Articles Posted in Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle accidents may not occur more frequently than any other kinds of accidents, but the injuries that result from a motorcycle crash are often more serious and more likely to result in death simply based on the lack of protection a bike provides in a collision. Recently, a left turn accident took the life of a north suburban Cook County man when an SUV turned left in front of his motorcycle at an intersection at Sheridan Road near Michigan Avenue in Wilmette.

A great number of accidents involving motorcycles happen when a car makes a left turn in front of a bike. This may be due to drivers not seeing or perceiving motorcycles on the road as compared to other cars. Drivers involved in a crash often say they did not see the motorcycle. Since motorcycles are so much smaller than cars, drivers may be looking past them in anticipation of seeing other cars. Whatever the case may be, drivers should be mindful that they are sharing the road with riders as well as other cars.

Although it may not be possible to always protect yourself from someone else’s negligence, there are precautions that motorcyclists can take that may help save lives too. Wearing bright colors or reflective clothing can increase the chances that drivers will see a rider. Keeping a bike’s headlight on at all times can also raise a rider’s visibility. Some bikes have automatic day-time running lights. In fact, Illinois law requires motorcycles to have their headlights on while operating. Motorcyclists should also be prepared to sound their horn when they need to get a driver’s attention quickly and to let them know they are there. Reducing accidents in the first place is the best way to avoid injury or death.

A Lake Villa woman has been charged with driving under the influence of drugs and causing death or great bodily harm in relation to a crash that happened last month when she ran her car into a motorcyclist who was riding with his 9-year-old daughter. The rider’s daughter survived but was critically injured. The driver, who reportedly had marijuana, cocaine, opiates and benzodiazepine in her system when the crash happened, is currently being held at the Lake County Jail in lieu of bond.

Motorcycle accident victims can suffer devastating consequences when they are involved in automobile accidents. The Klest Injury Law Firm handles all type of vehicle related personal injury matters including motorcycle accidents. If or a loved one has been injured in a Chicago area motorcycle accident and would like a free consultation, please dial 866-264-7639.

© Joseph G. Klest, 2011.

This morning, a motorcyclist was hospitalized after an accident on the Edens Expressway near Highland Park. According to Highland Park Police officials, the crash occurred around 7 a.m. in the southbound lanes. The rider was taken to Evanston Hospital; however officials have given no word as to the person’s condition.

According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, there were 3,846 motorcycle crashes in the state of Illinois in 2009. In the same year, motorcycle crashes accounted for only 1.3 % or all motor vehicle accidents, but the crashes that resulted in the death of the rider reached 14.3 % of all motor vehicle fatalities in the state. Nearly 82 % of those killed were not wearing a helmet.

If you or someone you know has been injured in a motorcycle accident, please dial 866-264-7639 to speak to an experienced attorney from the Klest Injury Law Firm.

Naperville, IL – A man and a woman riding a motorcycle on Wednesday night in Naperville were hit by a car that drove into oncoming traffic. According to Naperville Police, a 2004 Honda Accord was traveling west on Warrenville Road near Herrick Road at approximately 6:30 p.m. The car crossed the center line colliding with one other car before it hit the motorcycle. The motorcyclists were seriously injured and taken to Edward Hospital in Naperville. Police are currently continuing the investigation.

To speak to an experienced motorcycle accident attorney from the Klest Injury Law Firm dial 866-264-7639 for a free consultation.

© Joseph G. Klest, 2011.

Illinois is one of the few states without a motorcycle helmet law. This means that motorcycle riders throughout the State are not required to wear a helmet while riding regardless of age. According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, 130 riders died as a result of crashes involving motorcycles in 2009. Those 130 people who lost their lives represent over 14% of all motor vehicle fatalities in the State. However, motorcycles account for only about 3% of all registered motor vehicles in Illinois. The Department of Transportation also reported that 82% of riders killed were NOT wearing a helmet.

Nevertheless, under the laws of the State of Illinois, motorcyclists still have a choice as to whether or not to wear a helmet. Making the decision to wear a helmet may save a riders life.

To speak to an experienced motorcycle accident attorney from the Klest Injury Law Firm, dial 866-264-7639 for a free consultation.

A 24 year old man was pronounced dead yesterday from injuries he sustained in an Island Lake, IL, motorcycle accident. The deceased, who has been identified as a Crystal Lake, IL, resident, was struck by an SUV near the intersection of Route 176 and Hale Lane. The motorcycle accident victim was reportedly operating a 2001 Yamaha motorcycle at the aforementioned intersection when a GMC Jimmy SUV that was attempting to make a left turn from 176 onto Hale Ave hit him. The Illinois motorcycle accident occurred around 1:00 p.m. yesterday.

