Avoid Motorcycle Accidents and Injuries This Summer

 Posted on June 13, 2019 in Motorcycle Accidents

Warm, dry weather almost guarantees an influx of motorcycle riders to Lake County roads, creating an increased risk of motorcycle accidents. To avoid being found negligent in a motor vehicle crash involving a motorcycle--and therefore liable for injuries and damages to a motorcycle driver and their passenger--all drivers need to be on the lookout not only for motorcycles themselves but also for conditions that could cause a motorcycle to wipe out.

Conditions Ripe for Motorcycle Crashes

Here are a few things to watch out for when sharing the road with motorcycles or riding one yourself:

• Gravel or sand that has been spilled on the pavement can cause a motorcyclist to wipe out.

• Rainwater on the pavement can cause hydroplaning. In the summer, oil and grease can build up on the roads, making the first hour of rainfall after a dry spell especially dangerous.

• Be especially careful around motorcyclists without helmets. Of the 162 motorcycle fatalities in Illinois in 2017, two-thirds of them involved a rider not wearing a helmet.

• If you are a motorcycle rider who likes to ride in groups, be sure to travel in a staggered formation.

• Left turns can be particularly dangerous for motorcycles, being smaller and less visible.

• Do not assume all motorcycle riders are well-trained and safety-conscious riders. In fact, according to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, 29 percent of riders involved in fatal crashes in 2017 did not have a valid license and 28 percent of them were legally intoxicated.

Liability for Motorcycle Accidents

Even if you are partially at fault for a motorcycle accident and your own injuries, you may still be able to collect personal injury compensation. Illinois follows the law of modified comparative negligence, meaning that if the accident is less than 50 percent your fault, you can still claim damages. However, your total damages may be reduced by the percentage fault assigned to you. For example, if your damages total $100,000 and you are found to be 25 percent at fault, you could only collect $75,000.

A motorcycle rider who is injured in a crash may seek compensation from:

• Another driver who contributed to the crash.

• The manufacturer of any defective equipment, such as defective brakes or tires, that contributed to the accident itself or to the rider’s injuries.

• A repair shop that recently worked on the motorcycle, if there were defects in the repair work that contributed to the crash or to the rider’s injuries.

A Skilled Waukegan Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

If you have been seriously injured in a motorcycle accident, speak to an experienced Lake County motorcycle accident attorney as soon as possible. Do not assume that you are ineligible for compensation or that an insurance company will offer you the settlement you deserve without significant pressure and negotiation. To ensure that you get full and fair compensation for your injuries, call the Waukegan office of Salvi & Maher, L.L.C. at 847-662-3303.

Sources:

https://www.rideapart.com/articles/254912/10-common-motorcycle-accidents-and-how-to-avoid-them/

https://cdan.nhtsa.gov/SASStoredProcess/guest

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