According to Illinois’s traffic crash statistics, Chicago, IL, saw 575 motorcycle crashes in 2023. These motorcycle accidents caused eight deaths and 323 injuries. Many of these mishaps could have been avoided if the at-fault party had known how to be a safe driver for motorcyclists.
When a motorcycle rider suffers an injury due to the actions of a careless driver, they can seek injury compensation under Illinois law. The Chicago motorcycle accident lawyers at Powell and Pisman Injury Lawyers are committed to helping injured motorcyclists pursue damages for their losses. Our attorneys have 35 years of combined experience and have recovered over $250 million in compensation.
Call our law office at (312) 635-5400 for a free consultation.
How Powell And Pisman Can Help After A Motorcycle Accident In Chicago, IL
If you’ve suffered an injury in a motorcycle crash caused by a driver’s negligent or intentional actions, our Chicago personal injury attorneys can provide the following services:
- Discussing your injuries and what we can do to seek compensation
- Building a case by gathering and presenting compelling evidence
- Filing an auto insurance claim with the at-fault driver’s insurer
- Taking the at-fault driver to court if their insurer fails to fairly resolve your claim
Motorcycle crashes in Chicago, Illinois, are often avoidable events. Contact Powell and Pisman to schedule a free consultation with a Chicago motorcycle accident attorney and get help fighting for your injury-related losses.
How Drivers Can Avoid Motorcycle Accidents
Many of the ways drivers can be safer around motorcyclists directly address some of the most common causes of motorcycle crashes. While motorcycle riders can take steps to protect themselves, such as wearing helmets and signalling, they also rely on drivers to do the following:
Keep An Eye Out For Motorcyclists
Many motorcyclists get hit while in plain sight. This issue stems from a phenomenon called inattentional blindness. Drivers experience this cognitive bias when their brains shift into autopilot. In other words, drivers often fail to see motorcyclists simply because they aren’t looking for them.
Inattentional blindness is a frequent cause of left-turn accidents. A driver making a left turn may fail to spot a motorcycle in plain sight proceeding straight through an intersection. As a result, the driver may T-bone the motorcycle, or the motorcycle might ram into the side of the vehicle. In either case, the motorcyclist can suffer serious or even fatal injuries.
Exercise Caution At Intersections
Intersections also pose additional dangers to motorcycle operators and passengers. Specifically, drivers often have difficulty judging the speed and distance of motorcycles. The eyes use the change in an object’s size to determine where it is and how quickly it’s approaching. Since motorcycles are small, many drivers misjudge their speed or distance.
Another issue that arises at intersections is when drivers fail to recognize motorcycles as equals. Some drivers fail to yield to motorcycles because they don’t view them in the same way as cars and trucks. The same phenomenon happens when drivers see pedestrians but fail to yield to them because they mistakenly believe their vehicle has priority over those on foot.
Change Lanes Carefully
One common cause of sideswipe accidents is drivers getting lazy and using their mirrors when changing lanes instead of checking their blind spots. A driver can easily lose track of any motorcycles around them. By changing lanes without looking, the driver risks hitting a motorcycle or causing it to swerve and run off the road.
Drivers can remedy this issue by checking their blind spots every time they change lanes. Even if the driver believes they have room to maneuver, taking a quick look over their shoulder can reduce the risk of hitting motorcycles, bicycles, and even smaller automobiles.
Leave Space For Motorcycles
Motorcycles are small, but they still need space to maneuver. A safe driver will leave space when overtaking motorcycles. Specifically, you should move fully into the passing lane so the rider will have full use of their lane. Moreover, you should make sure you can see the entire motorcycle in your rear-view mirror before changing lanes so you don’t cut it off.
Similarly, you should follow at a safe distance. Motorcycles are less stable than four-wheeled vehicles. Consequently, they may tip over when they need to make an emergency maneuver. You can avoid hitting a rider by leaving some extra space if this happens.
Moreover, leaving extra space reduces the risk of a rear-end collision. These crashes are much more dangerous for motorcyclists because they can cause the rider to be thrown from their bike.
Contact Our Chicago Motorcycle Accident Lawyers For A Free Consultation
Motorcycle crashes can often be traced to the actions of careless drivers. Contact Powell and Pisman Injury Lawyers for a free consultation to discuss your accident and who may be liable for your injury-related losses. Our Chicago motorcycle accident attorneys are here to provide you with the legal support you need to build a strong case.