Common Causes of Motorcycle Crashes in Chicago

The one thing that can take the thrill out of getting on your motorcycle and going for a ride is that nagging thought about what might happen if you end up in a crash. It's a risk every motorcycle rider faces when they hit the road, but the freedom of riding on the open road is worth it. All you can do is ride smart, follow the rules of the road and hope that the drivers of the vehicles around you are doing the same thing.

We all know that motorcycle crashes do occur, and there are a few common factors in causing motorcycle crashes. These come from a research report about the causes of motorcycle crashes that is commonly referred to as, the Hurt Report, as it was written by USC Professor Harry Hurt, who was a motorcyclist. The study, which was initiated by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA). The Hurt report made significant contributions to our knowledge about motorcycle safety and the vital role helmets play in saving riders' lives and preventing brain injury.

• Collision with another vehicle (usually a passenger automobile). When drivers of other vehicles are not vigilant about looking out for motorcyclists on the roads, this can lead to a crash.
• The most frequent accident configuration in the study was when the motorcycle was proceeding straight and the automobile makes a left turn in front of the oncoming motorcycle.
• Collision with a fixed object in the environment, (a tree, a street sign, guardrails) or the roadway
• Vehicle failure accounted for less than 3% of the crashes in the Hurt study, but when a tire gets punctured and suddenly goes flat or the brakes fail it can cause the rider to lose control and end up in a crash
• Roadway defects such as ridges in pavement and potholes cause motorcycle crashes.
• Additional factors for motorcycle crashes include: insufficient training, lack of experience, alcohol impairment and distracted driving

These are just a few of the factors that can lead to a motorcycle crash.

Motorcycle riders who sustain serious injury in a crash that was the result of another driver’s negligence, roadway defects, defective motorcycle parts or many other causes, may be able to take legal action against the party who is at fault in the crash. Our civil justice system provides those who have suffered injury because of another’s negligence a venue for recovering compensation for their injuries and the damages they cause. An experienced Chicago motorcycle accident attorney from Gainsberg Injury and Accident Lawyers will protect your rights when you have been injured.

Motorcycle crash injuries can be devastating, but what can make them seem even worse is when you discover that the crash was the result of someone else’s negligence. You are encouraged to call Gainsberg Injury and Accident Lawyers 312-600-9585 or complete our contact form today, to take a vital first step towards pursuing the compensation you deserve for the serious injuries you have sustained in a motorcycle accident in the Chicago area.