Motorcycles are more dangerous than automobiles for road users. Specifically, motorcycles account for roughly 3% of registered vehicles, but motorcycle accidents represent over 15% of all fatal traffic crashes. Many factors go into this increased risk. Riders lack the protection enjoyed by automobile occupants. Moreover, motorcyclists must have a higher level of skill to operate their bikes safely.
However, most motorcycle crashes are preventable. Following these motorcycle safety tips can reduce your risk of injury or death in a crash. If you do get in a crash, a Chicago motorcycle accident lawyer from Powell and Pisman Injury Lawyers can help you pursue compensation.
Call our law office in Chicago, Illinois, to schedule a free consultation at (312) 635-5400.
How Powell and Pisman Can Help After A Motorcycle Accident In Chicago, IL
After you suffer a motorcycle accident injury due to another’s careless driving, our Chicago motorcycle accident attorneys can assist you in the following ways:
- Discussing your crash and outlining the options for accident compensation
- Gathering the records we need to file your insurance claim
- Negotiating with the at-fault driver’s auto insurer
- Filing a lawsuit against the driver if their insurance company fails to settle
Powell and Pisman Injury Lawyers has represented injured riders in Chicago, Illinois, for over a decade. Our attorneys have over 35 years of combined legal experience and have recovered over $250 million in financial compensation for the firm’s clients. Our legal team includes attorneys who have been recognized by The National Trial Lawyers, the American Association for Justice, and Super Lawyers.
Motorcycle accidents often result in severe injuries. You deserve a legal team that understands the unique challenges riders face on the road.
Contact Powell and Pisman Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation with one of our Chicago personal injury lawyers.
Tips For Riding Safely In Chicago
Motorcyclists face many challenges. Riders are vulnerable to slick roads, poor lighting, and bad weather. Their small size makes them difficult to see, particularly for unfocused drivers. When they get hit, motorcyclists have little to protect them from hitting the road or getting ejected.
The following tips can help reduce your risk of injury or death while riding your motorcycle:
Get Your Motorcycle License
Unlicensed motorcyclists are more likely to be killed in a motorcycle accident than those with a license. Licensed operators must comply with the state’s motorcycle licensing requirements, including taking a motorcycle safety course or passing a road test. Thus, riders must prove their skill and knowledge to obtain a license.
More importantly, the training and practice required to obtain a license help riders operate safely. Licensed riders have also avoided traffic citations or DUI convictions that can result in a suspension.
Wear A Helmet
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, helmets reduce the risk of head injury by 69% and death by up to 37% for riders. Head trauma can easily lead to brain injuries, including concussions, cerebral contusions, and subdural hematomas.
Helmets do not prevent all injuries. However, they can help you avoid potentially disabling or fatal injuries in a crash. While you may still suffer other common motorcycle accident injuries, such as road rash, fractured bones, and lacerations, you may protect your brain function.
Be Cautious When Approaching Intersections
A common cause of motorcycle accidents is a failure to yield the right-of-way at intersections. For example, a driver might turn left across the path of a motorcyclist riding straight through the intersection. These crashes can cause severe trauma because the car may hit the rider broadside, slamming them to the ground.
Riders cannot prevent drivers from making risky turns. However, they can anticipate that drivers may act as if they are not there and plan accordingly. For example, riders can slow down as they approach intersections and plan an escape route if vehicles turn across their paths.
Anticipate Crashes
A failure to see motorcyclists is a common problem in many crashes. This phenomenon is called inattentional blindness. It happens when drivers exercise superficial caution but fail to spot some hazards simply due to low focus. For example, a driver might miss a motorcycle on the road because they expect to see cars.
Again, you cannot fix drivers’ bad habits. However, you can avoid situations where you might fall victim to a driver’s inattention.
Avoid Blind Spots
Another common motorcycle accident scenario happens when a driver makes a lane change into or in front of a motorcycle. The rider either gets run off the road or must swerve to avoid a collision. As a result, the rider might tip their motorcycle over and suffer injuries.
You can reduce your risk of lane change collisions by avoiding vehicle blind spots. Instead, you should plan your passing maneuvers so you can overtake the vehicle without undue delay.
Contact Our Chicago Motorcycle Accident Lawyers For A Free Consultation
You can get injured in a motorcycle crash even when you do everything right. Contact Powell and Pisman Injury Lawyers for a free consultation to discuss your accident and the compensation we can seek from the driver responsible for causing it.