Chicago Motorcycle Left Turn Accident Lawyer

Name: Motorcycle Accident Injury Guidebook: A Roadmap for Accident Victims to Assist Them With Their Financial Recovery
Author: Jonathan Rosenfeld

Left-turn collisions pose considerable risks to motorcyclists. Bikers might be involved in severe accidents through no fault of their own. A negligent or distracted driver making a turn without yielding to a motorcyclist coming from the opposite direction can cause a collision resulting in serious injuries or fatalities.

Bikers have little time to react and get out of the way when negligent drivers fail to yield to an oncoming motorcycle and make a left turn. A life-threatening car accident usually results from a poor driving decision by the motorist making the turn.

Collisions while turning Left

Were you or a loved one injured in a left turn accident? If so, our personal injury attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, LLC, have helped many victims seek compensation for their injuries sustained in left-turn motorcycle accidents and can do the same for you.

Our motorcycle accident lawyers would be happy to discuss your case with you and advise you on your best course of action. Contact us toll-free at (888) 424-5757 for a free consultation.

Left-Turn Accidents Involving Injured Motorcyclists

A traumatic brain injury can happen when an oncoming vehicle fails to yield at an intersection and collides head-on with a motorcycle making a left turn.

An oncoming driver can easily fail to see a motorcycle turning left at an intersection if the speed limit is not respected.

A speeding motorcyclist making a left turn can collide with an approaching vehicle. The traffic laws governing this type of maneuver are strict, and the motorcyclist will likely be considered at fault in any accident.

A turning driver on a motorcycle has less reaction time to avoid an approaching car than a driver in a car does. Motorcycle drivers should be extra cautious when making left turns to avoid accidents.

Motorcycle Accidents

Fatal motorcycle accidents are, unfortunately, a common occurrence. However, it's important to remember that motorbike riders have the same right of way on the road as every other driver. Speed is a leading cause of motorcyclist accident injuries involving other vehicles.

During right turns, motorcyclists face many dangers from motorists. Such cases often increase when the motorbike riders branch left, especially if the road has a high-speed limit.

Injuries Sustained in Left Turn Motorcycle Accidents

When a motorist fails to see the motorcycle rider and tries to turn left in front of the rider, It can result in a motorbike left-turn accident.

Common injuries sustained in left-turn motorcycle accidents include:

Traumatic brain injuries
Broken bones
Spinal injuries

The at-fault rider involved in a collision while making a left turn on their motorcycle often suffers injuries.

Causes of Left Turn Accidents Involving Motorcyclists

Numerous factors cause left-turn collisions. Motorcycle drivers must ride on the road with awareness and caution at all times to ensure their safety.

Some traffic law violations that could result in left-turn accidents include:

Failure to remain alert or yield to the right of way to oncoming motorcycles (and checking blind spots)
Failure to follow the rules of the road
Trying to turn before the green light on a traffic signal changes
Passing other cars
The at-fault drivers talking on cell phones
Driving into an intersection at the wrong time or failing to yield to oncoming traffic
Distracted driving due to texting, listening to loud music or conversing with others on a smartphone
Eating or drinking while driving
Failure to stop at a red light or stop sign
Making unsafe lane changes
Inability to see stop signs, stoplights, or other traffic signals

Motorcycle Safety Measures

An oncoming car turning left is the number one cause of motorcycle accidents. To increase your safety while riding, wear bright clothing to be more visible to drivers. A motorcyclist can avoid collisions by taking extra caution when making a left turn.

When a driver is about to turn left at an intersection, they should yield to the approaching vehicle before turning. However, sometimes a driver may not see the motorcycle, leading to an accident.

Insurance Companies Evaluation of Left Turn Motorcycle Accidents

Our extensive experience representing injured motorbike riders in the Chicago area has given us insight into how these motorcycle accident cases are evaluated by insurance adjusters, the people making decisions about the settlement of the case.

Even when a police report puts the blame squarely on a motorist, an adjuster might assert that the motorcyclist was partially to blame or should shoulder some comparative fault for the accident.

Consequently, our lawyers begin preparing each case after a free case evaluation as though an insurance company will vigorously defend it during settlement negotiations or at trial. We begin gathering evidence to protect the injured motorcyclist's legal rights from the time we are retained.

