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Motorcycle Crashes

Motorcycle riders face especially difficult challenges in operating -- both on the road and in the legal system.  Every year, thousands of motorcycle riders are hit by drivers of cars or trucks who simply do not see the motorcyclist.  Once their cases get to court, they must face skeptical juries who often wrongly perceive motorcycle riders as risk-takers and daredevils.

On the road, motorists frequently give riders less respect than they give to other vehicles, even though the great majority of riders go out of their way to exercise safe driving habits.  Why do riders often drive as safely, if not more so, than vehicle drivers? Because they're all too aware of the serious consequences to themselves of having an accident with another vehicle.

Because of their strong sense of community with each other, riders often learn when one of their community has been seriously injured in a crash. Head injuries, fractures, serious disfigurement, and death are all too common consequences of motorcycle crashes. The risks of being involved in a crash are serious, and as a consequence, riders are on the whole very careful on the road.

Special challenges in presenting motorcycle cases

• Making a jury understand how a motorcycle works and what a rider must do to operate it safely
• Making a jury understand the special obligations that motorists have to respect the rights of riders to use the road
• Demonstrating the severity of the kinds of injuries that riders suffer in accidents - the term "road rash" does not properly capture just how awful these injuries are

In short, riders deserve experienced representation from an attorney who understands the special nature of motorcycle accidents.  The Chicago motorcyle carsh lawyers at the Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. stand ready to help injured motorcycle riders and their families in dealing with the special challenges presented in motorcycle accident lawsuits.

Blog for Motorcycle Crashes

• Car pulling out of restaurant parking lot hits motorcycle
• Motorcyclist hit by prescription drug user
• Truck driver faces negligent hommicide charges in death of motorcyclist
• School bus driver faces manslaughter charge in death of motorcyclist
• Another fatal failure to yield motorcycle accident
• $1 million settlement in motorycle accident suit
• Philly area husband and wife each lose leg in motorcycle crash
• Blind driver kills motorcyclist
• Motorcyclist killed on way to see delivery of his child
• Road construction projects pose special hazard for motorcycle riders
• Texas motorcycle rider killed by driver reading text message
• It's not just cars that fail to yield the right-of-way to motorcycles
• Motorcycle safety expert, author of Hurt Report dies at 81
• Motorcyclist loses leg after being struck by loose tire
• Defense lawyer blames motorcyclist for laying the bike down
• Motorcyclist killed by driver pulling out of parking lot
• Michigan rider severely injured in crash
• Motorcycle rider killed in crash with dog
• Crash with tractor claims life of motorcyclist
• $7 million settlement for motorcycle accident
• Wrongful death motorcycle accident on Northwest Side
• Schaumburg couple killed in Palatine motorcycle crash
• Passing dump truck hits motorcycle
• Motorcyclists from Illinois in accident in New York
• Motorcycle rider lays bike down
• Headlight Modulator recommended as hedge against motorcycle accidents
• Failure to yield a depresing common thread in motorcycle accidents last week
• Sun Times reporting motorcycle accidents on the rise
• Sangamon County Sheriff believes motorcycle accidents on the rise
• Pecatonica man riding motorcycle killed by left turning semi
• Common thread unites two serious motorcycle accidents across the country
• Motorcycle rider killed by left-turning SUV
• Motorcyclist killed in head-on collision
• Hog Rock River Rally motorcycle accident kills two, injures four more
• Motorcycle crash seriously injures one in Rockford
• Several fatal motorcycle accidents over Memorial Day holiday
• Rear end accident pushes car in front of motoryclists
• I-57 motorcycle crash kills two, injures two more
• Buffalo Grove motorcyclist killed in accident
• Rockford TV station addresses motorcycle insurance issues
• Teen "blacks out" and hits couple on motorcycle
• Fatal Rockford motorcycle accident
• Motorcyclist killed in accident with tractor trailer
• Scooter rider hit by left-turning vehicle

Library for Motorcycle Crashes:

• Motorcycle Accident Suits Are Not Car Accident Suits   
  Description: There are key differences between a motorcycle accident suit and a car accident suit that make a big difference in how a motorcycle accident suit should be presented to a jury to help assure that the injured rider receives maximum compensation for his injuries.
• Tips from Motorcycle Safety Foundation [PDF]   
  Description: The Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle is pleased to supply motorcycle riders with safety tips published by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. We hope that these tips help prevent future motorcycle crashes.

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Frequent Questions for Motorcycle Crashes:

• What is the statute of limitations for an Illinois motorcycle accident case?

Web Resources for Motorcycle Crashes:

• National Association of State Motorcycle Safety Administrators

  Description: National organization which promotes the "Start Seeing Motorcyclists" safety campaign

• Hurt Report -- study of causes of motorcycle crashes

  Description: In 1981, the seminal study on the causes of motorcycle accidents was published. Known as the Hurt report, it showed that the leading cause of multi-vehicle crashes involving motorcycles was the failure of the driver of the passenger vehicle to see the motorcycle and yield the right of way.

• NTHSA Guide to Identifying Unsafe Motorcycle Helmets

  Description: Use of a safe helmet can reduce the chances of death or brain injury in the event of a motorcycle accident.

• Motorcycle Safety Foundation

  Description: National group promoting motorcycle rider training and motorcycle accident prevention.

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The Law Offices of
Barry G. Doyle, P.C.
100 W Monroe St.,
Ste 2100
Chicago, IL 60603

Phone: 312.263.1080
Fax: 312.263.0153

Proudly Serving Many Illinois Cities and Counties, Including:
Chicago, Aurora, Rockford, Naperville, Joliet, Waukegan, Geneva, Sycamore, Woodstock, Kankakee, Morris, Ottawa; Cook, DuPage, Will, Lake, Winnebago, DeKalb, McHenry, Kankakee, Grundy, LaSalle, Peoria, McLean, Champaign, Tazewell Counties

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