The chances of being severely or fatally injured in a rear end motorcycle accident are high because a motorcyclist has little protection from injury.
Rear end accidents are quite common on Chicago roads and highways, and for motorcycles it is no different. However, in the case of a motorcycle, the chances of a fatal injury are higher because a motorcyclist has little protection from injury when hit by a larger vehicle. Typically, rear end accidents are the result of the driver that hits the other vehicle, because of some type of reckless behavior.
In this article, our Chicago motorcycle accident lawyer will discuss common causes of rear end accidents involving motorcycles, related laws, and key statistics.
Causes of Rear End Accidents Involving Motorcyclists
Rear end accidents can have many causes. When a vehicle rams into another vehicle that is directly in their line of sight, there is hardly anything that can justify this behavior. Even if the vehicle in the front stops suddenly, if the motorist behind them has left enough space between them and is paying attention, there should be no problem stopping in time. Some of the common causes of rear end collisions include:
- Speeding: The motorist was going too fast to stop in time or was driving aggressively.
- Distraction: The motorist was distracted by cell phone, radio, or by other passengers.
- Following too closely or tailgating: The motorist did not leave enough space between them and the vehicle in the front
- Impaired driving: Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
Regardless of the cause of the collision, these accidents can cause serious damage to both the rider and the motorcycle. The direct impact of the collision can lead to the biker being thrown from the motorcycle and even run over.
Laws Regarding Tailgating
The state of Illinois has laws regarding tailgating or following too closely, sec 11-710 Following too closely, states:
(a) The driver of a motor vehicle shall not follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent, having due regard for the speed of such vehicles and the traffic upon and the condition of the highway.
According to a study conducted by the Department of Transportation and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration:
- 98% of the deaths in two vehicle accidents involving a motorcycle were motorcycle riders
- 85% of rider fatality crashes with two vehicles involved a passenger vehicle
- In the time period between 1975-2005, 56,000 motorcyclists were killed in two vehicle crashes
Seeking Compensation in a Rear End Motorcycle Accident
When a rider is hit from behind by another vehicle, chances are high that they will sustain severe injuries. In the case of such severe accidents, the victims and their families are likely to incur huge medical expenses, loss of income, and other costs. To make sure that your family member is adequately compensated for all the injuries and other financial losses, contact Willens & Baez today by calling (312) 957-4166 or by filling out our online contact form.
When a motorcycle accident occurs, insurance companies may want to reach a quick settlement at an amount that suits their bottom line. We are here to make sure you get the full and fair compensation you need and deserve.
