Chicago Car Accident Lawyer Blog

A southern Illinois man died yesterday following a motorcycle accident in Greene County, southwest of Springfield. As reported by KSDK News, the man was driving his motorcycle in the Illinois Route 108 around 3p.m. when the accident occurred.

The victim was driving behind a tractor on the two-lane roadway. He attempted to pass the slower moving farm vehicle and entered into the left hand lane before speeding forward. However, just as he was attempting to drive past, the tractor made a left hand turn into a farming area near the road. The motorcyclist was unable to stop in time, ultimately slamming into the front side of the tractor. The impact sent the driver flying off the motorcycle. Unfortunately, he was not wearing a helmet. He was pronounced dead at the scene by arriving emergency personnel. The driver of the tractor was uninjured.

Our Chicago car accident attorneys at Levin & Perconti send sincere condolences to the victims of this accident. Our years of legal work have repeatedly shown the consequences of these car crashes—the suffering it causes is staggering. For that reason, we encourage all drivers to take every possible precaution when traveling. Simple steps like wearing safety helmets and belts and driving at safe speeds for the conditions can truly be the difference between life and death. Risk on the road can never be fully eliminated, but simple steps decrease it tremendously. With the cost of injury so high, those steps are worth taking.

Illinois is one of the states that does not have a law requiring all motorcyclists to wear helmets while riding. In 2008 alone, there were over 5,000 deaths across the country that were attributed to motorcycle accidents, and the number of these accidents that end in fatalities are highest when the rider is not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident. According to The Pantagraph, when motorcyclists are wearing a helmet at the time of a crash they are up to 37 percent less likely to be killed as a result of injuries sustained in the bike crash. The reason that helmets are so crucial, especially with motorcycles, is that there is absolutely no cushioning or protection to keep the rider from suffering serious head and brain injury, absent a helmet. To read more about how important helmets are in a motorcycle accident, please click on this link.

The reason that it is so surprising that Illinois has not yet put a helmet law into effect is that it is clearly known how effective helmets can be at saving lives in the event of a motorcycle accident. The state of Illinois is very strict on enforcing seat belts laws for riders in cars, and a helmet law could be enforced in a similar manner for motorcyclists. Illinois accident attorneys encourage all motorcyclists to always wear a helmet, and to make sure any passenger wears a helmet, regardless whether a law is passed requiring helmet use. The law would certainly help to ensure that more people wear helmets, thereby helping to reduce the risk of serious person injury or death in a motorcycle crash.

A motorcycle accident that occurred on June 11th caused one man to die from the severe head injuries that occurred when he was thrown from his bike. The accident occurred near Oak Forest on Interstate Highway 57 when the motorcycle driver attempted to pass a car and the front wheel of the motorcycle went off the edge of the pavement and dropped about 3 inches, causing the driver to lose control of the bike and crash. The victim was unfortunately not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash and that caused him to suffer severe head injuries which he was unable to recover from. According to Chicago Breaking News, there were no other people or cars involved in this accident. To read more about this Illinois motorcycle accident, please click on this link.

Motorcycle accidents can be very dangerous, mostly because the driver or passengers have nothing surrounding them to protect them if they crash. This is the reason why it is so important for motorcyclists and their passengers to always wear a helmet when on a moving bike. While many motorcycle riders believe that an accident will not occur when they are just going for a quick ride in the neighborhood or that since they have not crashed before that they will not crash now, according to a study funded by The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, most motorcycle accidents occur on short trips and close to the point of trip origin. Illinois accident attorneys remind you that even though Illinois does not require adult motorcycle riders to where a helmet, that accidents can easily occur even on a short trip and that the best way to protect yourself and your passengers is to require helmets everytime the bike is moving.

A Fieldon,IL motorcycle accident occurred on June 6th when a motorcycle driver tried to pass a car and the car being passed veered into the motorcycle's lane. The motorcycle then scraped against a guardrail and turned onto its side, causing the driver and passenger to be thrown from the bike. Both suffered serious personal injuries and were hospitalized in Jerseyville. The car who swerved into the path of the victim's motorcycle was not involved in the accident itself and did not even stop at the scene. According to The Telegraph, no citations were issued in connection with this Illinois motorcycle accident. To read more about this Illinois accident, please click on this link.

