Common Types of Motorcycle Accidents

Some crashes leave a rider shaken but mostly fine. Others leave them in an ambulance—or worse. While no two wrecks are exactly alike, certain types happen again and again:

• Left-Turn Collisions – A driver turns left at an intersection without seeing (or bothering to look for) an oncoming motorcycle. These crashes account for nearly 42% of all motorcycle-vehicle accidents, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
• Lane-Change Accidents – A car drifts into another lane without checking its blind spot, sending a motorcycle off the road or into another vehicle.
• Rear-End Collisions – A car slams into the back of a stopped or slowing motorcycle, launching the rider forward. Even at low speeds, these crashes lead to serious injuries.
• Dooring Accidents – A parked driver flings their door open without looking, and a motorcyclist crashes straight into it. Common in tight city streets like Wicker Park and Lincoln Park, where street parking and bike lanes mix.
• Road Hazards and Single-Vehicle Crashes – Loose gravel, potholes, or even a random chunk of debris can throw a motorcycle off balance. Chicago’s famously bad road conditions make these crashes even more common.

Injuries That Change Lives

Unlike car passengers, motorcyclists don’t have seat belts, airbags, or steel frames protecting them. When a crash happens, the road wins every time. Some injuries heal in weeks. Others alter everything about a person’s life.

• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) – A direct hit to the head—even with a helmet—leads to concussions, cognitive problems, or permanent brain damage.
• Spinal Cord Damage – High-impact crashes crush vertebrae, sever nerves, and leave riders with lifelong mobility issues or paralysis.
• Fractured Bones – Broken legs, arms, ribs, and collarbones are common, especially in crashes where a rider is thrown off the bike.
• Road Rash – When skin meets asphalt at high speed, the result isn’t pretty. Severe cases lead to nerve damage and infections.
• Internal Bleeding – Some injuries don’t show up right away but can be just as deadly. A ruptured organ or internal hemorrhage turns into a life-threatening situation fast.

Key Laws That Impact Motorcycle Accident Claims in Chicago

Illinois doesn’t have a universal helmet law, meaning riders aren’t required to wear one. But before skipping it, consider this: if a crash leads to a head injury, insurance companies and opposing lawyers will argue that not wearing a helmet makes the injuries worse—even if the law doesn’t mandate it.

Illinois follows a modified comparative negligence rule (735 ILCS 5/2-1116). If a motorcyclist is found less than 50% responsible for the accident, they can recover damages. If they’re 50% or more at fault, they walk away with nothing. Insurance companies latch onto this rule, twisting the facts to push more blame onto the rider and reduce payouts.

The statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits in Illinois is two years (735 ILCS 5/13-202). If a claim isn’t filed within that window, the chance to recover compensation disappears. However, some exceptions apply, like cases involving minors or injuries that weren’t immediately obvious.

Lane splitting—riding between lanes of stopped or slow-moving traffic—is illegal in Illinois. If an accident happens while lane splitting, the motorcyclist may be considered at fault, which complicates any claim for damages.