We frequently proceed with the investigation by taking specific steps, including:

Order police reports and other investigative documents about the vehicles involved in a left turn accident
Gather medical records and medical bills
Meet with treating physicians to have them prepare reports on the resulting injuries and anticipated medical expenses
Photograph the scene of the motorcycle accident

Left-Turn Motorcycle Accident FAQs

We understand that being involved in a motorcycle accident can be a confusing and stressful experience. To help you navigate the legal process, an experienced attorney from our law firm has answered some of the questions that you might have concerning compensation.

What Percentage of Motorcycle Riders Have Left Turn Accidents?

According to the Insurance Information Institute statistics, fifty-nine out of 100,000 registered cars in 2017 were involved in accidents with injuries. This number is nearly six times higher for motorcycles than passenger cars (10.05 of 100,000).

However, motorcycle accidents have dropped significantly (-13.4%) over the last decade.

What Is the Number One Cause of Motorcycle Accidents?

Passenger vehicles and commercial trucks making left-hand turns cause the most motorcycle accidents. These accidents occur when an at-fault driver turns into the pathway of a motorcycle rider driving by or entering an intersection.

Left-turn accidents account for 42% of all collisions with passenger cars and motorcycles.

How Likely Are You to Die in a Left Turn Motorcycle Accident?

Statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) revealed that a biker is nearly forty times more likely to suffer fatal injuries in a left turn motorcycle accident than a passenger in a vehicle crash.

Bikers are nearly ten times more likely to suffer life-threatening injuries while on their motorcycle than motorists and passengers in cars and trucks.

How Dangerous Are Motorcycles?

The NHTSA reports that motorcyclists and bike passengers had a twenty-seven times greater chance of dying in an accident in 2018 than motor vehicle occupants. The following year, motorbike riders were thirty-three times more likely to die from speeding than drivers in passenger cars.

Why Do Motorcyclists Not Wear Helmets?

Bikers often choose not to wear a helmet stating that they weigh too much or feel too hot. Other motorcyclists say that the helmet causes neck pain or sensation of suffocation.

Some bikers claim that wearing a helmet causes physical discomfort and limits the movement of their neck and head. However, not wearing a helmet is one of the leading causes of motorcycle fatalities in the United States.

Contact the Chicago Left-Turn Motorcycle Collision Lawyers for Help Today

Contact our personal injury attorneys today at (888) 424-5757 (toll-free phone call) to set up a free consultation for a review of your motorcycle accident claim. A motorcycle accident attorney from our law firm can address all your questions and concerns about recovering compensation.

Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC is proud to be the law firm injured bikers turn to after a motorcycle accident. We represent riders from across Illinois and the Midwest. Our personal injury lawyers will gladly assist you in your time of need and do our best to assess your legal process situation.

Our motorcycle accident lawyers operate on a contingency fee basis, so you don't have to pay us unless we win your case.

All discussions with our law firm remain confidential through an attorney-client relationship. Our attorneys follow social distancing guidelines to prevent the spread of Covid-19 (Coronavirus).

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★★★★★

Jonathan Rosenfeld was professionally objective, timely, and knowledgeable. Also, his advice was extremely effective regarding my case. In addition, Jonathan was understanding and patient pertaining to any of my questions or concerns. I was very happy with the end result and I highly recommend Jonathan Rosenfeld. Michonne Proulx

Extremely impressed with this law firm. They took control of a bad motorcycle crash that left my uncle seriously injured. Without any guarantee of a financial recovery, they went out and hired accident investigators and engineers to help prove how the accident happened. I am grateful that they worked on a contingency fee basis as there was no way we could have paid for these services on our own. Ethan Armstrong

This lawyer really helped me get compensation for my motorcycle accident case. I know there is no way that I could have gotten anywhere near the amount that Mr. Rosenfeld was able to get to settle my case. Thank you. Daniel Kaim

Jonathan helped my family heal and get compensation after our child was suffered a life threatening injury at daycare. He was sympathetic and in constant contact with us letting us know all he knew every step of the way. We were so blessed to find Jonathan! Giulia

Jonathan did a great job helping my family navigate through a lengthy lawsuit involving my grandmother's death in a nursing home. Through every step of the case, Jonathan kept my family informed of the progression of the case. Although our case eventually settled at a mediation, I really was impressed at how well prepared Jonathan was to take the case to trial. Lisa

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