Why Do Drivers Hit Motorcyclists in Chicago?

Thursday, August 5, 2021

Why Do Drivers Hit Motorcyclists in Chicago?

Written by Malman Law, reviewed by Steve J. Malman.

Motorcyclists in Chicago are at a high risk of suffering injuries – even fatal injuries – when a driver hits them. Know the reasons why drivers collide with motorcycles, and contact a Chicago motorcycle accident lawyer if you suffered injuries. 

The law clarifies that all vehicles should share the road safely, whether large 80,000-pound commercial semi-trucks, cars, SUVs, or smaller motorcyclists. Unfortunately, drivers do not always follow the rules, and many drivers can especially be negligent and careless around motorcyclists, often causing serious crashes. If you suffered injuries as a motorcyclist or lost a loved one in a crash, contact a Chicago motorcycle accident lawyer for assistance as soon as possible.

How Common are Motorcycle Accidents?

Motorcycle accidents are not as common as car accidents, but they are concerning due to the high rate of injuries and fatalities. Consider the following numbers from a recent year in Illinois:

1. Motorcycle crashes made up only 1.1 percent of all traffic crashes
2. Motorcyclists suffered 3.5 percent of crash-related injuries
3. Motorcyclists were involved in 15.4 percent of total traffic fatalities

Even though motorcycles are involved in a small percentage of accidents, they make up a much larger percentage of overall traffic deaths because of the high risks of life-threatening injuries. In total, the below crashes happened in the same year:

1. 3,326 motorcycle accidents
2. 2,514 motorcyclists injured
3. 884 motorcyclists killed

With this high incidence of crashes, injuries, and fatalities, it is important to examine why these events happen. 

Driver Negligence Around Motorcycles

Motorcycles are more difficult to see on the road, and motorcyclists are more vulnerable than others. This makes negligent driving even riskier for them, though drivers might even be more careless around motorcycles. The following are some driver behaviors that can result in crashes in Chicago:

Distracted driving

This is a top reason because distracted drivers have difficulty staying aware of the traffic around them, making it even likelier that they will miss a motorcyclist until it is too late. When looking away from the road, drivers might catch larger vehicles in the corner of their eyes, but it is far too easy to miss a motorcyclist. 

Aggressive driving

For some reason, many drivers become more aggressive around motorcyclists. They might tailgate, excessively speed, engage in dangerous passing or lane changes, and other reckless behaviors that put motorcyclists in danger. 

Drunk driving

While drunk driving is dangerous for everyone on the road, it can be particularly so for motorcyclists. An intoxicated driver can easily miss a motorcyclist in the next or oncoming lanes and might switch or make left turns that cause a collision. 

These are only some reasons drivers collide with motorcyclists in the Chicago area, causing many riders severe injuries. Determining the cause of a crash is essential to identifying how you can recover financially from your injuries. 

Learn How a Chicago Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Can Help

After a motorcycle crash, contact a Chicago motorcycle accident attorney at Malman Law for help. We have the experience and resources you need, so call (312) 629-0099 or contact the firm online to set up a free case evaluation.