Belleville Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

When you ride a motorcycle, you balance a mix of freedom and risk. You enjoy the freedom of an open-air riding experience and connecting with nature. You also understand that when a car crashes into your bike, you run the risk of serious injury. When an accident occurs, you need the assistance of a Belleville motorcycle accident lawyer to protect your legal interests while you concentrate on healing.

When Should I Call A Belleville Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?

When a vehicle crashes into your motorcycle and injures you, you should contact a Belleville Motorcycle Accident Lawyer as soon as possible. A motorcycle attorney provides compassionate legal services and works to protect your legal rights. Attorneys investigate your accident to resolve liability issues. They locate all responsible parties, place them on notice, and intervene with insurers to resolve your case.

What Steps Should I Take After an Accident

When an accident occurs, it might take days before you connect with a legal representative. Immediately after your accident, you must take the necessary steps to get the medical care you need. You must also do what you can to preserve accident scene evidence.

Never Admit Fault!

People involved in crashes sometimes toss out spontaneous apologies. They say, “It’s my fault” or “I’m sorry,” or they make other inappropriate admissions. No matter how anxious or emotional you feel after an accident, never admit fault. If you think it, never say it out loud. If you do, someone will document your words and it could easily sabotage your claim someday.

Call 911

When you have an accident, you must comply with the Illinois accident reporting requirements, ILCS 5 §5/11-406, Duty to report an accident. Police reports are mandatory when someone is injured. They are also required when property damage exceeds $1,500 or $500 if a driver doesn’t have insurance. An officer’s report serves several additional purposes.

• It creates a formal report of the people, vehicles, and accident circumstances.
• It documents the other person’s driver’s license, registration, and insurance.
• It verifies the other driver’s address and other personal details.
• It lists any witnesses that come forward

Conduct A Brief Investigation While You Wait for the Police

If possible, document the accident scene while you can. From the moment a crash occurs, the scene begins to change. People move their vehicles. Witnesses leave and traffic pushes debris to the edge of the road. You must capture the details before any of this happens. If your smartphone is still working, it makes the perfect investigative tool. Use it to capture information and evidence. If you can’t perform these tasks, ask a friendly stranger to assist you.

• Talk to the other driver. Take a picture of his driver’s license, insurance card, and registration. Do this as quickly as possible. Some drivers leave the scene if they think they can get away with it.
• Photograph the vehicles, license plates, stopping points, points of impact, and damage.
• Capture photos of the area, including skid marks in the road, traffic lights, road signs, and anything in the area that might be relevant to your accident.
• Talk to potential witnesses. Ask for their names and contact information.

Get Medical Attention

When an ambulance arrives, go get the medical attention you need. Treatment is essential to your recovery. It also helps establish your claim as genuine. During treatment keep all medical appointments, and fill all prescriptions. Keep an injury journal to help your attorney evaluate your case. Maintain a chronological record of your doctor appointments, therapy, pain, impairments, problems at home and work, family issues, and emotional trauma.

Consult With a Belleville Motorcycle Attorney

When you’re injured in a motorcycle accident, you need to understand your legal rights. A motorcycle attorney understands the liability and damage issues that are specific to biker accidents. Your consultation gives you a chance to discuss your case without making a commitment to take action. When you schedule a consultation, it’s a complimentary appointment. Many attorneys will discuss your claim in person or remotely, via phone, video conferencing, or online chat.

Contact Your Insurance Company

Liability insurers require notice when you’re involved in an accident. They want to investigate any incident that might require them to make a payment. If you have collision, medical payments, uninsured motorist, or other applicable coverages, they need to assess the damage, set reserves, and pay your claims.

What Are Some of The Most Common Injuries After a Motorcycle Accident

Even a mild vehicle impact can force a biker to lay down his motorcycle. A harder impact often ejects the rider to the pavement, causing severe or catastrophic injuries. Illinois 2019 Fatal Crash Data shows that of the 1,009 people who sustained fatal accident injuries in the state, 170 were riding motorcycles. When the National Highway Transportation Administration studied motorcycle accident injuries, they found that lower extremity injuries occurred most frequently. If a biker sustains upper extremity and head injuries, they are often more severe and sometimes fatal.

• Lower extremity: multiple fractures/crush injuries, degloving, digit/limb amputations, soft tissue injuries
• Upper extremity: chest, spine damage, spinal cord, abdominal, and internal
• Head injuries/traumatic brain injuries

Consult With a Belleville Motorcycle Attorney

When you’re injured in a motorcycle accident, you need to understand your legal rights. A Belleville motorcycle accident lawyer will understand the liability and damage particular to bikers. When you schedule a consultation, it’s a complimentary appointment, and you don’t have to make a commitment. It’s a good way to learn your options and decide your next move.

Who Is Responsible For My Injuries

When an accident occurs, it’s not always clear who is responsible. That’s one of the primary reasons why you should never admit fault at an accident scene. In Illinois, insurance companies, courts, and others assess liability based on the state’s contributory fault statutes. They consider that more than one person can contribute to an accident. Insurers, attorneys, and others investigate and evaluate the evidence. They determine legal responsibility based on each person’s negligence percentage. For example, if they decide that you are 20% at fault, you still receive 80% of your damages. If your negligence exceeds 51%, you no longer have the right to recover damages. Fault percentages and damage values are often based on one person’s opinion. They are usually negotiable.

TOP-RATED BELLEVILLE, ILLINOIS MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT LAWYER

Choosing a motorcycle accident lawyer to fight for your rights and help you get the compensation you deserve is an important decision. The Law Office of Jason B Going is experienced and proven when it comes to motorcycle accidents and other personal injury cases, and they will give you the best chance at a favorable outcome in your case. If you have been injured due to the negligent acts or omissions of someone else, we can help get you the compensation you truly deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation.