Oak Lawn Motorcycle Laws

There are many factors that contribute to motorcycle accidents. Motorcycles are much smaller and less visible. They also have faster acceleration and different handling capabilities. Finally, there is not much protection between the driver and the road. For these reasons, motorcycle accidents are different than car accidents. It is essential to consult with a skilled motorcycle accident lawyer who has experience handling motorbike crash cases.

A seasoned attorney could explain the Oak Lawn motorcycle laws and how it relates to your case. With the help of an experienced attorney, you may be eligible to recover compensation for your damages.

What Type of License Are Motorcyclists Required to Have in Oak Lawn?

Under Oak Lawn motorcycle laws, an individual must have the proper type of driver’s license in order to drive a motorcycle. The state of Illinois requires people to pass a separate driving test for a bike. When someone gets their driver’s license, it allows them to operate motor vehicles. However, they need a special license to operate trucks, commercial vehicles, and motorcycles. If they pass the motorcycle test, the state of Illinois will give them a license which allows them to operate a motorcycle.

Limitations of the Instructional Motorcycle Permit

The age to obtain a motorcycle license is the same as the age to obtain a license to drive a car. Motorcyclists must be 16 years old to obtain a license. However, there are numerous restrictions for individuals who first get their license. These restrictions are also applicable to motorcycles as well.

When someone is under 16 years old, they can obtain a learner’s permit. This allows them to drive a car if they are supervised by an adult. With a motorcycle license, there is no beginner’s permit. Since most motorcycles are ridden individually, there is no opportunity for a parent to drive a bike with their child. Therefore, an individual must be above the age of 16 and pass the driving test to obtain a motorcycle license.

Role of Helmets

A motorcycle helmet is a safety device, and it is always best to wear one while riding on a motorcycle. However, the law does not require someone to wear a motorcycle helmet. If they choose to ride a motorcycle without a helmet and an accident occurs, they are risking much more serious injury, but the law allows the rider to make that decision.

Since there is so little protection between the motorcycle rider and the road, it is best to utilize all safety equipment. A helmet is an important piece of safety for any motorcycle rider. In the event of an accident, a motorcycle helmet protects the head and skull from serious injury. Although injuries can still occur, a helmet should always be used. Although the law does not require a motorcycle rider to use a helmet, the protections that it provides are numerous.

While there is no recommendation on behalf of the state of Illinois, it is always advisable to use safety equipment while riding a motorcycle. A motorcycle helmet is designed to protect an individual’s head in the event of trauma following an accident. Although the state of Illinois cannot require an individual to wear a motorcycle helmet, it is always advisable to do so for safety reasons.

Understanding Contributory Negligence

An accident does not need to be 100 percent the fault of a single individual. Two or more individuals can contribute to the cause of an accident. For example, one person may be 75 percent at fault, and the other person 25 percent at fault. Contributory negligence allows people to recover damages even if they are some percentage at fault themselves.

If the percentage is less than 50 percent, an individual is entitled to make a recovery under contributory negligence. However, any recovery in an accident will be reduced by the percentage of fault of the plaintiff. That amount is reduced by the percentage of contributory negligence.

Ways Not Wearing a Helmet Could Impact a Case

It is without dispute that a helmet protects the head of a motorcycle rider. While it is not required, most safe motorcycle riders use a helmet. The helmet is made specifically to protect the head of the individual in the event of a traumatic incident. Without a motorcycle helmet, the rider’s skull will come into direct contact with whatever object is present. The motorcycle helmet helps protect from these types of impacts. While no motorcycle helmet can offer 100 percent protection, it certainly does minimize the amount of injuries motorcycle riders suffer in accidents.

Even though an individual is not required to wear a helmet, the lack of a helmet may be taken into consideration in a case. This is especially true if the injuries could have been prevented or been less severe if the person had been wearing a helmet. A jury may conclude that the motorcycle rider is not entitled to full compensation because of not wearing a helmet.

How a Motorcycle Accident Attorney Could Help

Since motorcycle accidents are much different than car accidents, an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer will perform the necessary investigation to prove the case. This may include measurements and photographs of the scene and the vehicles involved. There may be an opportunity to obtain witness statements or a statement from the investigating police officer. Finding a skilled attorney who has experience handling motorcycle accidents is vital to ensure an injured person receives the proper recovery.

Schedule a consultation today to learn about Oak Lawn motorcycle laws and how it could affect your financial recovery.