According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration's Annual Traffic Safety Facts report, in 2008 over 5,000 motorcycle riders were killed in motorcycle accident and accounted for 14 percent of all traffic fatalities in that year. Our Illinois injury attorneys remind riders that they are at a higher risk for being seriously injured in an accident because they are not protected by anything, like a driver of a car is. Therefore, it is very important for motorcyclists to be aware of cars' blind spots and be extra cautious when driving next to a car or passing a car. Similarly, we ask truck and passenger vehicle drivers to be cautious and always do head checks so as not to hit motorcycles which can easily be hidden in a car's blind spot. These small steps can make all the difference in the number of motorcycle accidents that occur each year, and can help keep motorcycle riding a safe and enjoyable activity for many.

During the summer months, the number of motorcycles out on the road increases greatly. With the influx of motorcycles rides due to the warm weather, it is important to remember certain safety tips to make sure this enjoyable pastime does not result in any serious personal injuries. Luckily, motorcycle riders seem to be exercising greater caution, as seen by the recent drop in motorcycle fatalities. According to Health Day, deaths on motorcycles have decreased about ten percent, which is the first decrease in the last eleven years. To read more about the recent drop in motorcycle accident deaths, please click on this hyperlink.

Experts believe that the decrease in fatal accidents is due to a variety of factors, including the economy, the poorer weather over the past year, fewer new riders, and state attention to safety programs. Many states have started to encourage and make laws that require that certain safety measures be taken while riding motorcycles. While it is not yet a requirement in every state to wear a motorcycle helmet when riding, many more states are requiring it and it is one of the most important precautions a rider can take. Given that motorcycles offer no protection in the event of a motorcycle crash, riders should always protect their heads by wearing a helmet. Additionally, Illinois accident attorneys remind riders to always drive only when the conditions are safe to do so and make sure to always pay attention to the road and your surroundings. Taking these few steps can make all the difference and ensure a safe and run ride!

Given the recent rise in temperature, more and more motorcyclists are on the road in Chicago. While motorcycle riding can be a very enjoyable hobby for many people, it is important to remember to always be safe and aware when operating or riding on a motorcycle. Taking a few simple safety precautions can be the difference between life and death in the unfortunate case of a motorcycle accident. To read about Share the Road Safely’s motorcycle safety tips, please click on this link.

The first and possibly most important safety measure that all motorcycle operators and riders should take is to always wear a helmet. Brain injuries are the most common injury with a motorcycle accident and wearing a helmet is a simple way to help avoid this type of injury. While helmets are not required in the state of Illinois, riders should take it upon themselves to always wear helmets. Since motorcycles are so small and do not really offer any protection it is important to be extra cautious and alert and always pay attention to the road. Additionally, be aware of were a truck’s blind spots are and make sure to stay out of these areas and make sure to always maintain a safe speed always following the speed limit of the area you are driving in. Before you get on your bike to go for a ride make sure that you have recently done a safety inspect on the bike. Please follow these few simple tips to stay safe and avoid traffic accidents!

Motorcycle accidents account for about ten percent of all fatalities every year and it is extremely important for all motorcycle riders to remember that safety is very important. Unfortunately, in Illinois there is no law requiring motorcyclists to wear helmets but it is crucial for anyone that wants to drive or ride on a motorcycle to understand the importance and safety in wearing a helmet. Illinois is one of only three states that have absolutely no helmet requirements, even among people younger than 18. Until this legislation is changed and the law requires this extremely important safety measure to be taken, riders must make it a point on their own to make sure they and their passengers always wear a helmet. Motorcycle crashes can be very dangerous because the riders are not protected or surrounded the way they are in a vehicle and this is how so many traumatic brain injuries occur as a result of motorcycle accidents. Brain injury is what causes the most motorcycle related deaths, and if all riders would always wear a helmet the number of brain injuries would be greatly reduced. Traumatic brain injuries are injuries that cause the disrupt the normal functioning of the brain after a blow or some kind of startling jolt. According to The Brain Injury Association of America, wearing a helmet can reduce the risk of brain injury, following a motorcycle accident, saving as many as 1,500 lives a year. To learm more about the extreme dangers of motorcycle accidents, please click on this hyperlink.

