Commercial trucks are dangerous to all other vehicles on the road, but they can be even more deadly for those who are riding motorcycles. Illinois has over 330,000 registered motorcycles and thousands of commercial trucks driving through the state every day and when the two meet the results are often tragic.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident due to another driver’s negligence, we at 844 See Mike are here for you every step of the way to ensure that your rights are protected, and you are fully compensated for your injuries and losses.
Truck Hitting Motorcycle Accident Statistics
Truck and motorcycle accidents make up a small portion of the total truck accidents that occur every year, however when they do occur, the results are almost always deadly. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), motorcyclists are five times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash. Out of every 100,000 vehicles on the road, 13.1% are involved in an accident annually. For motorcycles, this number jumps to over 72%.
Additionally, if a passenger vehicle is involved in an accident, there is a 20% chance of injury or death, for motorcycle riders this becomes 80%. And, in motorcycle accidents involving a truck, 94% of the fatalities are the motorcycle rider.
Causes of Truck vs. Motorcycle Accidents
Trucking is a high-stress job with long hours. Driver fatigue is a leading cause of truck accidents. Other causes of truck versus motorcycle accidents include:
- Distracted driving
- Driving under the influence
- Speeding
- Driver error
- Truck malfunction
- Poor weather or road conditions
- Overloading or improperly loading cargo
- Negligent maintenance
Avoiding a Motorcycle Accident
Avoiding a motorcycle may not always be possible, but there are ways to minimize the risk. These include:
- Be aware of blind spots-Trucks have multiple large blind spots and have trouble seeing smaller vehicles even with their mirrors.
- Be cautious of left turns-Truck drivers have trouble seeing anyone on their left side while attempting to complete a left turn and with over 42% of motorcycle accidents involving left turns, this is particularly dangerous.
- Do not weave or lane split in traffic-Not only is weaving through traffic dangerous, lane splitting, or driving between two vehicles is illegal in Illinois.
- Wear a helmet-Illinois is one of three states that does not require motorcycle riders to wear helmets. However, helmets are your only line of protection in an accident and the majority of injuries on a motorcycle accident involve the head and neck.
- Drive safely-The majority of motorcycle riders are safe drivers. Remember your safe driving skills and drive defensively.
If you or a loved one was involved in a trucking hitting your motorcycle accident, there are likely medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages, and even wrongful death. An experienced personal injury lawyer can review your case and fight for the compensation you deserve.
We at 844 See Mike are proud to serve our fellow citizens in personal injury cases, especially when you or a loved one has been injured in a trucking accident, and we are fully committed to protecting your rights and ensuring that the other party is held legally accountable when negligence occurs. We will fight until the very end to ensure that you are fully compensated for all injuries and losses resulting from the accident, including medical expenses, property damage, lost wages, and pain and suffering, and you won’t owe us a dime for our services.
We see you as a person, not just a client – and that makes us better at work we do. We listen. We learn your story. And, as we help you get the money you deserve, we go above and beyond in a way most law firms never could and never would. Because we’re not just lawyers. And you’re not just a client. We’re friends, neighbors, family. We’re all people and here at 844 See Mike, we put People, First.
Helping our clients is about counseling, advocating, and ultimately solving problems. With years of experience successfully representing the people, not the powerful, we will take care of the insurance adjusters, your medical bills, your property damage, your lost wages, and monitor your treatment so you can focus on healing and getting your life back to normal. Our unique formula has earned us over 900 outstanding client reviews on our website, an A+ BBB rating, and over 120 five-star reviews on Google. Call 888-572-0176, e-mail us at michael@agrusslawfirm.com, or schedule meeting with us here. We’re here 24/7.
