What Causes Most Fatal Motorcycle Accidents in Illinois?

 Posted on June 22, 2025 in Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle riders in Illinois face dangers that can lead to devastating or fatal outcomes on the road, especially considering their vulnerability to severe injuries. An experienced Chicago motorcycle accident attorney understands how even a moment of driver inattention or unsafe road design can lead to tragedy. Whether the crash occurs on a busy highway or in a quiet suburb, many fatal motorcycle accidents share common causes.

Common Causes of Deadly Motorcycle Accidents in Illinois

While every crash has unique circumstances, certain patterns appear often in fatal motorcycle collisions across Illinois. Consider some common causes.

Left-Turn Collisions

One of the most dangerous scenarios for a motorcyclist is when a car turns left in front of them at an intersection. Drivers often misjudge a motorcycle’s speed or fail to see it entirely. Illinois law under 625 ILCS 5/11-902 requires drivers turning left to yield to oncoming traffic. Violating that law can have catastrophic consequences. For example, a 24-year-old rider was killed in Buffalo Grove in June 2025 after a driver allegedly made a left turn into his path.

Failure to Yield or Check Blind Spots

Many crashes occur when a driver fails to yield while changing lanes or entering a roadway. This can easily result in a side-swipe or direct collision with a motorcycle. Every driver in Illinois has a duty under 625 ILCS 5/11-1003.1 to exercise due care in order to avoid colliding with any vehicle that shares the roadway, including motorcycles.

Speed and Sudden Stops

Motorcycles are lightweight and can stop faster than larger vehicles. However, they are also more vulnerable when other drivers slam on the brakes or tailgate them. Fatal rear-end collisions are not uncommon on highways. For example, just a few months ago in March 2025, a fatal crash on the Stevenson Expressway near Damen Avenue involved a rider getting hit after stopping in a travel lane.

Impaired or Distracted Drivers

Impairment by alcohol is a factor in more than 40 percent of fatal motorcycle accidents in Illinois, and reckless or distracted driving, such as texting or tailgating, is also a major cause. In another tragic example, a motorcyclist on I-55 in Woodridge lost control and was then fatally struck in a multiple-vehicle crash during the early morning hours of April 23, 2024. 

Does Illinois Law Require Motorcyclists to Wear Helmets?

Illinois does not have a helmet law for adult riders, even though helmets are proven to reduce head trauma and fatalities. However, a rider’s decision not to wear a helmet could affect the outcome of a personal injury or wrongful death case because of Illinois’s modified comparative fault rules, which limit recovery of damages for an injured party if they are found to be more than 50 percent at fault for the accident. Talk to your attorney if you have concerns about how the rider’s role in the crash could impact your claim.

Contact a Chicago, IL Motorcycle Accident Attorney for a Free Consultation

If you were injured or lost a loved one in a severe motorcycle accident, the experienced Chicago motorcycle accident lawyers at Winters Salzetta O'Brien & Richardson, LLC will advocate for you and fight for your right to fair compensation. These cases often have severe physical, mental, and financial implications. Call 312-236-6324 today for a free consultation and find out how we can help you take the next step.