Given the recent surge of warmer weather, more people are riding motorcycles and this safety issue becomes more prominent. Please remember that whenever you or a loved one gets on a motorcycle to always wear a helmet, so you can have fun safely!

An Illinois man was killed in a motorcycle accident that occurred on April 7th. The accident occurred on I-80 when the motorcyclist tried to brake while rounding a curve and lost control of the bike, causing the bike to throw the rider off and hit a guard rail. According to The Southtown Star, at this point the investigation has shown that there was no sign of alcohol but that the driver was speeding at the time of the horrible one-vehicle accident. To read more about this tragic Will County accident, please click on the link.

Motorcycle accidents can be very dangerous and new safety measures are constantly being taken to try to make them safer for riders. A recent study by the Highway Loss Data Institute has shown that a recent effort requiring mandatory training for riders is not nearly as effective at preventing dangerous motorcycles accidents as was hoped. The study compared accident statistics in states that required training to those in states that do not, and the numbers were not significantly different. Some argue that even if these programs are not being offered to reduce accidents, they are still important to teach new riders how to operate motorcycles before allowing them on their own on the road. An additional argument showing why they may still be important is that there are certain types of risky behaviors, such as speeding like in the New Lenox crash, that often cause accidents that will not be eliminated no matter how well a person knows how to properly operate and ride a motorcycle. While it is unfortunate that these measures have not been found to help prevent accidents, the New York Times Wheels Blog mentions that certain precautions taken do help prevent fatalities, such as antilock brakes on bikes and helmets worn by riders. The Chicago accident attorneys of Levin & Perconti urge motorcyle drivers and passengers to remember to always ride at a safe speed and to wear your helmet to avoid serious personal injuries.

A reporter and back-up anchor for the Chicago News, Tom Negovan, is expected to fully recover from serious personal injuries suffered when the motorcycle he was riding collided head-on with a motorist on Harlem Avenue. The man underwent two hours of spinal surgery to repair broken vertebrae. The WGN reporter also suffered multiple lacerations following the motorcycle accident. The reporter has many years experience riding a motorcycle and usually wears a helmet, but during the motorcycle accident he was not wearing a motorcycle accident. This case highlights the great need of wearing a helmet while riding a motorcycle to diminish the risk of personal injury. To read more about the automobile accident, please click the link.

A woman was ticketed after her car and motorcycle collided near Palatine, Illinois. The automobile accident left the biker and his wife dead. The woman was ticketed for failing to yield from a private drive in an automobile crash that killed two. The car was leaving a gas station when it collided with the motorcycle. It is unclear whether the two were wearing helmets during the motorcycle crash. To read more about the wrongful death, please click the link.

An Illinois motorcyclist was killed early this morning in Chicago when his motorcycle was involved in a car accident. The car accident occurred when the victim struck a car that was making a left turn and had a green light. No citations have been issued in connection with this car accident. For more information on this Chicago motorcycle accident, click here.

A motorcyclist died early this morning following an automobile crash on the Far North Side of Chicago. The 52-year-old man was involved in the auto crash four days before he was declared dead following personal injuries. The man was driving a 2007 Harley-Davidson motorcycle when he struck a car driven by a woman who was making a left turn. The woman indicated that her traffic signal was green and no citations were issued after the automobile accident. To read more about the motorcycle crash, please click the link.

A car accident earlier tonight on the Kennedy Expressway left three motorcyclists and another person injured. This car accident occurred in downtown Chicago and seems to have been a chain reaction in which three motorcycles struck each other and then one hit a car. Luckily traffic was moving slowly and all the motorcyclists were wearing helmets so no one was fatally injured. All of the motorcycle drivers as well as the driver of the car involved in the car accident were taken to local hospitals for treatment of their personal injuries. For more information on this Cook County car accident, click here.

An Illinois man suffered personal injuries when he got into a car accident with a car driving in front of him. The motorcyclist was driving along when the vehicle in front of him swerved to avoid getting into a car accident with a car that was backing up in the driving lane of the highway. The motorcyclist then clipped the back of the car that was backing up and was forced to take his motorcycle down and was thrown off. For more information on this motorcycle accident, click here.

