Motorcyclist Injured In Decatur Car Accident By West Harrison Avenue and Private Street
Automobile Accidents - July 11, 2022
Motorcycle Rider Injured In Decatur Car Accident Involving Pickup Truck Near The Intersection of West Harrison Avenue and Private Street
DECATUR, ILLINOIS (July 10, 2022) – A motorcyclist was injured in a Decatur car accident with a pickup truck by the intersection of West Harrison Avenue and Private Street.
Macon County police officials are saying that the accident took place around 7:00 a.m. on Thursday. A motorcyclist was heading down the road when the driver of a pickup truck turned directly in front of him into a business.
The driver of the motorcycle was not able to avoid the collision and hit the front passenger side of the truck. Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene of the collision in order to help the victim.
He was taken to a hospital with serious injuries but is expected to survive. Police interviewed the driver of the pickup truck who remained at the scene.
Liability In Decatur Pickup Truck Accidents
Motorcyclists are uniquely vulnerable in car accidents. They lack the protection of enclosed vehicles and are more likely to be overlooked due to their small size. According to the National Safety Council, “Over the last 10 years, deaths have increased 20% while death rates have increased 27%. The number of motorcycle fatalities now stands at 5,579 and the rate is 31.64 per 100 million vehicle miles.” There are a number of factors that could potentially contribute to a car accident.
- Many accidents are due to drivers that are intoxicated.
- Accidents are more likely to take place at night or during the early morning hours.
- Nearly 1/3 of fatal motorcycle collisions involves an intoxicated driver.
Every driver has a legal obligation to exercise due care in order to avoid collisions. Many car accidents are due to drivers that make dangerous left turns. Pursuant to Illinois Vehicle Code (625 ILCS 5/11-902), the driver of any vehicle intending to make a left hand turn must first yield the right of way to all traffic that is approaching from the opposite direction and close enough to pose a hazard. If the driver of a pickup truck made an abrupt left turn in front of a motorcyclist, this could form the basis of a negligence claim.
Depending on the facts of any case, liability for a motorcycle accident could extend beyond any driver. Pickup trucks are often used for commercial purposes. If the driver of a pickup truck was working at the time of a collision, their employer could potentially be held at fault. Companies are typically liable for the wrongful acts of their employees who are working within the course and scope of their job duties. For example, a pickup truck driver may have been transporting materials. Victims of motorcycle accidents tend to suffer very serious and costly injuries including:
- Broken bones
- Head injuries
- Lacerations
- Spinal cord injuries
Any person that is injured in a motorcycle accident may have legal recourse through a bodily injury claim. Damages in a civil claim can help cover lost wages, medical bills and pain and suffering. Sadly, though, insurance companies will often fight extremely hard to deny responsibility for any collision. A motorcycle accident attorney can examine all of the unique facts of your case and let you know what your legal options are.
Investigating A Macon County Pickup Truck Accident
We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our best wishes to the motorcyclist injured in this collision. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to police. There needs to be a thorough investigation for the sake of the victim.
Have you or someone that you care about been injured in a Decatur car accident? Our team of motorcycle accident attorneys are here to answer any questions that you may have. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected. Whether you just have legal questions or need more information about an accident we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.
