Understanding the Laws That Apply to Chicago Motorcycle Operators

Every motor vehicle operator must comply with Illinois state traffic laws. These laws include how fast operators can go, rules on passing and merging, the need to obey stop signs, and other traffic rules. Vehicle owners must also comply with Illinois’ insurance laws, which require liability insurance to pay for any injuries caused by owner negligence and driver carelessness. There are also many specific laws that apply only to motorcycle owners and operators.

Illinois motorcycle insurance requirements

All Chicago vehicle owners—including motorcycle owners—must have insurance to cover bodily injury damage and property damage. Bodily injury damage covers applicable medical bills and damages for pain and suffering. It may also include lost wages. Property damage typically covers the cost to repair or replace the vehicle that was wrecked or damaged. Minimum Illinois motorcycle liability insurance requirements are:

• $25,000 for death or injury to one person.
• $50,000 for death or injury to two or more people.
• $20,000 for property damage per accident.

Chicago motorcycle operators must also have uninsured and underinsured motorcycle coverage in the amounts of $25,000 for one accident victim and $50,000 for multiple accident victims.

These insurance requirements are just the minimum; motorcycle owners should consider getting much more coverage. Just one night in a hospital can cost $50,000 to $100,000. Pain and suffering awards can be in the millions of dollars.

Motorcycle operators should also consider buying the following types of insurance coverage:

• This pays for repairs to your motorcycle up to the policy limit.
• This coverage applies if your motorcycle was damaged or destroyed due to fire or vandalism.
• Medical costs. This insurance pays for your own medical bills, such as surgeries and doctor visits. Liability insurance only pays the medical bills of the person you injure.
• Towing and labor. This pays for the cost to remove your motorcycle from the accident scene.

Chicago motorcycle and motorcycle operation requirements

These are some of the Illinois motorcycle laws that apply to the operator, the passenger, and to the motorcycle itself:

• There is no law mandating that Illinois riders wear a safety helmet. Safety helmets are voluntary, but advisable.
• Operators and passengers must have eye protection unless the motorcycle comes with a windscreen.
• The motorcycle must have one rear-view mirror on the left side, right side, or both sides.
• The motorcycle must be equipped with a passenger seat and a footrest if it carries passengers.
• Headlights must be used during the daytime.
• Mufflers are required and can’t be changed to increase the noise level above that which the muffler was originally designed for.
• Handlebars must be lower than the operator’s shoulders.

Motorcycle operators must pass a test to ensure the operator is trained and educated on how to ride a motorcycle safely. Riders who pass an approved education course normally do not need to take a written test or pass the road test.

At Gainsberg Injury and Accident Lawyers, our Chicago motorcycle accident attorneys understand how dangerous motorcycle accidents can be. Operators and passengers often suffer catastrophic or deadly injuries because the ground does not protect the rider. For tough legal counsel, call 312-600-9585 or fill out our contact form when a motorcycle crash happens.