Some collisions cause disparate damage to the vehicles involved, depending on the point of impact, the speed of the vehicles, and the nature of the crash. In contrast, head-on collisions tend to cause substantial damage to all vehicles involved whether they are cars, trucks, or motorcycles.
Head-on impacts occur when the front ends of two vehicles collide. In many cases, these accidents stem from a lane departure or a road departure incident where one vehicle veers from an intended trajectory and causes a crash. In other cases, head-on collisions occur at an intersection where vehicles traveling in opposite directions may occupy the same portion of the road, though they should be there at different times.
Head-On Motorcycle Accidents in Chicago
In 2012 alone, there were 897 head-on accidents that caused injuries and 96 head-on collisions that proved fatal. Some of these collisions involved motorcycle riders who are much less protected than their counterparts in passenger vehicles. The dangerous nature of a head-on collision combined with the limited safety devices and protection of a motorcycle means that these are some of the most dangerous accidents that occur in Illinois.
Head-on collisions involving motorcyclists often start by a motorcyclist who is simply riding straight ahead on a road, street, or expressway. In all of the motorcycle-related collisions in 2012, more than half of them occurred while the biker was riding forward.
Head-on crashes can involve two motorcycles, a motorcycle and a passenger vehicle, a motorcycle and a bus, truck, or van, or even a motorcycle and a train. Regardless of the second vehicle involved, the biker is almost always injured in these crashes with injuries ranging from cuts and lacerations to broken bones to even death. Others involved in these crashes may be harmed as well and may require medical assistance.
Head-on collisions are disproportionately responsible for fatalities in Chicago and across the rest of the state. While head-on crashes are relatively uncommon compared to rear-end accidents, they are much more deadly. This holds true when a motorcyclist is involved in a head-on crash as well. Bikers are more likely to survive a rear-end crash or a clipping incident than they are a head-on collision due in part to the forces involved.
Head-on bike collisions do not occur solely in Chicago, though. In fact, a common setting for a head-on crash is a two lane road or highway with a fast speed limit. In these areas, which are often lightly populated, motorists may be lulled into a sense of safety by thin or nonexistent traffic. This can lead to a driver’s mind wandering and his or her focus diverting away from the road. Motorcycles can be more difficult to see than other cars due to their small size and therefore a driver who is not paying attention may not notice a bike until it is upon him. If that driver is not careful to remain in the designated lane of traffic, the vehicle may cross the center dividing line, setting up a head-on collision that may occur at a high rate of speed. With greater speed comes greater force and, at times, larger injuries, though large injuries can result even from low speed collisions.
Legal Options for Head-On Collision Victims
Victims of motorcycle accidents do not have to suffer silently as they try to piece together their lives again. Instead, the laws of Illinois and Chicago enable these victims to seek relief for their damage from any and all responsible parties, whether it is an at-fault driver, an at-fault biker, or even the employer of a driver who is on-the-job at the time of a crash.
The personal injury lawyers at Abels & Annes, P.C. believe in fighting for the rights of those who have been hurt in accidents, including motorcycle collisions. We offer a free case consultation to all victims who contact us toll free at (855) LAW-CHICAGO (529-2442) or locally at (312) 924-7575 and we offer it without any obligation. If you prefer to meet with us in person but you are too injured to travel to our offices, we also offer free in-home and in-hospital consultations so that you can get the answers you deserve, whenever you need them.
If you have been hurt in an accident, do not continue to suffer as your medical bills add up and your pain and suffering continues. Call Abels & Annes, P.C. and let us fight for your rights.
If you have been hurt in a head-on motorcycle accident in Chicago, call us toll free at (855) LAW-CHICAGO or Contact Us online for a free consultation.