Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Whether it is viewing the majestic Chicago skyline from Lake Shore Drive or riding through scenic farm country in surrounding counties, motorcycles are extremely popular for both getaways and basic transportation in Illinois. Considering that a 2014 report from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimated that the average new car or light-duty truck sold in the 2003 model year was 4,021 pounds while most motorcycles only weigh somewhere between 200 and 700 pounds, collisions between these two types of vehicles often leave motorcyclists bearing the brunt of such crashes.

In addition to basic size differences, motorcyclists are also inherently susceptible to catastrophic injuries because of their lack of protection compared to the occupants of most passenger vehicles. Victims in motorcycle accidents often sustain serious injuries that not only require extensive medical care but also leave them unable to return to work.

Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

The smaller size of motorcycles compared to most vehicles on the road often means that some motorists fail to adequately gauge their speed or even recognize their presence. As a result, negligent drivers are frequently at fault in the following common types of motorcycle crashes:

• Left Turn Accidents

  An incredibly common kind of motorcycle collision involves drivers of passenger vehicle turning left in front of oncoming motorcycles, possibly without realizing how fast motorcycles are traveling or simply not seeing them at all. Motorcyclists are left powerless to avoid collisions and often suffer severe injuries.

• Rear-End Crashes

  Unlike fender benders between passenger vehicles that might result in minimal damage, a car that strikes a motorcycle in a rear-end accident can actually throw the motorcyclist from the vehicle.

• Lane Change Collisions

  Drivers who fail to check blind spots or misinterpret the speeds of nearby motorcycles can cause immense damage and serious injuries when they enter the lanes of the motorcycles.

• Intersection Accidents

  Failure to stop at red lights or yield at intersections usually leads to devastating collisions, and motorcyclists are particularly susceptible to catastrophic injuries in such crashes.

• Driving Under the Influence (DUI) Crashes

  Just as drunk drivers are more likely to be involved in accidents in general, motorcyclists can often be victims.

• Open Door Collisions

  Similar to the dangers faced by bicyclists in urban settings, motorcyclists are unable to avoid drivers or passengers of vehicles swinging open doors on city streets without looking first for oncoming motorcycles.

• Unsafe Roadways

  Certain government agencies could be liable for certain dangerous road conditions, such as improperly constructed, designed, or maintained highways.

• Defective Parts

  If a motorcyclist’s injuries are the result of faulty equipment, that individual could have a product liability claim against the manufacturer.