What are the Most Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents?

Motor Vehicles Accidents - September 7, 2021

There are various reasons why individuals purchase motorcycles. First and foremost, these vehicles can be exhilarating when operated safely. There is no better way to feel free on the roadway than on the seat of a motorcycle. However, motorcycle accidents often result in devastating injuries for those involved. Motorcyclists are incredibly exposed to significant hazards, and a crash often results in life-changing injuries. Here, they want to discuss some of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents in the state of Illinois. With this information, we hope that vehicle drivers and motorcyclists alike are able to take necessary precautions to remain safe on the roadway.

Motorcycle Accident Causes in Illinois

When we look at data available from the Illinois Department of Transportation, we can see that motorcycle accidents accounted for less than 1% of all traffic collisions during the latest reporting year. However, they constituted 3% of injury collisions and 14.6% of fatal collisions. All told, there were 2,093 total motorcyclists injured and 138 motorcyclists killed as a result of collisions across Illinois during the latest year of data we have on file.

Motorcycle accidents occur in a wide variety of ways throughout the state of Illinois. Some of the most common causes of these accidents include the following:

• Left-hand turns. A significant number of motorcycle accidents occur when the motorcyclist or another vehicle is making a left-hand turn. These incidents often occur at intersections or other areas where there is significant traffic congestion. Sometimes, drivers fail to see a motorcyclist’s turn signal when a bike is turning left. In other cases, motorcyclists could inadvertently turn in front of a motorcyclist.
• Hazardous roadway conditions. Motorcyclists are simply more vulnerable to hazardous roadway conditions than those inside other vehicles. Some of the most common hazards that affect motorcyclists more than other drivers include wet or slippery surfaces, uneven pavement, debris on the roadway, potholes, loose gravel, etc. These hazards are more prominent near roadway construction sites.
• Reckless driving and speeding. Speeding and reckless driving are a leading cause of vehicle accidents, regardless of the type of vehicles we are discussing. Whether a motorcyclist or another driver on the roadway is operating recklessly or speeding, this can lead to catastrophic injuries. Aside from speeding, some of the most common types of reckless behavior include aggressive driving, tailgating, intentional road rage, etc.
• Alcohol or drug use. Alcohol and drug use are a leading cause of fatal traffic collisions across the state of Illinois each year. Alcohol significantly slows a person’s reaction time and impairs their judgment. Regardless of whether or not a motorcyclist or another type of motorist is impaired, this can lead to deadly accidents on the roadways.
• Distracted driving. Distracted driving is an increasing problem for all motorists on the roadway, including motorcyclists. Distracted drivers in other types of vehicles may fail to see a motorcyclist around them. Additionally, if a motorcyclist is busy looking at their phone or another type of device, they will not be able to maintain adequate safety on the roadway.

If you or somebody you love has been injured in a motorcycle accident caused by the negligence of another driver, reach out to a skilled motorcycle accident attorney in Chicago as soon as possible. An attorney will be able to handle every aspect of these claims on behalf of the injured motorcyclist, including investigating the incident, determining liability, and negotiating with aggressive insurance carriers.