On June 11, a Palatine man was fatally injured in a motorcycle accident in Elgin. Despite the fact that he was wearing a helmet, the injuries suffered in the collision ultimately proved fatal. Every year, thousands of people are fatally injured in motorcycle accidents throughout the United States.

According to statistics compiled by the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), just under 5,000 people were fatally injured in motorcycle accidents, throughout 2017. Due to the limited protection that motorcycles provide their riders, the injuries suffered can be increasingly life-threatening. Motorcyclists are 28 times more likely to suffer fatal injuries in an accident, than standard motor vehicle passengers. If you or a loved one is injured in a motorcycle accident, you may be entitled to significant injury compensation.

Seeking Injury Compensation

In the aftermath of a serious injury, it is entirely common to feel helpless. For motorcyclists, injuries suffered can range from spinal cord injuries to brain trauma. These types of serious injuries can leave a person with astronomical medical expenses and an inability to return to work for some time. Because of the severity of many motorcycle injuries, it is incredibly important to secure compensation in the aftermath of an injury.

Every year, thousands of Americans suffer serious injuries while riding motorcycles. Motorcyclists are more susceptible to severe injuries in a collision, due in large part to the small size of their vehicles and the lack of protection offered to motorcyclists and their passengers. According to studies conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), fatal motorcycle accidents are on the rise throughout the United States. If you or a loved one are involved in a motorcycle accident, a skilled personal injury attorney can help you receive full compensation for the injuries you have suffered. 

Motorcycle Injuries Throughout the United States 

In 2016, motorcycle fatalities throughout the United States rose by more than 5% in comparison to 2015. The 5,286 fatal motorcycle collisions that occurred that year marked the highest number of motorcycle fatalities since 2008. As mentioned above, motorcyclists have limited protection in comparison to travelers within standard passenger vehicles. Unsurprisingly, the NHTSA states that motorcyclists are more than 28 times more likely to suffer fatal injuries in a collision than passengers within automobiles. Despite the fact that helmets can often make the difference between life and death in a motorcycle collision, a large percentage of motorcyclists choose to not wear a helmet. In 2016, approximately 60% of all motorcyclists killed in collisions were not wearing helmets. 

Motorcycle Collisions in Illinois

Here in the state of Illinois, motorcycle accidents and fatalities are much more common than most people would like to assume. Throughout 2016, over 2,600 Illinoisan motorcyclists suffered injuries that required hospitalization. Approximately 150 of those severely injured motorcyclists ultimately suffered fatal injuries. Despite the fact that motorcycle accidents only accounted for 1% of all motor vehicle collisions throughout Illinois, fatal motorcycle injuries made up 15% of all statewide traffic fatalities in 2016. 

Accidents involving motorcycles almost always involve bodily injury, as bikers are not as protected as motorists riding in cars. In fact, motorcyclists in Illinois are not legally required to wear helmets, which can protect against injury.

Despite being at a greater risk for injury, motorcyclists still have rights on the road. If they are in an accident that is caused by another driver, their injuries should be treated at the cost of the at-fault party and their pain and suffering should also be compensated.

In 2015, 88,000 motorcyclists were injured in the United States. These are some common injuries sustained by motorcyclists:

People may presume that if a motorcyclist is in a car accident, then he or she is responsible for his or her injuries, even if fault lies with another driver. Additionally, they may reason that the motorcyclist assumed the increased risk that comes with riding a motorcycle and that the motorcyclist should be responsible for his or her injuries.

This is not true. If you have been injured in an accident that was not your fault while on a motorcycle, you will likely be entitled to damages for your injuries. Motorcyclists have the same rights as motorists and passengers on the road.

Helmet Law in Illinois