On April 13, a motorcyclist was fatally injured after being struck by a motor vehicle in the Westlawn area of Chicago’s Southwest side. The motorcyclist was rushed to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn but ultimately died due to multiple injuries. For motorcyclists in the greater Chicago area, the accident was a startling reminder of the increased risks that motorcyclists face. 

Here in the state of Illinois, 154 motorcyclists suffered fatal accident injuries in 2016, while hundreds more were injured or hospitalized. To secure maximum financial compensation after you or a loved one were injured in a motorcycle accident, it is critical to seek skilled legal assistance immediately.

While many recreational motorcyclists choose to lock up their bikes for the winter, those that rely on their motorcycle as their primary means of transportation continue to ride throughout the winter months. Riding your motorcycle during the winter requires extreme precision and care. Listed below are some simple tips that could help you avoid being injured in a motorcycle accident this winter:

• Wear Proper Equipment: While riding your motorcycle, it is important to wear the correct protective equipment. Warm clothing can protect against cold winter weather, and body armor can protect motorcyclists from further injury in the event of a collision. However, the most important piece of equipment you can wear is your helmet. Helmet use saves thousands of lives throughout the United States each year. If you choose to ride your motorcycle this winter, it is best to wear a helmet that offers full face protection, as well as clothing, boots, and gloves that cover any exposed skin. 
• Travel at Appropriate Speeds: As the weather gets colder, so do the tires on your motorcycle. Colder tires have limited ability to gain traction, leading to difficulty stopping and changing directions. The combination of icy roads and reduced tire traction can cause dangerous collisions. Due to these factors, traveling at excessive speeds can be increasingly dangerous during winter months.
• Avoid Reckless Riding: Riding your motorcycle can be a liberating activity, but during the winter months, you should exercise additional focus and care. Avoiding aggressive passing, tailgating, and other forms of reckless driving can help to ensure that you arrive safely to your destination this winter. 
• Know Your Limits: Motorcycle riding takes a great deal of skill in the best of conditions, and it becomes even more difficult during winter weather. Operating a motorcycle on snowy or icy roads requires extreme care, and the presence of other vehicles can increase the dangers motorcyclists face. If you are a novice motorcyclist or are unsure about your ability to control your bike in the winter, it may be wise to avoid riding in urban areas or lock your bike away until nicer weather returns. 

Contact a Lake County Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Tragically, motorcycle accidents are incredibly common throughout the United States. In 2016 alone, over 5,000 Americans lost their lives in motorcycle accidents. If you or a loved one are injured in a motorcycle collision, it is likely that the accident was caused by the negligence of another driver. At Salvi and Maher, L.L.C., our number one priority is ensuring that you and your family receive the compensation you deserve after being injured in a motor vehicle collision. To schedule a free consultation with a Waukegan personal injury attorney, call us today at 847-662-3303. 

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A recent tragedy in Naperville reminded all Chicagoans of the dangers of motorcycle riding. A young Aurora man and his teen passenger were killed when their motorcycle was struck by a Honda Civic at the intersection of Aurora Avenue and Fort Hill Drive on Friday, July 2. The tragic accident was just the latest motorcycle fatality in the greater Chicago area, and the crash was the second Naperville motorcycle collision that day. 

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 5,000 fatal motorcycle accidents occurred nationwide in 2016. Throughout the state of Illinois, more than 100 motorcyclists are killed in accidents each year. If you or a member of your family are injured in a motorcycle collision, contacting a knowledgeable personal injury attorney can be paramount in ensuring your family receives the help they deserve. 

Motorcycle Fatalities Nationwide 

The excitement of riding a motorcycle continues to be appealing to many Americans, and it is easy to see why. Motorcycles come with a level of agility and exhilaration that is, in several ways, unmatched in comparison to automobiles. But with the additional excitement comes additional risk.

According to the US Department of Transportation, 4,976 motorcyclists were fatally injured in motorcycle collisions nationwide in 2016. Identifying the necessary steps to take if you or a member of your family are injured in a motorcycle accident can be incredibly emotional and unnerving. In the event of injury, do not hesitate to contact a knowledgeable Lake County personal injury attorney.

Illinois Motorcycle Injury Statistics

In Illinois, motorcycle injuries continue to be a major traffic concern, as 2,643 people were injured in motorcycle accidents in 2015 alone. Of the 2,643 motorcycle injuries, more than 5 percent resulted in fatal injuries—a large uptick from the just over 1 percent of injuries that proved fatal in automobile collisions. All in all, 147 motorcyclists were killed in accidents in 2015. Yet while motorcycle collisions only accounted for 1.1 percent of total crashes throughout the state, they represented over 15 percent of all fatal crashes.

Everyone deserves to stay safe when they are using the road, and that includes both drivers and people working in construction zones. There are over 4,800 car accidents in work zones every year in Illinois, and road construction workers are especially vulnerable in car crashes, since they do not have protection against large, fast-moving vehicles.

One small mistake by a driver can result in a serious crash and major injuries to everyone involved. The consequences of hitting a construction worker are severe; doing so may result in up to $10,000 in fines and 14 years in prison.

In order to provide a safe environment for everyone on the road, drivers should follow these tips when driving in construction zones: