The safety benefits of wearing a motorcycle helmet are well-established, and in most places in the United States, there are laws that require many motorcyclists to wear them. Every state in the country has the right to set its own laws regarding motorcycle helmets, so anyone who has recently moved to Illinois or who is traveling through the Prairie State might not be familiar with the legal requirements here.

The motorcycle accident attorneys at Krzak Rundio Gorman, Injury Attorneys want everyone to be safe when sharing the road in Illinois. In this article, we’ll detail Illinois motorcycle helmet laws, the benefits of wearing a helmet, and whether you should consider wearing additional motorcycle safety gear.

According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, (IDOT), there have been 100 fatalities from motorcycle accidents in Illinois as of September 2020. When motorcyclists get into accidents, they are more at risk for suffering fatal injuries because they are more exposed to the force of the blow than an occupant in a car would be.

Looking back to 2018, which has the most recent crash data for the state from the Illinois Department of Transportation, there were around 3,000 motorcycle wrecks and over 2,000 motorcyclists injured in those crashes. From 2016 to 2017, IDOT reported the same percent of motor vehicle accidents for motorcycle accidents, which was 1.1 percent. In 2018, though, that percentage fell to less than 1 percent.

Motorcycles present their riders with a sense of adventure and freedom.  Many riders find it invigorating and enjoyable to get out on the road for a long ride on a weekend.  Some riders like to ride alone, while others prefer to ride in a group.  Other riders enjoy getting out on a nice day to get to and from work.  Unfortunately, the excitement and pure joy that comes with a ride on nice day can turn into a life-changing event in the event of a crash.

Regardless of how safe motorcyclists operate their bikes, the unfortunate fact is they cannot control the other drivers on the road.  A staggering number of motorcycle accidents are caused by drivers in larger vehicles.  If you’ve suffered as a result of another driver’s negligence, our Chicago motorcycle accident lawyers are prepared to vigorously represent you and get you the justice and compensation you deserve.