Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Woodstock, IL

The thrill of riding a motorcycle can be canceled out by the injuries negligent drivers cause when they do not respect your safety. If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in Woodstock, IL, speak to the motorcycle accident lawyers of Burger Law now at (312) 500-HURT or contact us online for a complimentary consultation.

If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in Woodstock, 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. There is a sense of freedom that a car just cannot emulate. Unfortunately, this freedom also comes with a high price. 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, there are instant hardships and you need someone to stand by your side and get you the compensation you deserve. You need to find an attorney that has demonstrated that they can full compensation in motorcycle wreck lawsuits in Woodstock, IL.

Our attorneys and paralegals have over seven decades 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 minimize your recovery. 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 Woodstock, IL clients.

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

How Common Are Motorcycle Accidents in Woodstock, IL?

Despite the fact that motorcycles account for barely over half a percent of all traffic miles traveled nationwide, they accounted for four percent of all injuries and 14 percent of total 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 deaths. In Illinois, there were 3,077 motorcycle wrecks which resulted in 2,404 injuries and 152 deaths, according to the Illinois 2020 Crash Facts and Statistics. Regrettably, 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 caused by another driver not respecting motorcyclists on the road. Most of the crashes occurred in metropolitan areas, especially around tolls.

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

Just under 50 percent of fatal motorcycle accidents occur in the in the summer when the weather is nicer, and half happen between 6 p.m. Friday and 6 a.m. Monday.

What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident in Woodstock, IL

There are several steps you should take, both in the immediate wake of an accident and throughout the length of your claim process, to ensure you make both a physical and financial recovery.

Immediately After The Accident

While any accident is surprising and scary, try to stay as calm as possible. At the accident site, you should:

• Get to safety — If you can, move out of the way of 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, stay still and wait for emergency medical services.
• Do not remove your safety gear — Taking off your helmet, gloves, boots, jacket and other gear could also make injuries worse. Shock may hide how severe an injury actually is.
• Call 911 — Because motorcycle accidents can cause severe injuries, it may be best to get medical attention there instead of trying to seek medical attention later. Police know how to determine liability in an accident, and will make a police report.
• Gather evidence — Talk to any other drivers involved and get their insurance information. Take photographs of the accident, including how the vehicles are positioned and the surrounding areas. Take more photos than you think you need. Something you do not think is that big of a deal may be useful to a motorcycle accident lawyer in Woodstock, IL when trying to prove someone else’s negligence when you make your claim. See if there are eyewitnesses who can back up your claim.

Lastly, if you did not seek medical treatment at the scene, do so immediately.

What to Do Throughout the Claim Process

Once you have gotten medical treatment, inform the insurance company of everybody involved. Then, speak to a motorcycle accident lawyer in Woodstock, 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 complete copies of medical medical records which detail 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. Make sure you attend every every treatment and use all of the equipment and medication your doctor orders for you.
• 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 that were necessary, such as parking or gas money for going to medical appointments or hiring someone to help with household chores. Manage a file with detailed receipts and notes about why you needed to pay those expenses. You can also write down your every day experiences detailing the non-tangible impact of your injuries and 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 tactics to devalue claims, but your attorney will know how to hold the adjuster accountable.
• Do Not Post on Social Media — It is normal to want to share what is going on with your life on the Internet. However, posting too much on social media can hurt 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 a bar, they will use it to try and devalue your claim.

From the first time you speak with us, we will keep you updated throughout your claim 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 Woodstock, IL For My Claim?

