Motorcycle Accidents Attorney Edwardsville, IL

While no two accidents are alike, our team has seen that the vast majority of motorcycle accidents fall into the following categories:

Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol or Drugs

Drunk driving accidents are the most common type of traffic-related accidents, and in the U.S. it kills approximately 32 people a day. Drunk driving was a factor in over a third of of motorcycle fatalities.

Road Hazards

Because motorcycles have less of a base than other vehicles, they are especially vulnerable to road hazards such as ruts in the road, slippery surfaces, potholes, and debris. Even if you were not hit by another person, if your injuries were caused by a road hazard, you may be able to make a claim against a government agency or construction company that was in charge of ensuring the road’s safety.

Left-Hand Turns

Over 40 percent of motorcycle accidents that result in death occur at intersections when a car or truck turning left hits a motorcyclist going straight. Motorcycles escape many people’s attention, even if they’re looking. This is caused by “inattentional blindness,” an occurrence in which our brains are more used to looking for cars than motorcycles.

Speeding

Over 30 percent of motorcycle crash deaths had speeding as a contributing factor. While many of those crashes are caused by a speeding motorcycles, it often is the fault of car or truck drivers driving too fast to be able to maneuver around a motorcycle safely.

Rear-End Accidents

Motorcycles decelerate faster than passenger cars, and many motorcyclists roll off the throttle to slow down, so a motorist behind them won’t see the passenger car. Still, just as in a crash between two cars, the trailing vehicle is almost always at complete fault for the accident.

While each accident is different, our team has seen that the vast majority of motorcycle accidents fall into the following categories:

Drunk Driving

Drunk driving contributes to more traffic-related accidents than any other single factor, and in the U.S. it kills approximately 32 people a day. Drunk driving contributed to over three-tenths of motorcycle fatalities.

Road Hazards

Because a car with 4 wheels is much more stable than a motorcycle, road hazards such as uneven pavement, slippery surfaces, potholes, and animals create a heightened risk. Even if another motorist was not involved in your accident, if your injuries were caused by a road hazard, you may be able to make a claim against a government agency or construction company that was in charge of ensuring the road’s safety.

Left-Hand Turns

Over 40 percent of motorcycle accidents that lead to death occur at intersections when a car or truck turning left hits a motorcyclist who had the right of way. It’s hard for many people to notice motorcyclists, even if they’re judiciously checking their blind spots. This is the result of “inattentional blindness,” an occurrence in which our brains are scanning for cars, but don’t register motorcycles at cars.

Speeding

Thirty-three percent of motorcycle fatalities involve speeding. While some bikers are known to speed, they can also be caused by enclosed-vehicle motorists who force a biker to take evasive action.

Rear-End Accidents

Motorcycles do not need as much room to break as passenger cars, and many motorcyclists use alternative breaking methods like rolling off the throttle, preventing the break lights from coming on. It is still the responsibility of the other vehicle to slow down in time.