Motorcycle Accidents

motorcycle tipped over on a curb with a motorcycle helmet lying on the road in the foreground

Motorcyclists are significantly more likely than car and truck passengers to suffer an injury or a fatality when in an accident, especially when not wearing a helmet. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration ("NHTSA"), "[m]otorcycle riders continue to be overrepresented in fatal traffic crashes," representing approximately 14 percent of all traffic-related deaths each year, but only 3% of drivers on the road."

Motorcycle accidents can cause blunt trauma to a person's head and neck, and can lead to temporary or permanent damage or pain in the muscles, tendons, ligaments, bones, nerves of the upper back and neck, and/or spinal cord. Spinal cord damage can cause partial or total paralysis.

If you end up hurt in a motorcycle accident in Illinois, it's a good idea to 1) call police and get a report; 2) take photos of the accident and your injuries, if it's safe to do so; 3) exchange contact information with the other driver if you feel comfortable; 4) get medical attention immediately; and 5) stop worryin', call GURIAN. It's important to get medical attention whether you feel hurt or not.

Even if you can't see an injury, it might be there and the adrenaline from a motorcycle accident could mask the pain for hours or even days sometimes. According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, "Medical treatment provided shortly after a severe injury crash greatly increases the chance of survivability of serious injuries."