A lawsuit has been filed against a woman that allegedly sparked a chain-reaction accident in which an Illinois couple was killed in May of this year. This wrongful death suit has been filed, however the Illinois woman has not yet been criminally charged, pending the outcome of a traffic accident reconstruction report. The lawsuit claimed that the woman rear-ended a car that was then pushed into oncoming traffic, where a group of motorcyclists were passing and two of them were killed. For more information on this wrongful death lawsuit, click here.

A young Illinois man was injured in a motorcyclist accident in the Chicago suburbs on the afternoon of July 28th. The motorcyclist was driving at an excessive speed and then collided with a passenger car. The car driver was not injured, but the motorcycle driver was seriously injured and taken a local hospital. The motorcyclist was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, which may have led to more serious injuries. For more information on this motorcycle accident, click here.

A motorcycle driver was injured when he crashed into a construction barrel on the evening of July 26th in the Chicago suburbs. The motorcyclist was listed in serious condition after the accident forced him off the motorcycle due to the impact of the crash. Luckily, the motorcycle driver was wearing a helmet at the time of the accident. For more information on this motorcycle accident, click here.

Illinois woman being held in jail after crashing her minivan into a motorcycle, killing the driver on the evening of July 9th. The driver was traveling west and allegedly crossed into the opposite lane and then struck the motorcycle. The motorcyclist was pronounced dead at the scene of the crime and was not wearing a helmet at the time the fatal crash occurred. The minivan driver was issued a ticket for failure to reduce speed and unlawful possession of a controlled substance after what was found to be cocaine was found in her vehicle. The tests have not yet come back showing if the driver had cocaine in her system at the time the car accident occurred. For more information on this fatal accident, click here.

Last summer in DuPage County, a motorcyclist was killed after a minor car accident. Following this car accident in which a sports utility vehicle rear ended a motorcycle, the driver of the car did not want to stop and wait for police and kept driving away when the motorcycle driver tried to stop him. When the car eventually stopped in a driveway, the motorcyclist pulled up behind him to talk and the car driver put his car into reverse and drove over the motorcyclist causing a fatal skull fracture. The driver did not report the accident and a witness was the one that identified the car driver. Following this fatal accident, the state charged the car driver with reckless homicide. The driver just pled guilty to the charge of failure to report an accident involving death and received a five-year sentence and in exchange for this the state dropped the reckless homicide charge. For more information on this fatal accident and settlement, click here.

A fatal car accident in South Chicago Heights early this morning left one dead. A motorcyclist collided with a car that was turning, and the motorcycles driver was declared dead at the scene after he was thrown from his bike. This fatal motorcycle accident occurred when the passenger car turned left in front of the motorcycle driver. The passengers of the car were okay with only the passenger suffering minor personal injuries. For more information on this fatal car accident, click here.

Early on the morning of June 6th, a fatal accident occurred when a deer ran into the road and a motorcyclist him. The driver of the motorcycle was ejected from the bike and died of massive head trauma. The driver was not wearing a helmet at the time of the fatal accident. Another motorcyclist was on a bike behind the original driver and only suffered minor personal injuries and he was wearing a helmet. For more information on this fatal accident, click here.

On May 31st, three Chicago-area men were killed in three separate car accidents, two of which involved motorcycles. The two motorcycle accidents resulted in the immediate death of the drivers, and the other accident involving a car resulted in the death of the driver as well. There is no further information on the cause of any of the crashes. For more information on these car accidents, click here.

On May 23rd, a motorcyclist made an illegal u-turn on I-57 causing a four-vehicle accident. The area where the motorcyclist turned around was reserved for emergency vehicles only, and when he made his turn he crashed into three motorcycles that were headed northbound. Two of the people involved in the crash were pronounced dead the night of the accident, and a third was pronounced dead the next day. The driver of the motorcycle that made the turn was not seriously injured and has been charged with disobeying a traffic control device. At this point there is no evidence that alcohol was involved in the accident. For more information of this four-vehicle accident, click here.

A husband and wife were killed when the motorcycle they were on was involved in a crash involving at least six motorcycles and three cars. The motorcycle accident occurred on Illinois Highway 47 and six other people were taken to the hospital with injuries. The car accident occurred when a car was rear-ended causing it to hit a large group of motorcycles in front on it (the motorcyclists were a group that was traveling together). The driver of the car that rear-ended the other cars that were stopped waiting for the motorcycles to turn, has been cited for failing to reduce speed. For more information on this car accident, click here.