For accidents involving minor injuries, where there is no discrepancy about who is at fault and your medical expenses are no more than an appointment with your primary care physician, you may not need an attorney to get fair compensation. Supply the insurance company with your records and expenses, and see if they will throw some extra money on top for inconvenience. 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 it would be nice if insurance companies fulfilled their responsibility when their policyholders injure someone, it usually takes a fair amount of fighting to get them to do it. You will almost certainly need a motorcycle accident lawyer in Woodstock, IL if:

• 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 absolutely need an attorney to precisely value your damages.
• The insurance company is not being fair — If your damages are in the tens or hundreds of thousands, and the insurance adjuster is only offering a few thousand, 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 are multiple liable parties — With some cases, especially multi-vehicle accidents, there may be more than one person who was negligent. 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. A talented Woodstock, IL motorcycle accident lawyer will conduct a full investigation into the crash and assign a portion of the damages to each liable party. Finding other people who are liable is imperative if your damages exceed the at-fault driver’s policy limits.
• You are being blamed for your injuries — Trying to say your injuries are your own fault is a classic move insurance adjusters use to minimize your claim. If the insurance company say your injuries are your own fault, an attorney can step in and 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 Woodstock, IL motorcycle accident lawyer at Burger Law knows how to fight back against tactics insurance adjusters use. We have been doing it for more than 30 years. We offer an initial conversation and investigation at no charge, so call us at (312) 500-HURT to see if we can add value to your claim. We start working from the second you hire us, and do not let up until you get every bit of compensation you are owed.

Recent Burger Law Woodstock, 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. Any motorcycle accident lawyer can say they are the best, but a lawyer whose past clients will vouch for 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 Woodstock, IL?

If you want to file any Woodstock, 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 other person have 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.
2. Breach of duty — Were they neglectful in that duty and cause an accident? Was the other 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 negligence caused the accident? If the other driver’s brakes were malfunctioning, the liable party may be a manufacturer and not another motorist?.
5. Damages — Did you sustain losses because of your injuries, such as lost wages and mental anguish? If your accident caused a few small lacerations and bruising, but they healed without 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 today at (312) 500-HURT if you are unsure if you have a claim.

How Much is My Woodstock, IL Motorcycle Accident Claim Worth?

Your compensation will be a combination of:

• 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 emotional distress, scarring 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 recovery higher or lower 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 were partially to blame for your injuries
• 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 insist the insurance company pay all of it. If your injuries lead to future economic damages like lost earning capacity or future surgeries, 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 Woodstock, IL?

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

• If you or your loved one was a minor at the time of accident, 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 liable party is outside of the state of Illinois for a time, that time is not included in the two years

While two years does not sound like it should give you a sense of urgency, investigating and developing a legal strategy for your claim takes time. Do not hesitate to call a motorcycle accident lawyer after you have been injured in Woodstock, IL. Call us immediately at (312) 500-HURT.

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

Motorcycles are not as easy to spot on the road, as they take up less space. As a result of something 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 most drivers have programmed their brains to be aware of other cars, but not for motorcycles. Inattentional blindness is a leading cause of motorcycle accidents in Woodstock, 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 happen because of a motorist’s drunkenness, reckless driving or simple inattention.
• Other collisions — Head on collisions are also common between motorcycles and passenger cars. A car may also to fail to 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 — 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 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 Woodstock, IL?

Ninety-four percent of all auto accidents are due to driver error. So, most of the time another driver is liable. However, other parties that may be held accountable include:

• A governmental agency or contracting company for road hazards
• A vehicle designer, manufacturer or vendor for a defective product
• A employer if someone they hired injured you while driving, such as in a commercial truck accident

Can I Sue For My Woodstock, 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 agency responsible for the neglect can be held responsible for the motorcycle accident. However, suing a government entity in Illinois has added complications. Our motorcycle accident lawyers in Woodstock, 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 Woodstock, IL. What Are My Legal Options?

Motorcyclists are not only at increased risk of a catastrophic 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 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 of the accident.
• 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, the court can designate a plaintiff ad litem to file a claim
• 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, education and moral training the deceased would have provided
  • Survivors’ grief, sorrow and mental suffering

Burger Law’s Woodstock, IL wrongful death attorneys are not just experts at securing full compensation. We are empathetic and have helped many families navigate the sorrow, anger and confusion that accompanies a fatal auto accident.

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

Our Woodstock, 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 do not have to pay for someone else’s mistakes. To learn more about how our Woodstock, IL personal injury law firm will fight for your rights, call our team at (312) 500-HURT or contact us online for a free consultation.