Motorcycle and Scooter Accident Attorneys

Motorcyclists and scooter drivers are 35 times more likely to be involved in a traffic accident than drivers of other passenger vehicles or trucks, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NTHSA). One of the primary reasons for this is that it doesn’t take much for these two-wheel vehicles to become difficult to control and succumb to a crash; for example, elements as small as extra gravel in the road, small pools of water or small potholes can trigger motorcycle and scooter crashes.

When a motorcycle or scooter accident occurs, the injuries sustained by the rider are far more likely to be serious and devastating than those sustained by drivers of other vehicles due to:

• The light weight of motorcycles and scooters, as compared to other passenger vehicles or even commercial trucks on the road
• The lack of protection from the elements that motorcycles and scooters provide
• The lack of safety equipment that can come into action in the event of a scooter or motorcycle accident (Such equipment, for example, includes seat belts and air bags, both of which are standard in passenger vehicles but not part of motorcycle or scooter equipment.) 

Types of Scooter and Motorcycle Accidents

Some of the most common types of scooter and motorcycle accidents include:

• Construction zone accidents
• Rear-end collisions
• Lane sharing and lane splitting accidents
• Left-hand turn collisions
• Intersection crashes

Causes of Scooter and Motorcycle Accidents

While some instances of scooter and motorcycle accidents don’t involve other drivers (such as in cases when debris or animals in the roads causes motorcycle accidents or when weather conditions cause icy roadways that lead to motorcycle accidents), in many cases, the other drivers are involved in these collisions, which can increase the likelihood that negligence or recklessness played a role in causing (or worsening) the crash. Examples of another driver’s negligence or recklessness causing scooter or motorcycle accidents include (but are not limited to):

• Driving while intoxicated with alcohol and/or drugs (even if those drugs are prescription or over-the-counter medications)
• Driving while fatigued, which can be as risky as drunk driving
• Driving vehicles with faulty equipment or that have not been properly maintained, which could increase the risk of problems like brake failure or broken indicators
• Driving while talking on cellphones, trying to use vehicle GPS systems or succumbing to other distractions that take the focus off of the road
• Driving without the proper safety training (which can be a particularly important concern when it comes to motorcycle accidents involve commercial truck drivers)
• Speeding, failing to use blinkers when changing lanes, running red lights or otherwise failing to comply with essential traffic laws

At the law firm of Hassakis & Hassakis, P.C., our experienced Mount Vernon motorcycle accident lawyers have been providing client-centered representation to our Southern Illinois clients since 1950. Our trusted attorneys focus on our clients’ needs, and we do everything we can to help them get the maximum possible compensation for their injuries so they can focus on recovery and moving on with their life. If you or a loved one has sustained any type of injury due to a motorcycle accident, contact us by calling (800)-553-3125 for a free, thorough assessment of your case, along with professional advice regarding the best manner in which to move forward.