The past two decades have seen a significant decrease nationally in automobile crash fatalities. Experts are attributing this good news to the advent of airbags, sterner laws against drunk driving, and an increased use of safety belts. But in Illinois, there is a category of fatal motor vehicle accident that has numbers trending in a less desirable direction. For the past three years, motorcycle fatalities have been at an unfortunately high level.
There could be several factors contributing to this situation. According to a motorcycle safety class administrator, the size of motorcycles sold to the public keeps increasing. He says these larger, more powerful models can be difficult for inexperienced riders to control.
Yet in 2012, older riders, in the 50 to 54-year-old age range, were actually the group that had the highest number of deaths related to motorcycles in Illinois. Another safety instructor says that sometimes motorcyclists stop riding for a period of time. When they start riding again, they purchase a vehicle that they lack strength and reflexes to handle safely.
Also of note, a major in the Illinois State Police says that in the previous two-year period, the motorcyclist was responsible around two-thirds of the time in motorcycle-car accidents that proved fatal. This indicates that riders need to be sure that when they get on a motorcycle, they can maintain control and not pose a danger to other vehicles.
The fact is, a collision with one of these large, powerful motorcycles could cause serious injury or even death to the occupants of almost any vehicle that they strike. Should you lose a family member due to a negligent motorcycle rider, you will be left to pick up the pieces and move on. You will likely have funeral expenses and be suffering from the pain of losing a loved one.
Such a situation necessitates that you be compensated to the fullest extent possible. A Chicago motorcycle accident attorney at Morici, Longo & Associates may be able to look at your case and find the avenues available to pursue a financial settlement. Call us today to speak with a member of our team about your case.
Source: Chicago Tribune, “Illinois considers new license requirements for big motorcycles,” Robert McCoppin, July 28, 2014