Where do Most Motorcycle Accidents Occur?
Motor Vehicles Accidents - September 20, 2021
Motorcycle accidents often result in devastating injuries and significant property damage for those involved. It is no surprise that motorcyclists face higher risks of sustaining catastrophic injuries as a result of a collision. Without airbags, metal frames, or seat belts to protect them, motorcyclists have to remain especially vigilant when they are on the roadway. Here, we want to look at where most motorcycle accidents occur in Illinois. When motorcyclists and vehicle drivers understand where these incidents are more likely to occur, they can take the steps necessary to remain safe in these locations.
Motorcycle Accident Locations in Illinois
Data available from the Illinois Department of Transportation shows that there were 2,093 total motorcyclists injured as a result of traffic collisions during the latest reporting year. Out of those injuries, 767 were considered catastrophic injuries. Unfortunately, 138 motorcyclists lost their lives as a result of traffic collisions during that same year.
When we examine where motorcycle accidents occur, we can see that the DOT gives us decent data about locations. The first thing that we need to examine is motorcycle accidents that occur in urban areas versus motorcycle accidents that occur in more rural areas of the state.
Overall, there were 100 motorcyclist fatalities and 1,825 motorcyclist injuries that occurred in urban areas across the state during the latest reporting year of data we have on file. This is compared to 39 motorcyclist fatalities and 407 motorcyclist injuries that occur in rural areas over the same timeframe.
This data should not surprise anybody. The reality is that motorcyclists are going to face more dangers in urban areas simply due to the fact that there is much more traffic in an urban setting. Congestion is typically not a good thing for motorcyclists. Stop-and-go traffic and busy, distracted drivers are major motorcyclist dangers.
The Dangers of Intersections for Motorcyclists
We need to discuss the dangers of intersections for motorcyclists. The reality is that intersections are more dangerous for all drivers on the roadway, not just motorcyclists. These are areas where all types of vehicles are converging in one spot, often with different goals in mind. It would be different if drivers were just going in two directions at intersections, but that is not the case.
Some of the most dangerous situations for a motorcyclist involve left-hand turns. When a motorcyclist needs to make a left-hand turn at an intersection, they will wait for traffic to be clear enough for them to make a turn without colliding with other vehicles coming from the other direction. If a motorcyclist fails to time their turn properly, they could pull out in front of another vehicle that is traveling at a high rate of speed.
Alternatively, vehicles making left-hand turns can present significant dangers to motorcyclists. If a vehicle driver makes a left-hand turn without failing to yield the right of way to a motorcyclist already in a lane heading the other direction, this could result in a catastrophic T-bone collision.
Intersections, stop signs, and traffic signals all present dangers to motorcyclists due to the stop-and-go nature of traffic in urban areas of the state. Stop-and-go traffic is simply not safe for motorcyclists. This is often due to drivers and other vehicles failing to pay adequate attention to the roadway around them, particularly when it comes to motorcycles.
If you are a motorcyclist who has been injured in an accident, contact a Chicago motorcycle accident lawyer for help getting the justice and compensation you deserve.
