Do You Ride a Motorcycle? Learn Five Common Causes of Serious Motorcycle Crashes

There is nothing like the feeling of jumping on your motorcycle and going for a ride. Perhaps you like to take a beautiful drive along Route 2 from Rockford to Dixon, passing through Byron and Oregon on your journey. Maybe you use your motorcycle to get to work, driving down Perryville Road and U.S. Route 20 on a daily basis. Either way, riding a motorcycle is a fun and economical way to get around. However, it can also be dangerous. According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, 3,312 people were injured and 148 were killed in motorcycle accidents in 2012.

So, how do these accidents happen? Following are five of the most common causes:

• Left Turn – The driver of another motor vehicle fails to yield the right of way at an intersection and turns left in front of the motorcycle.
• Lane Change – The driver of a motor vehicle changes lanes, into the space occupied by the motorcycle.
• Rear-End Collision – The driver of a motor vehicle fails to see the motorcycle stopped at a traffic signal, and hits the bike from behind.
• Dooring – The motorcyclist drives between a line of parked cars and a line of traffic stopped at a light and is hit, or doored, when someone in one of the parked cars unexpectedly opens the door.
• Driving Too Fast – The motorcycle driver speeds around a corner and is unable to navigate the curve—either because it is too sharp or because the bike slides on loose gravel or leaves.

While some accidents are due to inexperience and excessive speed on the part of the motorcycle driver, many motorcycle accidents occur because other motorists fail to see the bike. If you have been seriously injured in a motorcycle accident that was not your fault, a motorcycle crash lawyer can help ensure that you obtain fair compensation for your injuries and property damage. Contact the experienced personal injury attorneys at The Fisk & Monteleone Law Firm at 888-716-7336 to schedule a complimentary meeting to discuss your situation. Honest, knowledgeable, and experienced, they will review your case and help you to understand your legal options. Call today—they are standing by to help.