There are more than 600,000 licensed motorcycles in Illinois. There are 8,529,404 licensed drivers in our state. There were 162 motorcycle accidents in Illinois in 2017, the last year for which full and reliable data is available. That same year, motorcycle accidents accounted for 14.3% of all fatal traffic accidents in our state, despite the fact that only 7.2% of households in Illinois own a motorcycle.
Knowing and following Illinois motorcycle laws is not a guarantee against injury, but the practice is a good way to help guard against an accident and to give enough time to properly respond to an accident being caused by someone else. If you have already been injured in an accident or if you have lost a loved one, please call 618-888-8888 to schedule a complimentary consultation with one of the Illinois motorcycle accident lawyers at Brown & Brown today. Located in Illinois, we serve all surrounding areas.
Illinois Motorcycle Safety Equipment Regulations
You are not required to wear a motorcycle helmet in Illinois. You are, however, encouraged to do so. Motorcycle helmets have shown a 67% efficacy in preventing traumatic brain injury and a 37% efficacy in preventing fatal injury.
While a helmet is not required, googles or another form of eye protection are. If your bike is equipped with a windscreen or if your helmet is equipped with a visor, you will not need to wear goggles or glasses. In all other cases, you will.
As with helmets, leathers, boots, and gloves are not required in Illinois, but you are strongly encouraged to use them. The fatality risk in a motorcycle crash is 28x higher than in a passenger vehicle. Any protection you can offer yourself against injury should be taken.
If you are injured in an accident, even if you were not wearing protective gear, you may be entitled to compensation. Our Illinois motorcycle accident attorneys are here to review your case free of charge and help you decide if legal action is the best route.
Illinois Motorcycle Specification Laws
All motorcycles in Illinois must be equipped with:
- A seat and footrest for all passengers
- At least one rear-view mirror
- A running headlamp
- A muffler
Handlebars in Illinois cannot be higher than shoulder-height and the grips must rest below the shoulders.
There are no laws requiring turn signals on motorcycles in Illinois. However, signaling your intent is the only way for those sharing the road to know what you are planning to do. If you have turn signals on your bike, you are strongly encouraged to use them when driving around others.
Lane splitting is illegal in Illinois, there are no laws against lane sharing, however.
After a Motorcycle Accident
If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, it is best to act quickly. Call our office at 618-888-8888 to schedule a free consultation and learn how we can help. Our motorcycle lawyers have been fighting for victims of serious injury for over 25 years. Call us today for honest and useful information about your legal rights and options.