A woman could face reckless homicide charges for a recent Lake Zurich accident. The collision killed a 56-year-old Lake Zurich woman who was riding her motorcycle when the accident occurred. The driver at fault admitted to painting her nails as she was driving. According to Chicago Breaking News, the crash occurred as the motorcyclist slowed down at a stop light. The driver did not see her because she was distracted and crashed into the motorcyclist. Distracting activities such as applying makeup or texting while driving draw the driver’s attention away from the road. Many car accidents occur each year because of driver distraction and in many cases, these accidents lead to serious personal injury or death. Read the full account of this deadly Lake Zurich accident.

Northern Illinois University recently offered a motorcycle safety class to teach motorcyclists what they can do to remain safe on the roads. As warmer weather approaches, more and more people will be hitting the roads on their motorcycles. According to an article in the Northwest Herald, five people were killed in motorcycle accidents in 2007 in McHenry County, IL. In order to prevent serious personal injury, motorcyclists must understand the rules of the road and wear protective gear such as helmets and long sleeves. The article notes that 80 percent of those killed in motorcycle accidents in Illinois were not wearing a helmet. Read the full article with safety tips to avoid a motorcycle accident.

Around 1 a.m. on April 16, a 22-year-old man from Aurora, IL was thrown from his motorcycle and killed. According to a report on Chicago Breaking News, the young man hit the median after losing control of the bike. A driver found him after the motorcycle accident, lying on the road with massive head injuries, and police pronounced him dead at the scene of the crash. The article notes that the motorcyclist was not wearing a helmet, a fact that may have contributed to his brain injury and subsequent death. If you would like to read more about this fatal motorcycle accident, please follow the hyperlink.

State police in Illinois have announced a program that aims to decrease the number of injuries and fatalities as a result of motorcycle accidents. The campaign will be aimed heavily at motorcyclists but will also educate motorists. The most important thing that a motorcyclist can do can is wear a helmet, along with other protective clothing such as long sleeves and boots. Wearing a helmet will help to reduce the risk of traumatic brain injury if a motorcycle accident occurs. Read more about the Illinois safety program to reduce motorcycle accidents by clicking the link.

If you or a loved one have been injured or killed in a motorcycle accident, we encourage you to contact Levin & Perconti at 312-332-2872 to review your case.

A lawsuit has been filed on behalf of a Madison County Illinois man who was injured in a motorcycle accident in 2007. The man was riding on his Harley Davidson motorcycle when a woman driving a car pulled out of a driveway and into the oncoming path of the motorcycle. As a result of this accident, the victim suffered injuries, pain and mental anguish. The lawsuit alleges that the woman was driving too fast and failed to control her vehicle. There is no indication in the referring article that she suffered any serious injuries during the accident.

Full coverage of the motorcycle accident can be found by following the link.

A jury recently awarded $1.85 million to a man who suffered serious injuries as a result of a motorcycle accident. He collided with an automobile after a delivery driver carelessly waved the vehicle into the path of the victim's moving motorcycle. As a result, the victim suffered significant injuries that required several surgeries. The lawsuit was brought against the company that owned the delivery vehicle.

During the trial, the victim’s attorney presented the case in front of a jury who found the company 100% responsible for the motorcyclists’ injuries. The jurors awarded the man for both past and future medical bills, as well as pain and suffering. Please follow the link to read more about this motorcycle accident.

Two separate motorcycle crashes on the North Side stretch of Lake Shore Drive in Chicago left two people dead. The first occurred near Belmont Avenue when a car and motorcycle collided. The 34 year old man was pronounced dead approximately 40 minutes after the crash. About three hours later, a motorcycle traveling in the southbound lanes of Lake Shore Drive near Oak Street scraped the center median which caused the female passenger to be ejected from the bike and thrown into the northbound lanes. Preliminary information indicated that another vehicle may have been involved in the crash, but that car’s role is not immediately known. The 33 year old woman died from injuries she suffered during the crash and was pronounced dead shortly after the crash. The male driver of the motorcycle suffered minor personal injuries and was treated and released. He was not cited for the crash. While both motorcycle crashes are being investigated, no lawsuits have been filed. To read the full story, click here.

