
Unfortunately, many drivers fail to protect the safety of motorcyclists. Negligence by drivers of cars or trucks can be incredibly dangerous for cyclists, and collisions between motorcycles and other vehicles are likely to lead to serious or fatal injuries. While motorcyclists can take steps to protect their own safety by wearing a helmet and driving as safely as possible, they are often injured through no fault of their own. Some common forms of driver negligence that can result in severe motorcycle accident injuries include:
- Failure to notice motorcycles - Due to the small size of motorcycles, drivers often do not see them, and this can lead them to collide with a motorcycle when changing lanes or making turns. Drivers should always check their mirrors and blind spots and keep a close eye on all vehicles around them, and failure to do so is considered negligence.
- Failure to respect right of way - A significant percentage of motorcycle accidents take place at intersections, and they often occur because drivers do not follow the traffic laws regarding right of way. In some cases, drivers may not realize the speed at which a motorcycle is traveling, or their view of a motorcycle may be obstructed by obstacles or other vehicles. Regardless of the reason, dangerous collisions can occur when a driver illegally pulls out or turns in front of a motorcycle.
- Distracted driving - When a driver takes their eyes off the road, their hands off the steering wheel, or their attention away from driving, they greatly increase the chances of an accident. Some common distractions include using a cell phone to make calls or send texts, adjusting the radio or environmental controls, attending to children in the car, and eating or drinking. These activities can be especially dangerous when driving around motorcycles, since a momentary lapse in attention can cause a driver to be completely unaware of a nearby motorcycle.
- Drunk driving - When a driver is intoxicated by alcohol or drugs, their vision, coordination, judgment, and reflexes are all negatively affected. This can cause them to be unable to react in time to avoid colliding with a motorcycle.
Contact a Buffalo Grove Personal Injury Lawyer
If you have been injured in a motorcycle collision, it is likely that a negligent driver was at fault. At Drost, Gilbert, Andrew & Apicella, LLC, our Inverness motorcycle accident attorneys can help you pursue compensation from those who were responsible for your injuries, and we will fight to ensure that you receive the financial resources you need. To arrange a free consultation, contact us today by calling 847-934-6000.
About the Author: Attorney Ken Apicella is a founding partner of DGAA focusing in the areas of personal injury, employment, insurance coverage disputes, and civil litigation. Ken earned his J.D. from DePaul University College of Law in 1999. He has been named a SuperLawyers Rising Star and a Forty Illinois Attorneys Under Forty to Watch. Ken has written and lectured for the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education and regularly serves as a moderator at Northwest Suburban Bar Association's Continuing Legal Education seminars.
Sources:
https://www.trafficsafetymarketing.gov/get-materials/motorcycle-safety
https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/motorcycle-safety