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Broadside collisions can be extremely deadly and dangerous on congested city streets. In areas like Chicago, pedestrians and drivers are at a risk when they are involved in side-sweep motorcycle accidents. Motorcycle drivers are at the most significant threat for being involved in these types of accidents. They may have paralysis, severed limbs, or even death when they are involved in broadside collisions. It is vital for new motorcycle operators to understand the nature of side-sweep motorcycle accidents, their causes and to be fully aware of their safety on the road at all times.
A broadside collision is also known as a “T-Bone” or side-sweep accident. This type of accident occurs when a motorcycle is struck on its side by the front of another vehicle. The motorcycle driver is often severely injured as a result of these accidents. A side-sweep crash can also cause multiple other accidents on the road too.
If you have been the victim of a side-sweep motorcycle accident, then it is important to know your rights as soon as possible. Get in touch with our Illinois motorcycle accident lawyers for a free initial consultation (you can view our motorcycle accident page here). You may have suffered from extensive damages that you are not even aware exist in your case. It is to your advantage to fully understand your legal rights and get the help that you need from motorcycle accident lawyers in Illinois.
Dangers Associated with Broadside Motorcycle Accidents
In 2011, the U.S. Department of Transportation National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that over 4,612 motorcyclists died as a result of traffic accidents. This number reflected a two percent increase from the number of cyclists who died in 2010. It is clear that motorcyclists are facing more risks to their lives than ever on the roads.
The majority of fatal motorcycle crashes in 2011 occurred during normal working hours on Mondays through Fridays. This could account for the fact that some people rely on motorcycles or mopeds as a main form of transportation to their place of employment. While other drivers on the road may view motorcyclists as “free spirits” with perhaps nothing better to do than “joy ride,” the reality is that these cyclists often have similar work commitments and have the same rights on the road as other drivers.
Illinois Statistics for Fatal Motorcycle Crashes
Statistics from the U.S. Department of Transportation reflect that Illinois was one of the states that had the highest number of cyclist fatalities in 2011. The statistics show that there were a total of 132 motorcycle riders who were killed in accidents that year. Only 26 percent of these cyclists were wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, and this could be a factor that contributed to the deaths of these cyclists. A staggering 74 percent of riders were not wearing a helmet at the time of their fatal accidents.
Currently, Illinois does not have a motorcycle helmet law. The nonexistence of this type of law in Illinois has contributed to a contentious debate in the state. Those who oppose helmet laws do not believe that their liberty and freedom should be impeded by regulations, while those who support such laws advocate for the safety of all riders on the road.
Causes of Side-Sweep Motorcycle Accident Collisions
There are many factors that can account for side-sweep motorcycle accident collisions, and it is important for you to know that this list is not exhaustive. If you have been the victim of one of these crashes due to a different external factor, then you should get in touch with an Illinois motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible.
Here are some of the causes known to trigger side-sweep motorcycle accident collisions in Illinois:
- Road rage
- Failure to stop at a stop light
- Distracted driving due to text-messaging, listening to loud music or conversing with other passengers
- Lack of traffic safety signals at intersections
- Other existing accidents on highways
When other drivers on the road have injured you, you deserve the utmost protections as a motorcyclist. You are protected under the same laws that affect other drivers on the road, and Illinois broadside motorcycle accident attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC will aggressively fight for your rights. Contact us today!
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