Chicago Accident Lawyer Blog
Illinois reported 110 fatal motorcycle accidents in nine months in 2008 and 113 in 2009. A high percentage of these fatalities occurred in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) statistics suggest three ways that will reduce motorcycle crashes, injuries and fatalities.
Increase helmet use:Helmets are 37% effective in preventing fatal injuries to motorcycle riders and 41% effective for passengers (NHTSA 2009) In 2008, 41% of motorcycle rider fatalities and 51% of motorcycle passenger fatalities were of riders and passengers who were not wearing a helmet. NHTSA estimates that 823 of these motorcyclists would have lived if they wore a helmet.
Reduce alcohol impairment In 2008, 30% of fatally injured motorcyclists had a blood alcohol concentration above the legal limit of .08 (NHTSA, 2009)
Reduce speed In 2008, 35% of motorcycle riders involved in fatal crashes were speeding and more than half of all motorcycle fatal crashes were single vehicle crashes which suggest that speeding was involved.(NHTSA, 2009)
Of the motorcycle injury cases that the Chicago motorcycle injury lawyers, Zneimer & Zneimer have handled, most involved cars or trucks either making a left turn in front of the motorcyclist or cars coming out from a side street or alley in front of the motorcyclist.