For motorcycle riders, nothing beats hopping on your bike and hitting the open road after a long winter. As you would expect, more riders are out during the summertime when the weather is warmer and it is much less difficult or dangerous to ride, for instance, than in the snow or rain.
However, it’s important to keep in mind that rates of motorcycle accidents also increase during this time of the year. While most riders are confident in their abilities and skills, it’s nearly impossible to predict when a driver’s negligence will cause a collision.
Below, we discuss some key reasons why rates of motorcycle accidents increase during summer months so that everyone can take steps to increase safety and reduce the risk of crashes.
Increased Traffic
Summer is one of the most common times for road trips, vacations, and general road travel. This inherently means that there will be more traffic and cars, trucks, motorcycles, and other vehicles all sharing the road together.
Congestion is a common factor that plays a role in motorcycle accidents because of a few reasons:
Tailgating
Frequent stop-and-go traffic
Last-minute lane changes
Close proximity to cars and other vehicles
Road rage and aggressive driving
Additionally, with the warm weather comes more relaxed social environments, especially since many teens and adults have vacation time or holidays like the Fourth of July falls in between. This increases the chance of drunk driving accidents, which are one of the most common causes of fatal motorcycle accidents.
100 Deadliest Days of Summer
The time between Memorial Day in May and Labor Day in September is notoriously known as the “100 Deadliest Days of Summer,” and for a valid reason. Year after year, the number of fatal teen accidents increases by 26% during this time.
Not only are teens themselves more likely to die in crashes during summer, but they are more likely to injure passengers in their own vehicle as well as other car occupants, pedestrians, and motorcycle riders.
Injured in a Motorcycle Accident?
With all that said, please remember to stay vigilant, sober, and defensive when behind the wheel this summer. Accidents can happen when we least expect them to, even during the carefree atmosphere that the summer months bring.
If you or a loved one is injured in a motorcycle accident this summer, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our Chicago injury firm for help pursuing compensation. As avid motorcycle riders ourselves, the legal team at McNabola & Associates knows all too well the dangers that riders face on the road every day.
We are dedicated to protecting the rights of injured riders across Illinois and holding negligent drivers accountable for their actions.
Contact our firm at (312) 888-8700 to get started on your motorcycle accident case with a free, no-obligation consultation.
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