A Mokena, Illinois man was killed after he lost control of his motorcycle and crashed near an onramp to Interstate Highway 57 in the south Chicago suburb of Markham. The motorcycle crash occurred early in the morning and the 38-year-old man was riding with another cyclist down 159th Street onto the expressway. The other rider told investigators that he and the man slowed their motorcycles when they saw construction on the highway and he believes the man may have lost control when he was blinded by construction lights. The man’s motorcycle slid on its side into a nearby grassy area. The man was not wearing a helmet and suffered head trauma. He was taken to a nearby hospital and pronounced dead. At this time, no lawsuits have been filed. To read the full story, click here.

An off-duty Chicago police officer was killed in a motorcycle crash in a Chicago south suburb. It seems as if she had lost control of the motorcycle and hit a street sign. The 40 year old victim was taken to the hospital where she was pronounced dead. The motorcycle accident happened at about 3 p.m. The police chief did not know how the motorcycle accident occurred or how fast the bike was traveling but it is believed that she was not wearing a helmet at the time. At this time no lawsuits have been filed. To read the full story, click here.

If you are personally involved in a car accident or witness one, please do the following:
1. Stop your car in a safe, well-lighted public place.
2. Help a person who has suffered injuries from car accident if necessary or requested. Protect the person from traffic, cover the injured person for comfort and to avoid shock. Do not move an injured person unless absolutely necessary. Call 911.
3. Warn other drivers, using flares if available.
4. Ask everyone involved for names, addresses, phone numbers, driver’s license numbers, and license plate numbers.
5. Notify the nearest police station as soon as possible.

For more information.

Individuals on motorcycles are vulnerable to personal injuries in motorcycle accidents. Everyone should practice more caution in sharing the road with motorcycles in Illinois. More than half of motorcycle accidents occur at intersections. Watch for motorcycles and yield the right-of-way. Also, drivers involved in motorcycle accidents often report not seeing the motorcycle or seeing it too late. Include motorcycles in your visual search pattern.

A man was driving his motorcycle east on Chicago Avenue in Naperville, a suburb of Chicago, Illinois, when he struck a vehicle making a left hand turn. The motorcyclist, who was not wearing a helmet, is currently in critical condition after sustaining severe personal injuries. Both the driver and passenger in the struck car did not sustain any personal injuries. Police believe there could have been a second motorcycle involved that may have fled the scene. Police have not as of yet cited the driver for negligent driving or reckless driving. They do not believe speed was a factor in the automobile motorcycle accident and while no charges have been filed, the investigation continues. At this time, there have been no personal injury lawsuits filed, the motorcyclist remains in the hospital with serious personal injuries. To read the full story click here.

Deaths resulting from car accidents went down last year to roughly 51,000 – the lowest level in more than a decade. The fatality rate is 1.37 deaths for every 100 million miles traveled in 2007 was the lowest on record.

Motorcycle accident deaths, on the other hand, increased for the tenth straight year. There were 5,154 motorcycle deaths last year, compared with 4,837 in 2006.

What accounts for the decrease in automobile accidents? Experts theorize higher gas prices and a slowing economy. One expert said “fewer highway deaths is always the silver lining of a down economy.”

For the full article.

A motorcycle accident in Chicago, Illinois occurred when the motorcyclist crashed into another car. The car hit was waiting at an intersection to make a turn when the intersection accident occurred. The driver of the motorcycle was given citations for among several things a DUI; likely a ticket for reckless driving and for negligent driving. The motorcyclist experienced critical injuries and remains in the hospital. To read the full story click here.

A fatal motorbike accident left one youth dead and another critically injured after an accident on Chicago, Illinois’ northwest side. The motorbike crash involved a Suzuki Burgman bike and another car. An unknown citation was given to the driver of the car who claims that she was not a reckless negligent driver and was not at fault. The one youth injured was transported to the hospital with critical serious injuries from the motorbike crash. The crash caused the motorbike to crash through a store window. Workers at the Chicago, Illinois shop were boarding up the windows destroyed by the motorbike crash into windows at the store. To see the full story click here.

A Kentucky man has filed a personal injury lawsuit after a truck accident involving three motorcyclists that cost him his leg. The two other motorcyclists lost their lives in the accident. The surviving motorcyclist is suing for medical expenses related to the motorcycle crash. To date, the injured motorcyclist’s medical expenses are nearing $700,000.

Click here for the full article