As almost any motorcycle rider knows, riding a motorcycle on the road with passenger vehicles can be dangerous. Cars and trucks often drive with little respect for motorcycle riders. The negligence of passenger vehicle drivers is often the cause of Illinois motorcycle accident injuries. Unfortunately, the injuries are very often serious and can cause lifelong complications for the victim.
Drunken driving is one of the more common causes of motorcycle accidents in Gurnee. The nature of drunken driver accidents causes a large amount of damage because of impairment. Drunken driver accidents are usually very serious—even fatal—because the intoxicated driver of a passenger vehicle lacks the good judgment needed to minimize the impact of the crash in the last few seconds.
As a motorcycle rider, it is important to know the signs that a passenger vehicle driver may be impaired in order to stay safe. Four signs that a driver of a passenger vehicle may be drunk are:
- Wide turns. A person driving under the influence tends to make turns with a wide radius. Seeing a driver swing out wide to make a turn that would otherwise be easily made may be a sign that the driver is impaired.
- Straddling lanes. It is difficult for an intoxicated driver to concentrate on the road. To compensate for this, drunken drivers often straddle the lanes to help with concentration. They do this without realizing they are driving down the middle of the road.
- Weaving. Because being impaired takes away the ability to focus and drive straight, impaired drivers tend to weave in and out of their lanes. Often, they will weave within their own lanes, too.
- Extremely slow speeds. Trying to focus on the road will lead a drunk driver to drive much more slowly than normal. It is not uncommon for these drivers to drive more than ten miles per hour under the speed limit.
If you have been struck by a drunken driver while riding your motorcycle, you may be entitled to compensation. To discuss your legal options contact an experienced Gurnee motorcycle accident lawyer at Hupy and Abraham. Call 866-625-2299 today for a free legal consultation.
