Staying Safe on Illinois Roads as a Motorcyclist

 Posted on September 16, 2021 in Motorcycle Accidents

The United States continues to see many motorcycle accidents that end in severe and even fatal injuries.  Nevertheless, it is important for motorcyclists to practice safe riding and understand the dangers they may face on the roads.  

Drivers who cause motorcycle crashes may be held liable for damages. However, it is not always easy to determine who was at fault after a serious motorcycle crash. A skilled injury attorney with experience in motorcycle collision cases can help you find evidence of the at-fault party’s negligence and use it to pursue compensation for your damages. 

Common Causes of Motorcycle Crashes

Motorcycle accidents may arise from a variety of different causes and there are many different parties that may be responsible for the crash. While some motorcycle accidents do not involve any other vehicle, the majority of motorcycle accident fatalities result from crashes involving other vehicles. 

In many cases, motorcycle accidents are a result of another driver’s negligence. This is common when cars are making left-hand turns, and the motorcyclist is attempting to drive straight through the intersection, pass a vehicle, or overtake a vehicle. Alternatively, another driver may crash into a motorcyclist as the motorcyclist is lane splitting, which is when a motorcycle drives between two lanes of slow-moving or stopped vehicles. Lane splitting often takes other drivers by surprise and also reduces space between the vulnerable motorcyclist and other vehicles. 

On the other hand, other drivers do not always play a role in motorcycle accidents. Other causes of motorcycle crashes include:

• The motorcyclist is driving impaired or intoxicated

• The motorcyclist is speeding

• The motorcyclist is inattentive or distracted

• Road hazards such as poorly lit roads, uneven pavement, unmarked lane changes, and standing water

How Motorcyclists Can Protect Themselves

Before taking a motorcycle out on the roads, all riders should be educated on the laws they must abide by and safety tips they should follow. 

While wearing a helmet is not legally required in Illinois, they do reduce the level of vulnerability motorcyclists face. Not only are helmets incredibly effective at decreasing chances of serious harm, it should also be noted that if a motorcyclist is injured in a crash, not wearing a helmet could seriously hurt their chances of recovering any compensation. Wear gloves and appropriate clothing can also help riders avoid injury.

Protective gear that is mandated by Illinois law includes the use of glasses, goggles, or eye shields. Additionally, motorcycle passengers must ride on passenger seats which must feature footrests. Other motorcycle laws to note include:

• It is against the law to ride a motorcycle on one wheel

• Lane splitting is illegal in Illinois unless there is an unobstructed traffic lane available to perform this maneuver safely

• It is illegal to pass vehicles on the right-hand side unless there is at least 8 feet of unobstructed pavement

Motorcyclist inexperience also plays a role in a large number of motorcycle accidents and fatalities roads see every year. It is critical for motorcyclists to take ample time to train before taking their bikes on public roads. 

Contact Our Rockford Motorcycle Accident Attorneys

If you or a loved one were involved in a motorcycle accident that resulted in severe injuries, recovering damages for sustained injuries will not be an easy feat. Courts are known for having a bias against motorcyclists, believing that the motorcyclist was often the negligent and dangerous driver. The Winnebago County personal injury attorneys with Mannarino & Brasfield, A Division of Schwartz Injury Law understand the risks motorcycle riders face and can help to establish what compensation victims may be entitled to. To start pursuing your injury claim and set up a free consultation, call 815-215-7561.

Source: 

https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/motorcycles