everybody involved. Then, speak to a motorcycle accident lawyer in Winthrop Harbor, 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 is also vital to making sure you get full compensation. In order to prove your damages, you need to complete copies of medical medical records which detail all of the costs and treatments you incurred because of your injuries. 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 prescribes.
• Keep Track of Everything Related to Your Injuries — You are also entitled to reimbursement for lost wages from time when you were unable to work due to your injuries, 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 chores around the house. Manage a file with all of your receipts and explanations for why those charges were due to your injury. It may also be a good idea to write down your every day experiences detailing 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 claim and hired a motorcycle accident lawyer, let your attorney handle documentation and negotiation. Insurance adjusters try to employ a lot of tricks to avoid paying claims, but your attorney will know how to deal with them.
• Resist 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 ruin your chances of being fully compensated. If you tell the insurance company that your injuries are keeping you from working, and the insurance finds out you have been 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 a successful resolution. Let us deal with the legal aspect of your case so you can focus on your medical treatment.

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

For some minor claims, where fault is clearly established and your medical bills are no more than an urgent care visit, 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 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, more likely than not you will need the assistance of a motorcycle accident attorney for your injury claim. While in a perfect world insurance companies would fulfill their obligations when someone is injured by their policyholders’ negligence, they usually have to be convinced to. You will probably need a motorcycle accident lawyer in Winthrop Harbor, IL if:

• Your injuries are severe — The higher your damages, the more the insurance company will try and devalue your injuries. If your injuries require future medical treatment or prevent you from earning a living as you used to, you will absolutely need an attorney to precisely value 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 adjuster is only offering a few thousand, they are trying convince you that you do not know how what fair compensation means in your case. If there is an attorney working on your claim, the insurance company will know that you will not back down without a fight. In a recent case, Burger Law was able to turn a $3,900 offer into a $100,000 settlement.
• There are multiple liable parties — With some accidents, especially crashes involving more than one vehicle, there may be more than one person who was negligent. For example, a driver may cut your off because they did not see you, causing you to swerve and hit a road hazard that a local government should have fixed. A talented Winthrop Harbor, IL motorcycle accident lawyer will be able to investigate 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.
• The insurance adjuster is trying to blame you for your injuries — Trying to say your injuries are your own fault is a frequent tactic insurance adjusters use to minimize 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 it is true that you were responsible for a portion of the accident, 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 Winthrop Harbor, IL motorcycle accident lawyer at Burger Law knows how to fight back against tactics insurance adjusters use. We have been doing it for over 30 years. Our consultations are free, so speak to an attorney today at (312) 500-HURT to see if we can add value to 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 Winthrop Harbor, 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 former 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 Winthrop Harbor, IL?

If you want to have a successful claim in Winthrop Harbor, 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 have a duty 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 — Were they neglectful in that duty and cause an accident? Was the other motorist speeding, texting and driving, drunk driving or otherwise not following the rules of the road?
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 compensate you may be a manufacturer and not another motorist?.
5. Damages — Did your injuries lead to losses, such as lost wages and mental anguish? If your accident caused some bumps and bruises, but it was not serious enough to seek 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 immediately at (312) 500-HURT if you have any doubts about the validity of your claim.

How Much is My Winthrop Harbor, 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, scarring and pain and suffering
• While not common, you might be able to receive 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 economic and noneconomic damages
• 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, we are experts at calculating every dime you are owed and demand that 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 Winthrop Harbor, IL?

Pursuant to 735 ILCS 5/13-202, the statute of limitations for motorcycle accident claims in Winthrop Harbor, 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 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 negligent party is outside of the state of Illinois for a time, that time 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 contact a motorcycle accident lawyer after you have been injured in Winthrop Harbor, IL. Call us immediately at (312) 500-HURT.

What Are Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Winthrop Harbor, IL?

Motorcycles are harder for drivers of enclosed vehicles to see, being smaller. As a result of something known as “inattentional blindness,” drivers are less likely 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 Winthrop Harbor, IL.

The most common causes of motorcycles accidents are:

• Left-hand turns — According to the Motorcycle Legal Foundation, almost half 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, reckless driving or distracted driving.
• Other collisions — Head on collisions are also common between motorcycles and passenger cars. It is also common for a car to fail to see a motorcyclist when turning in front of them. Motorcycles also collide with fixed objects more than any other type of driver, which is not always the motorcyclist’s fault.
• Road hazards — Uneven pavement, potholes, dead animals, wet or icy roadways or other debris on our streets usually do not affect a car or truck very much. However, motorcycles are less stable and these hazards can cause a motorcyclist to lose control.
• Malfunctioning components — 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 result in motorcycle accidents.

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

Ninety-four percent of all motor vehicle accidents are the result of human error. So, most likely, you will make a claim against another driver. However, other parties that may be held accountable include:

• A governmental body or construction company for not repairing or negligent repairing a road
• A vehicle manufacturer in a product liability claim
• A company if someone they hired injured you while driving, for example in a commercial truck accident

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

Governmental entities are tasked with keeping their roadways safe for citizens to travel on, and when there are road hazards that cause an accident, the agency responsible for the neglect can be held responsible for the motorcycle accident. However, the state of Illinois does not make it easy to hold them accountable. Our motorcycle accident lawyers in Winthrop Harbor, IL can take on 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 Winthrop Harbor, IL. What Are My Legal Options?

Motorcyclists are not only at increased risk of a serious injury, but are more likely to be in a fatal accident. If your worst nightmare came true 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 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. In order of 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 nieces and nephews can file a claim
  3. If there are no family members, a judge can designate 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 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 Winthrop Harbor, IL wrongful death attorneys are not just skilled at getting our clients full recoveries. We are compassionate 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 cases we take on and win in Winthrop Harbor, 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 Winthrop Harbor, IL Today

Our Winthrop Harbor, 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 do not have to pay for someone else’s mistakes. To learn more about how our Winthrop Harbor, IL personal injury law firm will fight for your rights, call our team at (312) 500-HURT or contact us online for a no obligation case review.