Missouri has thousands of dedicated motorcyclists.  Unfortunately, approximately 100 of those die in motorcycle accidents every year on Missouri's roads.  Nationally, there were approximately 7.1 million motorcycles in use on America's roads in 2007.  That same year, 123,000 motorcycles were involved in crashes with 5,145 fatalities.  This is the highest level of motorcycle deaths since the Department of Transportation began collecting data in 1975 and the tenth year in a row that motorcycle fatalities have increased.  Interestingly, the biggest jump in fatalities has been motorcyclists over the age of 40.

By its very nature, driving a motorcycle is dangerous, leaving motorcyclists at greater risk for serious personal injury  than other motorists.  Those who have been involved in Missouri motorcycle accidents may face broken bones and other serious injuries, such as:

• burn injuries
• brain injuries
• spinal cord injuries

If you are injured in a Missouri motorcycle accident, you may have concerns about how your medical bills will be paid, whether you can collect your lost wages, whether you will be able to do your job and are likely concerned about future wages.  If a loved one has suffered injuries in a motorcycle accident, you may be facing long-term care issues as well.  With these stressors, you don't want to have to deal with insurance adjusters who will work hard to make sure you receive as little money as possible for your injuries.  If you or a family member has been seriously injured in a motorcycle accident, our Missouri motorcycle accident lawyer  will protect your legal rights.

Why Do Motorcycle Accidents Happen?

The U.S. Highway Safety Authority reported that motorcyclists are 209% more likely to be in a fatal crash than accidents involving passenger cars. Why the large disparity between motorcycles and other motor vehicles? Motorcycle collisions often occur because motorcycles, by their very nature, are smaller and more difficult to be seen. Statistics show that many collisions involving motorcycles are the fault of the other driver involved because they were not paying attention and failed to the the motorcyclists.

Too many accidents happen when motorists changing lanes fail to see the smaller motorcycle. Even low speed impact collisions can cause serious injuries to the motorcyclists.

Since there are so many laws that are specific to motorcycle accidents, it is important that those injured while riding a motorcycle contact a Missouri motorcycle accident attorney to help you with your legal claim and make sure that you are not taken advantage of by the insurance company.

Helmet vs. No Helmet: Missouri's On-Going Debate

Safety. Freedom of choice. These are two of the key arguments involved in the national debate over whether motorcyclists should wear helmets. Those who advocate for mandatory helmet laws argue that motorcyclists should wear helmets to protect against brain injuries in the event of an accident or hitting the ground. Helmet advocates also state that the cost of medical care for those who have suffered brain injuries while not wearing a helmet often falls on the taxpayers. If the Missouri state legislature can require motorists to wear seat belts in their cars, they argue, so too should motorcyclists be forced to wear helmets.

Many motorcyclists who argue against wearing helmets say that helmets actually do more harm than good. Unlike modern seat belts that provide certain and identifiable benefits, they argue that helmets actually impair the motorcycle driver's vision and hearing, making it more likely for an accident. Others argue that the weight of the helmets actually increase spine and neck injuries.

Current Missouri law requires all motorcycle riders to wear helmets. In 2009, the Missouri House of Representatives passed Senate Bill 202 that would have repealed the mandate that all motorcyclists wear helmets. The new law would have allowed motorcycle riders or drivers over the age of 21 to not use helmets on Missouri highways, with the exception of interstates. However, Missouri Governor Jay Nixon vetoed the bill on July 2, 2009. Governor Nixon's veto certainly insures that Missouri's helmet law will remain unchanged for the near future but will likely do nothing to prevent future challenges.

Helmet vs. No Helmet: The Law in Illinois

Illinois has no law mandating the use of helmets while driving or riding motorcycles. The last challenge was in April 2009 when the Illinois Senate voted on Senate Bill 1351 that would have required motorcyclists to wear helmets. The bill was defeated overwhelmingly.

Motorcycle Accident Statistics

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration funded an extensive motorcycle accident study referred to as the Motorcycle Accident Cause Factors and Identification of Countermeasures. This study is often referred to as the Hurt Study after lead researcher Harry Hurt. Here are many of the conclusions reached by this study:

• Most accidents involving motorcycles happen because motorists do not see the motorcyclist.
• 77% of two vehicle accidents occur in the 10, 11, 12, 1, and 2 o'clock positions of the motorcycle. Rear-ed impact accidents where the motorcycle hits the back of another motor vehicle occurs on only about 3% of accidents.
• Two-thirds of the accidents involving multiple vehicles, the driver of the other vehicle violated the motorcyclists right-of-way, causing the accident.
• Most motorcycle accidents occur on short trips, very close to the point of origin.
• 92% of motorcyclists involved in accidents received no formal training; rather they were self-taught or learned from family or friends.
• Lack of attention to the driving task is a common factor for the motorcyclist in an accident.
• 73% of the accident-involved motorcycle riders used no eye protection and it is likely that the wind on the unprotected eyes contributed in impairment of vision, which delayed hazard detection.

For more Motorcycle Accident Statistics, go here:

Illinois Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Our Illinois motorcycle accident lawyer  can help you if you have been involved in a motorcycle collision in Rockford, Peoria, Springfield, Chicago, Belleville, Cairo, Anna, or anywhere in between. The Terry Law Firm  has the experience necessary to help those injured through no fault of their own while driving or riding a motorcycle.

Additional Resources for Motorcycle Accidents