The motorcycle accident victim was rushed to Centegra Hospital with critical injuries. He was pronounced dead at 1:42 by the McHenry County Coroner’s Office. He was reportedly not wearing a helmet at the time of the motorcycle crash. The driver of the SUV was issued a citation by local police for failure to yield. His identity has not been released. Investigators shut down Route 176 for about three and a half hours following the motorcycle crash. Police anticipate toxicology reports from the accident within four to six weeks. The Chicago area motorcycle accident is still under investigation.

If you or someone you know has been involved in a Chicago area motorcycle accident, you should speak with an experienced injury lawyer to preserve crucial evidence and protect your rights. To speak with a Chicago motorcycle lawyer, call our law firm today.

A motorcycle accident on Chicago’s Southwest Side has claimed the life of a Chicago area man. According to reports, 36 year-old Edil Vega was killed early yesterday morning when his motorcycle collided with a vehicle on the Southwest Side. Edil, a resident of Homestead Dr. in Hampshire, IL, was reportedly involved in a high speed collision near the intersection of 55th St. and South Laramie Avenue. The Chicago motorcycle-car accident occurred around 2:30 a.m. early yesterday morning according to Chicago Police News Affairs Officer Amina Green.

The injured motorcyclist was taken to Advocate Christ Hospital in Oak Lawn, IL. He was pronounced dead at 3:58 a.m. according to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office. The driver of the car involved in the accident suffered no injuries. Further details regarding the Illinois motorcycle accident are not available at this time.

Operating a motorcycle can be extremely dangerous, especially on busy Chicago expressways. Motorcycle accident victims can suffer devastating consequences when they are involved in accidents with automobiles. The Klest Law Firm handles all type of vehicle related personal injury matters including motorcycle accidents. If or a loved one has been injured in a Chicago area motorcycle accident and would like a free consultation, please call us today.

A suburban Chicago husband and wife were killed Monday night when their motorcycle was hit by a vehicle. The deadly motorcycle accident occurred near West Dundee and North Quentin roads in Palatine, IL. According to reports, the car was leaving a gas station on the southwest corner of the intersection when it collided with the motorcycle. The couple was rushed to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, IL. Michael Kelm, a 65 year old resident of the 100 block of Weymouth Lane in Schaumburg, IL, was subsequently pronounced dead at 2:26 p.m. according to the Cook County Medical Examiners Examiner’s Office. His wife, 54 year old Susan Kelm of the same address, was pronounced dead at the same hospital at 3:46 p.m.

The woman driver of the vehicle was issued a citation for failure to yield according to the Cook County sheriff’s police. The tragic Chicago vehicle crash is still under investigation. The accident occurred in unincorporated Cook County.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident and would like to speak to an attorney, call us for a free consultation.

The Memorial Day weekend turned out to be a deadly one for Chicago area motorcyclists as three separate accidents resulted in six deaths. The largest of the three accidents occurred in South Suburban Oak Forest. According to police, a southbound biker entered an emergency turnaround on Interstate 57 near the 185th Street exit on Saturday night. The motorcyclist reportedly turned around to go back north at which point three other northbound bikers crashed into the motorcyclist. The accident claimed the lives of 47 year-old Michael Adams of Kankakee, IL, 34 year-old Sean Darke of the South Side of Chicago, and 20 year-old passenger Brianna Moore of Calumet City. The biker that attempted to make the northbound turn survived the tragic accident and received two traffic citations. Another biker was listed in critical condition and two more in stable condition following the Chicago expressway accident.

Just twelve hours earlier Wade and Denise Thomas of St. Charles, IL, were killed when their motorcycle was struck in a chain reaction vehicle accident in Elburn, IL. That accident involved three vehicles and six motorcyclists.

A third Chicago area motorcycle accident claimed the life of 30 year old Martez Nile when he crashed his motorcycle at Dalton Avenue and Crandon Road in Calumet City yesterday. Details of the motorcycle crash have not yet been released.

The accident that caused his death occurred when the driver of 2003 Subaru ran a stop sign at the intersection of Addison and Osceola.
Boria was taken to Lutheran General Hospital in Park ridge where he was pronounced dead.

Increasingly drivers are distracted by their cell phones. If a wrongful death claim is brought for John’s death the Subaru driver’s cell phone records should be subpoenad to determine if cell phone use was a contributing factor. There should also be an investigation of the scene to see if brush overgrowth or other factors may have obstructed the driver’s view of the stop sign.
Continue reading