A car accident involving a motorcycle can be catastrophic for all involved, especially the motorcyclist. There are more than 2,200 injury crashes involving motorcycles in Illinois every year. These crashes can result in upwards of 2,500 injuries and more than 150 fatalities.
Familiarizing yourself with the most common types of collisions can help reduce your risk of being involved in one. The four most common crashes between motorcycles and cars include the following:
Left-Turn Crashes At Intersections
One prevalent scenario involves a car making a left turn at an intersection and crossing directly into the path of an oncoming motorcycle. This situation can occur if the driver misjudges the speed or distance of the approaching motorcycle or fails to notice it altogether due to its smaller size.
These types of impacts can cause catastrophic injuries to both the vehicle occupants and the motorcyclists. That’s because the motorcycle will typically impact the doors of the car, which is an area where vehicle occupants have less protection.
Always check for motorcycles, especially in low-light conditions. You should also avoid making assumptions about what sort of vehicle is approaching you.
When you see a single headlight in the distance, don’t assume it’s a car far away. Remember that motorcycles often have just one headlight. Mistaking a motorcycle for a distant car can lead to dangerous situations.
Head-On Collisions
Head-on collisions aren’t as common as other types of motorcycle accidents, but they are particularly deadly. These accidents can happen when one or both vehicles cross into the opposite lane, leading to a frontal impact.
For example, suppose that a motorcycle and a car both cross into a two-way left turn lane but approach one another too fast. That can result in a head-on crash.
Motorcyclists don’t enjoy the same level of structural protection as occupants of traditional passenger vehicles. Riders are at a much greater risk of fatal outcomes, especially if they aren’t wearing a helmet or other safety gear.
Blind Spot Crashes
Spotting another car in your blind spot can be tough enough. Seeing a small motorcycle can be even harder, especially if it’s traveling at a high rate of speed.
These factors make lane change or blind spot crashes involving motorcycles more common. Motorcyclists who tailgate or hug the line between lanes may put themselves in an even greater danger of blind spot-related accidents.
As a motorist, you can do your part by double-checking your blind spots when merging or changing lanes. Listen and look for motorcycles — this may help you detect rapidly approaching cyclists who are traveling at excessive speeds.
Rear-End Collisions
A rear-end collision can happen when a car follows a motorcycle too closely (or vice versa). If you are operating a car, give motorcycles a little extra space. They can stop more quickly than you can. Even minor rear-end impacts can cause motorcyclists to lose control, leading to severe injuries.
What To Do After A Motorcycle Crash
Despite your best efforts, you may still find yourself involved in a motorcycle crash. Act fast to protect yourself and your loved ones.
Step one involves addressing your immediate medical needs and getting to a safe location. Always report the incident to law enforcement and obtain a copy of the crash report. If the other party was at fault, you may be entitled to compensation to cover your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Contact Our Car Accident Lawyers At Joel E. Brown, P.C. in Peoria for Assistance Today
To learn more, contact our skilled car accident attorney at Joel E. Brown, P.C to schedule a free consultation. We are conveniently located in Peoria and proudly serve Peoria County, IL, and the neighboring communities.
Joel E. Brown, P.C
416 Main St Suite 1300 Peoria, IL 61602, United States
(309) 673 4357
Available 24/7