Motorcycle Rider Safety

As discussed on the “Illinois Motorcycle Safety And Helmet Use” page, one of the best ways to avoid serious brain injuries that can result from motorcycle crashes is to wear a motorcycle helmet.  Traumatic brain injuries range in severity and impact on one’s health.  Due to the speeds at which motorcycle accidents typically occur, as well as other common characteristics of motorcycle crashes, head trauma resulting from motorcycle accidents typically is serious in nature, and can cause fatal injuries.

As mentioned on the “Motorcycle Helmets – Notable Aspects” page, not all motorcycle helmets can be relied upon to provide adequate protection against brain injuries during a crash.  There are “unsafe helmets” that, for various reasons, likely will not provide the level of protection needed to prevent brain injuries or otherwise lessen the severity of any head impact.

A recent lawsuit alleges that a helmet sold was deficient and failed to provide adequate protection during a crash.  The lawsuit is discussed in a variety of media sources, including the October 9, 2018 bnd.com article titled “Illinois motorcyclist sues helmet store, company after crash” as well as the August 31 Madison Record article titled “Motorcyclist alleges injuries from defective helmet.”

An excerpt from the bnd.com article, mentioning the motorcyclist (plaintiff) Joseph Richards of Alton:

Richards was in an accident Sept. 24, 2016 when his motorcycle collided with a pickup truck on Broadway Street in Alton. According to the suit, Richards suffered head injuries from the accident that should have been protected by the helmet. He says his medical bills from the accident cost him more than $100,000.

His injuries were described as permanent, disfiguring and painful in the lawsuit.

The suit states Richards’ injuries were a direct result of the negligence exhibited by both Daytona Helmets and Freaky Nick’s during the manufacturing and the sale of the helmet.

Additional details regarding helmets as a way to prevent brain injuries can be seen in the sources mentioned above.

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High-speed motorcycle riding often occurs in Illinois.  This high-speed riding appears to be among the most common forms of high-risk riding.  Other high-risk actions include doing “wheelies” and other types of stunt riding.  Various types of high-risk riding is further discussed on the “High-Risk Motorcyclist Actions” page.

Riding at excessive speeds is especially hazardous as it can lead to a loss of motorcycle control, which often results in a crash.  As seen in the motorcycle accidents discussed on this site, a high-speed crash often leads to life-threatening injuries that can result in a fatality.

The Daily Herald article of June 22, 2018 titled “1-year motorcycle ban for St. Charles man in 143 mph chase posted on YouTube” discusses a July 2017 incident in St. Charles in which a motorcyclist was arrested after eluding police.  The motorcyclist at one point was said to be riding 143 mph on Randall Road.

An excerpt from the article:

A 24-year-old man who was arrested after posting a YouTube video showing him going 143 mph on his motorcycle while evading St. Charles police, pleaded guilty Friday to a reduced charge and was sentenced to a form of probation and banned from riding for a year.

Brian A. Bianco, of the 36W600 block of Oak Road near St. Charles, was arrested in July 2017 and charged with three felony counts of fleeing and eluding police, along with a misdemeanor charge of disobeying a police officer.

also:

On Friday, Kane County prosecutors dismissed the most severe charges in exchange for Bianco pleading guilty to reckless driving, a misdemeanor, court records show.

Additional information concerning high-speed motorcycle riding can be seen in the sources mentioned above.

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Motorcyclist safety continues to be a concern, given the number of Illinois motorcycle accidents that annually occur.  As seen in statistics provided by the Illinois Department of Transportation, in the year 2017 there were 162 motorcycle accident fatalities.  In addition to fatal motorcycle accidents, there are many motorcycle accidents that have led to serious injuries, including those that have caused various types of permanent impairments and disabilities.  There are a broad range of injuries that can cause these impairments and disabilities.  Among the most serious type of injuries that can result from a motorcycle crash is a head injury.  While such head injuries vary in severity and health impact, any significant blow to the head has the potential to have serious health consequences and they can be life-threatening in nature.

The NewsTribune published a May 10, 2018 concerning motorcyclist safety, titled “Motorcycle crashes are down, fatalities aren’t.”  The article discusses various aspects of motorcycle rider safety, and features insights from both the Illinois Department of Transportation as well as ABATE.  Illinois motorcycle accident statistics, both nonfatal and fatal, since the year 2004 are shown.

Among the topics discussed in the article are the dangers posed by distracted drivers and motorcycle riding while intoxicated.  Another topic is motorist awareness of motorcycles, which is impacted by the seasonal nature of Illinois motorcycle riding.  Additional details can be seen in the article.

On this site, there are extensive discussions regarding motorcyclist safety.  Among the discussions on how to avoid motorcycle accidents are the “Ways To Avoid Motorcycle Accidents And Injuries” as well as the “High Risk Motorcyclist Actions” pages.

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Motorcycle rider safety has been discussed often on this site.

The May 3, 2018 fox2now.com article (with video) titled “Authorities warn drivers to be aware of motorcyclists hitting the road” discusses various aspects of safety for the motorcyclist, as well as mention statistics.

An excerpt:

May is Motorcycle Awareness Month, a time to remind all motorists to pay attention.

Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner, a rider himself, said 162 motorcyclists died in crashes in Illinois last year.

“Motorcycles are not easy to see,” Rauner said. “They don’t have the size or mass of cars and trucks, so please be aware, cautious, and careful.”

Another factor with regard to motorcycle rider safety that is mentioned in the article:

As spring hits, it is usually the most dangerous time for motorcyclists because people haven’t seen bikes out on the road since winter began.

There are many reasons why early-season motorcycle travel can be more dangerous than that done later in the riding season.  Various reasons are discussed on the “Early-Season Motorcycle Riding Safety Issues” page.

Additional details regarding these motorcycle rider safety topics can be seen in the sources mentioned above.

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With the main Illinois motorcycle riding season approaching, there are a variety of motorcycle riding safety issues that should be considered.

Riding early in the Illinois season presents a variety of factors that may adversely impact the ability to safety ride a motorcycle.  These factors are discussed on the “Early-Season Motorcycle Riding Safety Issues” page.

Other issues should be considered as well.  The Kane County Connects post of April 18, 2018 titled “To Prevent Fatal Crashes, IDOT, ISP Offer Free Motorcycle Training Courses” discusses various other methods to increase safety.

As seen in the post, “Kane County saw at least seven fatal motorcycle crashes in 2016.”

The post mentions motorcycle training courses, which have been previously mentioned on this site.

Other recommendations from the post:

Riders should protect themselves by wearing personal protective gear on every ride. This includes high-visibility (Hi-Viz) clothing, eye protection, gloves, jackets, pants, boots and a U.S. DOT-approved helmet.

Additionally, riders should never drink and ride. Drinking alcohol reduces reaction times, increases fatigue and leads to poor judgment.

One-third of all motorcycle fatalities in Illinois involve rider impairment.

While wearing a motorcycle helmet is not required by Illinois law, there are many benefits to wearing a helmet while riding.  The safety benefits of wearing a motorcycle helmet are further discussed on the “Illinois Motorcycle Safety And Helmet Use” page.  As discussed on that page, motorcycle helmets substantially reduce head injuries, which often prove to be fatal in motorcycle accidents.  For serious traumatic brain injuries that are not fatal, a range of substantial temporary and long-term impairments can occur.  Long-term impairments can be life-altering in nature and can require substantial amount of ongoing health care and rehabilitation.

Additional details regarding these Illinois motorcycle riding safety issues can be seen in the sources mentioned above.

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